The local beer scene keeps getting bigger and better. Late in December 2018, Apt613 sent out a survey to craft breweries in the region. It’s becoming an annual tradition we enjoy. Their responses are a deep supply of fun facts about the Ottawa brewery scene.
Which is each brewery’s most popular beer? Can Ottawa brewers agree on a favourite local beer? It’s always tight, but we have a winner.
Openings
Overflow Brewing Company set up big in Ottawa South. Aside from the eight beers on draught in a large taproom, they have also launched a concert series: beer and live music is the best pairing.
Calabogie Brewing Co. will be opening a second location in Kanata at 105 Schneider. There they’ll be neighbouring Small Pony Barrel Works and Big Rig Brewery, creating a mini-brewing hub within the west-end industrial park.
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Braumeister Brewing Co. joined Stalwart out in Carleton Place. The new brewery focuses on German-style beers that are delicious and precisely crafted. A cozy taproom and a fridge full of colourful beers to-go greet locals and Highway 7 travellers.
Everyone’s favourite garage-brewery, Evergreen Craft Ales, is moving out! They will be leaving the suburban garage and re-locating at 767 Silver Seven Road in Kanata. The upgrade includes a 15BBL system and a retail taproom with snacks and light food. The new location is aiming to open this spring—watch the journey through their new YouTube channel.
Highlights
- Another year, another shelf of awards behind the Tooth and Nail bar. They won gold at the Canadian Brewing Awards for Invigorator (doppelbock) and T&N’s Valor (saison) took home a bronze. Great for them to get more deserved national recognition, but locals already know how great they are.
- Everyone’s favourite bootstrap-brewery, Stalwart Brewing Co. got their delicious IPA into the LCBO—saving many fans on gas money and travel time out to Carleton Place. Buuuut the beer, Dr. Feelgood, didn’t meet the LCBO’s naming and labelling conventions, so was rebranded as Snake Oil (I see what you did there). You can still find Feelgood at the shop.
- Dominion City Brewing Co. made national headlines with their “buck-a-beer” blonde ale, a snapback to Premier Doug Ford’s controversial buck-a-beer policy. The limited edition beer sold out and DCBC donated a dollar from every sale to Refugee613.
- Beau’s (who also took home hardware at the CBAs) launched a new podcast, Lagered Tales. Bi-weekly episodes cover a wide-range of topics from England to music to true-crime to beer. It’s been a great addition to my commute. Joel Plaskett was their first-ever guest. Have a listen to Episode 1 in the player above—or skip right to Episode 6 aka The New Year’s Day Episode featuring Jim Bryson and Chef Charlotte Langley.
- Beau’s got to celebrate their tenth Oktoberfest in Vankleek Hill, only the Friday night (headlined by Joel Plaskett) had to be cancelled for that darned tornado!
- The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies held their first local craft beer night for women in Ottawa. The event is a safe and inclusive space, welcoming to the LGBTQ, transgender communities and all who identify as women. SODBL hosted another levy in December and have plans for a third Ottawa event in the spring.
- Amos the Transparent celebrated a decade as a band by releasing a new album: Anniversaries. Ten years as a band is an impressive feat, one that deserves a befitting celebration—like getting their own beer. The band is teamed up with Big Rig Brewery to release Amos Anniversaries beer.
- Kichesippi Beer Co. is leaving it’s spot on Campbell Avenue after nine (1) years. The new, larger space on Robertson Road in Bell’s Corners will allow the brewery and its customers more bent elbow room. The new location, expected to be up and running by spring 2019, will include a taproom, beer garden and event space.
The most popular beers
Whether it’s #1 for sales volume or the fastest-selling seasonal, every brewery names their most popular:
| Beau's Brewing Co. | Lug Tread Lagered Ale |
| Bicycle Craft Brewery | Velocipede IPA and Milkshake IPA |
| Les Brasseurs du Temps | Et La Lumière Fût |
| Broadhead Brewing Co. | Blue Print Blueberry Blonde |
| Brown Van Brewing Corp. | Brown Van Kolsch |
| Calabogie Brewing Co. | Front Porch |
| Cartwright Springs Brewery | Crème Caramale |
| Cassel Brewery Company Ltd. | Franco |
| Covered Bridge Brewing | Eternally Hoptimistic |
| Dominion City Brewing Co. | Sunsplit IPA |
| Flora Hall Brewing | North East IPA |
| Kichesippi Beer Co. | 1855 |
| Nita Beer Company | Ten12 |
| Square Timber Brewing Co. | Pembroke Pils |
| Stray Dog Brewing Co. | Shaggin' Wagon |
| Vimy Brewing Company | Cream Ale, Red Ale, and Pale Ale |
| Waller St. Brewery | Tiger Milk |
| Whiprsnapr Brewing Co. | Inukshuk Canadian IPA |
Brewers pick Aromatherapy
Beyond The Pale’s hazy IPA gets the nod from our local brewers. We asked them to name which local beer they enjoy most (that they don’t make themselves).
Aromatherapy was in fact a runner-up in our 2017 poll. This year’s honourable mentions go out to Stray Dog’s Shaggin’ Wagon, Nita’s Ten12, Big Rig for Alpha Bomb, Storm Watch by Small Pony Barrel Works, the Blackberry Sherbert Sourt at Flora Hall, and Los Tobernacos! from Brasserie du Bas Canada. These six were right behind Aromatherapy with the most votes.