Move over beefy burgers and chicken wings! When it comes to pairing beer with food, there’s a new plant-based culinary crew in town. To give you a taste of the fantastic vegan options in Hamilton Halton Brant, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite plant-based beer and food combos. With 22 craft breweries to choose from, Hamilton Halton Brant’s True Brew Path makes a great jumping-off point for an amazing day out enjoying beer, food and outdoor fun. Here are just a few of our favourite pairings.
Beer and Chili In Burlington
Paired With Canada’s Largest Botanical Garden
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Nickel Brook Brewing Co.’s Blackberry and Mint Uber Sour Beer adds a new dimension to the craft brewer’s classic Uber recipe. This is a perfect pint to enjoy on a sunny autumn afternoon on the brewery’s Funk Lab Patio.
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From Nickel Brook, make your way over to Lettuce Love Café for a steaming bowl of Tempeh Chili. The delicious combination of veggies, beans and sautéed marinated tempeh is topped with almond parmesan and cilantro and served with gluten-free bread and an optional sprinkling of coconut bac-un.
While You’re In The Neighbourhood…
Spend some time exploring Canada’s largest botanical garden. With 27 acres of nature trails, over 2,300 plant species and 300 acres of cultivated gardens, Royal Botanical Gardens is a plant lover’s paradise.
Beer and Nachos In Hamilton
Paired With A 200-Year-Old Kitchen Garden
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With so many stellar craft breweries to try in Hamilton, you may want to consider booking a room and making a weekend of it! Favourites include Collective Arts Brewing, Fairweather Brewing Co., Merit Brewing and Grain & Grit Small Batch Beer.
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Planted in Hamilton is on a mission to prove that vegan, gluten-free and kosher food can taste amazing. The proof is in their Planted Nachos, which are made with corn tortilla chips and topped with red beans, BBQ jackfruit, cashew cheese sauce, salsa, and guacamole.
While You’re In The Neighbourhood…
Learn what plant-based living would have looked like in the late 1800s! Dundurn Castle’s Historic Kitchen Garden is a lovingly restored two-acre garden where costumed staff grow over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. The garden is open through mid-October.
Beer and Shawarma in Oakville
Paired With Disc Golf
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Cameron’s Brewing uses all-natural ingredients to create a portfolio of interesting and award-winning beers. Choose from a great selection of year-round and seasonal brews in their fully stocked retail store.
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If you’re craving Shawarma, Dar Nabati offers a variety of versions that are pure plant-based perfection. Oakville locals voted the restaurant’s modern Middle Eastern food menu as the city’s best vegan menu in 2019.
While You’re In The Neighbourhood…
Head to Bronte Creek Provincial Park and spend a fall afternoon playing the park’s 18-hole disc golf course.
Beer and Tacos In the County of Brant and Brantford
Paired With A Canadian Heritage River Paddle
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County of Brant’s and Brantford’s craft brew scene is hopping! Stop by Mash Paddle Brewing Co., Flux Brewing Co, Steel Wheel Brewery and Bell City Brewing Co. to taste some of the great things brewing in Grand River country!
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While not exclusively a vegan restaurant, Sociable Kitchen and Tavern in Brantford has an impressive plant-based menu. Their vegan faux taco features beer-battered meatless chick’n, shredded cabbage, cilantro, pico de gallo, guacamole, chipotle aïoli, lime, scallions and hot sauce.
While You’re In The Neighbourhood…
A trip to Brant County wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the Grand River. Grand Experiences will take care of all the details for a fantastic fall float down this Canadian Heritage River. Their guided Grand River Experience sets off from the pretty little town of Paris. It includes all gear, a certified guide, shuttle service and photos and video of your trip.
Beer and Mac and Cheese In Milton
Paired With A Niagara Escarpment Climb
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Orange Snail Brewers’ seasonal selections make it a must-stop visit for fall. Try the Escarpment Wheat, with distinct plant-based flavours like orange peel, coriander and chamomile.
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The Green Eatery offers a scrumptious selection of vegan dishes. Their gluten-free macaroni is guilt-free and oh so good!
While You’re In The Neighbourhood…
Visit Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area to experience some of the best rock climbing in Ontario. Not up for a climb? Keep your feet on solid ground on a hike to the Buffalo Crag Lookout Point for one of the best views on the Niagara Escarpment.
Beer and Loaded Fries In Dundas
Paired With A Niagara Escarpment Hike
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Could there be anything more Canadian than enjoying a pint of beer in a former curling rink? Shawn & Ed Brewing Company’s Anvil Small-Batch Series offers an ever-changing lineup of brews. Be sure to taste this fall’s German-style Marzen.
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There’s no shortage of options for fry lovers at Bliss Kitchen, just down the road in Waterdown. Their vegan Curry Fries, Cheezy Fries, Burrito Fries, Tzatziki Fries and Kimchi Fries are a delicious combination of roasted white and sweet potato fries.
While You’re In The Neighbourhood…
Explore the Niagara Escarpment on a hike through Dundas Valley Conservation Area. As you walk the trail system, you’ll experience lush Carolinian forests, colourful meadows, cold-water streams, stunning geological formations and an array of rare plants, birds and wildlife.
