The best local brewers to grab a beer this summer

Braumeister Bierhalle

• Name + address:  Braumeister, 175 Carruthers Ave.

Braumeister Bierhalle may be my favourite spot to catch this year's Euro Cup. The all-wood interior is a more contemporary take on the classic German/Austrian beer halls and it does evoke positive memories of the homeland.

They are showing the Euro Cup matches (other than on days when they’re closed) and along with their very good German-style beers you can enjoy a menu of traditional foods.  

I particularly enjoyed the garlic and herb pretzel with a very nice warm cheese sauce. I followed that with a leberkase (translation: liver cheese) sandwich that is simply a kind of meatloaf with no liver or cheese involved. You will also enjoy their frankfurters and both these meats are made by the excellent Ulrich’s in Pembroke, one of the few German delis left in this part of Ontario.

I appreciate that German dishes are available here but some of the recipes do need work. A neighbouring table was enjoying what looked to be a well made schnitzel with a large green salad and I made a mental note for the next visit.

Nita Beer Co.

• Name + address: Nita Beer Company, 190 Colonnade Rd.

Nita launched nine years ago and while it’s located in an industrial park, as are several other Ottawa breweries, it clearly has its fans. During my visit I watched many people come and then leave with beer in hand. 

It produces a fairly full range of styles from lagers to IPAs and stouts. A particular favourite, and ideal for those first getting an appreciation of wheat beer, is Norm. Whimsically it features a photo of a pigeon on the label and it’s super refreshing at less than 4% alc. It’s very clean tasting and not challenging at all for the uninitiated.

They offer a small menu of sausages, fries, pizza and burgers and their Say Cheese Please burger is worth having. They use first rate Angus beef from Gillette Farms in Chesterville and you can taste the quality.

You’ll also find this burger dressed with real cheese and it’s all nestled between a soft brioche bun. You’ll want to enjoy this burger on site so you can have it either indoors or on their wooden covered deck.

Flora Hall

• Name + address: Flora Hall Brewing, 37 Flora St.

Flora Hall Brewing recently did a fine job hosting the German embassy for the opener of Euro Cup 2024. Unfortunately this was just a one off and they’re not showing subsequent matches. You’ll just need to pop round, get some of their fresh craft brew and enjoy them and the game, at home.

If you dine in, you’ll find what may be the best executed brewery food in the city. Their burgers and wings are necessary mainstays and worth having but their menu does change from time to time so check in to see what’s new.

Chelsea & Co.

• Name + address: Chelsea & Co., 6 Rue Douglas

Make the trip from Ottawa just for the beer at Chelsea & Co. or take a rest after hiking in the Gatineau hills and replenish your electrolytes with their award winning beer.

The patio is recessed far enough from the main road to make for comfortable get-togethers with friends and you’ll want to enjoy small bites from their menu. If larger appetites prevail then their excellent Detroit-style pizza will satisfy everyone.

Ridge Rock Brewing

• Name + address: Ridge Rock Brewing, 421 Donald B. Munro Drive, Carp

For a village its size Carp has a lot to offer. In addition to the Carp farmer’s market, Carp Custom Creamery and The Cheshire Cat Pub, you’ll want to stop in at Ridge Rock Brewing.

They produce a variety of brews for every taste and their food menu is largely made from scratch. It’s all a safe bet for even the more experienced palates.

Wood Brothers Brewing

• Name + address: Wood Brothers Brewing, 2980 Wylie Rd., Glen Robertson

The beer produced at Wood Brothers Brewing has achieved cult-like status. They are open for only a few hours on Fridays and Saturdays and as people come from as far away as Montreal, the line-ups can be long. 

They specialize in New England IPAs and smoothie fruit beers made with actual ice cream. Heady and indulgent stuff. 

From Ottawa it’s about an hour's drive, so once you get there you may want to indulge in a pint before bringing your haul back to the city.

Kichesippi Beer Co.

• Name + address: Kichesippi Beer Co., 2265 Robertson Rd.

Kichesippi Beer Co. made a name for itself as the first of Ottawa’s craft beer breweries and it remains a favourite for its true-to-style German beer.

Brewmaster Philip Kochanke studied at what is perhaps the world’s most prestigious brewing academy in Munich. His palate crafts precise brews that have traditionalists like me coming back.

They have a small, beer-friendly food menu and if you’re in the mood for Asian or fish and chips, those food trucks are on site.

Tooth and Nail Brewing

• Name + address: Tooth and Nail Brewing, 3 Irving Ave.

Tooth and Nail Brewing owner and brewer, Matt Tweedy crafts precise and top quality beer and to my palate, it’s some of the finest in Ottawa.

Vim and Vigor is his version of a Pilsner and it’s an example of how it should be done. Crisp and clean and uplifting this is a summer brew loaded with not just flavour but elegance.

They have a modest menu of beer bites, sandwiches and pizzas which you can enjoy on their cute patio and I would further encourage you to try his Breezehill specialty brew aged in Pinot Noir barrels. Great beer and great people.

Other local breweries

• Dominion City Brewing (patio)

• Overflow Brewing (patio)

• Beyond the Pale Brewing (patio)

• Shillow Beer Co. (Kosher certified)

• Bicycle Craft Brewery (It’s their 10th anniversary)