Tour a brewery for true local flavour
- Ottawa Travel Guide
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- Wednesday, 13 March 2013 09:00
As restaurant goers are sure to discover, Ottawa is home to many local beers. Travellers who have a passion for beer or are in search of an interesting way to spend an afternoon can explore these beverages and the effort that goes into making them at numerous breweries and brewpubs across the city.
Mill Street Brew Pub
Located in a former grist mill, the Mill St. Brew Pub isn't just a brewery. Between the restaurant and live music performances every Thursday, visitors might forget to take the brewery tour. For a look around the brewery and a sampling of specialty beers, guests should check in at the retail store but don't need to make a reservation. The tours are complimentary at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. every day.
Several of Mill Street Brew Pub's beers are only available in Ottawa and reflect the traditions, culture and history of the area. Named for the Chaudière Falls in the Ottawa River near the brewery, the Ambre de la Chaudière is a northern French style of farmhouse ale and has a slightly fruity, spicy aroma. Their Portage Ale is in the style of several beers made by breweries in the nearby Lebreton Flats neighbourhood in the 1800 and 1900's.
Back in the restaurant, much of the menu has been designed around the beer.
"We've tried to do something a little different with the menu, and I feel I've created food that complements the beer," says chef Shawn Jackson.
Broadhead Brewing Company
The microbrewery, Broadhead Brewing Company is named after the heads of its founders, Josh Larocque and Shane Matte, both of Ottawa. The company constructed its utilitarian brewhouse to match its approach to beer making and has worked to set up everything from the walls to the computer programming used in the brewery.
Visitors to Broadhead can expect a friendly staff and samples of their distinct brews. The Underdog Pale Ale is a hoppy, bitter beer balanced with a foundation of malt. For those after a sweet and slightly spicy beer, the Long Shot White is a fruit-flavoured wheat ale.
Kichesippi Beer Company
Kichesippi Beer is a family-owned brewing company in Ottawa. It takes its name from the history of the city: the Ottawa River was known as the Kichesippi before the founding of Ottawa in 1855.
Visitors who go on a brewery tour at Kichesippi will also get a taste of one of the brewery's beers. An all malt pale ale, Kichesippi's Natural Blonde can only be purchased locally.
