While Niagara’s world-class wine scene often takes centre stage in the region’s beverage production story, a delicious cast of other characters has been bubbling up in the background over the last decade. Today, Niagara’s craft breweries, cideries and distilleries are garnering their own fair share of well-deserved attention. With so much happening amongst these producers, one trip may not be enough to truly get a taste of all the action! In recognition of the fact that multiple trips may be in order, here is an entire year’s worth of fun ways to sip your way through Niagara’s craft beverage scene!
September is crunch time for Niagara’s apple orchards and cider producers, making it a perfect month for a pick-your-own adventure. Start your visit by going straight to the source and experience the fun of gathering a basket of apples right off the trees in the orchard. On your way to one of the ten craft cider producers on Niagara’s Ale Trail, make a stop at one of the region’s many bakeries for an apple-filled pastry, fritter, crumble, or pie.
What better way to celebrate Canadian Beer Day on October 9 than by raising a locally crafted pint to the people who brew it, sell it, deliver it, and serve it? The friendly staff at the 19 craft breweries on the Niagara Ale Trail will be thrilled to walk you through their interesting choices, curate a flight that reflects your unique flavour preferences, and give you the inside scoop on their craft brewing secrets.
Spend International Stout Day, celebrated on the first Thursday in November, getting to know the darkly delicious side of Niagara’s craft beer scene. As you taste your way through Niagara’s sensational Stout selection, be prepared to encounter creative ingredients and add-ins like oatmeal, cold-brew coffee, and even oysters!
Spending a December weekend shopping for spirited stocking stuffers and merry merchandise at Niagara’s craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries is an excellent way to impress the beverage lovers on your holiday gift list. You’ll find endless gifting inspiration, including cans of creative brews (which fit perfectly into the toe of a stocking), fun branded swag, beautiful barware, and unique bottles of spirits! Be sure to make time for a pub-style lunch or cozy comfort food dinner at one of the many restaurants located within Niagara’s craft breweries. Consider booking overnight accommodations to allow some extra time to browse Niagara’s many unique shopping districts and outlet malls while you’re here.
Set yourself up for a delicious Dry January with a trip to Niagara. The area’s small-batch distilleries are a great place to find locally made fruit bitters for tasty mocktails. Several craft breweries and cideries also offer carefully crafted non-alcoholic beer and cider options. Indulge in a little extra self-care during your getaway at one of Niagara’s world-class destination spas.
Spending a weekend touring the Niagara Ale Trail is a fun and flavorful way to stock the fridge for February’s Superbowl festivities with small-batch beers and ciders that often can’t be found at larger retailers. With 19 different craft breweries and ten cideries to choose from, booking an overnight stay is a good idea.
Celebrate International Whisky Day with a dram of something delicious at one of Niagara’s award-winning distilleries. Niagara’s distilleries have been wowing the world’s wine critics lately, bringing home awards that include the Canadian Whisky Awards’ Whisky Maker of the Decade, a Double Gold from the International Spirit Awards, Best in Show at the Global Spirits Awards and a Gold Medal at the U.S. Open Spirits Competition.
Don’t let rainy April weather put a damper on your trip to Niagara. Many craft breweries offer fun indoor activities during the off-season, like trivia nights, Name That Tune contests and more. Taking part in a guided distillery or craft brewery tour or tasting is another excellent way to pass a rainy day!
Spending the first warm, sunny day of May enjoying a frosty pint on a patio is a Canadian tradition, and Niagara’s got plenty of fantastic options! In the warmer months, you’ll find patios with live music, friendly matches of corn hole happening, and beautiful Niagara views.
Those looking to try a diverse range of Niagara and Ontario craft brews from one fun and festive location will want to make the trip to St. Catharines for the Quench Craft Beer Festival. Niagara’s premier craft beer festival brings 25 of Ontario’s best producers to Downtown St. Catharines each June!
Summertime in Niagara brings bushels of farm-fresh flavours from the region’s many fruit farms, making July an excellent time to taste the interesting layers that ingredients like peaches, cherries, berries, plums, and apricots add to beer, cider, hard seltzer, and spirits.
Honour the dog days of summer by bringing your pooch along on your August trip to Niagara. Not only are many of Niagara’s patios dog friendly, some of the area’s craft brewers even offer special perks for dogs, like water bowls, “pup plates,” “barkuterie boards,” and branded dog bandanas!
Are you ready to plan a getaway filled with some new-to-you Niagara craft breweries, cideries and distilleries? You’re in the right place! Browse our Craft Beer, Cider, and Spirits pages for inspiration, and be sure to follow @VisitNiagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to get up-to-the-minute news on what’s happening in Niagara over the weeks and months ahead. Then, book a great place to stay and make a few dining reservations to round out your trip!
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