The oldest breweries in Toronto

Beer is on the rise these days and with new breweries coming out every week, we just felt going through a nostalgic trip and show you the oldest breweries in Toronto still making beer.

Amsterdam Brewery and Co. (est. 1986)

 Founded by Dutchman Roel Bramer by the name of The Amsterdam Brasserie and Brewpub on John Street downtown, couple of years later a second brewpub location with a larger brewing capacity was opened as The Rotterdam on King Street, In 1993, the former was closed, and operations under the current name The Amsterdam Brewing Company operating as a microbrewery. The company subsequently moved to a location on Bathurst, finally in 2013 opened the very popular location on Queens Quay with a gigantic Brewpub. 

Must try:  Blonde Lager, Big Wheel amber and Fracture (their newest brew) and imperial ipa.

Great Lakes Brewery (est. 1987)

Great Lakes Brewery was started in 1987 in an industrial unit in Brampton by Bruce Cornish, after 4 years Cornish ran out of money to fund the company and sold it to construction magnate in Etobicoke Peter Bulut, in 1991 Bulut moved the brewery to its current home just off the QEW, Bulut Jr. took over the business in 2009 introducing new flavors and giving the beers funny and creative names which pumped up the sales, and lead for them to win in 2013 and 2014  the top honor in Canadian brewing, naming Great Lakes Brewery Canadian Brewery of the Year. 

Most try: Lake effect IPA, Pompous Ass EPA, Hanla's Point coconut coffee porter 


Granite Brewery and Restaurant (est. 1991)

The Keefe brothers expanded into Toronto in 1991 after starting up the Granite Brewery in Halifax six years prior specializing in fermented brews. Never really established as a competitor brewery, keeping a low key profile at the LCBO, they are more interested in people going on their Establishment located in Mount Pleasant and Eglinton, try the amazing English style food they offer and enjoy a good brew with great company. 

Most Try: Best Bitter, Dunkelweizen and Hazy Daze.

So definitely you should make a tour and visit this old breweries, make sure you don't take your car with you.