Old Toronto Beer Tour Itinerary
11:00 A.M. Steam Whistle Brewery
We begin our Old Toronto Beer Tour at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays at Steam Whistle Brewery located just south of the SkyDome in Toronto's historic railway 'Roundhouse'. (Take the Queen's Quay streetcar from Union Station to York Street and walk a short block north).
We will be greeted by our professional beer tour guide and the friendly folks at Steam Whistle. Following a brief introduction and a taste of Steam Whistle's popular European-style Pilsner, we will commence with our special VIP tour and interpretation which will include the Steam Whistle story, the brewing process and the Pilsner style, as well as the home of Steam Whistle, the historic Roundhouse.
Following our VIP tour, we'll sit down to enjoy a 'charcuterie-style' lunch accompanied, of course, by a refreshing "unfiltered" Steam Whistle Pilsner and the great company of new friends found.
We will be greeted by our professional beer tour guide and the friendly folks at Steam Whistle. Following a brief introduction and a taste of Steam Whistle's popular European-style Pilsner, we will commence with our special VIP tour and interpretation which will include the Steam Whistle story, the brewing process and the Pilsner style, as well as the home of Steam Whistle, the historic Roundhouse.
Following our VIP tour, we'll sit down to enjoy a 'charcuterie-style' lunch accompanied, of course, by a refreshing "unfiltered" Steam Whistle Pilsner and the great company of new friends found.
Steam Whistle Brewery, located in a historic train Roundhouse.
Our 2nd stop will be at Fort York: the birthplace of Toronto and home to the oldest buildings in the city. Ours is the only Toronto city tour to feature Fort York as a stop!
A national heritage site, Fort York was built in 1793 and is a fascinating step back in time, right in the centre of our city!
Since Soldiers in the British Army were alotted 'six pints a day' as part of their daily pay, this is where the history of beer in Toronto truly begins.
Boasting the largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings, our Fort York stop will include visits to the Blockhouse Museum and the Officers' Barracks and Mess.
A national heritage site, Fort York was built in 1793 and is a fascinating step back in time, right in the centre of our city!
Since Soldiers in the British Army were alotted 'six pints a day' as part of their daily pay, this is where the history of beer in Toronto truly begins.
Boasting the largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings, our Fort York stop will include visits to the Blockhouse Museum and the Officers' Barracks and Mess.
Fort York
Fort York, Birthplace of Toronto
Cross-City Historic Drive & Corktown
On the way to our next brewery destination, you'll hear stories of Toronto's Brewing Heritage as we pass the Canada Malting Silos, recently designated a Toronto heritage building; Toronto's oldest tavern; the site of the original Toronto Molson "Fleet Street" Brewery as well as other points of historic and architectural interest.
We will make a brief stop in historic Corktown, a largely Irish neighbourhood in the years following the Potato Famine and a brewing hub in pre-prohibition Toronto. Here, we'll re-discover some of Toronto's 'lost breweries' as well as interesting examples of the city's historic architecture. A brief tour of the neighbourhood will help us experience the ambiance of 19th century working-class Toronto.
We will make a brief stop in historic Corktown, a largely Irish neighbourhood in the years following the Potato Famine and a brewing hub in pre-prohibition Toronto. Here, we'll re-discover some of Toronto's 'lost breweries' as well as interesting examples of the city's historic architecture. A brief tour of the neighbourhood will help us experience the ambiance of 19th century working-class Toronto.
The Distillery District
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Formerly the Gooderham & Worts Distillery - the largest in the British Empire! - the Distillery District is a virtual city within a city and is regarded by many as the finest example of Victorian Industrial architecture in North America. Red cobblestoned streets and alleyways lead to interesting shops, galleries, restaurants and our two next stops - the Ontario Spring Water Sake Brewery and the Mill Street Brewery Beer Hall.
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Ontario Spring Water Sake Brewery
Tour host, Oliver Dawson getting ready to pour some authentic Sake.
Technically a brewery, the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company is a unique addition to the artisan scene in Toronto and an exciting reflection of Toronto's multi-cultural vibe. The first sake brewery in eastern North America they use traditional Japanese methods and recipes combined with the highest quality rice and delicious Ontario spring water. Visitors can now enjoy fresh, unpasteurized, locally-brewed sake for the first time.
This is a new stop on our tour and we find it fascinating to learn about this authentic Sake process and enjoy a tutored tasting of 3 different variations of this unique brew.
After our experience of traditional Japanese sake, we'll then walk along over towards our next brewery stop, guided by our fun and knowledgeable beer and history expert.
This is a new stop on our tour and we find it fascinating to learn about this authentic Sake process and enjoy a tutored tasting of 3 different variations of this unique brew.
After our experience of traditional Japanese sake, we'll then walk along over towards our next brewery stop, guided by our fun and knowledgeable beer and history expert.
Vat view at Izumi - Ontario Spring Water Sake Brewery
Mill Street Brewery
Passing by eclectic shops, street performances or newly-wed photo shoots, we are very soon at our next stop, the popular Mill Street Brewery Beer Hall. Housed in an old 'Tankhouse' within the 19th century Gooderham & Worts Distillery District it offers the ambiance of an up beat urban bar with that of a traditional German 'Bier Stube.
Here we'll be sampling Mill Street's award-winning Lagers and Ales as well as an authentic 'Bier Schnapps' made in their gorgeous new copper nano distillery.
Here we'll be sampling Mill Street's award-winning Lagers and Ales as well as an authentic 'Bier Schnapps' made in their gorgeous new copper nano distillery.
Afterwards, you'll have some free time to hang out in the Beer Hall or to explore the "Distillery District" and visit wonderful shops like SOMA Chocolates, ARTA Gallery and Corktown Designs jewellery or possibly Balzacs where you can take a beer break and enjoy a superb cup of coffee.
The gorgeous Nano distillery at the Mill Street Beer Hall.
Amsterdam Brewery
An inside look at the Amsterdam Brewery
We board our bus for our last stop -- the Amsterdam Brewing Company.
On the way we will drive by the site of the Toronto Brick Works and old Helliwell Brewery at the Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre.
Toronto’s oldest original micro-brewery, the Amsterdam is praised for their eclectic range of beers that include traditional lagers, dark ales,barrel-aged and fruit-infused beer.
Hosted by your guide, you will partake in our final "tutored tasting" of a broad selection of available Amsterdam brews. There will just enough time to shop for your favourite beer or t-shirt and then we board our bus for the return trip to Union Station, and your safe transit home.
On the way we will drive by the site of the Toronto Brick Works and old Helliwell Brewery at the Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre.
Toronto’s oldest original micro-brewery, the Amsterdam is praised for their eclectic range of beers that include traditional lagers, dark ales,barrel-aged and fruit-infused beer.
Hosted by your guide, you will partake in our final "tutored tasting" of a broad selection of available Amsterdam brews. There will just enough time to shop for your favourite beer or t-shirt and then we board our bus for the return trip to Union Station, and your safe transit home.
Three lads celebrating at Amsterdam Brewery
Beer Lovers' Dinner option at the Granite Brewery
Celebrating a great day at the Granite Brewery & Restaurant
Those joining us for dinner will remain on the bus for the short drive to our final destination, The Granite Brewery.
We are greeted at the front doors by proprietor Ron Keefe. Well known to beer lovers far and wide, the Granite Brewery has made its mark since 1989, specializing in traditional top-fermented Ales, staunchly English in style.
We'll have a chance to sample the unique qualities of these authentic Cask-Conditioned Ales in combination with a fabulous 4-course beer dinner.
This Beer Lovers' Dinner is available for only $50 extra (plus HST), and includes all food, beer and gratuities. Please advise us in advance if you will be joining us for this added feature. Vegetarian options available on request.
After dessert, a few last sips and some more great conversation, it will be a short walk to the Yonge subway line for your safe trip home.
We are greeted at the front doors by proprietor Ron Keefe. Well known to beer lovers far and wide, the Granite Brewery has made its mark since 1989, specializing in traditional top-fermented Ales, staunchly English in style.
We'll have a chance to sample the unique qualities of these authentic Cask-Conditioned Ales in combination with a fabulous 4-course beer dinner.
This Beer Lovers' Dinner is available for only $50 extra (plus HST), and includes all food, beer and gratuities. Please advise us in advance if you will be joining us for this added feature. Vegetarian options available on request.
After dessert, a few last sips and some more great conversation, it will be a short walk to the Yonge subway line for your safe trip home.
2020 TOUR DATES : (SATURDAYS ONLY) Tours currently suspended. If you have a ticket, please know that your tour will be honoured just as soon as it is safe to do so.
May 30th? June 20th ? & 27th; July 11th, 18 & 25th; Aug. 8th, 15, 22, 29th;
Sept. 19th & 26th; Oct.10th & 17th; Nov. 7th 2020
May 30th? June 20th ? & 27th; July 11th, 18 & 25th; Aug. 8th, 15, 22, 29th;
Sept. 19th & 26th; Oct.10th & 17th; Nov. 7th 2020
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