Ottawa on tap! OTTAWANS' LOVE AFFAIR WITH BEER BREWS UP FUN!
Popular Ottawa Senators hockey player Chris Phillips opened his own brewpub, named Big Rig Brewery after his hockey nickname, in June 2012. He’s even planning to grow some hops on his farm south of Ottawa!
January 2012 saw the opening of the Mill Street Brew Pub in a former grist mill at LeBreton Flats that’s rich in industrial heritage and charm. This picturesque pub is adjacent to the Ottawa River and offers three specialty beers brewed on-site that are exclusive to Ottawa.
The Clocktower Brew Pub opened a fourth location in Westboro, just west of Ottawa’s downtown, in late 2011. Their beers are brewed at the original 575 Bank Street location in the Glebe neighbourhood and distributed exclusively to their other locations in the lively neighbourhoods of New Edinburgh, the ByWard Market, and Westboro.
Les 3 Brasseurs (known in English as The 3 Brewers), a brewpub that began in France then expanded into Canada, opens at 240 Sparks Street in summer 2012.
In the neighbouring city of Gatineau, Québec, a brewpub called Brasseurs du temps has been winning rave reviews, offering 8-12 brews at all times. It’s housed in a heritage building overlooking the aptly named Brewery Creek!
Broadhead Brewing Company is a new (October 2011) microbrewery that’s got spirit. Its six feisty, flavourful ales include Underdog Pale, Grindstone Amber, and Wildcard Ale.
Beau’s All-Natural Brewing Company is a family-run brewery in Vankleek Hill, about an hour’s drive east of downtown Ottawa. Their annual Oktoberfest (September 28-30, 2012) is a legendary party.
Kichesippi (kitsch-uh-sip-ee)—named after the original aboriginal moniker for the Ottawa River—burst onto the Ottawa scene in spring 2010 and soon after purchased Heritage Brewing Company, an Ottawa mainstay. The brewery—in Ottawa’s near west end— continues to offer tours and tastings.
The HogsBack Brewing Company launched only a handful of weeks earlier than Kichesippi, and won Gold at the Ontario Brewing Awards in May 2012 for best North American lager style beer, as well as the People’s Choice Award and Newcomer of the Year award.
Brothers Beer Bistro opened in June 2012 in the ByWard Market neighbourhood, with a focus on craft beer. All menu items include beer and beer pairings are suggested.
A brand new festival celebrating beer takes place August 10 – 18, 2012 called National Capital Craft Beer Week. A series of beer-themed events throughout the region is capped off with a two-day outdoor festival at Ottawa City Hall.
