Did you know that Caledon is home to FOUR craft breweries and two cideries?! We like to credit the country air, the flowing rivers (water is the #1 ingredient in beer, after all), the rich agricultural land and the laid-back vibes for churning out some of the province’s favourite – and most innovative – suds around. 

Sonnen Hill Brewing Co.

is Caledon’s newest brewery, boasting beautifully complex, low ABV pale beers and mixed-culture fermentations (saisons, grisettes). Located on the family’s 37-acre farm, this brewery is committed to restoring the land by planting thousands of trees, reintroducing native grasses and wildflowers, and adding boxes for birds and bats with the help of the local conservation authority. Don’t be surprised if you see some of the on-farm fruit and botanicals appear in upcoming brews. 

6-PACK pick: Local Spiff (Farm Store and Delivery). This saison is brewed using only Ontario ingredients – grains, hops, yeast – bottle conditioned and coming in at just 4.5% ABV. Look for aromas of pineapple, fat and rich oak flavours, with a light, quenching body and a long, dry finish.

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GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co. 

Headwaters’ first (and only)“farm-to-barrel” brewery, GoodLot is an environmentalist beer-lover’s dream –solar-powered systems, organic growing practices, community-minded vibes and traceable ingredients are all critical pieces of what make exceptional beer here. That, and great people. Owners Gail and Phil Winters, along with brewmaster Mike Brooks create playful, delicious ales in candy-coloured cans to keep you sipping all summer long. 

6-PACK pick: PHILSNER (Farm Shop and Delivery). Did you catch it? This malty, crisp pale pilsner’s namesake is co-owner Phil Winters. Made with Patagonia malt and organic GoodLot-grown Hallertau hops, this easy sipper is as approachable as the good people of GoodLot Farm and Farmstead Brewing. 

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Caledon Hills Brewing Co. 

Keeping it in the family, this brewery churns out German-style lagers and ales in a bricks and mortar location in Caledon’s Palgrave. Master Brewer Stefan Riedelsheimer, wife Monica and their three sons have created a cult following through beer festivals, local events, and now through their biergarten in a restored church. “Brewed with a little altitude”, their flavours are as addictive as Caledon’s beauty and hospitality.

6-PACK pick: Hills Vienna Lager (LCBO, bottle shop and delivery). This radiant, honey-coloured beer is the first from the family-owned brewery. Nut and honey notes play perfectly against its pleasant touch of bitterness. Best enjoyed…anywhere!

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Badlands Brewing Co. 

Named after Caledon’s (arguably) most famous geological formation The Cheltenham Badlands, this on-farm brewery produces frothy, juicy, creatively-named pale ales on a tiny brewing system in a retrofitted calf barn. Run by a small, self-proclaimed “scrappy crew” with freshness in mind, orders open on Friday nights for on-farm pickup and delivery the next day. 

6-PACK pick: Tree Crawler (online only – Friday 7 p.m.). This heavy-hitting DIPA is no joke at 8%. Savour the full effect of this single-varietal Citra hopped ale fresh from the bottle shop while it lasts. Badlands’ brews are constantly rotating – try something new!