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!
If you want pubs/bars, you can find everything about Kingston’s bars and pubs here. Also, we haven’t yet been to Daft Brewing, Skeleton Park Brewing, Fine Balance, or Riverhead but you can check them out! Once we visit, they’ll be added to this list.
Kingston Brewing Company
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!
Address: 34 Clarence St, Kingston, ON K7L 1W9, Canada
Website: https://www.kingstonbrewing.ca/
Instagram: @kingston_brew_pub
Stone City Brew Co.
One of the front-runners in the “new wave” of craft beer to Kingston, Stone City opened a few years ago and has been pleasing Kingstonians ever since.
From the cozy cool space, their prime location, their summer patio in the front and – of course – great beers, Stone City shouldn’t be skipped if you are downtown.
They do everything from brewing to packaging right there at the location on Princess Street. They kind of remind us of one of the breweries in Guelph (which we also liked).
It’s usually pretty busy so be sure to go early if it’s summertime. They have a small but tasty food menu and a beer to try would be their Oatmeal Stout. It’s delicious!
If you aren’t sure which beer you want, grab a flight of their classics and whatever might interest you for their seasonal brews!
Address: 275 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B5, Canada
Website: https://stonecityales.com/
Instagram: @stonecityales
Spearhead Brewing Company
If you want to get a “behind the scenes” from a classic warehouse-style brewery, you could check out Spearhead!
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.
Address: 675 Development Drive, Kingston, ON, K7M 4W6
Website: https://spearheadbeer.com/
Instagram: @spearheadbeer
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing
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!
Address: 1915 County Rd 22, Bath, ON K0H 1G0, Canada
Website: Check out MacKinnon Brothers here.
Instagram: @mackinnonbrewing
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?
– E&L
Related Articles
For more articles on Kingston, check out these helpful guides:
- How to Get from Toronto to Kingston
- Tasty Restaurants Across Kingston
- Cozy Coffee Shops/Cafes in Kingston
