Whether they’re brewing with local hops, regional botanicals or grain grown on the premises, craft breweries offer a unique way to experience a taste of place while traveling. Better yet, as the non-alcoholic beverage scene continues to evolve, taprooms usually have a great selection on offer for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
For Pride Month, we’re highlighting Rainbow Registered businesses on our platforms. The unfortunate reality is that 2SLGBTQIA+ folks still face barriers and danger that may not be immediately obvious to people outside of these communities. Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for Canadian businesses that have implemented a stringent set of standards to ensure that their 2SLGBTQIA+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.
Today, we’re sharing a few Rainbow Registered craft breweries that are creating safe spaces to enjoy a pint across the country. Read on and start planning your next adventure!
The Maritimes
2 Crows Brewing, Halifax, Nova Scotia
This craft brewery in downtown Halifax is known for their modern beers made with care. Since opening their doors in 2017, the vision at 2 Crows has always been to build a brand focused on quality, education, and transparency. Don't miss their AC Light Lager made with barley grown and malted in PEI and hops grown in New Brunswick!
North Brewing Co., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
North Brewing's mission is to bring people together over great drink and food, in a community space that is welcoming to everybody. This craft brewery has two taproom locations in Dartmouth, where they serve a wide range of tasty dishes that pair perfectly with their beer. In the mood for a cocktail? Try the canned gimlet, a gin and lime cocktail made with Nova Scotian Gin from Steinhart Distillery.
Truro Brewing Co., Truro, Nova Scotia
Since 2019, this queer women-owned craft brewery in the heart of Truro has offered a safer place for queer & trans folks, as well as those who support them, to feel comfortable existing authentically without fear. The Cobequid Bay IPA, named after a nearby inlet of the Bay of Fundy, sells so well that the brewery refers to it as "liquid gold."
Sussex Ale Works, Sussex, New Brunswick
Sussex Ale Works strives to create a safe and welcoming place for all to connect with others in lively conversation and laughter, one hand-forged beer at a time. Through their Giving Tap initiative, the brewery donates $1 for each pint poured to an organization making a difference in the community. Check their Instagram to see this month's Giving Tap recipient!
Grimross Brewing, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Stephen and Dawn are the force behind Grimross Brewing, which started out as a passion for homebrewing in the 1990s and expanded into a commercial operation as the family relocated from British Columbia to New Brunswick. Today, this family brewery crafts several flagship beers, including the one that started it all: Cheval D'or, a spritzy farmhouse-style Saison with Belgian spice and floral tones and aromas.
Ontario
Anderson Craft Ales, London, ON
Anderson Craft Ales is a family-owned microbrewery founded by a father/son duo in 2016. These proud Londoners use Canadian-grown barley and North American hops in their beers. Try the award-winning Cream Ale, which is brewed in the traditional style to create a golden coloured ale with a clean, refreshing taste and a crisp dry finish.
555 Brewing Co., Prince Edward County, ON
555 Brewing is a small, family-run craft brewery that focuses on true-to-style beers and delicious wood-fired pizzas. Their team strives to provide a fun, inclusive and safe environment for customers to relax, enjoy a pint and a pizza and leave smiling. There's always something happening in the taproom, so check their Instagram and start planning your next trip to Picton!
Counterpoint Brewing Co., Kitchener, ON
Kitchener's Counterpoint Brewing cares about the planet and its people, and their mission is to brew sustainably into the future while creating a space for everyone to enjoy delicious craft beer today. Stop by the taproom to try their rotating selection of unique beers, like a sour brewed with Ontario cherry juice and vanilla or a lager with pecans and maple syrup.
Western Canada
Jasper Brewing Co., Jasper, Alberta
Jasper Brewing Co. opened its doors in 2005 as Canada’s first National Park Brewery -- that's right, it's inside Jasper National Park! Today, the space has become a community hub that focuses on Alberta-inspired cuisine paired with craft beers made with natural mountain water sourced from the Canadian Rockies. Try the Crisp Pils, a refreshing brew that showcases local malt from the foothills of the Rockies.
Banded Peak Brewing, Calgary, Alberta
Banded Peak opened in 2016 with a passion for making beer taste as good as it does on a mountain top. Their taproom in the heart of Calgary’s Barley Belt offers an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy their beers. Celebrate local ingredients with Ride On, a refreshing Western Lager made with the province's finest malt and dry-hopped for a tasty finish.
Jackknife Brewing, Kelowna, British Columbia
Jackknife calIs their space a "Swirling Cauldron of Creative Locals." This small-but-mighty brewery has donated over $20,000 to local causes since opening their doors in 2019. Jackknife combines the Okanagan terroir, Nordic brewing traditions, and farmhouse yeasts to create their unique West Coast-style brews. Their beers are taproom-only, so you'll have to stop by to try a pint or two (better order one of their classic New York-style pizzas while you're at it).
Remember: When you choose Rainbow Registered establishments, you're not just enjoying a meal or a drink; you're embracing and supporting a community that is committed to fostering respect for all individuals. Cheers and Happy Pride!
Header photo via 2 Crows Brewing
