Introducing SHARP’s Canadian Craft Beer Index of 2024
Beer’s the best. It pours the frothy gamut from light lagers to ink-black stouts, tongue-tightening sours to traditional ales. And, with more than 1,000 Canadian brewpubs and microbreweries now up and running (almost double that of a decade ago), ours is a country that has turned craft brewing into an art.
You must only look as far as the colourful collection of pilsners and porters below for evidence of that; beers with such expressively designed labels that every can crumple feels like you’re vandalizing a masterpiece. Take Toronto’s Halo Brewery, for example, which entrusts a nearby graphic design studio to brand its beers. Or Collective Arts, whose collaborations with locals artists turn every can into a canvas. Kingston-based Daft Brewing even called on a globe-trotting graffiti artist to tag its Blackberry Sour IPA.
But the beers contained within these aluminum artworks are equally wild and wide-ranging. From a Montreal-made IPA to a fruity wheat beer from Vancouver, we’ve chosen 19 national brews that have caught our eyes and turned our tastebuds this past year. Vibrantly packaged and packing a punch, allow us to present: the Canadian Craft Beer Index…
Dieu Du Ciel! Disco Soleil IPA
Learn More
First up, a jaunt to Montreal — by way of Southern China. Because this India pale ale, bright orange in colour, is infused with the tropical flavour of kumquats. The bite of the hops is balanced by the beer’s round malt, and complemented with the tang of the citrus fruit’s zest. A truly summery sipper. ($15 for 4)
Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. Personal Best Hazy Pale Ale
Learn More
At just 3.5% ABV, this beer has seriously crushable credentials. Adorned with a retro tracksuit jacket, the can contains a light-coloured hazy IPA with flavours as exotic as the Disco Soleil above; think tangerine, ripe mango, and grapefruit. And, with only subtle carbonation, it makes for the perfect after-workout brew. ($18.99 for 4)
Daft Brewing Follow Your Nose Blackberry Sour IPA
Learn More
Another blackberry-infused beer. But, unlike Strathcona’s sour elsewhere on this list, Daft’s juicy, hazy NEIPA has a sweeter side. Lashings of strawberry and blackberry purée has been piped into its fizzy depths to temper that cheek-clenching tartness, and that results in an easy-drinking, slightly sour beer with a full fruity heart. ($4.75)
Bellwoods Brewery Green Velvet IPA
Learn More
We’re in Toronto for our next beer — but sticking with IPAs. Bellwoods’ Green Velvet is doubly as strong as the Personal Best above (at 7% ABV), but has smooth notes of pineapple, jasmine and Juicy Fruit gum. The best part? It’s carbonated using recaptured CO2, meaning it’s as eco-friendly as ales come.($4.42)
Halo Brewery Magic Missile Pale Ale
Learn More
Staying put in Toronto, this boldly canned beer is Halo’s flagship brew. Jazzed up with juicy Galaxy, Citra and Belma hops, there’s a mild citrus tang to this one, with further notes of passionfruit and rich strawberry. If you’re interested in the brewing process, Halo lays out its method online — from the mash-hopping to the fermentation schedule. ($7)
Refined Fool Brewing Co. Brouhaha Nut Brown
Learn More
A fairly simple ale, done incredible well. Refined Fool, based in Sarnia, Ontario, has a knack for cracking basic beers, and Brouhaha is among its best. Expect malt sweetness with slight notes of caramel and toffee — but the biggest flavour, as the name suggests, is that of earthy, bitter-ish nuts. ($3.75)
High Park Brewery Black Magic Sour
Learn More
Smooth and dark, High Park’s Black Magic Sour conjures up exactly what it says on the tin. The first flavours to charm your tastebuds are those of rich, dark chocolate — before the sharper, yet pleasingly jammy, raspberry notes kick in. It’s a real treat; and the tartest beer to be found in Toronto. ($3.95)
Stanley Park Brewing SunSetter Peach Wheat Ale
Learn More
One of the only stubby-canned beers to make our list, Stanley Park’s SunSetter is a warm-weather wheat ale from Canada’s West Coast. Brewed in Vancouver, it’s got light (but ripe) peach notes that mean it pairs perfectly with barbecued pork tenderloin or, to really complement the beer, grilled peaches. ($13.29 for 6)
Junction Craft Brewery Krispy Lite Lager
Learn More
Sometimes, all you want is an easy-drinking, super-light lager. And that’s what Junction Craft has delivered with this featherweight brew. It’s created using brown rice and a blend of Norwegian farmhouse ale yeasts, and has a crisp, refreshing taste. Expect slight cereal-y notes — and a faint sweetness. ($3.15)
Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Black Light Stout
Learn More
“Perfect for fireside stargazing,” or so says the Burlington-based Nickel Brook Brewing Co. And we’d be inclined to agree. This all-night stout has velvety notes of the darkest chocolate, thick molasses and roasted, toasted coffee. Full-flavoured and caramel-rich, it’s the finest stout we’ve had the pleasure of sipping all year. ($13.60 for 4)
Quidi Vidi Brewery Squeezebox NEIPA
Learn More
Up on the wild Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Quidi Vidi has been brewing envelope-pushing beers since it first fired up the fermentation tanks in 1996. This NEIPA is brimming with notes of fragrant nectarine and poached peach, and carries just a hint of woodland resin within its creamy smooth body.($5.50)
Strathcona Beer Company Imperial Love Buzz Blackberry Pancake Sour
Learn More
It’s a mouthful, this one — in both name and flavour. An imperial sour allows wild yeast strains into its brew, and this 10% ABV beer adds a touch of lactose into the mix, along with blackberry puree, brown sugar, and maple syrup. It’s lighter than you’d think; packing a significantly subtler punch than most sours. ($16.25 for 4)
Garrison Brewing Co. Georgia Peach
Learn More
Perhaps the best brew out of Halifax this year was Garrison’s delectable Oh My Gourd! pumpkin ale. But Georgia Peach, part of the brewery’s year-round range, comes a close second. It’s more tropical than peachy, but the slight haze and waves of wheat put it in close competition with Stanley Park’s SunSetter.($4.85)
Blood Brothers White Lies Sour Ale
Learn More
Fermented in a Frankensteinian style, this ale is something of a hybrid. Brewed and dry-hopped in Toronto before being re-fermented on a white grape blend, we’re telling the truth when we say that White Lies is the most tongue-teasing, almost-Riesling glassful of funkiness we’ve delighted in during 2023. ($6.15)
Collective Arts Brewing Stranger Than Fiction Porter
Learn More
The sole porter to grace our list, Collective Arts’ Stranger Than Fiction is a festive-tinged treat. Like Nickel Brook’s molasses-heavy stout, this one’s overflowing with thick chocolate notes and roasted malt flavour. A creamier spin on the porter style, it’s cozier and heavier than a warming weighted blanket.($3.45)
Matron Fine Beer Sunblind Sourbier
Learn More
Another sour that’s slightly lighter than its name suggests, Matron’s Sunblind has an eye-catching can and some truly singular flavours. It’s pale in colour, but packed with notes including earthy citrus, summer spices and sea salt in spades. It’ll subvert your expectations — but is well worth your time. ($6.50)
Brewhall Pineapple Flambé Milkshake IPA
Learn More
Another boldly branded beer with added lactose, this Milkshake IPA has been brewed with caramelized pineapple and candied ginger. Perhaps the most intensely flavoured of our choices (at 6.5% ABV, it’s not weak either), the creamy texture counters a bit of the bite — but it’s still not one for the faint-hearted.($4.75)
Sons of Kent Brewing Co. 8Track Extra Pale Ale
Learn More
A handsome, retro-styled can belies the thoroughly modern sensory onslaught that comes with every sip of this XPA. Every flavour is dialed up to 11, with grapefruit pith, zingy mango and a trio of hops (Citra, Cascade, and Centennial) coming at you in full-bodied, lip-smacking stereo. ($3.55)
Town Brewery Square Wheels IPA
Learn More
For our last pick, it’s off to Whitby, Ontario, where Town has been on a quest to pump up the flavours of classic beer styles. It’s also got stouts and English ales behind the bar, but the best is Square Wheels — an IPA that sings with ripe pineapple, bright green limes, and is drenched in both the colour and flavour of tangerines. ($3.76)
Want more local brews? Have a look at our past selections from earlier in 2023…
When the days are long and hot, nothing makes a better relaxation buddy than a can of cold, Canadian-brewed beer. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options: hundreds of breweries across the country are crafting new releases all year round. We’ve taken a look at the latest offerings from our favourites, bringing you a list of dock-ready beverages for summer evenings. From lemon-laced IPAs to hop-filled lagers and sweet radlers, our list of Canadian craft beers has something for everyone.
Midnight Poacher Dark American Lager, Quidi Vidi
Learn More
With the dark American Lager, Quidi Vidi Brewery enters the fifth year of its collaboration with the Newfermenters — an (obviously) Newfoundland-based home brewing club. The roast positions a bitter hop finish with chocolate and lighter, fruity finishes.
Ticats Lincoln Lager, Bench Creek Brewing
Learn More
Bench Creek Brewing is the new official sponsor of Hamilton’s Tiger-Cats football team. Like the tiger hopping out of Bench Creek’s black-and-orange can, the Ticats Lincoln Lager packs a punch with bright and crisp flavours. Noble German hops and hints of malt round out the flavour profile.
Chill Vibes Cold IPA, Lost Craft Brewing
Learn More
When faced with the almost-scalding mid-July sun, a crisp brew is certainly in order. Lost Craft Brewing’s Chill Vibes brings together tropical essence and citrusy hops for a refreshing, fruity beverage.
Lemon Drop Pale Ale (Taproom Series No. 80), Broadhead Brewery
Learn More
A classic summer vibe, Broadhead Brewery’s Lemon Drop Pale Ale tastes like the relaxation of towelling off at the beach. Sugarcoated citrus flavours like grapefruit and lime pair with earthier, grainy malt in this pale ale. The lemon aftertaste leaves a clean and light finish.
Beach Lemon Mandarin Radler, Strathcona Brewery
Learn More
For fans of lighter beers, the Beach Lemon Radler from Strathcona Brewery offers a thirst-quenching sweetness — courtesy of mandarin juice and lemon peel. With a tart finish, the brew combines fruity freshness with bubbly beer to craft a classic beachside beverage.
Blood Well, Blood Brothers Brewing
Learn More
To celebrate the 11th anniversary of Get Well, an iconic Toronto bar and arcade, the Toronto-born brewery Blood Brothers has released Blood Well. A sultry mix of sweet and citrus, the smooth-finished brew is a refreshing addition to the craft brewery’s lineup.
Iceberg Lager, Quidi Vidi Brewery
Does knowing that a beer is brewed with water from 20,000-year-old Newfoundland icebergs make it more refreshing? It sure doesn’t hurt the appeal of this crisp North American-style lager, which combines notes of toasted grain with a very smooth and dry finish.
Ball’s Falls Session IPA, Bench Creek Brewing
Named after one of the Niagara Escarpment’s most famous cascades, this Beamsville brew evokes a picturesque waterfall with its pale golden hue and foamy head. Going down, it delivers juicy hop aromas of peach and citrus fruit, and finishes dry with a hint of cedar.
Diversity Helles Lager, Lost Craft Brewery
This small-batch beauty is brewed using a traditional step-mash process that makes it medium-bodied yet satisfyingly dry at the finish. The tall can’s stylish artwork couldn’t get much more Torontonian, and 1 percent of Divercity sales support the Canada Centre of Diversity and Inclusion. Tastes good, looks good, and you can feel good about drinking it.
Southern Light, Hometown Brew Co.
Hometown Brew Co.’s Southern Light is a sessionable Belgian ale brewed in Langton, Ontario. It’s got a malty sweet flavour, finishing with hints of American wheat. Hell, we’re ready to pour a glass of this golden treat right now.
Blueberry Blonde, Broadhead Brewing Company
Broadhead Brew Co. brews its fruity Blueberry Blonde in Ottawa. The seasonal beer packs a mean berry punch. An ideal choice if you’re looking to bust out some left-field flavours at a Canada Day party.
Love Buzz Guava Lemon Sour, Strathcona Beer Company
Strathcona is all about celebrating the diversity of its namesake Vancouver neighbourhood, and this Sour Ale provides a prime example of its mission. Brewed with generous quantities of guava puree, lemon juice and a hint of lactose, this eye-catcher is light in body, tart in finish, and lip-smacking all round.
KickSled Cream Ale, NWT Brewing Company
One of Canada’s most northerly breweries is set in the heart of Yellowknife. The KickSled Cream Ale is an award-winning, sessionable beer with a creamy head. Its Canadian malt is crisp AF, and is ideal for a hot summer evening under the midnight sun.
Wheat Burst, Black Bridge Brewery
Straight outta Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Black Bridge Brewery stays true to its roots with a Wheat Burst beer. Its hoppiness is sure to have your mouth watering and your taste buds tingling with fruity notes.
Working Class Hero Dark Mild, Riot Brewing Co.
If the radical can design doesn’t turn your head, the can’s contents will. Brewed in Chemainus, B.C., the subtle roasted malt flavour and deep amber colour of this World Beer Cup-winning oat soda will cool off every hard-working Canadian who tries it.
Nectarous Dry Hopped Sour, Four Winds Brewing Co.
Canada’s ”Beer of the year” in 2016 and winner of several silver and gold medals at the Canadian Brewing Awards, this product of Delta, B.C. balances sourness and complex acidity with tropical fruit esters en route to a clean, tart finish. Bring it to any Canada Day bash and behold as you blow everyone’s socks off.
Cole Harbour Red, North Brewing Company
If Sidney Crosby has never tasted the Irish red ale named after his Nova Scotia hometown, the NHL legend is missing out. Its full-bodied hoppiness complements its toasty malt flavour beautifully, with a velvety finish that’s as smooth as Sid’s moves on the ice.
Kolschlaga, L’Espace Public
Like many Canadian craft breweries, Montreal’s L’Espace Public is big on the double-fermentation technique. This blonde has light aromas of fruit and cereal, with pleasing pilsner malt attributes. Santé!
Greenwood IPA, Left Field Brewery
Left Field’s juicy flavours are sure to hit a home run in summer, with the pale-gold Greenwood IPA featuring a refreshing full body that goes into extra innings if need be. Pairs well with peanuts and Cracker Jacks — no joke!
Blower Pow India Pale Ale, Whitetooth Brewing
Made from premium Canadian barley malt and generously hopped in the Pacific Northwest style, this apres-ski favourite is just as satisfying on a sunny dock or patio. Brewed in sublimely scenic Golden, B.C., Blower Pow encourages drinkers to “shred, enjoy, repeat.”
Hatchet Blonde Ale, Big Axe Brewery
This moderately sweet and malty ale cuts through summer heat like the 55-tonne axe in the middle of Nackawic, New Brunswick, that gives this brewery its name. Far from being heavy, however, this brew made from local hops is refreshingly light and crisp.
Tall Ship Light, Garrison Brewing
What do you get when you combine the beer basics of filtered water, Canadian barley malt, premium hops and yeast? In the case of Tall Ship Light, you get a crisp and clean 4 percent brew that pours pale yellow and finishes smooth and dry with a very mild hop aroma.
Folk Fest Lager, Little Brown Jug
Why is Winnipeg’s most famous annual event lending its name to this lager? The short answer: Because the beer pairs perfectly with music and sunshine. With subtle malt flavours and a crisp, clean finish, Folk Fest Lager is worthy of several encores.
