We love a good bevvy, especially when it is Canadian-made!
With the warm weather quickly approaching, ‘tis the season to start sitting back, relaxing and enjoying a refreshing beverage. And nothing says refreshing quite like knowing your drink of choice is Canadian made.
So, we’ve curated a list of the best local beers, wines, spirits and ciders to keep your thirst quenched.
Langley City, BC
2020 Social Bacchus: perfect for pairing with seafood
Backyard Vineyards has created beautiful wines perfect for sipping in your own backyard. Named after the god of grape and wine, this white wine is filled with splendid notes of tropical fruit flavours and will hit your nose with floral notes, lime and clementine. The refreshing 2020 Social Bacchus would go fantastic with a seafood extravaganza at the end of a warm summer’s day.
Cape Breton, NS
Strawberry Rhubarb Sour: perfect for a picnic lunch
Ah yes, strawberry rhubarb pie, just like Grandma used to make. If you’re a fan of such a tasty pie, this pink coloured, Strawberry Rhubarb Sour looks like one to try!
This kettle sour comes in a vibrant pink colour, making it as pleasing on the eyes as it is on the tongue. Be sure to enjoy this drink with an afternoon picnic by the ocean.
Calabogie, ON
Front Porch: perfect to enjoy on… the front porch
Located just over an hour from Ottawa, Calabogie is the place to be for outdoor adventure and fun. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or attending the motorsports rally, there’s always something fun to do during the summer. After a long day of outdoor enjoyment, why not sit on the front porch or balcony and savour a beer from Calabogie’s very own brewery, the Calabogie Brewing Co.?
Their Kolsch-Style Front Porch beer looks perfect to drink while sitting and watching the world go by. With a refreshing taste of citrus, this is a beer to enjoy after a long day in the sun.
Halifax, NS
Gin Royal: perfect for admiring your garden
Distilled from Nova Scotian wheat with classic and contemporary gin botanicals, Compass Distillers’ Gin Royal gets its distinct blue colour from an infusion of butterfly pea blossom. Slightly sweetened with local honey and royal jelly, Gin Royal is a tribute to the bees and pollinators who help make beautiful spirits, like this gin. Admire your garden (and bees) while enjoying Gin Royal over ice with tonic and lemon.
And the real bee’s knees is that one dollar from every bottle of Gin Royal sold is donated to the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association.
Crossmount, SK
Flatlander Pina Loca: perfect for any outdoor event
Located just outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the Crossmount Cider Company has a very unique cider that is worth a try. The “Pina Loca” has an engaging and sweet pineapple flavour with a tart finish that makes it perfect for any summer occasion.
Victoria, BC
Honey Shine Amber: perfect for mixology enthusiasts
DEVINE Distillery showcases Honey Shine: an award-winning unique spirit made with 100% local honey. Honey Shine has soft notes of caramel with a backbone of wood barrel spices. Its rich mouthfeel is identical to rum, with notes of bourbon and cognac. This boozy beverage is the perfect addition to your next cocktail!
Turner Valley, AB
Spruce Berry Smash: perfect to drink at the cottage
Canned cocktails go hand in hand with cottage season and Eau Claire Distillery’s Spruce Berry Smash are sure to be… well, a smash. These craft cocktails are a delicious mix of Eau Claire vodka, juicy raspberries, fragrant spruce and a touch of honey for some natural sweetness. This vodka-based tipple will be a treat for cottage-goers everywhere.
Barrie, ON
Space Age Sunshine Quadruple IPA: perfect for dessert
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery stands out with their radical beers and creative ales. Their website (and we’re saying website but it’s actually more of a groovy work of art) expertly portrays their mantra that Normal is Weird.
And one beer is just out of this world—the Space Age Sunshine Quadruple IPA. Glowing with sunny oranges and a creamy vanilla finish, this nostalgic creamsicle-inspired IPA is the perfect dessert. And don’t let the fluffy bunny on the can fool you, this quadruple IPA packs a punch with 11.6% ABV!
Bloomfield, ON
Kinsip Maple Whisky: perfect pair for a BBQ’d burger
As Canadians, we just can’t get enough maple. It’s everywhere. Syrup, cookies, doughnuts, candy and last but not least, whisky.
Kinsip’s Maple Whisky is the one to try this summer. It’s finished in barrels that are used for aging maple syrup, leaving behind a lingering wood smoke and sweet maple syrup taste. It’s time to bring out the BBQ because this sounds like it would go great with a few maple whisky burgers!
Penticton, BC
2019 Syrah: perfect to bring to a wine and cheese
Located in the Okanagan Valley, Painted Rock spans across 56 acres on Skaha Lake. In the 2019 Syrah aromas of savoury chocolate and notes of liquorice, vanilla and dark fruit jump out of the glass—impress your friends by bringing this bottle to a wine and cheese.
Winnipeg, MB
Navy Strength Gin: perfect for a good book + hammock
Patent 5 produces premium spirits and craft cocktails in the heart of Canada. The award-winning Navy Strength Gin maintains a smooth balance, with a juniper-forward aroma that is complemented by spicy citrus flavours and a sweetness that lingers on your palate. This gin is perfect on a lazy day in your hammock with a good book.
Quidi Vidi, NL
Iceberg Beer: perfect for a drink by the ocean
Beer, swag and a flight club are just the tip of the iceberg at Quidi Video Brewery. Located in a small fishing village just outside of St. John’s, Newfoundland, this brewery is home to the Iceberg Beer, which is made from 20,000 year old icebergs floating off the Canadian coast. This light beer would go down quite perfect sitting by the ocean on a breezy day.
North Vancouver, BC
Chili Vodka: perfect for a caesar + brunch on the patio
Sons of Vancouver has the best vodka for your Canadian classic drink. Made with local aquaponic chilies, their Chili Vodka has enough kick to it that you don’t even need the vinegar or hot sauce (but you can still add that, if you want to). All the spice needed is in the bottle. If you’re a fan of the heat, this one is worth a shot!
Ottawa, ON
Shaggin’ Wagon: perfect after a road trip
With CIRA’s office in Ottawa, Stray Dog Brewing Company is practically in our backyard. Stray Dog is all about representing the spirit of adventure and the courage to pursue the passions that enrich our lives. With all that said, you have to pursue a taste of their Shaggin’ Wagon—a New England IPA. This hazy IPA is bursting with juicy tropical notes of pineapple, tangerine and apricot. The road trip continues with a heavy dose of oats and wheat, contributing to a soft, creamy body. Bitterness takes a back seat while the hoppy flavour and aroma can’t sit still in the front. One sip of the Shaggin’ Wagon will have you relaxed after a long day on the road.
*Adapted from original post: 15 Canadian-made drinks to try this summer.
