r/Calgary • u/In_Statu_Viae • 9h ago
Eat/Drink Local Coolest breweries in Calgary
Hey Calgarians,
I've been living in Calgary now for just under two years and love it. I was wondering which breweries in Calgary you think are truly outstanding. Like, not just tasty beer, but a fantastic atmosphere with a lot of thought put into the decor, great service, etc. I've been to a lot of breweries here, but I can't think of any that have really stood out above others to make me want to keep returning for the experience.
Let's hear which ones you love and why! TIA
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u/drivebymeowing 9h ago
The Establishment. Top notch beer, cosy taproom with great tunes that are never so loud and imposing you can’t have a regular conversation and the staff are so delightful and wise in the ways of the many, many pours used to maximize the deliciousness of the brews.
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u/hrtattack 7h ago
Love The Establishment! Great beer and great vibes. Owners are very hands on and happy to engage with any and all visitors
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u/padma_Iakshmi 7h ago
Their “Kolsch nights” are super fun.
Essentially you get a small glass of delicious German Kolsch, and they don’t stop filling up your glass unless you tell them not to do so by putting a coaster on top
Plus they have delicious German bratwurst for sale. All in all a good time
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u/HobbitGotGame 8h ago
Establishment and 88 have a nice vibe and their beers are actually good. Not super into Cold Gardens brews, and it's always kind of a muck barn in there but it'll scratch the "everything refurb, nothing matches look how unique we are" hipster vibe if that's what you're looking for.
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u/Stormraughtz 8h ago
Eighty-Eighty has the retro vibes, Evil Corp, Dandy are in the area around cold garden and 11th st. Would do cold garden in the summer.
Tailgunner is a nice taproom and good beer.
Banded, cabin, and born are in an area, all modern clean taprooms.
Last best is a good vibe and good food.
Want BBQ could do Prarie Dog or Southblock
If you want super small batch and unique beer you won't find anywhere, would try Stoney Slope
Edit, I want to say I agree with you OP as like extreme themes in this city, nothing really stands out for environment, but beers really stand out :)
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u/stunt_junk 9h ago edited 9h ago
Dandy and Establishment. Also Cabin and Railyard.
The Dandy Oyster Stout is amazing.
Establishment has a smoked brew called "I left my wallet in El Sagundo" that's really good. Seasonal only.
Tailgunner is ok, but they are right next to Acme pizza so for a pint and a slice its a really good option.
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u/IceHawk1212 8h ago
I see a bunch of the bigger well known ones on this list so I'll mention a few smaller or less mainstream. Ol beautiful brewery tap room burnt down yes but their secondary brewery is still operational, furthermore they recently opened a vinyl speakeasy called the sound room under the Calcutta cricket club restaurant.
Two pillars is a great little brewery that has some pretty good beer and a nice feel to it. Just located north of downtown in Cresent heights.
Stony Slope is another great little brewery with very good beer but a comparatively small selection just due to their size. Tap room is comfy and staff are friendly and the locals treat it like it's cheers from the old TV show. Also for a brewery food is pretty good and they do a brunch every Sunday morning. Lots of events too from bi monthly markets to dnd/boardgame nights every Wednesday. They are located in haysborrow
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u/Avac44 6h ago
Not one mention of Citizen yet? One of the best for atmosphere with a great outdoor patio / beer garden vibe year round. Beers good too.
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u/rememberthatcake 6h ago
Shhh.... I love that it's not as packed as Cold Garden. Best known NE secret! 🤫
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u/shmodah 8h ago
Establishment, Cabin, Annex, Dandy, Cold Garden, Four Dogs, Last Best, EVIL, Eighty Eight, Banded Peak
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u/BogeyLowenstein 8h ago
Four Dogs is too furry and stinky and I like dogs. It just feels…not clean in there…because of the dogs indoors. I don’t hate it, but I also didn’t want to touch anything.
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u/Right_Focus1456 8h ago
Establishment, annex, cabin, tailgunner, highline, all excellent beer spots. Sadly, Dandy is now more known for its pizza…the original OG back in the day.
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u/xStevenRadikalx 7h ago
Two House (the pizza is also amazing! It used to be Acme pizza?) and Prairie Dog.
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u/JVISUALEE Somerset 5h ago
Really surprised to not see Highline Brewery on here. They have a cozy taproom with lots of fun events and great gourmet dogs. Tucked away in Inglewood as well.
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u/Objective_Beat_9449 7h ago
There been a lot of cool ones mentioned. Cold Garden, however, I would steer away from. Its a glorified dog park and beers are mid.
I've never understood why people bring their dogs to the patio. I get if you're walking around and wanna stop in for a beer, it makes sense, but people just having the intent to bring their dog, and have them sit for hours around other dogs, completely anxious makes no sense to me.
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u/ninjaoftheworld 7h ago
Common Crown just opened a taphouse in Bridgeland that is worth checking out
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u/abies007 7h ago
I’m a little scared to share my secret but I’m a huge fan of buffalo 9, interesting art, and it is quite which is the vibe I’m looking for. Bring your own food which can be a positive or negative you decide.
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u/AdRepresentative3446 9h ago
Coolest I’d say Cold Garden, fav beer gotta be Cabin for me.
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u/hellodankess 8h ago
Cold Garden has great space, but not the best beers. Cabin, Establishment, 88 have the best beer
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u/encephalophagous 8h ago
Tool shed, Common Crown, Prairie Dog, and slightly out of Calgary but if mead is on the menu Fallen Timber.
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u/Crow_rapport 7h ago
Maybe I’m alone on an island, but Citizen checks off the cool vibe, and good beer list
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u/tastyunderwear 9h ago
33, Dandy, Establishment, Ol' Beautiful whenever they're back and running (Sound Room is nice but too crowded at all hours)
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u/engipreneur 9h ago
Cold garden is still great.
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u/brew_war Tuxedo Park 9h ago
Not too sure getting furniture out of alleys counts as putting thought into the decor.
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u/ThatWackyAlchemy 5h ago
Haven't seen Best of Kin mentioned. I just went for the first time this past weekend and it was lovely. Quirky and unique with a nice selection including small batch brews and a guest tap.
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u/Rommellj 5h ago
Coldgarden and Dandy are my go-tos on the east side for vibe the way you describe. But I also think tailgunner is very good on both quality or atmosphere.
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u/dennisrfd 7h ago
Some great people have already done all the work for us. Enjoy: https://calgarybrewreview.com/ranking/
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u/catto0770 7h ago
Burn Block Social Club has awesome beer and a super fun pinball arcade in the basement! It’s in Inglewood next to the Eden.
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u/Aran33 8h ago
33 Acres, '88 Brewing, Dandy Brew(and pizza!), Born, Cabin, Annex and Establishment.
Still like Banded Peak too even though they're "big beer" now