Best Craft Breweries in Ottawa

Ottawa's craft beer scene has grown from a handful of pioneers to a city-wide network of taprooms, each with its own character. Whether you want a brewery crawl through Hintonburg, a dog-friendly patio in Orleans, or an experimental small-batch experience in Nepean, there's a brewery for you.

Here are the best craft breweries in Ottawa.

The Best Craft Breweries in Ottawa

1. Beyond the Pale Brewing Company

Beyond the Pale opened in 2012 and helped launch Ottawa's modern craft beer movement. The Hintonburg taproom has 16 taps, a Smoquehouse BBQ kitchen, and one of the city's biggest dog-friendly patios. A second location on George St in the ByWard Market expanded their reach downtown.

Must-try: Pink Fuzz (raspberry wheat ale), Darkness (stout)

2. Dominion City Brewing Co.

Dominion City is widely considered Ottawa's best brewery for beer quality. Founded in 2014 as Canada's first Kickstarter-funded brewery, they brew some of the city's best hazy IPAs and crisp lagers. The taproom and separate Corner Store share a site on Canotek Rd, with a beer garden that includes a community vegetable garden donating to the local food bank.

Must-try: Sunsplit IPA (hazy), Two Flags IPA, Town & Country (pilsner)

3. Tooth and Nail Brewing Company

Tooth and Nail occupies a century-old former machine shop in Hintonburg. The heritage building, exposed brick, and warm lighting create one of Ottawa's best brewery atmospheres. Monday–Friday happy hour ($2 off pints from 4–6 PM) and weekly Cask Thursdays make it worth timing your visit. They also serve Roman-style pinsa.

Must-try: Rabble Rouser (IPA 6.8%), Fortitude (Stout 5.4%), Valour (Saison 6.0%)

4. Flora Hall Brewing

Flora Hall stands out as Ottawa's best brewery-restaurant hybrid. Unlike most taprooms where food is an afterthought, Flora Hall's kitchen turns out wings, brisket, and grilled cheese that rival standalone restaurants. The Centretown heritage building feels like a neighbourhood pub that happens to brew excellent beer.

Must-try: Howler IPA, Foeder Aged Imperial Chocolate Stout

5. Stray Dog Brewing Company

Stray Dog was Orleans' first microbrewery and won a gold medal at the 2019 Canadian Brewing Awards for its Jagged Little Pilsner. Dogs are welcome both inside and on the fenced patio — fitting for the name. The BBQ menu and live music events make it a full evening destination.

Must-try: Jagged Little Pilsner (gold medal), Shaggin' Wagon (NEIPA 6.4%)

6. Bicycle Craft Brewery

Bicycle Craft Brewery is one of Ottawa's most welcoming taprooms. Families and dogs are encouraged, you can bring your own food or order delivery, and the atmosphere is completely relaxed. The beers are approachable and well-balanced — a great starting point for anyone new to craft beer.

Must-try: Velocipede IPA (West Coast), Pink Himalayan Salt Wheat Ale

7. Broadhead Brewing Company

Broadhead started in a basement in 2011 and grew into one of Orleans' go-to community spots. The taproom features Meatings BBQ, trivia on Tuesdays, bingo on Thursdays, and live music on weekends. They also carry Dunrobin Distillery cocktails and Saunders Cider alongside their 12 house taps.

Must-try: Blueberry Blonde, rotating limited releases

8. Big Rig Brewery

Big Rig is Ottawa's largest craft brewery by volume. The Kanata headquarters has a taproom and retail beer store, plus casual food (pizza, burgers, tacos). They also produce craft distilled spirits and operate two restaurant locations on Iris St and Ogilvie Rd.

Must-try: Alpha Bomb IPA, Gold Lagered Ale

9. Whiprsnapr Brewing Co.

Whiprsnapr is a family-run Nepean brewery that has brewed over 150 different styles in its decade-plus of operation. The weekly tap rotation means there's always something new. They also serve craft pizza and house-made sodas. If you like experimental, one-off beers, this is your spot.

Must-try: Spruced Pale Ale, whatever's new that week

Ottawa Brewery Crawl Routes

Hintonburg Walk (3 breweries, ~15 min walk)

1. Start at Beyond the Pale (250 City Centre Ave)
2. Walk to Tooth and Nail (3 Irving Ave) — 10 min
3. Head to Flora Hall (37 Flora St) — 15 min walk or short bus

This is Ottawa's only walkable brewery crawl. Start with BBQ and big patios at BTP, then heritage atmosphere and cask ales at Tooth and Nail, and finish with a full dinner at Flora Hall.

Orleans Tour (2 breweries, 10 min drive)

1. Stray Dog (501 Lacolle Way)
2. Broadhead (1680 Vimont Court)

Both offer BBQ, patios, and dog-friendly policies. Plan for a designated driver or cab.

West End Loop (2 breweries, 15–20 min drive)

1. Whiprsnapr (14 Bexley Pl, Bells Corners)
2. Big Rig (103 Schneider Rd, Kanata)

Comparison

Tips

• Best patio season is May–October. Most brewery patios are first-come, first-served.
• Flights are available at most breweries and are the best way to sample the range.
• Growler fills — bring a clean growler to most taprooms for discounted takeaway.
• Designated driver — breweries outside downtown require a car. Plan accordingly.
• Events — check brewery social media for tap takeovers, cask nights, and live music schedules.