Who says summer is the only season when a cold beer really shines? There’s something so cozy about sipping a delicious pint while the snowflakes fly outside, especially when you’ve worked up a thirst enjoying some frosty fresh air fun first! Here are some of our favourite combinations of beer, outdoor activities and cold-weather comfort foods for the winter months ahead.
Winter Craft Beer Vibes in Hamilton
Get Thirsty
Add an afternoon of ice fishing to your winter 2021 bucket list. Hamilton Conservation Authority permits ice fishing at Fifty Point’s marina and Valens Lake. Ice skating is also a fun outdoor activity available at both of these parks.
Quench That Thirst
Fairweather Brewing Co. launched some great new beers this fall, including their rich, Long Shadow, a luscious stout conditioned on toasted coconut, and Costa Rican Caturra coffee. For those in need of a hit of sunshine, Fairweather’s new Little Lives IPA drips with flavours of green melon, dried apricot and lime.
Grab A Bite
Brux House Craft Beer + Kitchen is a great stop for a hearty late-afternoon serving of snacks and starters like house-made pretzels with fondue, Bloomin’ Brussels sprouts, delicious chicken liver parfait and more. The massive beer list here is also sure to impress!
Winter Craft Beer Vibes in Brantford
Get Thirsty
A winter trip to The Great One’s hometown wouldn’t be complete without a fresh air skate. Brantford has a fantastic collection of outdoor ice rinks.
Quench That Thirst
Mash Paddle Brewing Co. is doing some exciting things with beer, including their Wicker Archer series, which combines wheat ale with elderberries on Merlot and Gewurztraminer wines.
Grab A Bite
Zanders Fire Grill and Brew Lounge serves up great food, including can’t-miss winter warmers like flaming Saganaki cheese, beer-can chicken, and perogie poutine. Wash it down with a Sample Paddle of three beers from the rotating tap menu.
Winter Craft Beer Vibes in Burlington
Get Thirsty
Royal Botanical Gardens’ nature sanctuaries feature more than 27 km of nature trails in Burlington & Hamilton, with three major trailheads. Find your route with maps and more at rbg.ca/onthetrails. Hiking is free, but parking charges apply.
Quench That Thirst
Bring the kids along for an afternoon of beer tasting? Why not? Nickel Brook Brewing Co.’s craft-brewed Babbling Brook’s Root Beer and Naughty Nick’s Ginger Beer are non-alcoholic and use only all-natural and pure ingredients. While the kids sip their sodas, the adults can enjoy sampling Nickel Brook’s extensive selection of fantastic brews.
Grab A Bite
Pepperwood Bistro’s 2-pound P.E.I. Mussel Pots, which come in Red Thai Curry, Drunken and Neptune variations, will warm your heart and your cold toes! They pair perfectly with Pepperwood’s house-brewed Cream Ale and Monkey Brown.
Winter Craft Beer Vibes in Halton Hills
Get Thirsty
Conservation Halton offers snowshoeing trails and cross country skiing trails at Crawford Lake, Mountsberg and Hilton Falls conservation areas. A reservation will be required, so be sure to book your time on the trails before you go.
Quench That Thirst
What better place to warm up after an afternoon outside than a craft brewery called Furnace Room? Head to Georgetown to enjoy favourites like Chicken Man Pale Ale, Dynamo Cream Lager, Beardmore Kolsch Style Ale and Wright House Red Ale.
Grab A Bite
The historic Copper Kettle Pub in Glen Williams delivers delicious comfort food classics like Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie and Steak and Mushroom Guinness Pie. For a pint that pairs perfectly with these hearty dishes, Copper Kettle offers a wide range of beers on tap and in the bottle, from small innovative craft masters to well-known beers from around the world.
Check out the Craft Beer Passport app to enjoy a $2 craft beer at selected stops.
