Looking for a great brewery or cidery in eastern Ontario? There’s lots of excellent craft beer and cider brewing in Northumberland County, just east of Toronto.
Use our Google map to locate craft beverages brewed in our scenic rolling hills, towns and villages.
Craft Beer & Cider
Ganaraska Brewing Company
33 Mill St, Port Hope
905-885-9029
Pair craft beer with a tasty taproom menu at this 2-storey brewery in Port Hope, Ontario, located close to the Ganaraska River. The Ganaraska Brewing Company offers a wide range of creative brews, from seriously-good Belgian-style beer, to German-style dunkels (or darker ales), to kettle sours (which draw on some great fruit influences). It’s hard to pick just one favourite beer here – with lots of selection from a brewmaster who trained in Scotland, and has created craft beer at other noted Ontario breweries. Take in the river view from the rooftop patio (in the warmer months) or sit near the large wooden bar and the brew kettles (any time of year) in the heart of this microbrewery. See our blog on the Ganaraska Brewing Company. You can check hours here.
William Street Beer Co.
888-524-2337 (888-524-BEER)
“Ready to address your thirst!” That’s just what William Street Beer Co. prides itself on doing for beer lovers. This much-loved local brewery, which has its roots in Cobourg, Ontario, offers free front porch beer delivery in the greater Northumberland County area. You can also find William Street’s craft beer at many restaurants and eateries in Northumberland County, and at The Beer Store and the LCBO. This brewer is known for its refreshing Munich-style lager (and also lighter alcohol-by-volume version), as well as its west-coast-style pale ale. You’ll find William Street’s latest updates here.
Northumberland Hills Brewery
1024 Division St., Cobourg
289-435-2004
Taste the difference that local craft beer ingredients make at Northumberland Hills Brewery (NHB). Stop into the microbrewery’s tasting room and store in Cobourg to order the brewery’s latest craft beer creation. Choose from a number of varieties and take home cans of your favourites. The fridges are usually stocked with half-a-dozen kinds of NHB beer. One of their best-selling ales is noted for its nice malt flavour finish with a hint of local hops. You can also find a wide range of lagers – and other special brews that have been perfected, like a great stout or darker beer (there are lots of these brewing in the cooler months). NHB also gets high marks for its crisp, light varieties, perfect to quench a thirst. Hours of operation are posted.
Rice Lake Hard Cider
4741 Northumberland 45, Baltimore
289-629-3300
Try a craft cider that may have you re-stocking your beer fridge: Rice Lake Hard Cider. Their hard apple cider is low in sugar, naturally gluten-free, and still a serious adult beverage at 6.2% alcohol-by-volume. This small cidery in Baltimore, Ontario (near Rice Lake) has received lots of notice from larger breweries after winning two GLINTCAP medals for both of its original ciders. (GLINTCAP is the largest international Cidery & Perry competition in the world, held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan.) Brewing know-how and fresh Ontario apples play a large role in the success of Rice Lake’s dry apple cider and cranberry apple cider, both coming in at less than 2 grams of sugar per can. And, there are other cider surprises found online. Order first via their online store, then pick up at 4741 Northumberland 45, in Baltimore or check for delivery options. For pick up, take a look at their hours on Facebook.
401 Cider Brewery
262 Orchard Dr., Colborne
905-355-2574
Located beside the Big Apple, the 401 Cider Brewery is an easy stop off the 401's Colborne exit (497). Bottling eight varieties of hard cider, the 401 Cider Brewery uses 100% Ontario apples. Stock up on other treats at the nearby bakery and candy shop. Three popular hard ciders include Premium Craft Apple Cider (crisp with the full flavour of Ontario orchard apples), Cranberry Apple Cider (orchard apple taste with a nice tinge from the bog), and Caramel Apple Cider (orchard apples with caramel notes).
Church-Key Brewing
1678 County Rd. 38, Campbellford
1-877-314-2337 (877-314-BEER)
Sample a slice (and sip) of apple country. Stop into the 401 Cider Brewery, located beside the Big Apple, just off Highway 401 in Colborne, Ontario. You’ll find both sparkling and still ciders here and discover a range of craft apple cider blends from dry to sweet. With individual cans and bottles for sale, adults (over 19) can take away unique varieties of hard apple cider – some with added flavours like honey, caramel, raspberry or peach. The 401 Cider Brewery uses 100% Ontario apples. While you’re here, stock up on other goodies at the nearby Big Apple bakery for (you guessed it) an apple pie, or some apple bread. Maybe even stop by the Big Apple’s Treat Shoppe for a candy apple or some chocolate covered pretzels. 401 Cider Brewery hours are listed here.
Fogorig Brewing
445 County Rd 8, Campbellford
Contact via Facebook
Fogorig Brewing is getting noticed nationally for its craft beer after being shortlisted as “New Brewery of the Year” at the 2022 Canadian Brewer’s Choice Awards. Equally stellar are the ridgetop views of the Trent Hills countryside at this brewery, a five minute drive from Campbellford. The proud past of the original landowner from Fogo, Scotland lives on here in the 1834 stone grist mill overlooking the farmstead. There’s also lots of flavour to explore, found in Fogorig’s flagship IPA, right through its wide variety of “kin crafted” brews, including their sour series, stouts, and lighter ales. A visit to Fogorig Brewing is also a chance to slip away for a few hours as a family. There’s lots of room to roam with the kids. Friendly pets on leashes are also welcome. Take a look at their most current hours listed.
Focal Brewing Co.
98 County Rd 35, Hastings
416-428-3977
Put on your best plaid and head over to Focal Brewing Co. – a country microbrewery where everyone will soon know your name. Focal – with a “focus on local” – is located in Hastings, Ontario on a piece of rolling farmland. Big on some of the region’s key ingredients, you might even want to try their pastry stout, made with Dooher’s famous donuts. Due to some serious brewing, there are noteworthy ales, lagers and porters on tap (cans are handy for take away). To keep the fun coming, you can take part in one of Focal’s Trivia Nights – no pressure really, with questions designed for everyone at the table to have a great time.
Where to Eat in Northumberland
We’ve tested lots of food and gathered thoughts from locals so you can find great food destinations in Northumberland County. Take a closer look at local restaurants, cafés and pubs under Eat & Drink here.
Farmers Markets and Local Farm Stores
While picking up some local beer and cider, you might want to pick up some farm fresh food. Farming is big in Northumberland County and helps us foster sustainable living.
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