Toronto's best craft breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms — from Bellwoods and Rorschach to hidden gems in the Junction and Leslieville. IPA, sour, lager, and experimental.
The Greater Toronto Area has over 100 craft breweries, with approximately 60+ operating within Toronto city limits. The concentration is highest in the West End (Junction, Parkdale, Liberty Village) and East End (Leslieville, Riverside). New breweries open every year, making Toronto one of North America's fastest-growing craft beer cities.
The most popular brewery tours are the West End Brewery Crawl (Bellwoods, Burdock, Henderson, and Indie Alehouse are all walkable) and the East End route (Left Field, Rorschach, Muddy York, and Saulter Street). Several companies offer guided brewery bus tours covering 3-4 stops with tastings. The Toronto Craft Beer Festival (summer) is the best annual event for sampling across all breweries.
Yes — all Toronto breweries have tasting rooms or taprooms where you can drink on-site. Ontario law requires breweries to serve food if they want to stay open past 9pm, so most have partnered with food trucks or have small kitchens. Last call is typically 10-11pm at brewery taprooms. Some, like Bellwoods and Blood Brothers, have full restaurant operations.
Bellwoods Brewery is the most acclaimed Toronto brewery, with national distribution and award-winning IPA, sour, and farmhouse styles. For consistency and innovation, Rorschach Brewing (East End) and Burdock Brewery (West End) are also considered among the best. Left Field Brewery specializes in baseball-themed beers with exceptional quality. Blood Brothers is known for boundary-pushing experimental styles.
The best craft beer bars include Bar Volo (legendary rotating tap list of 30+ Ontario and international beers), Birreria Volo (Italian-focused natural wine and beer bar), The Wren (40 taps, all-Ontario focus), and Indie Alehouse (brewpub with exceptional food). Bar Hop (King West and Queen East) has two locations with curated tap lists and bottle selections.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.