I don’t know about you, but I hate soggy fries and a lukewarm lager.
Unfortunately, those are pretty common in some breweries. They either have good drinks and poor food or only drinks and not even a single snack.
That’s why I spent some time checking out different breweries in Calgary, where the atmosphere buzzes with good vibes, and you won’t sit there starving.
Here are all my favorite breweries with good grub.
Table of Contents
- 1. Last Best Brewing & Distilling
- 2. Citizen Brewing Company
- 3. Prairie Dog Brewing
- 4. Eighty-Eight Brewing Co.
- 5. Cabin Brewing Company
- 6. The Dandy Brewing Company and DandyPizza
- 7. Trolley 5 Brewpub
- 8. Cold Garden Beverage Company
- 9. Railyard Brewing
- 10. Bitter Sisters Brewing Co.
- 11. The Establishment Brewing Company
1. Last Best Brewing & Distilling
– Media credit: lastbestbrew
Website: http://lastbestbrewing.com
Address: 607 11 Ave SW
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:30 AM to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +1 587-353-7387
Price: $$
Last Best Brewing & Distilling is a must visit for those who appreciate a well-crafted IPA.
Their flagship Last Best IPA is bursting with citrus and tropical hop notes. It offers a balanced and robust flavor profile with a fragrant floral aroma that keeps you coming back.
But I’m personally a fan of their canned First Love Tom Collins cocktail. It’s a refreshing and delicately savory twist on the classic, with soft floral notes from the gin leading into a crisp lemonade finish.
Beyond drinks, Last Best Brewing also offers a diverse menu. Their Dirty Bird chicken pizza has a really good creamy garlic and herb bechamel base that’s generously topped with smoky pulled chicken and earthy wild mushrooms.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying the fried pickle chips. Their crispy texture and tangy flavour are addictive. The accompanying smash sauce adds a creamy, slightly sweet counterpoint that makes them even better.
2. Citizen Brewing Company
– Media credit: citizenbrewingcompany
Website: http://citizenbrewingcompany.com
Address: 227 35 Ave NE
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +1 403-474-4677
Price: $$
Citizen Brewing Company’s “Make beers we want to make. No corners cut, no compromises made” motto is evident in every pint. Their Batch No. 1 Blonde Ale is a crisp and aromatic choice for easy drinking.
The award-winning Señor Citizen Dark Mexican Lager is also good. Its rich malt profile and subtle hop spice make it exceptionally well-balanced. Their limited-release Monochrome Imperial Chocolate Stout is another must-try. It’s a decadent, smooth stout that is pure chocolate bliss.
Citizen also has an impressive menu. I’m particularly fond of their fish and chips, available Thursday through Saturday. The haddock is beer-battered in Cittadino brew, creating a light and crispy coating.
Pro Tip: For those looking to maximize their Citizen experience, Thursday evenings are ideal. They offer $10 growler fills and discounted 4-packs, perfect for taking the Citizen experience home.
3. Prairie Dog Brewing
– Media credit: prairiedogbeer
Website: http://prairiedog.bbq.beer
Address: 105D 58 Ave SE
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +1 403-407-2448
Price: $$
Prairie Dog Brewing stands out for its focus on both craft beer and authentic Southern-style BBQ. They offer a diverse range of draft beers, ciders, and other craft beverages in various sizes. They even offer tasting flights for the indecisive.
I’m a fan of their Jitter Bear, a unique coffee-infused beer that genuinely tastes like a coffee crisp candy bar in a glass. The milk chocolate, toffee, and caramel notes are all there without harsh coffee edges.
For starters, the pastrami nuggets are a must-try. They are crispy fried pastrami cubes with a tangy Carolina Gold BBQ sauce and pickled onions for balance.
However, the Tennessee dry ribs are where it’s really at. These bite-sized, bone-in pork ribs are perfectly fried and seasoned with a pork belly rub that’s just the right amount of savory.
Pro Tip: I recommend getting the “Way Too Much BBQ” platter for larger gatherings. It’s an impressive offering with generous portions of brisket, pastrami, pulled pork, and poutine.
4. Eighty-Eight Brewing Co.
– Media credit: eightyeightbrewco
Website: http://eightyeightbrewing.ca
Address: 2600 Portland St SE #1070
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday- 12 PM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Phone: +1 403-452-5880
Price: $$
Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. nails the essentials: quality beer and seriously good pizza. I particularly enjoy the balanced hop profile of their Night Gallery Hazy Pale Ale. It features Citra, Simcoe, and Ekuanot hops, which create a memorable character.
Food-wise, Eighty-Eight keeps it focused with Portland-style street pizza, and their square-cut slices are a welcome change.
The Magnum pie is a must-try. The double–smoked bacon and charred pineapple offer a great sweet and savory base, while the pickled peppers and chilies add a manageable spice you can adjust.
Pro Tip: Check out their weekly specials for value. Wednesday’s Date Night and Thursday’s Pizza & Pitcher deals are perfect for sharing, while Session Sunday offers discounted prices on lower ABV beverages.
5. Cabin Brewing Company
– Media credit: cabinbrewing
Website: http://cabinbrewing.ca
Address: 505 36 Ave SE
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday- 12 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 6:30 PM
Phone: +1 403-244-3331
Price: $$
Cabin is a solid bet if you appreciate a brewery catering to serious beer aficionados and casual diners. Their Cloudbloom (Nitro) Sour Ale combines raspberry, lemon, and vanilla, smoothed out by nitro and lactose. It creates a vibrant yet balanced, refreshing, and complex flavor profile.
On the food side, the Cabin Dog, their specialty hot dog, has a chewy pretzel outside. And their Super Saturation mustard adds a welcome tangy kick.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for value, take advantage of Cabin Time Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 PM. You can snag 18-ounce and 14-ounce draft beers for $6 and 12-ounce drafts for just $4.50.
6. The Dandy Brewing Company and DandyPizza
– Media credit: dandybrewing
Website: http://thedandybrewingcompany.com
Address: 2003 11 St SE
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +1 587-956-8836
Price: $$
The Dandy Brewing focuses on small-batch beers and artisanal pizzas, creating an inviting spot for anyone who appreciates quality and craft.
I can confidently recommend starting with their 5:02 IPA. It lives up to its “banger” reputation with a satisfyingly smooth mouthfeel and vibrant tropical and citrus hop notes.
When it comes to food, their pickle pizza is my favorite because of its delicious creamy garlic base that’s combined with the briny dill pickles, and spicy hot honey. It’s a surprisingly addictive pizza.
Pro Tip: Get their birthday cake, even if it’s not your special day. This playful dessert pizza is fun, with its sweet white cake base, generous icing, and even a candle.
7. Trolley 5 Brewpub
– Media credit: trolley_5
Website: http://www.trolley5.com/
Address: 728 17 Ave SW
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Friday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 2 AM
Phone: +14034543731
Price: $$
Trolley 5 Brewpub is a top-tier destination for anyone serious about the brewery experience.
I particularly enjoy the Conductor. True to its name, it’s a smooth, dependable lager. It’s light copper, has a clean malt flavor, and finishes with a subtle hop bite.
For something a bit different, the Yacht Rock Radler is enjoyable, even outside of summer. The grapefruit is prominent but balanced with orange and lemon, making it a refreshing and easy-drinking option.
And if you’re after a fruit-forward beer, the Rolling Stoned Fruit Blonde delivers a burst of summer flavors. It features a blend of peach, apricot, and cherry sweetness.
When it comes to food, my favorite is the up-in-smoke brisket dip. The brisket is slow-smoked to tender perfection, and the baguette is precisely the right kind of crusty yet soft to soak up the rich juice.
Pro Tip: Consider taking the $20 brewery tour. It’s a steal, including a beer flight to sample a range of their brews and a welcome pint to enjoy afterward.
8. Cold Garden Beverage Company
– Media credit: cold_garden
Website: http://www.coldgarden.ca/
Address: 1100 11 St SE
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 1 AM
Phone: +14037642653
Price: $$
Cold Garden Brewery understands the importance of crafting exceptional beer and an inviting atmosphere. It genuinely offers something for everyone, from families with kids to dog owners. It even provides non-alcoholic, vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options.
During my visits, I’ve always appreciated their emphasis on malt-forward brews. The Red Smashed in Buffalo Jump Irish Red Ale is a prime example. It’s a refreshing change of pace that highlights the rich, roasted, and subtly sweet flavors of malted barley.
Another one I like is the Cakeface Birthday Cake Ale. This beer straddles the line between a Marzen and something else entirely. The pronounced malt sweetness is beautifully balanced with floral, noble hops, and a generous infusion of real vanilla beans.
When it comes to snacks, I’m always drawn to their pico de gallo and handmade corn tortilla chips. The pico is incredibly fresh, with a vibrant mix of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The handmade corn tortilla chips are sturdy and perfectly salted.
Pro Tip: One of the best things about Cold Garden is that they strongly encourage you to bring your own food or order it from nearby eateries. You can customize your brewery experience by pairing their fantastic beers with your favorite food.
9. Railyard Brewing
– Media credit: railyardbrewingyyc
Website: http://railyardbrewing.ca
Address: 10301 19 St NE Unit 121
Hours:
- Tuesday & Wednesday, Sunday – 11 AM to 9 AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Monday – 3 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +14034654831
Price: $$
Railyard Brewing delivers unique, high-quality beers. Take, for example, their Pumpkin Spice Latte Nitro Stout. As a stout fan, I was intrigued by its smooth, nitro-infused body, which beautifully carries rich coffee notes.
The subtle spice blend of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla adds a warming touch without overpowering. On the lighter side, their Salted Tangerine Gose has a bright citrus tang of tangerine. It’s an incredibly refreshing and crisp beer that’s flavorful and easy-drinking.
Food-wise, you absolutely can’t miss their lager mac n’ cheese bowl. The lager cheese sauce is rich and creamy, and the baked cheddar and mozzarella blend creates the perfect cheesy crust. The garlic jalapeno parmesan breadcrumbs add a welcome bit of texture and subtle heat.
Pro Tip: If you want to sample various beers, take advantage of their beer flights—for $15, you can try five 5-oz pours of anything on tap. And if you’re looking for a great deal, their happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
10. Bitter Sisters Brewing Co.
– Media credit: bittersisters.co
Website: http://bittersisters.co
Address: 510 Heritage Dr. SW
Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
- Monday – 3 to 9 PM
- Tuesday – 3 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +1 403-287-8811
Price: $$
Bitter Sisters Brewery delivers a compelling combination of in-house beer and thoughtfully crafted food. Every sip of their core beers confirms they are brewed right there, and for those with adventurous palates, their rotating sours are a must-try.
The Rosso Coffee Porter is one of my go-to’s. Its subtle sweetness and cold-brew coffee infusion create a balanced porter that’s not too heavy, with distinct notes of coffee and dark chocolate.
And their Anna Cabana Pina Colada Sour is like a tropical getaway in a glass. Moving on to the food, Phil’s poultry poutine is hearty. I love the crispy Kennebec fries, the braised chicken, and the cider gravy cheese curds.
For something a bit different, the Korean pork schnitzel is a winner. The tangy kimchi slaw balances the crispy schnitzel, and the gochujang mayo adds a welcome kick.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a fun mid-week outing, head there on a Thursday for their trivia night starting at 7:30 PM.
11. The Establishment Brewing Company
– Media credit: estbrew
Website: http://establishmentbrewing.ca
Address: 4407 1st St SE
Hours:
- Tuesday – 3 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Thursday – 12 PM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 7 PM
Phone: +1 403-453-6212
Price: $
The Establishment Brewing in Calgary immediately sets itself apart as a brewery that understands atmosphere and flavor go hand in hand.
I’ve always enjoyed settling into their cozy taproom or grabbing a spot on their sunny, pet-friendly patio when the weather’s right—it’s genuinely inviting.
They truly cover the spectrum, from expertly crafted barrel-aged sours offering complex and intriguing flavors to incredibly drinkable hop-forward ales for those craving aromatic bitterness and spot-on European lagers.
I was particularly taken with their My Best Friend’s Girl Kölsch-Style Ale on my last visit. There’s a reason Kölsch is a staple in Cologne, Germany, and the establishment’s version nails it. It’s light and crisp, with subtle fruit notes that remind me of pear and apple.
Food-wise, don’t miss the gochujang calif, which balances the fruit notes or the Fritters. These sweet and spicy bites are addictive, especially with that gochujang aioli, adding an extra layer of flavor.
Pro Tip: Check their reserve menu. They often have mixed-culture bottles you can enjoy in-house or take home. These beers showcase different brewing artistry, often with complex fermentation profiles and unique flavor developments.
