For twelve glorious hours every statutory holiday, craft breweries in Toronto accomplish the unthinkable and capture 100% of the retail beer market. It helps, of course, that the LCBO and Beer Store are legally required to remain closed, but such technicalities will not get in the way of a good list. Here are the details you need to get your beer fix on the 1st. It’s getting to the point where lining up at the big guys the day beforehand doesn’t make sense.
- Amsterdam: Both locations, the BrewHouse with its pub and bottle shop, and Leaside with tasting bar and bottle shop will be open. They have growlers from the Adventure Series and Amsterdam counters the argument that craft is necessarily more expensive by selling 25-packs of their Big Wheel and Natural Blonde beers for $32.95. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., 245 Queens Quay W. & 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., 45 Esandar Dr.
- Bellwoods: The bottle shop for what is arguably the city’s best brewery will be open for its usual Wednesday hours. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., 126 Ossington Ave.
- Black Creek Historic Brewery: What better way to celebrate 148 years of Canada, than with historically minded beers? 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., 1000 Murray Ross Parkway
- Granite: Both the pub and bottle shop at this uptown stalwart will be open on Wednesday. 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., 245 Eglinton Ave. E.
- Great Lakes: This one technically doesn't belong on the list because GLB’s retail operation and tasting room will be closed, but fear not, they will make a special appearance at this year’s Canada Day Brewer’s Backyard.
- Indie Ale House: A limited slice of Indie’s beer menu comes in bottles and growlers at their on-site bottle shop. 2876 Dundas St. W., 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Left Field: Not only will both their bottle shop and tap room be open, but Left Field will also be pulling pints from a special cask of Maris* Pale Ale that has been dry-hopped with Willamette hops. 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., 36 Wagstaff Dr.
- Mill Street: Nearby condo dwellers and Distillery District visitors will be happy to hear that this conveniently located brewery bottle shop will be open as usual. 21 Tankhouse Ln., 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Muddy York: One of Toronto’s smallest, new breweries is holding a special popup day — their first foray into retail. 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., 22 Cranfield Rd.
- Rainhard: Toronto’s newest is holding a special retail day (they usually only open on weekends) for the holiday Wednesday. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., 100 Symes Rd., Unit 108
- Steam Whistle: The folks at the Roundhouse are going all out for Dominion Day and on top of extended hours for brewery tours, tasting and their retail shop, they are putting on three lobster boils (12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., tickets) 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., 255 Bremner Blvd.
Note that this very occasional retail advantage does not pay for extra brewing capacity, so all closing times come with a strong “while supplies last” caveat. If it's 8 p.m. and you absolutely need a growler of a specific double IPA it would be best to call ahead.
Also note that this post was updated to add information for Mill Street and correct the address for the Muddy York popup.
