From classic downtown hangouts to contemporary west-end gems, read on to find out the tasty sips Kingston has to offer.
1. Something in the Water Brewing Co.
275 Princess Street
Home in the space once occupied by Stone City Ales, Something in the Water Brewing thrives on curiosity, creating drinks that are as inviting and delicious as they are unexpected. They started brewing in Toronto and expanded to Kingston in 2022, bringing their curious beverages to the limestone city. Their brand is centred around supporting swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water, as five cents from every can purchased goes to clean water initiatives across Canada, and all their beers are named after their favourite bodies of water.
What to try: Painted Lake Peach Crisp Berliner Weisse: sweet peaches meet classic sour wheat beer for a taste of gently tart peach juice.
View taproom menu | Contact: 613-542-4222
Taproom & bottle shop open: Tue – Sat (noon – midnight), Sun (noon – 9 pm)
2. Riverhead Brewing Company
631 Fortune Crescent, Unit 10
The brews available at Riverhead walk the line between traditional and adventurous, with varieties that offer something for everyone’s palate. Seasonal brews round out Riverhead’s offerings, often echoing the local climate and the time of the year. The restaurant side is as thoughtfully curated as their beer selections, with shareables and “Brew Pizza” reflecting the company slogan, “Adventurously Brewed.”
What to try: the Tropical IPA: this well-balanced IPA is layered with multiple hop additions to achieve the desired citrus and tropical fruit characteristics.
View taproom menu | Contact: 613-384-2337
Taproom & bottle shop open: Mon – Wed (noon – 8 pm), Thu – Fri (noon – 10 pm), Sat (noon – 9 pm), Sun (noon – 6 pm)
3. Spearhead Brewing Company
675 Development Drive
Founded in 2011, Spearhead’s mantra is “Beer without Boundaries” and it’s reflected with their mainstay brews including a New England IPA, Big Kahuna Imperial IPA, Queen of Wheat, and Hawaiian Style Pale Ale. During the year, they play host to events like live music, trivia, and open mic nights, comedy shows, and happy hour. Stop by their patio during the summer for sips with friends.
What to try: Hawaiian Style Pale Ale. As the name suggests, this bold, hoppy West Coast pale ale is brewed Hawaiian style – with pineapple. It’s naturally carbonated, unfiltered and dry-hopped to provide delicate carbonation and complex flavour.
View taproom menu | Contact: 1-866-571-5839
Taproom & bottle shop open: Sun – Tue (noon – 7 pm), Wed – Sat (noon – 10 pm)
4. Kingston Brewing Company
34 Clarence Street
Housed in an 1800s telegraph office, Kingston Brewing Company is packed to the rafters with assorted beer memorabilia. It’s best known for its beer, its laid-back vibe, and the gorgeous, private patio in the old carriageway beside the pub. Established in 1986, the Kingston Brewing Company is Ontario’s oldest brewpub. The food is pub standard with unique twists and beer used in many of the recipes. Visit their Bottle Shop next door to purchase your favourite brews to go.
What to try: The Whitetail Cream Ale, golden in colour using malts and hops to make it a clean, crisp, full-bodied ale. Pair it with the KBC Royale with Cheese – a 6oz beef burger with bacon, American cheese, Royale sauce, lettuce, onions, and pickles.
View menu | Contact: 613-542-4978
Restaurant & taproom open: Sun – Thu (11:30 am – midnight), Fri – Sat (11:30 am – 1 am)
5. Skeleton Park Brewery
675 Development Drive
Skeleton Park Brewery’s owner and brewmaster comes from a family of brewers and bootleggers that goes back three generations. The current generation of brothers have over 45 years of brewing experience. The name (and playful dog logo) pay homage to Kingston’s Skeleton Park. Their brews are based on tradition and reimagine long-lost brews from Kingston’s past.
What to try: the Amber 6.6, a well-balanced European-style amber ale. This style of big-bodied, high- ABV ale was popular among the hard-working men and women of Kingston’s past.
View offerings | Contact: 1-866-571-5839
Taproom & bottle shop open: Sun – Tue (noon – 7 pm), Wed – Sat (noon – 10 pm)
6. MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company
1915 County 22 Road, Bath
Just down the road in historic Bath, the MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company brews on the 1,400-acre farm that has been in the family since 1784. Brothers Ivan and Daniel renovated century-old barns to house the equipment and planted hops and malting barley in the surrounding fields. The character and history of the place shines through in every glass. In the summer, they host the popular festival Back to the Farm; a day-long celebration with beer, food trucks, and live music!
What to try: the Red Fox Summer Ale, an easy drinking ale with a distinct colour and flavour from the addition of beets. The Citra hops deliver a foxy, citrus bitterness.
View taproom menu | Contact: 613-777-6277
Taproom & bottle shop open: Mon – Thu (11 am – 7 pm), Fri – Sun (11 am – 5 pm)
7. Daft Brewing
768 Princess Street
The Daft Brewing team started this project with the hope of creating something great – transforming an old car garage into a West-coast style taproom/brewery. Its mission is to create an ever-changing array of beer, maintain a steady stream of collaborations, and cultivate a community gathering spot in the Williamsville neighbourhood. Visit the taproom or check out the new Daft Wandering Bar at events in Kingston for some damned good beer.
What to try: Lemongrab, a mint lemonade sour beer made with lemon zest, fresh mint, and lactose milk sugar. It is a tart and creamy beer for easy drinking.
View taproom menu | Contact: 343-477-0289
Taproom & bottle shop open: Mon – Tue (4 – 9 pm), Wed (4 – 10 pm), Thu (4 – 11 pm), Fri (noon – 2), Sat (noon – midnight), Sun (noon – 6 pm)
8. Fine Balance Brewing Company
677 Innovation Drive, Unit 4
This brewery was founded on the philosophy that life and beer require balance to be at their best. And finding that balance is as personal as finding a beer you love. That’s why they’re constantly brewing new releases made with carefully sourced high-quality ingredients to pour pints that are as unique as the people who drink their beer. Visit their taproom on the weekend for a tour of the brewery – just ask at the bar.
What to try: any of the Gelato Sours. Their vision for the Gelato Sour series was to make a creamy, lightly soured, fruit-forward beer that is both thirst-quenching and as satisfying as gelato in the August sun.
View offerings | Contact: 613-544-6696
Taproom & bottle shop open: Wed (noon – 8 pm), Thurs – Fri (noon – 7 pm), Sat (noon – 6 pm), Sun (noon – 4 pm)
9. Hard Way Cider
748 Development Drive
Hard Way Cider Co. started with the notion that they could produce a cider where they controlled the process, from the ground to the glass. Using age-old artisan techniques, a unique selection of apples, and oak barrels from some of the best distilleries and wineries across North America, they came up with exceptionally dry, wonderfully flavourful ciders, unlike any other on the market.
What to try: Ramboozle: Caribbean rum barrel-aged and made with 10% raspberry juice. Dry, tart, and incredibly fruit-forward, this cider has amassed quite the cult following.
View offerings | Contact: 613-770-1228
Bottle shop open: Mon – Wed (noon – 6 pm), Thu (noon – 9 pm), Fri (noon – 11 pm), Sat (noon – 8 pm) Sun (noon – 6 pm)
You can also find these brews at select local restaurants and bars, local retailers, and LCBOs. Learn more about the breweries of Kingston
