Ottawa has quietly become one of Canada's better craft beer cities. A wave of independent breweries opened over the past decade, each carving out a distinct identity — and a growing number of bars now pour exclusively or primarily local and craft.
Dominion City Brewing Co.
One of Ottawa's best breweries, full stop. Dominion City operates out of a large taproom in the east end with an excellent rotating tap list and a food program to match. They specialize in farmhouse ales and hop-forward beers, but the range is wide. The space is casual and welcoming, and the brewing consistently wins awards. This is a first stop for any serious craft beer tour of Ottawa.
Kichesippi Beer Co.
Named after the Algonquin word for the Ottawa River, Kichesippi has been brewing in the city since 2011 and helped establish Ottawa's craft scene. Their taproom near the Parkdale Market is a neighbourhood anchor, with a solid core lineup and rotating seasonals. The 1855 Wheat and Rideau lager are city staples.
Beyond the Pale Brewing Company
Westboro's local brewery with a taproom that's become a neighbourhood living room. Great IPAs and creative seasonal releases. The patio in summer is reliably packed with Westboro regulars, and the food menu — burgers, wings, casual plates — is better than most taprooms.
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
A smaller, design-forward brewery in Ottawa's craft scene with a distinctive brand and consistently interesting beers. Their taproom draws a younger, design-conscious crowd. The sour and wild ale program is worth paying attention to.
The Elmdale Tavern and Tap Room
Not a brewery but arguably Ottawa's best pub for local and craft tap selection. The Elmdale sits in Hintonburg, in a beautifully restored old tavern building, with an extensive beer list that skews heavily local and an old-school pub atmosphere that somehow never feels forced.
Pressed
A craft beer bar and restaurant in Centretown with an excellent curated tap list and a wood-fired pizza menu that makes it a full evening destination. Great for exploring the Ottawa craft scene without committing to a taproom tour.
Laundry Room Brewing
A newer addition in the east end with a more experimental approach to brewing — small batches, interesting ingredients, and a cozy taproom that feels like a neighbourhood secret. Worth seeking out.
Tips
- Most Ottawa breweries have online tap lists — check before you go to see what's pouring
- Ottawa Craft Beer Week (typically in the fall) is the best time to visit multiple spots and try festival-only releases
- Gatineau, just across the river, has its own growing craft scene worth exploring
