Experience Ottawa’s Craft Beer Scene on a Unique Brewery Tour

Exploring Ottawa’s vibrant craft beer scene has become an engaging experience, thanks to Brew Donkey, a local company offering guided brewery tours. Participants can enjoy an evening of sampling unique brews while traveling on a classic yellow school bus, adding a nostalgic twist to the adventure.

Organized tours, such as the City Beers tour priced at $109, allow beer enthusiasts to visit several local breweries in a single night. Recently, a group of nine individuals, including repeat Brew Donkey customers and tourists from Scotland, embarked on this journey. The tour featured stops at three breweries: Bicycle Craft Brewery, Small and Local, and Beyond the Pale—each offering a distinct selection of craft beers.

Owner Brad Campeau founded Brew Donkey in 2013 as the craft beer trend surged across Ontario. He noted that, at its peak, the Ottawa area boasted around 40 breweries, a figure that has since decreased to approximately 35. His vision for the tours stemmed from observing the connections people made with local farmers at markets, leading him to believe that a similar interest would extend to craft beer.

Upon arrival at the meeting point on Gloucester Street, the group was greeted by Campeau and their enthusiastic guide, Marcus Mattucci. Despite the bus’s plain exterior, participants quickly embraced the atmosphere reminiscent of school field trips. The group included a mix of age ranges from Gen X to older millennials, with more women than men.

The first stop was Bicycle Craft Brewery, located in a modest strip mall on Industrial Avenue. Here, patrons sampled an array of beers, including the juicy IPA, On The Lam, and a refreshing Margarita Gose, which particularly impressed one of the participants.

Next, the tour visited Small and Local, a cozy pub that had transformed its strip mall location into a welcoming space. Guests were treated to their Neon Green Heart, a well-balanced hazy Pacific pale ale, and the flavorful Periwinkle Triangle, a blueberry-raspberry sour that delighted many in the group.

The final destination was Beyond the Pale, a brewery established in 2012 by childhood friends. Known for its collaborations with local events like the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Beyond the Pale has become a staple in the Ottawa nightlife scene. The group was fortunate to meet co-owner and brewmaster Shane Clark, who shared insights about the brewing process and introduced them to Cici, the brewery’s warehouse cat, known for her pest control skills.

During the tour, participants enjoyed snacks from local eateries, including a hearty sandwich from Sherwood Deli and a sweet treat from Mavericks. The inclusion of food helped balance the tasting experience, allowing for a more leisurely pace.

After approximately four hours of exploration, the group returned to their starting point, with participants eager to continue their evening. The tour provided a unique opportunity to connect with local brewers, taste exceptional beers, and meet fellow enthusiasts in a relaxed setting.

Overall, the experience highlighted the quality and diversity of Ottawa’s craft beer scene, leaving participants with memorable brews and a desire to return for more.

For those interested in local arts, food, and activities, Brew Donkey’s brewery tours offer a fun and engaging way to discover the best of what Ottawa has to offer.