Drinking in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a majestic place. A great vacation destination for travelers from around the world, words can’t describe nature’s beauty as one stands gazing at the breathtaking views.

Niagara Falls is made up of three falls – Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. Located on the Niagara River, the combined falls make up the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world.

But looking at all that water is certainly going to make one quite thirsty.

During my recent trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario, I stumbled upon some craft beer destinations worth checking out if your family vacation happens to bring you to this natural wonder of the world.

Located on Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street of Fun by the Falls, Niagara Brewing Company offers a modern taproom just 200 meters from the falls on the former site of the Foxhead Inn, one of the original luxury hotels in Niagara Falls.

The taproom opened in June 2015 with a 200 hectoliter system where Gord Slater, a veteran of the brewing industry, brews up regulars like Amber Eh! Ale, Beerdevil IPA, Honeymoon Peach Radler, and the award winning Niagara Premium Lager. Seasonal brews like White Canoe Wheat, Hennepin Stout, Cream Ale, and Lucky Penny Lager are sure to please the masses, too.

The kitchen at Niagara Brewing Company serves up small bites like the warm soft pretzel duo, tortilla chips with guac, an artisan cheese board, and a charcuterie board. Sandwiches include  sausage rabe, meatball, pesto veal parmigiana, mushroom chicken melt, and a slider trio.

Both 1.89 L and 0.95 L growlers are available for purchase to go, and many Niagara beers are canned. Also, don’t miss out on $4 CAN beer specials daily from 3pm to 4pm and 7pm to 8pm. The taproom is open Sunday to Thursday 11am to midnight and Friday to Saturday 11am to 1am.

Founded in 2004, Taps Brewing Company is located about 2 km from the falls. Their craft beers are brewed in small batches, offering a unique and refreshing accompaniment to the award winning chef’s menu.

Enjoy beers like Sinister Sams IPA, Taps Charleston Lager, Taps Red Cream Ale, Niagara’s Best Blonde Ale, Niagara’s Best Light Lager, Taps Rye Not Pale Ale, and Taps Porter.

Beers can be purchase by the half pint, full pint, pitcher, and tasting flights. Growlers can be filled to go.

Enjoy a snack with your beer like one of their famous poutine dishes, sandwiches and wraps, burgers, pizza, or a classic dish like porter braised beef ribs, fish and chips, or roast vegetable curry.

Taps on Queen is open daily from noon until 1am. Retail beer is available daily from noon to 11pm.

Located on Lundy’s Lane, about 3 km from the falls, Syndicate Restaurant and Brewery is a collaboration of farm, table, and brewhouse. Founded by the same guys that created Taps on Queen, Syndicate was born from a hunger for great tasting gourmet food with a twist – food you wouldn’t typically see on the menu at a brewhouse.

Enjoy a $9 CAN express lunch with choices like fusilli mac n cheese, chicken pot pie, beef dip, and pulled pork sandwich, or enjoy dinner with options including beer brined chicken, butternut squash ravioli, rack of lamb, or blackened seared salmon.

The Niagara Falls location includes a bar in the front and a dining room in the rear with views into the brewhouse. An additional bar and seating area are located upstairs.

Syndicate is open daily from 11:30am to 11pm.

After enjoying lunch and a beer at Syndicate, stop by Beer Store. Located literally 170 meters from Syndicate, Beer Store is considered experts on beer. They’ve been in business since 1927 and are owned by 25 Ontario-based brewers.

Beer Store offers more than 645 beer brands, in 450 retail stores, from 136 brewers around the world. Stop in and check out the selection at the Niagara Falls location, and take a case or an 8-pack back to your hotel.

Beer store is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Located about 14 km from the falls in Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Niagara Peninsula, the Niagara College Teaching Brewery is the the first fully licensed teaching brewery in Canada and part of Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute.

Seasonal beers and small batch brews are available for sale in the retail store. Take home beers like 1812 Butlers Bitter, Brewmaster Strong Ale, Brewmaster IPA, Brewmaster Stout, Brewmaster Wheat, and Brewmaster Cherry Pilsner. Be sure to also look for the cleverly crafted ‘Small Batch’ one off beers made by the Niagara College Brewmaster students.

You can enjoy samples of student beers on tap in the retail store for $2 CAN each or 3 for $5 CAN with a limit of 4 samples per person. Your samples are free if you purchase merchandise or beer to go that is greater than or equal to the cost of the samples.

The teaching brewery is open 10am to 6pm daily from May to October. Check their website for winter hours. This is certainly a unique beer drinkers destination that shouldn’t be missed!

If you find yourself on a trip to Niagara Falls, ON, be sure to check out a few of these craft beer spots!

Beer Store, brewery, brewpub, Canada, Niagara Brewing Company, Niagara College, Niagara College Teaching Brewery, Niagara Falls, Ontario, restaurant, Syndicate Restaurant and Brewery, taproom, Taps on Queen Brewhouse & Grill