The Best Craft Breweries in Toronto

No.1

Bar• Ossington

Bellwoods Brewery

“Jelly King is arguably the most famous and beloved sour beer in Canada.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Since opening its doors on the Ossington strip in 2012, Bellwoods Brewery has evolved from a cramped, ambitious brewpub into the definitive anchor of Toronto’s craft beer culture. Founded by Luke Pestl and Mike Clark, the space retains an industrial-chic, communal energy that feels like a permanent neighbourhood party. The brewpub itself is an inviting, multi-level room where you can watch the brewing process while sipping on some of the most consistent and innovative beer in the country. It is a place where beer nerds, locals, and curious visitors collide, all drawn by a rotating tap list that balances hop-forward IPAs, crisp lagers, and their legendary, complex barrel-aged sours. The vibe is unpretentious and buzzing, especially on the patio during warmer months. For a first-timer, the Jelly King dry-hopped sour is non-negotiable—it is the beer that put them on the map for a reason. If you prefer hops, look for whatever IPA is freshest on the board, like the Roman Candle or Witchshark. The food menu is surprisingly elevated for a brewery, focusing on thoughtful, seasonal plates that pair perfectly with the beer; the sourdough bread with whipped butter and any of the rotating vegetable-forward small plates are excellent choices. Prices are mid-range for the quality you receive. Reservations for the dining room are highly recommended via Tock, as the place fills up fast, particularly on weekends. If you can’t snag a table, the bottle shop next door is perfect for grabbing cans to go.

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No.2

Bar• Geary Avenue

Blood Brothers Brewing

“Their 'Blood Light' and unique fruit-forward sours push the envelope of modern brewing.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Tucked into a renovated century-old horse stable in the heart of the Geary Avenue arts district, Blood Brothers Brewing is the brainchild of brothers Dustin and Brayden Jones. Since launching in 2015, they have cemented themselves as a cornerstone of Toronto’s craft scene by consistently pushing boundaries with experimental, often occult-themed brews that refuse to play it safe. The atmosphere is pure industrial-chic, blending the gritty history of the neighbourhood with a high-energy, welcoming taproom vibe. It is the kind of place where the beer list is as long as it is adventurous, featuring everything from their signature hazy pale ales to complex, fruit-forward sours that challenge your palate in the best way possible. For a first-timer, you cannot go wrong with their Shumei IPA or anything from the rotating Paradise Lost sour series. When hunger strikes, their on-site kitchen serves up excellent Southern-inspired comfort food, with meats smoked in-house using oak staves from their own beer barrels. It is moderately priced and open seven days a week, making it an easy choice for a casual afternoon or a lively evening. While walk-ins are common, you can book a table via Resy if you are planning a visit with a group. Keep an eye out for their bottle shop fridges on your way out; they are perfect for grabbing a few cans of whatever experimental batch caught your eye during your flight.

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No.3

Bar• Leslieville

Left Field Brewery

“The Greenwood IPA is a flawless, perfect everyday IPA.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Tucked away in a quiet industrial laneway in Leslieville, Left Field Brewery is the quintessential neighbourhood spot that feels like a well-kept secret. Founded in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Mark and Mandie Murphy, the brewery was born from their shared obsession with craft beer and baseball. The atmosphere is consistently relaxed and unpretentious, making it a favourite for locals, families, and dog owners alike. You will often find the staff hanging out at the bar, which is a great way to get the inside scoop on what is currently fermenting in the tanks. With Major League games frequently playing on the TVs and a genuine community-focused vibe, it is the perfect place to settle in for a few hours. For a first-timer, you cannot go wrong with their flagship Greenwood IPA, which hits that perfect balance of juicy hop character and drinkability. If you are feeling adventurous, their rotating selection of sours—often featuring creative fruit profiles—is always worth a look. Unlike their Liberty Village location, this original Leslieville taproom does not have a full kitchen, but you are welcome to bring your own food, which makes it an ideal spot to grab a local takeout pizza and settle in. It is generally busy on weekends, so aim for a weekday afternoon if you want a quieter experience. Prices are standard for high-quality craft beer, and the service is always friendly and knowledgeable.

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No.4

Bar• Bloordale Village

Burdock

“If you are a wine drinker who hates beer, Burdock will completely change your mind.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Founded in 2015 by Jason Stein and Matt Park, Burdock Brewery transformed the Bloordale Village scene by blending a refined, modern brewery with an intimate, acoustically engineered music hall. While they have since expanded production to a larger facility in Kensington Market, the Bloor Street location remains the heart of their operation. The vibe here is effortlessly cool and unpretentious, striking a balance between a neighborhood hangout and a serious destination for craft beer enthusiasts. They are widely respected for their technical precision, producing everything from crisp, everyday-drinking lagers and pilsners to experimental, fruit-forward grape ales that blur the line between beer and natural wine. The space is bright, airy, and welcoming, making it an ideal spot to settle in for an afternoon or evening. When visiting, skip the standard pub fare and focus on their seasonal, locally-sourced menu, which is designed specifically to pair with their complex brews. If you are a first-timer, order a flight to explore their range, specifically looking for any of their barrel-aged hybrid creations. The kitchen’s small plates are consistently excellent, with their fries and rotating seasonal vegetable dishes being reliable standouts. Prices are mid-range, reflecting the quality of ingredients and the craft involved. It is a popular spot, so booking a table for dinner is wise, though the bar area often has space for walk-ins. It is a fantastic place to catch an intimate live music set, so check their calendar before heading over if you want to pair your pint with a performance.

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No.5

Bar• Trinity Bellwoods

Collective Arts

“Incredible beer paired with constantly rotating cans featuring independent artists.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Collective Arts brings its signature Hamilton-born, art-forward ethos to the heart of Trinity Bellwoods, occupying a spacious, industrial-chic taproom on Dundas West. This isn't just a place to grab a pint; it functions as a living gallery where the brewery’s mission of fusing craft beverages with global creative talent is on full display. The atmosphere is vibrant and unpretentious, attracting a mix of local creatives, beer enthusiasts, and casual weekend crowds. With plenty of seating, including a popular street-side patio for warmer months and a lower-level event space that frequently hosts live music, it strikes a balance between a relaxed workday hangout and a lively evening spot. The walls are constantly rotating with new art, ensuring that the space feels fresh every time you visit. For a first-timer, the move is to order a flight to sample their diverse lineup, which ranges from their reliable core IPAs to experimental small-batch brews and ciders. If you aren't a beer drinker, their house-made spirits, canned cocktails, and non-alcoholic options are surprisingly sophisticated. The kitchen serves up a rotating menu of elevated bites—often featuring creative fusion influences—that are designed to pair perfectly with their drinks. Prices are standard for a Toronto craft brewery, and while it can get busy on weekend evenings, you can usually find a spot if you arrive early. It is a cashless establishment, so keep your card handy, and check their website before heading out if you are hoping to catch a specific live music set or event in the basement.

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No.6

Bar• Lower Junction

Henderson Brewing

“Henderson's Best is a masterclass in a perfectly balanced ESB.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Tucked away in the industrial heart of the Junction Triangle on Sterling Road, Henderson Brewing is a love letter to Toronto’s history. Named after Robert Henderson, who established the city’s first brewery in 1800, the operation is run by industry veterans who prioritize approachable, high-quality craft beer over fleeting trends. The taproom itself is a spacious, bright, and welcoming environment where you can watch the brewing process through large windows. It feels like a true community hub, often hosting local events, markets, and collaborations—most notably their long-standing partnership with the band Rush. The atmosphere is unpretentious and inclusive, making it a perfect spot to settle in for an afternoon regardless of whether you are a seasoned beer nerd or just looking for a solid pint. For a first-timer, you cannot go wrong with their flagship Henderson’s Best, a reliable, modern take on a classic English Amber Ale that is incredibly drinkable. If you want something with more character, their Rush Canadian Golden Ale is a staple for a reason. The brewery offers a selection of pizzas and snacks on-site, so keep in mind that outside food is not permitted. Prices are standard for Toronto craft breweries, and while they have plenty of room for casual walk-ins, it is worth checking their website if you are planning to visit with a large group. Sunday afternoons are particularly enjoyable, often featuring oyster pop-ups that pair perfectly with their crisp pilsners. It is a laid-back, reliable destination that captures the spirit of the neighbourhood.

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No.7

Bar• Junction Triangle

Halo Brewery

“Expect completely wild ingredients like rosehips, kiwi, and obscure berries in flawless beers.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Founded by homebrewers Eric Portelance and Callum Hay, Halo Brewery brought a refreshing, tech-inspired ethos to the Junction Triangle when it opened in 2016. Tucked away near the West Toronto Railpath, this space feels like a true neighbourhood laboratory. They are famously Canada’s first open-source brewery, meaning they publish their recipes online for anyone to learn from or tweak. The atmosphere is intimate and industrial-chic, featuring geometric wooden accents and a view directly into the brewhouse where the magic happens. It’s the kind of place where the staff genuinely geek out over yeast strains and fermentation profiles, making it a favourite for locals who want to skip the crowded downtown taprooms for something more focused and authentic. If you are a first-timer, start with a flight to sample their range, as they are constantly rotating experimental batches that push boundaries beyond standard styles. Their Magic Missile dry-hopped pale ale is a reliable flagship, but keep an eye out for their sours and saisons, which often feature unique fruit and spice infusions that are surprisingly balanced. The pricing is standard for high-quality craft beer in Toronto, and the vibe is laid-back enough that you don’t need a reservation. It’s best visited on a weekday evening or a weekend afternoon when you can snag a seat at the bar and chat with the brewers. They are dog-friendly and offer a great selection of cans to go, making it a perfect stop after a walk on the nearby railpath.

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No.8

Bar• Little India

Godspeed Brewery

“Their Yuzu citrus saison and their traditional Czech lagers are absolutely world-class.”

— Very Toronto Editors

Founded by Luc “Bim” Lafontaine, the former head brewer at Montreal’s legendary Dieu du Ciel!, Godspeed Brewery brings a level of technical precision to the east end that is frankly unmatched. Located near the corner of Gerrard and Coxwell, the taproom strikes a balance between Japanese minimalism and the communal warmth of a Bavarian beer hall. It is a serious space for beer lovers, known for an “inspiration-first” philosophy that sees Lafontaine applying his deep knowledge of traditional European styles—particularly Czech lagers—alongside expressive, high-quality Japanese ingredients. The atmosphere is quiet, focused, and unpretentious, making it the perfect spot for a thoughtful pint rather than a rowdy night out. When you visit, start with the Ochame, a green tea IPA that manages to be both floral and balanced, or dive straight into their impeccable Czech-style lagers like the Světlý Ležák 12°. The food menu is intentionally tight but consistently excellent, featuring elevated snacks and small plates that pair perfectly with the beer; don't skip the karaage or the house-made pickles. Prices are reasonable for the quality on offer. It is a great spot for a solo afternoon or a low-key catch-up with friends. While they do take reservations, the space is welcoming enough that you can often snag a seat at the bar if you’re on your own.

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