Ontario/Quebec trip beer destinations

I realize I am setting myself up for being yelled at, but if you are getting off the highway in Hamilton, Fairweather and Grain & Grit (literally right across the street from one another) is a better use of time that CA. Most of what you will find at the brewery can be picked up at LCBOs or on tap fairly easily.

 

I take a yearly trip for fishing just outside of Kingston and really liked what I picked up at Napanee Beer Company last year.

A couple of things about the NY portion of your trip: Thin Man and Big Ditch are both worth the stop in Buffalo and are only about 10 minutes from each other. 42 North in East Aurora is also pretty good. Good Nature Brewing is Hamilton, NY, I believe, not Hamilton, ON. Depending on how you travel between Buffalo and Philly to get home, Upstate Brewing in Elmira or any of the following Syracuse area breweries are worth a stop (Prison City, Buried Acorn, Red Hawk, Full Boar).

 

I would for sure recommend Fairweather and Grain & Grit as great spots to check out and your point about picking up CA's stuff at the LCBO is legit, but I would still recommend stopping at Collective Arts if you only had one stop in Hamilton.

As far as Buffalo goes based on the styles listed there I would say Thin Man for sure, Big Ditch is great but I'm not sure how much you will find there based on your style preferences. There is a newer brewery called Froth that may have more of what you are looking for. Also shameless plug here, come visit us at Pressure Drop we have an excellent imperial stout and there are two other breweries within walking distance.

Also if you are heading straight up 87 and can time it right, check out Ausable Brewing Company.

 

Everyone's raised some good points and you've clearly mapped out some bangers but here's my two cents:

1) I'd bump Tooth and Nail in Ottawa to a must. The quality of beer + vibes are second to none in the region. Most can't help but walk out with a six pack of Vim and Vigour, which is arguably the best crafted pilsner in Ontario.

2) Godspeed does actually fit in with the sort of styles you're looking for (i.e. they currently have two stouts, and a dark czech lager on tap and have killer saisons available on the regular). It's pretty singular in its intent, too.

3) As some have pointed out, don't forget the amazing bars available! Vice Versa in Montreal is fantastic, Bar Hop (King St.) and Birreria Volo and Thirsty and Miserable are killing it in Toronto, etc.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

I'll third this one. Fairweather has little presence outside the brewery, but they are one that would be criminal to miss, and for me, while they may not brew the hop bombs Collective Arts does, most of what Grain and Grit brew is solid for me. Their Wheat Beer and Bob's Best Bitter I love, unequivocally. Collective Arts, sure you may get a couple of the "only at brewery" offerings, but their footprint is growing more and more every year.