It should be no secret that Calgary’s craft beer scene is getting larger by the year. You can find a huge number of these craft breweries in Inglewood and the Beltline equipped with in-person dining and patio options. There are, however, a few other ways you can get your craft beer fix in Calgary- try one of the local craft beer shops, try a restaurant with a massive craft beer list, or take an exciting tour through Calgary’s brewery districts!
There are seemingly countless ways to try craft beer in Calgary, so here is a quick guide to the tours, the best patios, restaurants, and craft beer shops in the city.
Craft Beer Tours
1. Pedal Pub
There are a few fun options for taking your party to the streets on a bike! With Pedal Pub Tours, you can cycle as a group through Beltline or Calgary’s Barley Belt as you taste the beers of the many breweries over a course of two-hours.
Cost: varies.
Pedal Pub: 1417 9 Ave SE, Calgary
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2. Minhas Micro Brewery
You might not recognize the name of the microbrewery, but you most definitely recognize these iconic Alberta beer brands: Mountain Crest, Boxer, and Lazy Mutt. All three are brewed by the Minhas group, and you can see just what that process looks like via one of the “best brewery tours in Alberta.” Be sure to finish your tour at their Pizza Brew Restaurant.
Minhas Micro Brewery: 1314, 44 Avenue NE
Phone: (403) 695-3701
Cost: $12/person
3. Cold Garden Beverage Company
The Cold Garden tours and tastings remain virtual for now, but include four beers to taste, a 20oz. branded cup, a live tour of the brew space, a guided tasting, and delivery- you might receive some additional surprise swag, too! Your tour will get right into how Cold Garden came to eb, and how their beers come to be by learning all the details of how they’re made. There is a Q&A period at the end of your tour to help you get the most out of your experience.
Cold Garden Beverage Company: 1100 11 St SE
Phone: (403) 764-2653
Cost: $60/person
4. Canadian Craft Tours
You can book yourself a tour and tasting of multiple breweries in Calgary with Canadian Craft Tours, but you can also book you and up to 11 friends for a bicycle beer tour! CCTs offer multiple exciting ways that get you tasting the best of Calgary’s craft beer from local favourites like Banded Peak, Annex, and Elite.
Canadian Craft Tours: Location Details provided upon Booking.
Cost: $89/person (Brewery Tour)
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5. Calgary Craft Connection
The lineup of breweries you’ll visit through Calgary Craft Connection is always changing, so it is worth it to take more than one tour with them! These more intimate tours will stop at three or four local breweries to show you the processes behind making these tasty drinks.
Craft Beer on the Patio
1. Railyard Brewing
With a taproom as stylish as Railyard’s, you might have a tough decision deciding between the patio and tasting their beers indoors. But if sunshine is your aim, the Railyard patio is a great intimate space with plenty of open air and sun. For summer sipping, you may want to try their Peach Sour, Railyard Pale Ale, or their Nitro Stout for something on the darker side.
Railyard Brewing: 10301 19 St. NE Unit 121
Phone: (403) 465-4831
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2. Wild Rose Brewery
The oh-so-recognizable Wild Rose label is just that because of their years dedicated to making good-quality local brews. The old hangar location of the brewery allows them to have a nice, wide-open patio area. Their newest must-tries this year include a Pineapple Milkshake IPA, a Belgian-style Wit, and an Alumnisa (a strong and tropical IPA). Dog-friendly patio.
Wild Rose Brewery: 4580 Quesnay Wood Dr. SW
Phone: (403) 727-5451
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3. Revival Brewcade
What is revival bringing back? The solid enjoyment of arcades! While you enjoy your authentic Brewcade beers, you can partake in all sorts of classic bar and arcade games. Out on their patio you can relax in a colourful environment in their Adirondack chairs.
Revival Brewcade: 1217B 9th Ave. SE
Phone: (587) 893-2337
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4. OT Brewing Company
OT is a family-owned and operated Calgary brewery who offer a similar type of atmosphere in their taproom and on their patio: it is warm, it is inviting, and they’ll make you feel at home. But they have something your home doesn’t: a huge selection of their own craft beers! And if you’re looking for the ultimate boozy cool-down, try a Tipsy Stix freezie made with Tipsy Stix vodka.
OT Brewing Company: 1155E 44 Ave SE
Phone: (403) 816-4575
5. Elite Brewing & Cidery
The list of drinks created at Elite go far beyond craft beer; you can also enjoy their homemade ciders and sangrias on their Edmonton Trail patio. And if it is a really hot day out, you can site under their MIST RAIL on the patio. Dog friendly patio.
Elite Brewing & Cidery: 1319 Edmonton Trail
Phone: (403) 277-7099
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6. Bow River Brewing
Come enjoy one of the newest brewery patios in Calgary at Bow River. Along with their craft beers you can also fill up on pizza, Aussie Pies, and other tasty appetizers. The beers offered draw inspiration from the Bow River, the glaciers which feed it, and the prairies that surround it to bring styles like Cherry Raz Wit, Prairie Night Smokey Porter, or High Country Amber. Dog-friendly patio: yes
Bow River Brewing: #110 5769 4 St. SE
Phone: (403) 917-1088
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7. The Establishment Brewing Company
The Establishment was essentially born of the 2013 southern Alberta floods and the destruction brought about by them. After their brew lab was gutted by the flood, the people at Establishment started from scratch to build a brand-new lab to bring you their great local beers once again. They now offer 14 beers on tap that you can enjoy on their central-Calgary patio.
The Establishment Brewing Company: 4407 1 St. SE
Phone: (403) 453-6212
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8. Eighty-Eight Brewing Co.
We’re going way back with 88 Brewing Co.- back to the 80’s! Step back in time at this ultra-retro brewery who pays homage to a bumping and busting time in Calgary’s history during the ’88 Olympic Games. The colourful patio matches the awesome artwork of their beer labels, and their flavours which are sure to bring about some feelings of nostalgia: Hammer Pants Pale Ale, Pretty in Pink Vodka Soda, Ring Pop Double IPA, or Fun Dip Session Hazy, to name a few.
Eighty-Eight Brewing Co.: #1070 – 2600 Portland St. SE
Phone: (403) 452 5880
9. High Line Brewing
Stop by the new extended patio at Highline to try their authentic Calgary beers and more. On top of the craft beer selection, High Line also offer signature cocktails, bar snacks, and wine. Keep your eye on their rotating small-batch taps for something new each season!
Highline Brewing: 1318 9 Ave. SE #113
Phone: (403) 827-6985
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10. Inner City Brewing
Inn City plan to get back to their usual fun theme and trivia nights this summer! At this local brewery you can enjoy their patio, their core selection of craft beers, Hops Scholars Trivia Nights, and delicious pub snacks like poutine, burgers, and hot dogs.
Inner City Brewing: 820 11 Ave. SW
Phone: (587) 880-8600
Craft Beer Restaurants
1. CRAFT Beer Market
The wonderful thing about the CRAFTs around Canada is that they stock their bars with local drinks. At Calgary’s two CRAFT Beer Markets, you’ll find a selection of local beers in growlers or 6-packs, as well as cocktails to go, cocktail kits, and wine. Both locations have gorgeous patios for the summer months where you can taste test a variety of craft beers.
CRAFT Southcentre: 100 Anderson Rd. SE
Phone: (403) 216-2337
CRAFT Beltline: 345 10 Ave. SW
Phone: (403) 514-2337
2. Paddy’s Barbecue & Brewery
Paddy’s may have been voted one of the best new breweries in Alberta (by Alberta Brewer’s Association), but they also have a menu dedicated to food that is worth a visit. As you try their small batch brews (usually about 8 styles/flavours available at a time) you can delve into their smoked meats, sausage links, and homemade breads.
Paddy’s Barbecue & Brewery: 3610 Burnsland Rd SE
Phone: (403) 651-7150
3. Prairie Dog Brewing
To pair your craft beers with even more delicious, barbecued goodness, grab a table on the patio at Prairie Dog Brewing. They have a summer-ready selection of craft beers and drinks like a Coconut Brown Ale, Treasured Berried kettle sour, or their Fallentimber Meadjito, which they can serve alongside brisket, pulled pork, mac and cheese, or other barbecue favourites.
Prairie Dog Brewing: 105D 58 Ave SE
Phone: (403) 407-2448
4. Brewsters
Brewsters’ beers are a long-time Alberta favourite- this pub is one of the first of its kind in Alberta and has solidified their place in the community with their famous Brewberry and Raspberry Ales. You can purchase these and other beers in their off sales section at the front of their restaurants or enjoy it with their awesome food.
- Brewsters McKenzie Towne: 100 11 McKenzie Towne Avenue SE; Phone: (403) 243-2739
- Brewsters Lake Bonavista: 176 755 Lake Bonavista Drive SE; Phone: (403) 225-2739
- Brewsters Foothills: 5519 53rd Street SE; Phone: (403) 723-2739
- Brewsters Crowfoot: 25 Crowfoot Terrace NW; Phone: (403) 208-2739
Craft Beer Stores
1. Collective – A Craft Beer Shop
Collective makes it super easy for you to shop all kinds of local Alberta craft beer in one stop! Browse their massive collection of the best beers, wines, and spirits, made right here at home. The shop is in the Lake Bonavista neighbourhood but can deliver your order straight to your door (within Calgary’s city limits, and free for orders over $100).
Collective – A Craft Beer Shop: 12445 Lake Fraser Dr SE #445
Phone: (403) 984-5009
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2. 5 Vines Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits
You can come here for craft beer, but you may end up leaving with so much more. You can shop cans and bottles of craft brews, fill up a growler, or shop 5 Vines’ selection of wine, spirits, and liqueurs.
5 Vines Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits: 218 12 Ave SE
Phone: (587) 955-9221
3. Alberta Beer Exchange
Taste the best of Alberta’s craft beer through the Alberta Beer Exchange and their massive list of brews. You’ll find something for all sorts of preferences like dark beers, sours, lights, IPAs, and more unique items like fruit beers, mead, or cider.
Alberta Beer Exchange: 1642 10th Ave. SW
Phone: (587) 353-5556
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4. Oak & Vine Craft Beer, Wine and Spirits
This locally owned and operated shop offers expertise in both wine and craft beer, and large menus for both drinks. You can shop by type of beer to make things a bit easier; they carry dark beers, IPAs, Ales, Amber beer, Lagers, and Wheat beers.
Oak & Vine: 1139 9 Ave SE
Phone: (403) 455-6333
5. Craft Cellars
Northeast Calgary’s Craft Cellars can offer craft beers from all around Calgary and Alberta, and have everything from IPAs, Lagers, Ales, Sours, and much more. In addition to several craft beers, you can also shop their wines, liquors, spirits, and large whiskey collection.
Craft Cellars: 1345 32 Ave. NE
Phone: (403) 277-1868
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