Beer snobs like myself are always on the lookout for good places to enjoy a good pint. Not just any pint—Canadian or Bud Light will not do. We’re talking about places with multiple taps dedicated to craft beer, where every week there is a new keg, new cask, and special releases.
Over my years in Ottawa I have gone out looking for such places, and now I am going to pass this knowledge on to my fellow beer geeks or to anyone who wants to try something new. Ottawa is lucky to have a bumping craft beer scene. With nearly 30 breweries and more set to open in the coming months, the craft beer business is frothing with success.
So where are the craft beer havens?
For beginners looking to wet their tongues with craft beer, Atomic Rooster is a great place to start. This cool café located in the heart of Centretown offers a decent selection of local craft breweries such as Broadhead, Bicycle, and Beau’s on tap. Brews are interesting but nothing too weird, so the intimidation factor is low.
Irene’s Pub is the place for you if dim lights and wooden tables with engravings is more your thing. Located in the Glebe, Irene’s is the type of place to watch the game, with the option of listening to some live music afterwards. Some may call it a dive, but to me it’s your quintessential pub—wooden bar and all. Similar to Atomic Rooster, Irene’s has a healthy selection of local brews without anything too off the beaten path. I recently enjoyed a crisp Irish Red Ale by Big Rig, which was the perfect way to end my day of moving in 30-degree-plus heat.
Nestled between these two spots is a place for both advanced beer drinkers and beginners alike. The Arrow and Loon at Bank and Fifth has an extensive menu of 29 craft beers. The beer menu changes weekly to keep beer geeks like myself on our toes. The Arrow and Loon is also easy on the student budget with pints costing less than seven dollars.
Moving things downtown, Brothers Beer Bistro is quite possibly the best place in Ottawa for the craft beer experience. Brothers boasts an expansive and worldly list of beers ranging from the Ottawa Valley to Belgium. This beer haven has a rotating draft beer menu with not a Molson or Coors in sight, and a different cask each week. The one downside is the price. Drinks typically will set you back $8, so this is a place for serious beer drinkers.
Whether you are a beer aficionado or just getting starting into the world of craft suds, these bars will treat your thirst, and your curiosity.
