GABRIEL LI
Follow the True Brew Path through Hamilton, Halton and Brant for satisfying sips and delicious snacks
Launched in 2016, the palate-pleasing True Brew Path has steadily grown to include 24 wineries, breweries and cideries. The goal is to celebrate Ontario-grown ingredients and seasonal flavours, and adventurous travellers will definitely do that on this sample itinerary we’ve put together below – not to mention uncover new libations, taste savoury accompaniments and spend some time in a truly fun-filled region.
8:30 a.m. Caffeine please
Kick off your journey with a steaming cup of java in the cozy surroundings of Hamilton’s The Cannon, a cafe known for single-origin coffees sourced from around the globe. The house specialty is waffles, but if you’re feeling especially indulgent, consider adding this unique sweet/salty item to your order: Waffle Bacon, crispy strips of bacon coated in waffle batter and fried.
10 a.m. Down on the farm
Just 30 minutes from downtown Hamilton, Puddicombe Estate Farm, Winery & Cider in Winona has been operating since 1797, its acreage filled with seasonal fruit destined to become wine, sangria and cider. Friendly farm staff will guide you to create a hand-selected flight at the tasting bar including options such as a medium-bodied Puddicombe Estate Loyalist White, a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, a fruity Summerville Sangria Spritz, or one of nine Loyalist-style Puddicombe Cider Co. flavours.
11 a.m. Bubbly personality
Located on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, Ridge Road Estate Winery offers red, white and sparkling vintages paired with stunning views from its vineyard. Tastings can be done inside or al fresco on the patio, with possible flight samples of Sauvignon Blanc, Baco Noir and white or rosé bubbly.
Noon: Hot lunch
An oversized neon lightbulb light marks the entry to Merit Brewing in downtown Hamilton, where fruit, herb, spices and tea add unique flavour to their handcrafted IPAs, lagers and goses, which are salty, sour beers that originated in Goslar, Germany. Order a Party for One, a hopped sour paired with a flavourful house-made sausage and fries tossed with secret hot wing sauce.
1:30 p.m. Patio calling
As the first taproom opened in Brant County’s Paris in over 100 years, The Paris Beer Company is serving up lagers, ales and IPAs made with hops grown on the owners’ farm. Curated flights like Anything Gose or easy-drinking Mow My Lawn can be savoured on its Biergarten Patio and if nibbles are needed, the kitchen menu’s shareables options include a sourdough pretzel with beer cheese, Mexican street corn or a delicious charcuterie board.
3 p.m. Slushie, shandy or sour?
Choose from small batch beers at family-owned Grain & Grit Beer Co. in Hamilton, enjoying the laid-back taproom or sunny patio. Innovative sips include a Beer Slushie made with Berry Good, a raspberry-blackcurrant sour, the Sunshine Shandy, with Little Thrills German pilsner and mango lemonade or the Margarita Sour, a gose beer kicked up with blue agave and lime.
4 p.m. Chasing waterfalls
Take a break from sipping and eating –and get in those steps – at one of the region’s green zones: Smokey Hollow Waterfalls, which once powered a local sawmill. Part of Ontario’s Bruce Trail, the Great Falls Loop is a challenging 3.5-kilometre hike that leads to the pretty vista: 10 metres of waterfalls framed by old-growth forest.
5:30 p.m. Happy hour!
Enjoy a post-hike pint from Freelton’s West Avenue Cider House. Try small-batch seasonal ciders, which are only available on-site, or one of the 14 flavours available year-round. Bonus: This cidery also provides non-alcoholic cider options and excellent wood-fired pizza, too.
6:30 p.m. Cheers!
After a day of tastings, raise a final glass at award-winning Quatrefoil in Dundas. This contemporary resto offers seasonally-inspired, contemporary French cuisine and locally-sourced wines, cider and beer. Save room for its luscious desserts, including the indulgent Dark Chocolate Dome.
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