What are the best Halifax Breweries to visit this year? Well, we’ve done the work to figure that out for you! We have sampled all their brews, spent time in their taprooms and read all the online reviews to come up with our take on the best Halifax Breweries to explore this year!
Halifax Breweries
When one thinks of Halifax, the first thought normally goes to the delicious and plentiful seafood that you can get when you visit this city. But a close second thought should be how great it is to enjoy a cold craft pint. With an abundance of bars and pubs and a growing scene of local craft breweries, Halifax is a beautiful place to explore and enjoy good local beer.
What are the top Halifax Breweries?
Did you know that Halifax, Nova Scotia has more pubs per capita than any other city in Canada?! It might not seem to make much sense but with 6 degree-granting universities in Halifax, the need for beer is high! The high amount of post-secondary adults has driven the demand for not only beer but high quality craft beer in this east coast city. You won’t have to stroll far to find a pub that serves up local craft beer, but we recommend going right to the source.
With a number of craft breweries located within walking distance, there’s no better reason to stroll the city on a beautiful day and explore some of the unique and cool craft breweries in Halifax. Or, better yet, join one of the many brewery tours in the area!
We’ve chosen 16 of the best craft breweries in Halifax that you cannot miss out on.
How do we pick the best Halifax Breweries?
With every ‘Best Breweries’ post that we write, we make sure to do diligent online research to determine who makes it on our list. From reading online reviews and reviewing beer selections, to checking other authority websites and of course, sampling their beers. We do our best to search and collect all the information out there to give you our opinion of the top breweries in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
However, we know we aren’t perfect and if we’ve missed a Halifax brewery that you think should be on this list, contact us and let us know who the brewery is and we’ll do our best to include them!
Did we miss something?
If you think a brewery deserves a spot on our list, Vote for them! If you’re a brewery looking to update your information or get in touch, contact us!
The Best Halifax Breweries
Here we go! Our top picks for the best local brews in Halifax this year.
Garrison Brewing Company
The Garrison Brewery brings small-batch, independent brewing to the Halifax craft beer scene. Located on the Halifax Seaport, you can enjoy their extensive beer lineup while enjoying the hustle and bustle of the seafront.
This harbour-side brewery offers a solid batch of core brews, seasonal releases, and specialty brews throughout the year. Additionally, they release limited edition Cellar Series brews and even have a couple of gluten-free beers in their lineup! Keep an eye out for new products from this gem of a brewery.
Customer Review: Nearly unbeatable location on a sunny summer day. The outdoor patio is great! Garrison Brewing has a broad selection of brews, and you can find something that suits you. They have hop-forward options and more malty beers too. I really appreciate that this brewery has offerings across the board!
- Phone: (902) 406-2174
- Address: 1149 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7
- Best Beers: Pucker Up Sour and Spruce Beer
- Website: www.garrisonbrewing.com
Alexander Keith’s Brewery
Alexander Keith’s beer has been raised in Nova Scotia since 1820 and is one of the most well-known breweries in Halifax (and maybe even Canada?)! Their original India Pale Ale has stood the test of time, and now they have a large variety of craft beers from Amber Ales to Barrel Aged Saisons.
If you find yourself in downtown Halifax, you absolutely have to book a brewery tour at Mr. Keith’s brewery! Learn the history of their 200 year old establishment while sampling the locally inspired small batch and limited edition beers.
Customer Review: My husband and I took this brewery tour and we LOVED it! Lots of beer sampling and really engaging tour guides. There was also live music which was a really fun surprise.
- Phone: (902) 455-1474
- Address: 1496 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3R5
- Best Beers: Belgian White Ale
- Website: www.keiths.ca
Good Robot Brewing Company
Run by a group of misfits (their words, not ours), this brewery, bar, restaurant, and beer garden is known for its eclectic and eccentric style. Their beers are vegan and most of them are also gluten-reduced, making Good Robot one of the best breweries in Halifax for beer lovers who don’t get along so well with gluten. If you’re visiting Halifax in the summer, their stunning beer garden cannot be missed!
Customer Review: This is a local gem. Excellent beer, wonderful food, and even better staff. Great vibes both inside and on the patio. Bonus that this business is very involved in the community, just an all around great place.
- Phone: (902) 446-1692
- Address: 2736 Robie St, Halifax, NS B3K 4P2
- Best Beers: Banana Wizard Chocolate Banana Porter and El Zorro Spiced Dark Lager
- Website: www.goodrobotbrewing.ca
Propeller Brewing Company
One of the oldest micro-breweries in Halifax , Propeller Brewing Company brews all-natural British ales. They understand that good beer takes quality ingredients and talented brewers and Propeller brings both to their beer table. You can find their brews at many local liquor stores and pubs, but why not enjoy from their taproom which is right by the Halifax waterfront.
Customer Review: We had a great experience coming in for a tasting at Propeller Brewing. Everyone enjoyed all of the beers we sampled, especially the IPAs and seasonal pumpkin and flat white stout, and the awesome staff gave us the opportunity to check out the arcade and brewery downstairs
- Phone: (902) 422-7767
- Address: 2015 Gottingen St, Halifax, NS B3K 3B1
- Best Beers: Galaxy IPA and ESB
- Website: www.drinkpropeller.ca
2 Crows Brewing Co.
This industrial-chic Halifax brewpub brews modern beers with care and quality craftsmanship. Their mission statement celebrates diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and community and you’ll feel right at home when you enter this contemporary brewpub.
Located in a prime downtown Halifax location, 2 Crows Brewing Company specializes in wood-aged and sour beers, but with a constantly rotating lineup, you’ll have lots of choices when you visit!
Customer Review: We stopped in the brewery and whoever the two bartender ladies working that night were, they were an absolute joy. We ended up getting three flights and trying everything on tap, and there wasn’t a single brew that missed the mark.
- Phone: (902) 422-0222
- Address: 1932 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS B3J 2G7
- Best Beers: Jamboree Fruited Sour and Fantacity Dry-Hopped Witbier
- Website: www.2crowsbrewing.com
New Scotland Brewing Co.
Located in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth and overlooking the Halifax Harbour, New Scotland Brewing Company is truly a must-visit. They feature a variety of great craft beer styles that all beer lovers are sure to enjoy.
They’ve partnered with Stone Pizza so you can grab dinner while you drink some of the tastiest craft beer. Did we mention they also built a stage for local musicians and entertainers to strut their stuff? What’s become the fastest growing venue in Dartmouth hosts live music events almost every night!
Customer Review: What a great spot in downtown Dartmouth! We popped in for a quick drink to check the place out and ended up chatting with the most pleasant employee… and ended up ordering pizza from their neighbouring pizza shop, Stone’s Pizza. Such a fun spot – we will be back!
- Phone: (902) 406-2337
- Address: 16 Portland St Unit 101, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1G9
- Best Beers: Slow Burn Chocolate Chili Porter
- Website: newscotlandbrewing.ca
North Brewing Company
North Brewing Company features Belgian-inspired craft beers that are classically flavoured and delicious. They have two locations, the brewery and tap room at 899 Portland, and the Battery Park Cold Beer Store, so there’s double the reason to give them a try. We also love the vibe in the North Brewing Company showroom and patio. Perfect for enjoying a cold craft pint!
Customer Review: Great brewery, lots of options to try on tap. A few selection other than beer were also available, which was nice to see. If you are hungry, they also have delicious food available via the Side Hustle Snack Bar. Definitely recommend checking out.
- Phone: (902) 444-7765
- Address: 899 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2W 2N4
- Best Beers: Malternate Reality Wild New England IPA
- Website: www.northbrewing.ca
Burnside Brewing Company (Formerly Known As Spindrift Brewing Co.)
While you’re in Dartmouth, swing by Burnside Brewing Company, formerly known as Spindrift Brewing! They tap into the coastal spirit and pride themselves on consistent well-made small batch brewed beers. They don’t take any short cuts and brew their beer the old-fashioned way, from pure waters and simple ingredients.
Customer Review: Delicious beer and awesome staff! You can’t ask for much more. Their beers are consistently good and they’re a great price for the quality. Check them out and enjoy a pint or two!
- Phone: (902) 703-7438
- Address: 21 Frazee Ave, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1Z4
- Best Beers: Sea Glass North East IPA
- Website: burnsidebrewing.com/
Bar Stillwell
Bar Stillwell family-run craft beer haven, and its fresh Kempt Road location (opened in summer 2023) is truly a pint above the rest.
The moment you step in, the high ceilings usher in an ambiance that’s both lofty and welcoming. The atmosphere? Relaxed and radiantly cheerful. With 12 regularly rotating taps, there’s always something new to tantalize your tastebuds.
But there’s more to Stillwell than just exceptional beer. It proudly heralds itself as a “hi-fi bar,” taking a leaf out of Japan’s jazz kissaten culture. Imagine yourself in a space that seamlessly fuses the vibes of a retro lounge with the chic undertones of a polished car garage. It’s where great music meets great beer in an unforgettable blend.
Customer Review: Great atmosphere, amazing staff, nice music and amazing beer list, with varieties that go beyond the province of Nova Scotia
- Phone: (902) 421-1672
- Address: 3670 Kempt Rd, Halifax, NS B3K 4X8
- Best Beers: Stilly Pils
- Website: www.barstillwell.com
Nine Locks Brewing Company
Nine Locks Brewing Company is one of the top craft breweries in the the province. They brew their beer in small batches using all natural ingredients with no filtration, no pasteurization, and never any preservatives.
While their brewery and retail store is located in Dartmouth, you can visit their cold beer store and taproom in downtown Halifax. Here you can try more of their delicious house beers and experience casual dining in a relaxed environment.
Customer Review: Absolutely GREAT beers. Absolutely loved them. I’m from Ontario and visit breweries all the time and this is probably in my top 3.
- Phone: (902) 434-4471
- Address: 5686 Spring Garden, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J1H5
- Best Beers: Dirty Blonde
- Website: ninelocksbrewing.ca
Brightwood Brewery
What started as a nano-brewery in their basement is now a successful brewhouse! Brightwood Brewery is all about the up and coming amazing scene of local breweries currently being created in downtown Dartmouth. Whether that’s getting local artists to design their cans, or having local musicians booked for entertainment, you can expect a loving community vibe at this friendly brewery.
Customer Review: This place looks amazing and is filled with natural light which makes you feel happier while you’re there. They have a good selection of craft beer and some great snacks like samosas, pakoras, and Jamaican beef patties.
- Phone: (902) 466-6006
- Address: 35 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1
- Best Beers: The Big Lift American IPA
- Website: www.brightwoodbrewery.com
Off Track Brewing Ltd.
Off Track Micro-Brewery and Tap Room hosts a laid back atmosphere and crowd pleasing soundtrack makes for the perfect place to stop in and relax! They focus on crafting high quality beer that everyone can enjoy. From pales, IPAs and easy drinking wheats and browns, to the world of stouts, kolschs and many others, there’s something here for everyone. Plus, they have a great outdoor space so you can soak up the sunshine while sipping on tasty brews.
Customer Review: Amazing micro brewery, great atmosphere, great service and you can bring your own food. They have a small selection of snacks basically chips and peanuts but you can have good delivered from anywhere or rebel bring your own food. Now for beer they have a large selection and the quality is great, they also be a couple of ciders.
- Phone: (902) 835-9292
- Address: 275 Rocky Lake Dr Unit #3, Bedford, NS B4A 2T3
- Best Beers: Crash Course IPA
- Website: www.offtrackbrewing.ca
Unfiltered Brewing
“Great beer with a bad attitude!” If you’re into punk rock and craft beers that slap, you’ve got to check out Unfiltered Brewing. Located in North End Halifax, this is one of the must unique breweries in Halifax. You can expect hop-heavy suds, locally-made snacks, and a nice sound system at this Halifax gem.
Customer Review: Despite the banner inside saying “This Place Sucks,” we had some great beer and friendly service! Punk rock vibes all around, pretty small place but the selection was great. Had a Double Orange Ale, Exile on North Street, Hellevator, and Flat Black Jesus. Highly recommend the first three!
- Phone: (902) 717-8770
- Address: 6041 North St, Halifax, NS B3K 1P1
- Best Beers: Exile on North Street
- Website: unfuckingfiltered.com
Serpent Brewing
Serpent Brewing is known for their Belgian inspired ales in the heart of Spryfield, at the South Side Shopping Centre on Sussex St., Halifax. They have a full service taproom for flights and pints, and a beautiful outdoor patio with picnic tables so you can drink in the sunshine all afternoon. Check out their list of upcoming events every weekend like comedy nights, trivia nights, and live music!
Customer Review: What an gem this place is.. the Staff are amazing, the Beer is some of the best Halifax has to offer..
- Phone: (902) 407-3536
- Address: South Side Shopping Centre, 5 Sussex St, Halifax, NS B3R 1N8
- Best Beers: Eden Belgian IPA
- Website: serpentbrewing.com
Topside Brewing Company
This is an up and coming family owned nano-brewery, currently brewing from their home in Bedford, Halifax. You can now find their beer at Finbar’s Irish Pub!
Customer Review: Amazing people, phenomenal beer and an outstanding location!!! What more could you ask for?
- Phone: (902) 401-3925
- Address: 301 Ridgevale Dr, Bedford, NS B4A 3Z3
- Best Beers: Tobin Bronze
- Website: topsidebrewing.ca
Want to Explore More of Nova Scotia?
If you’re looking to explore deeper into Nova Scotia, check out Cape Breton Island where you can find another great brewery: Breton Brewing.
Breton Brewing Co.
Breton Brewing Company, a must see for visitors of the beautiful Cape Breton Island. They have a welcoming taproom and beer garden with flight boards and pints of their natural, unfiltered, and preservative-free ales and lagers.
From Trivia Nights and “Music OnTap”, there’s never a dull moment at this brewery. Make the trip with friends to try their award-winning beers, take a brewery tour, and enjoy the live entertainment.
Customer Review: Super awesome space, lively and fun with solid tunes playing! The beers are top-tier, with plenty of seasonal options and unique flavours. Dig this one big time!
- Phone: (902) 270-4677
- Address: 364 Keltic Dr, Sydney, NS B1R 1V7
- Best Beers: Black Angus IPA
- Website: bretonbrewing.ca
Enjoy the best breweries in Halifax!
Make sure to go and check out Halifax’s best craft breweries, grab a locally brewed pint (or 2) and support your local brewers!
If we’ve missed a brewery on our list that you think should be added, contact us and let us know who the brewery is and why you think it should be added to our list of the best Halifax Breweries!
Halifax Brewers! Want to see your brewery at the top of this article and help thousands more people see your brewery? Get Featured and we’ll help you do exactly that!
