breweries-in-calgary

These 10 Breweries in Calgary Fermented My Love for Craft Beer

I used to HATE beer. Like, I didn’t get how anyone could enjoy something so bitter! But since all my pals were into it, I forced myself to give the pint a shot. Before that, the only “beer” I could handle was the Harry Potter Butterbeer—but only the buttery foam on top.

But just like my love for spicy food, I realized beer might be one of those acquired tastes. I figured I only needed to ease into it (while being careful not to end up with a bad drinking habit, obviously).

I wanted to develop a more grown-up palate, so I got my friends to tag along on a Calgary brewery tour. But since we couldn’t sync up our schedules, we ended up doing a bunch of them, and I went to every single one! Here are my top picks below.

Where are the best breweries in Calgary?

There are many great breweries in Calgary! Some of the best ones for tours or casual drinking sessions are Big Rock Brewery, Cold Garden Beverage Company, Village Brewery, Trolley 5 Brewpub, and Citizen Brewing.

Must-Visit Breweries in Calgary

Big Rock Brewery

Media credit: bigrockbrewery 

Website: http://www.bigrockbeer.com/ 

Address: 5555 76 Ave SE

Contact Details: +1 403 720 3239, [email protected] 

Beer Garden Hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM

Beer Shop Hours:

  • Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Saturday to Sunday – Closed

Fees: 

  • Tour with Tasting & Souvenir (1 to 2 hours) – CAD 25 per person

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Big Rock Brewery is Calgary’s largest brewery, and I think beer enthusiasts would love the tours here too! This experience showcases the company’s history and its beer process from start to finish. Of course, there’s beer sampling involved!

We’re also in awe that this is Canada’s first commercial craft brewery to create a wild ale (beer with wild yeast) and authentic Belgium-style program—this means it can produce traditional lambic sour beers (this is typically a limited edition, though)!

Apart from that, this brewery makes 10 year-round beers and 5 ciders, as well as seasonal offerings like the Grasshopper (filtered wheat ale). My top picks are the classic traditional ale, citrusy Citradelic IPA, and refreshing Rock Creek pear cider.

Tasty tip:

Besides the brews, Big Rock Brewery is known for its authentic Texas-style BBQ at Big Sky BBQ. I recommend it with the brisket, ribs, and sausage for a hearty meal! There are also 4 different sauces available, as well as coleslaw for a fresh side dish.

Cold Garden Beverage Company

Media credit: cold_garden 

Website: http://www.coldgarden.ca/ 

Address: 1100 11 St SE

Contact Details: +1 403 764 2653, [email protected] 

Taproom/Patio Hours: 

  • Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Friday to Saturday – 11 AM to 1 AM

Fees: 

  • Sensory Tour with Tasting & Souvenir (45 to 60 minutes) – CAD 55 per person
  • Virtual Tour with Delivery & Souvenir (45 to 60 minutes) – CAD 60 per person

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Cold Garden Beverage Company is a funky, industrial-style microbrewery in Calgary that offers a quirky community-centric vibe. For us, it’s no wonder this easily attracts many groups (and even solo drinkers) for a jolly ol’ time!

I also find the diverse range of beers here incredible! The highlights for me are the Vanilla Cappuccino Porter, This Must Be The IPA (with a higher alcohol content and bolder flavours), and Saskatoon Berry Sour. 

But if you’ve got buddies who aren’t into alcohol, I suggest going for the alcohol-free Tuesday Freebomb Pale Ale (similar to traditional pale ales) and Grizzly Paw Soda (for a sweeter option).

“Paw-some” tips:

Take your pups to Cold Garden Beverage Company—it has a dog-friendly patio! Just be sure to bring essentials like their leash, water, and poopy bags to ensure a comfy experience for all.

Check out upcoming pet-related events too! This brewhouse has hosted a Halloween dog costume contest and photo shoot in the past.

Village Brewery

Media credit: villagebrewery 

Website: http://www.villagebrewery.com/ 

Address: 5000 12a St SE

Contact Details: +1 403 243 3327, [email protected] 

Taproom Hours: 

  • Tuesday – 11:30 AM to 6 PM
  • Wednesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday – 11:30 AM to 7 PM
  • Monday – Closed

Fees: 

  • 4 units of beer – starts at CAD 13

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Village Brewery has made big contributions to the local brewing scene by showing up at music festivals, camping trips, weddings, birthdays, and countless summer nights on its patio. This brewery collaborates with local businesses too!

Its taproom features 16 beer taps, and I liked the bold Misheard Lyric New England IPA, fruity Village Squeeze Raspberry Lemon Ale, and dark Nitro Blacksmith Alberta Black Ale.

If you want to know more, you may also participate in the brewery tour that includes a walkthrough of the production facility and a private tasting. This is good for up to 20 people, so I suggest bringing many pals on your end!

Insider scoop:

Consider joining Village Brewery’s monthly concert series to enjoy live music and a special small-batch cask beer per show! Remember to buy tickets in advance and bring earplugs in case you need them!

Also, you can easily access the brewery with a bike (racks are available here)! Plus, there’s an old, funky motorcycle shop you can check out nearby.

Brewery Districts to Explore in Calgary

Trolley 5 Brewpub (Beltline District)

Media credit: trolley_5 

Website: http://www.trolley5.com/ 

Address: 728 17 Ave SW

Contact Details: +1 403 454 3731, [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
  • Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
  • Friday – 11:30 AM to 2 AM
  • Saturday – 10 AM to 2 AM

Fees: 

  • Tour & Tasting – CAD 15 per person

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Trolley 5 Brewpub is a key brewery in the bustling Beltline area. In my opinion, it offers among the best patios for breweries in Calgary. We also think its outdoor space looks ideal for a relaxing day of people-watching and casual hangouts!

There are plenty of award-winning brews here. But what caught my attention the most are the signature craft beer Turntable Lager, citrusy First Crush White IPA, and sweet Yacht Rock Grapefruit Radler.

Another thing I appreciate is that this brewhouse caters to various dietary preferences with a diverse menu! I suggest going for the Buddha wrap (vegan) or Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese pizza (vegetarian). I love the churro fries and ice cream too!

Hot idea:

Need ideas for an upcoming bachelorette party? Trolley 5 Brewpub can be one of your fun stops! It offers great music for a party vibe, and you can take photos from the brewery’s best vantage points.

High Line Brewing – Brewery Flats (Inglewood)

Media credit: highlinebrewing 

Website: http://www.highlinebrewing.com/ 

Address: 1318 9 Ave SE #113

Contact Details: +1 403 827 6985, [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Tuesday to Thursday – 3 PM to 10 PM
  • Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
  • Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM

Fees: 

  • Beer Samples –  CAD 2.50 to CAD 3 per 5 oz taster
  • Highballs – CAD 9.50 for a 12 oz highball 
  • Sparkling Teas – CAD 5 for a 16 oz glass of 0% ABV (alcohol by volume)

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High Line Brewing is an independent craft brewery focusing on small-batch beer. It’s located in the Brewery Flats area north of Inglewood, home to many breweries key to Calgary’s development, so there’s a rich history there.

There are several fruity beers here that I think are worth a try—the orange Creamsicle (Nitro IPA), cherry Heartless Romantic Sour, and mango Talking Hops (Double NEIPA).

The hotdog here is also a crowd favourite! You’ll get this with a side of potato chips and may even request a veggie dog instead (no upcharge needed). 

After-meal tip:

If you’ve drank or eaten a lot at High Line Brewing and need to burn extra calories, you may do so around the area! 

The location is known for being walkable with plenty of scenic routes and parks nearby. I suggest checking out the local artworks as well!

Annex Ale Project (Manchester Brewing Cluster)

Media credit: annexales 

Website: http://www.annexales.com/ 

Address: 4323 1 St SE

Contact Details: +1 403 475 4412, [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Wednesday – 12 PM to 9 PM
  • Thursday – 12 PM to 10 PM
  • Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
  • Sunday – 3 PM to 7 PM

Fees: 

  • Kegs – refundable deposit of CAD 100
  • 20 litres (approximately forty 16 oz beers) – starts at CAD 125
  • 50 litres (approximately one hundred 16 oz beers) – starts at CAD 260

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Annex Ale Project is an award-winning brewery in the Manchester neighbourhood. It actually started with soda making while waiting for its brewery license to come through in 2016!

I think this spot’s experimental beers and seasonal drinks make each visit more unique than the last! If you’re feeling adventurous, I say try the bitter Waste Land (West Coast IPA) or sour Bing Bong Cherry.

Frequent visitors also usually get the classic burger and fries and I can’t blame them—the buns are soft and gluten-free! In my opinion, the simple snacks go perfectly well with the brewery’s quirky-flavoured beers.

Party hack:

Need an event starter? Rent Annex Ale Project’s tiny truck—it can be the light of any celebration! This would carry street-legal beer and soda without any power or electricity—it only uses compressed CO2 to dispense beer! 

And with its small size, it can fit through most unobstructed double doors. No need to worry about finding the perfect spot for this mobile bar.

Banded Peak Brewing (Manchester Brewing Cluster)

Media credit: bandedpeak_brewing 

Website: http://www.bandedpeakbrewing.com/ 

Address:  519 34 Ave SE #119

Contact Details: +1 403 283 5133, [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 7 PM
  • Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
  • Friday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM

Fees: 

  • Tour & Tasting (15 minutes) – CAD 25 per person

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Banded Peak Brewing is another gem in the Manchester area with experimental brews. It also offers a brewery tour every Saturday where you can see the behind-the-scenes of its modern production facility. You can sample 6 Calgary craft beers too!

If you fancy a light drinking session, I recommend the crisp Mount Crushmore Pilsner or the fun and fruity Tallgrass Tango Mango Wheat Ale. Otherwise, I think you should try the Southern Aspect (West Coast IPA) for a punchy, big-league drink.

There are only a few snack options, though. For us, beginners should try the snack platter with a bit of everything. Or, I say go straight for the double-smoked bacon sandwich for a moreish bite!

Try something new:

Can’t decide what to order at Banded Peak Brewing? Consider ordering a surprise item—ask the staff about their featured sandwich for the day!

Unique Brewery Experiences in Calgary

Citizen Brewing

Media credit: citizenbrewingcompany 

Website: http://citizenbrewingcompany.com/ 

Address: 227 35 Ave NE

Contact Details: +1 403 474 4677, [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM

Fees: 

  • Beer Pickup for four 473 ml cans of beer – CAD 16
  • Membership – CAD 500 annually

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Citizen Brewing offers a standout patio with its roomy space featuring a lush hop and veggie garden. It’s mostly well-shaded too! I also appreciate the dog-friendly nature of this venue, as long as you bring well-behaved pups!

Notable beers for me are the bold and fruity Hijacked (IPA), tropical Belma and Louise (New England Pale Ale), and coffee-flavoured Wicklow (Nitro Stout).

Apart from the brews, I suggest getting your hands on the chilli cheese dog, signature burger (with double patty), and smoked brisket with Kansas BBQ sauce.

Sip, save, and score:

Love all things beer? Consider getting the Citizen membership card for C$500 yearly! The perks include getting 10% off for in-store merch, CAD 2 off your pints, and 1 free growler (big beer container) fill per week (total of 52 times).

Cabin Brewing Company

Media credit: cabinbrewing 

Website: http://www.cabinbrewing.ca/ 

Address: 505 36 Ave SE

Contact Details: +1 403 244 3331, [email protected] 

Taproom Hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
  • Sunday – 12 PM to 6:30 PM

Fees: 

  • Beer on Tap (5 oz) – CAD 3.50
  • Beer on Tap (4 x 5 oz) – CAD 12

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Cabin Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Calgary with a sunny patio and a cozy escape in the Manchester area. I believe the outside area is a fun spot for your furbabies too!

The drinks I can vouch for are the premium Cabin Beer and tropical Spindrift. I love the meat pies and pretzel-wrapped dogs too! Do note that the menu is updated twice weekly, so some items might be sold out when you visit.

On top of that, we’re surprised that this spot allows customers to bring in their own food or order meals from other places—a very considerate move, in my opinion.

Parent pointers:

Did I mention Cabin Brewing Company is kid-friendly? Make the most of the high chairs, juice boxes, and unisex bathrooms with a changing table and free wipes to make family hangouts as stress-free as possible!

Tool Shed Beer & BBQ

Media credit: toolshedbeer 

Website: http://www.toolshedbrewing.com/ 

Address: 801 30 St NE #9

Contact Details: +1 403 775 1749, [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Saturday to Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM

Fees: 

  • Event Ticket (Adult) – CAD 20 to CAD 25
  • Event Ticket (Children under 15) – CAD 10

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Tool Shed Beer & BBQ provides brewery tours personally hosted by the owner, Graham. I like his style because he tells their history and brewing process with a bunch of funny stories to keep everyone engaged—I bet you won’t snooze for this one!

The best beers for me are the roasty Red Rage (American Red Ale), citrusy Star Cheek (West Coast IPA), and fruity Prairie Berry Sour. 

But if you’re with the family, I think you’ll enjoy the 3-meat platter with a Texas-style brisket, Carolina pulled pork, and pig candy (smoked pork belly bites). Kids may also enjoy mini drawing pads and colouring materials so they won’t get bored!

Cool idea:

Are you into racing? Take your crew to Tool Shed Beer & BBQ to catch the high-speed action of Formula One on the big screen! 
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