Nova Scotia’s Good Cheer Trail is Canada’s only trail that includes five different types of beverages – beer, wine, spirits, cider, and mead! The trail includes dozens of stops from Sydney on Cape Breton Island all the way to Yarmouth at the other end of the province, and it’s a perfect way to explore all the goodness that Nova Scotia has to offer.
The Good Cheer Trail celebrates Nova Scotia’s rich culinary history over the past 400 years. The name dates back to 1606, when the first meeting of L’Ordre du Bon Temps” (Order of Good Cheer) took place in Port Royal. Established to assist in surviving the winter, the Order of Good Cheer is also considered one of the first known gastronomic societies in North America, bringing people together through food and drink.
Ready to hit the trail? Start by downloading the app to collect stamps along the way! When you’re all set, start building your itinerary. We’ve broken down the list into regions to make it easier to plan your travels. Let’s go!
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley
The Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley is renowned for its world-famous tides, its wineries, its Mi'kmaq legends and earliest settlements. There are lots of GCT stops in this region! Here are a few to add to your list:
Beer: Horton Ridge is Nova Scotia's only malt house and the only brewery in the province to make its own malt. Visitors can view the malting floor where organic grains are transformed to malt, the most important ingredient of beer! Enjoy beers brewed on-site and by other breweries of the region, all of which contain malts made at Horton Ridge.
Wine: Domaine de Grand Pré is the oldest wine farm on the Canadian Atlantic coast. Treat yourself to a meal at Restaurant Le Caveau or enjoy a glass of wine on the patio and soak up the atmosphere of ancient Europe in the heart of Nova Scotia.
Spirits: Barrelling Tide Distillery is an independently-owned craft distillery located on a tidal river in Nova Scotia’s beautiful Annapolis Valley. They believe in supporting local farmers and handcraft their spirits and liqueurs using only the finest locally sourced ingredients. Try their award-winning rum and take a bottle or two back to your home bar!
Cider: The East Coast Cider Company uses 100% local fresh-pressed Annapolis Valley apples and natural fruit in their flavoured ciders. Taste the goodness of this region in every glass!
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is renowned for its Cabot Trail, its dramatic coastal views, variety of hiking trails, world-class golf, and Celtic culture. There are four trail stops in this region:
Beer: Big Spruce Brewing is an on-farm, certified organic craft brewery located in Nyanza, Cape Breton. Their team brew unfiltered, unpasteurized, unbelievably good beer!
Beer: Breton Brewing Co. offers award-winning natural, unfiltered & preservative-free ales and lagers in their welcoming taproom. Passion cascades through every pour of this locally owned and operated craft brewery!
Spirits: Glenora Inn & Distillery is cradled in the picturesque hills of the Mabou Highlands. The inn features 19 rooms and six highland chalets that offer a unique Cape Breton experience. In the distillery, you can see how they make North America's oldest single malt and try a few drams for yourself.
Cider: Island Folk Cider House is a locally owned and operated craft cidery located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. They take pride in their roots and celebrate the rich and radical culture thriving on Cape Breton Island, and their ciders are proudly brewed with 100% Nova Scotia apples.
Eastern Shore
Pristine wilderness, historically-themed attractions, authentic fishing communities, and beaches stretching as far as the eye can see offer explorers an array of off-the-beaten-path adventures on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. Try these two trail stops:
Beer: Sober Island Brewing Company was inspired by an Oyster Stout, which is our Flagship Ale, brewed with whole fresh Pristine Bay Oysters! They focus on brewing quality English style ales using local ingredients whenever possible. Stop by the taproom for beer, local cider, wine and non-alcoholic options.
Spirits: Authentic Seacoast Company (ASC) is known for their award-winning spirits, craft beer, and organic fair-trade coffee, all of which is handcrafted in Guysborough. Want to stay the night? ASC also offers accommodations at DesBarres Manor. This charming inn was built in 1837 and boasts a dining menu featuring local seafood, including freshly caught halibut from their chef and Chedabucto Bay scallops.
Halifax Metro Area
Halifax is Nova Scotia’s city by the sea! Halifax’s beautiful waterfront is chock-full of food and drink options, must-see historic sites, shops, and galleries. There are lots of GCT stops in this region! Here are a few to add to your list:
Beer: Boxing Rock has been brewing legendary Nova Scotia craft beer on Halifax’s South Shore since 2013. In 2024, they won Brewery of the Year at the Canadian Beer Awards, a huge honour in the craft beer community! Stop by the taproom to try their Vicar’s Cross Double IPA, Hunky Dory Pale Ale, Fisticuffs Barrel aged series, or one of our many fun seasonal brews.
Spirits: Compass Distillers is Halifax's only grain to glass distillery. From milling and mashing Nova Scotia grain and raw ingredients like sugar and molasses, to fermenting, distilling and bottling, everything happens right in their distillery on Agricola St in Halifax's North End!
Cider/Wine: Bulwark Craft Ciders/Muwin Estate Wines is an award-winning, owner-operated craft cider, non-alcoholic cider and fruit wine producer. Proudly one of the few cideries in Canada where apple pressing, fermentation and bottling are done onsite, Bulwark juiced and slowly ferments local Scotian Gold apples, resulting in a natural cider that’s never made from concentrate.
Northumberland Shore
The Northumberland Shore is known for its warm-water beaches, its tasty lobster, its skilled artisans, and its Gaelic culture. There are several GCT stops in this region! Here are a few to add to your list:
Beer: The family behind Tatamagouche Brewing Company converted an old butcher shop as well as the village library into their brewery, retail and tasting area. They brew classic (and tasty!) beers as well as their “weird beer series,” which allows adventurous craft beer fans to try unusual or rare styles, like a crisp Belgian grisette aged on apricots.
Spirits: Coldstream Clear Distillery (Antigonish) produces top quality vodkas, rums, liqueurs, and rum cream as well as a wide variety of canned cocktails including vodka soda, lemonade, iced tea, gin soda & more. With 3 locations in Nova Scotia, you’ll have a few opportunities to try their delicious cocktails as you travel the province!
South Shore
The south shore of Nova Scotia is known for its lighthouses, the local seafood, and the Lunenburg historical site. It’s also home of the Bluenose, the famous racing schooner, and Bluenose II, Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador! There are several GCT stops in this region; here are a couple to add to your list:
Beer: Lightship Brewing Company is Located in the New Town area of Lunenburg, just past the former home of Captain Angus Walters. Stop by to enjoy their full restaurant and coffee shop on site, as well as a variety of craft beer and cider offerings.
Beer: Like the building of a historical Saltbox house, brewing small batches of quality beer is a deeply rooted expression of heritage and craftmanship found in Nova Scotia. Saltbox Brewing Company celebrates the development of the skills and artistry required to create fresh, full-flavoured beer for consumption by the local community. Their motto: “Think social, and drink local.”
Spirits: Ironworks Distillery is located by the sea in the heritage town of Lunenburg. The building was erected in 1893 and for the next 110 years operated as a marine blacksmith shop, creating iron fittings for the sailing vessels built in the town. Today, the building houses a passionate team that distills and infuses premium spirits and fruit liqueurs, all of which are made with local produce!
Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
The southwestern most tip of Nova Scotia is renowned for its Acadian roots, colourful fishing villages, towering churches, and the Cape Forchu Lighthouse. Try these three trail stops:
Beer: Rudder's Seafood Restaurant & Brew Pub is the only microbrewery restaurant on the South Shore of Nova Scotia! They brew full-bodied craft ales in the English tradition, made with fresh-malted barley, hops, spring water and top fermenting yeast. Their high-quality ales are served unfiltered, naturally carbonated and contain no adjuncts or preservatives.
Beer: Tusket Falls Brewery is situated in Tusket, a rural east coast community in Yarmouth County. Their beautiful taproom offers fresh beer, local wines, and non-alcoholic options alongside a full menu of mouthwatering bites straight off the smoker. Check their Instagram for the weekly specials!
Spirits: Boatskeg Distilling Co. is a distillery located in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, focused on premium spirits, canned ready to drink beverages, and craft cocktails. Stop by to try one of their signature cocktails and grab a few goodies to take home!
Ready to visit Nova Scotia?
Visit the Good Cheer Trail website to build your itinerary, and check out the Canada Culinary Destination Guide for all the details you need to plan the perfect trip!
Header Photo: goodcheertrail.com // Map Photos: novascotia.com
