There Are Plenty Of Breweries in Kingston, Ontario To Choose From!
Even though it’s a historic city, there’s no shortage of youthful vibes in Kingston. There’s no better place to see this influence than in the beer scene. With many great breweries in Kingston, this Limestone City is well-established in the exploding Ontario craft beer scene.
The nice thing about Kingston breweries is that you can find them all over: walkable in downtown, out in the west end, and even on the east side of the city across the Causeway.
Some of the breweries have been around for a while – while others are now getting their fair share of the spotlight! So, this guide is all about the breweries of Kingston: where they are, what they are like to visit, and what to try when you stop by!
Authors Note: You can check here for Kingston pubs/bars. We haven’t yet been to Skeleton Park Brewing, Fine Balance, The Hard Way Cider Co., or Riverhead (we’ve drank their beer, but not visited the breweries). Once we visit, they’ll be added to this list.
Table of Contents
Kingston Brewing Company
Address: 34 Clarence St, Kingston, ON K7L 1W9, Canada
If you want to stop for amazing food, great beer, and a fantastic atmosphere – inside the brewery and out on the patio – check out Kingston Brewing Company.
KBC – as it is lovingly called – has been a staple of Kingston for decades… and it shows in their popularity. Just look for the brewery truck parked out front!
We’ve mentioned KBC before in our other Kingston posts since it’s great for food and a must-do Kingston place to visit when you stop through the city!
Located right downtown very close to the tourism centre/old train station, grabbing a pint at KBC is a great idea if you are in search of rest while you explore the downtown core. Eric has been many, many times and loved it every single time.
The nice thing about KBC is the setup. There are numerous patios in the summer: at the front and down the side alley/back. You can also sit inside where the walls are covered in everything from photos to posters to beer taps!
As for their beer, KBC has a huge selection on tap but they also do their own brews for you to try. Grab a taste of their Dragon’s Breath Cask Ale, Regal Lager, or Whitetail Cream Ale… but keep in mind they brew more!
They fill up in the summer so go early to avoid disappointment!
Social: @kingston_brew_pub
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Stone City Brew Co. (Now Something in the Water Brewing – under renovation)
Address: 275 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B5, Canada
Stone City Brew was one of the front-runners in the “new wave” of craft beer to Kingston, and they pleased Kingstonians until their closing/takeover/sale to Something in the Water!
Kingston is their second location after their success at their Toronto’s Liberty Village location.
We haven’t yet been to the new brewery but apparently they made it a point of keeping many of the old brews (like their Oatmeal Stout). We will investigate and get back to you.
In any case, this location – right on Princess Street downtown – is prime for shopping and sightseeing so it’s a good brewery to stop by at if you’re visiting.
It’s usually pretty busy with a patio in the summertime so be sure to go early.
Social: @somethinginthewaterygk
Daft Brewing Company
Address: 768 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1G3
We also really like Daft Brewing. We lived right around the corner (walking) so it was a nice option to go there to meet with friends.
They make a point of being “weird” – in a good way. Their beers are unique, their style and design is funky, their brewery space is awesome and welcoming.
Despite being right on Princess Street – somewhat close to downtown but not right downtown – their patio area is huge and with umbrellas for those hot summer days.
Inside, their indoor seating and bar is industrial but welcoming – with the tanks in plain sight. Their food is also decent – we had it with friends at an event and all the shareables were really tasty.
They also hold regular events like trivia, live music, and more.
Social: @daftbrewingco
Spearhead Brewing Company
Address: 675 Development Drive, Kingston, ON, K7M 4W6
If you want to get a “behind the scenes” from a classic warehouse-style brewery, you could check out Spearhead Brewing Company!
Located on Gardiners Road between Bath Road and Taylor Kidd Blvd, you won’t be able to walk but a cab or Uber might work.
Spearhead is known for its beers like the Hawaiian Style Pale Ale, Moroccan Brown Ale, and Sam Roberts Band Ale. Eric’s had the Hawaiian before and it was really nice!
You can visit their location to buy their beer direct. Their location is their retail store, a taproom for tasting, outdoor patio, and you can even do a tour if you like.
From trivia to live music, there’s usually something going on at Spearhead.
Social: @spearheadbeer
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing
Address: 1915 County Rd 22, Bath, ON K0H 1G0, Canada
Last, but certainly not least – we wanted to mention one of the bigger breweries in the area… even if they aren’t right in Kingston!
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing has made a name for itself in recent years in the Ontario craft beer scene.
Located in Bath (to the west of Kingston), their brewery/farm is meant for buying and tasting (call ahead for a taste/tour, though).
Try the Red Fox or the Crosscut – both are good and made for different tastes. Their beers are also on tap in quite a few places in Kingston (like Red House).
That said, the location makes them a great stop on the way to/from Prince Edward Country (which is a great day trip from Kingston).
Make no mistake we will also write up a longer post on our visit to them and other Ontario craft breweries!
Social: @mackinnonbrewing
Related Articles
For more articles on Kingston, Ontario check out these helpful guides:
- How to Get from Toronto to Kingston
- Top Things to Do in Kingston (From a Local)
- Where to Stay in Kingston, Ontario
- Tasty Restaurants Across Kingston
- Cozy Coffee Shops/Cafes in Kingston
And there you have it – some of the breweries in Kingston, Ontario. Be you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to toss them your business when you visit. And, of course, remember to enjoy responsibly.
You might consider getting a cab here or calling for an Uber if you want to hop between them. For the breweries downtown, you can easily walk between them from a downtown accommodation.
As always, Keep Exploring, eh?
ā E&L
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