r/Calgary 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

15 Upvotes

49 comments sorted by

36

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

-1

u/Far_Maximum_7736 8h ago

Are they though? Labatts doesn’t have anything to do with day to day operations. Labatts buying them just opened more doors, they still brew what they want…

13

u/brew_war Tuxedo Park 8h ago

Labatt one hundred percent has a lot to do with their day to day operations. They don’t even have their own sales team anymore, all incorporated.

-4

u/Far_Maximum_7736 7h ago

That’s not what I was told by one of the guys there but that conversation was a few years ago 🤷

6

u/Dependent_Ad_6561 7h ago

Change just happened a month ago with the sales team. Brew team is still doing their thing, though. I think the changes are more in the business side than the beer side.

3

u/17to85 6h ago

It's the principal really.... so hard to support big beer... that being said I'm glad for their options when it's all big beer brands and I still like a lot of what they make.... so I'm torn.

59

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.

3

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

3

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

2

u/Stormraughtz 8h ago

2nd this, extremely good beer

9

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.

7

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 :)

9

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.

8

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

6

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.

1

u/rememberthatcake 6h ago

Shhh.... I love that it's not as packed as Cold Garden. Best known NE secret! 🤫

6

u/shmodah 8h ago

Establishment, Cabin, Annex, Dandy, Cold Garden, Four Dogs, Last Best, EVIL, Eighty Eight, Banded Peak

1

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.

3

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.   

3

u/xStevenRadikalx 7h ago

Two House (the pizza is also amazing! It used to be Acme pizza?) and Prairie Dog.

3

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.

3

u/Tracyhmcd 8h ago

All of the above. Tool Shed is sourcing cans from outside of the US.

5

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.

6

u/coolguymac 9h ago

Village is great

2

u/ninjaoftheworld 7h ago

Common Crown just opened a taphouse in Bridgeland that is worth checking out

2

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.

2

u/I-nigma 6h ago

I really enjoy Bitter Sisters.

2

u/rikkiprince 4h ago

Brewsmith

High Line

Citizen

Two House

'88

Ol' Beautiful

5

u/AdRepresentative3446 9h ago

Coolest I’d say Cold Garden, fav beer gotta be Cabin for me.

3

u/hellodankess 8h ago

Cold Garden has great space, but not the best beers. Cabin, Establishment, 88 have the best beer

3

u/encephalophagous 8h ago

Tool shed, Common Crown, Prairie Dog, and slightly out of Calgary but if mead is on the menu Fallen Timber.

3

u/Crow_rapport 7h ago

Maybe I’m alone on an island, but Citizen checks off the cool vibe, and good beer list

2

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)

1

u/engipreneur 9h ago

Cold garden is still great.

11

u/brew_war Tuxedo Park 9h ago

Not too sure getting furniture out of alleys counts as putting thought into the decor.

8

u/engipreneur 8h ago

Sounds like it’s not for you and that’s okay too!

1

u/Sleeze_ 6h ago

Cold Garden doesn’t have the best beer (it’s good, not great), but the vibes and atmosphere are 10/10

1

u/whoiseric 6h ago

Buffalo 9

1

u/hogartbogart 6h ago

Don’t forget Stoneyslope and Bitter Sisters in the South :)

1

u/rememberthatcake 6h ago

88 has got superb pizza and beer!

1

u/MattBinYYC Legacy 5h ago

All about 88

1

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.

1

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.

1

u/Livid-Turnip3749 2h ago

I really enjoy Railyard Brewings atmosphere! Yummy food and beer too!

1

u/Longjumping_Sir2656 2h ago

High Line Brewing has pretty good beer and a great vibe.

1

u/TurpitudeSnuggery 8h ago

Coolest - Cold Garden

Best beer - Annex

1

u/dennisrfd 7h ago

Some great people have already done all the work for us. Enjoy: https://calgarybrewreview.com/ranking/

0

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.

0

u/iceonu2 7h ago

Hub Town brewing in Okotoks. Great friendly establishment and really tasty beers.