Canmore isn’t a traditional destination for the craft beer or spirit lover. This former mining town turned hiking mecca is much better known for its spectacular mountain peaks and refreshing waterfalls, and its around the gorgeous natural sights of neighbouring Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park that its thriving tourism industry has emerged. But local hikers and outdoors-lovers know the secret to the most delicious beer and spirits in the world: nothing tastes better and more refreshing than the drink you have right after you finish a long hike. (Best paired with local food of course) So it’s probably a good thing that Canmore has a wide variety of locally-produced beverages to choose from, many of which use local mountain water from the Bow River and Canmore Reservoir as well as locally grown or foraged ingredients. The wide variety of flavours found in Canmore’s beer, cider, cocktails, vodka, gin, whiskey and more all speak to the creativity and hard work of local entrepreneurs, as well as the abundance of inspiration that can be found in Canmore’s wild Rocky Mountain setting. Whether you’re a long-time Canmore local or just a visitor, you’re bound to find something you’ll love.
Keep on reading to learn all about the best places to drink locally produced beer, cider, and spirits in Canmore. Canmore is home to four breweries, with the first one now being almost 30 years old! More recently, Canmore is now also home to a fantastic distillery and delicious cidery, meaning there are an abundance of selection no matter what your drink of choice is. This list is not ranked in any particular order. If you think I’ve missed something, feel free to leave a comment below!
Don’t forget to check out guides to some of my favourite hikes in the area, including Grotto Canyon, Ha Ling Peak, EEOR, Grassi Lakes, and Wind Ridge.
Wild Life Distillery
Co-founders Matt Widmer and Keith Robinson take a lot of inspiration from their surroundings at Wild Life Distillery, Canmore’s first distillery which produces a stellar line-up of gins, whiskys, vodka, an amaro, and even some canned cocktails. Wild Life’s Alberta Botanical Gin is a highlight, and is made using 100% Alberta-foraged botanicals including Rocky Mountain juniper, thistle flower, rosehips, Labrador tea leaves, wild sage and cow parsnip. Other popular gins on offer include a barrel-aged gin, rhubarb gin, and the beautiful Rundle Bar Gin, which gets its vibrant violet colour from the addition of butterfly pea flower. Since moving into a new facility in 2023, Wild Life has been able to increase their production capacity tenfold, and promise to focus even more heavily on expanding their line of whiskys. Their small Canmore tasting room is a must-visit, and if sipping spirits neat isn’t your thing, they also have some of the best cocktails in all of Canmore.
Core Values Cider Co.
Core Values Cider Co. is relatively new on the scene, but already making a splash with their small-batch wild-fermented cider. This Canmore cidery has had a storefront for about a year, but they’ve only recently opened their funky and colourful 80’s-inspired tasting room. The bright and fresh interior design is the perfect match for their small-batch cider, which features similarly fresh and vibrant flavours, which among several different apple varieties includes blackcurrant, cherry, and even some yet-to-be-released barrel-aged cider. Core Values Cider Co. sources their apples from a couple small farms near Summerland in the Okanagan, and tries to source other ingredients locally as much as possible.
Sheepdog Brewing
Sheepdog Brewing’s 15 taps and creative small-batch beer production means that there’s always something new and exciting to discover each time you visit their cozy Canmore location. The dog-friendly downstairs outdoor patio area (with killer mountain views) and relaxed upstairs tasting room are both usually busy with locals and visitors alike, and be sure to take a moment to appreciate the wall covered in wacky handmade signs for beers that have been taken out of rotation. For a brewery that’s only been open since 2019, it’s a wide range of beer styles, and an impressive amount of experimentation. The entire location has a very unpretentious “garage brewery” feel that perfectly complements the laid-back community atmosphere and easy-drinking brews.
Grizzly Paw Brewing Company
It’s impossible to say who makes the best beer in Canmore, but there is no debate to be had about which brewery has the best views. From the top floor of Grizzly Paw Brewing’s brewery location (they also have a taproom downstairs, a cozy pub downtown, and a backyard food truck), it’s possible to enjoy some of the best panoramic mountain views from anywhere in Canmore, and that’s before even mentioning the beer and delicious food! The third-floor balcony is the perfect place for an après-hike beer and burger while enjoying views of some of Canmore’s most iconic hiking peaks such as the Three Sisters, Ha Ling Peak, EEOR, and even the waterfall below Grassi Lakes, many of which have had a Grizzly Paw brew named after them at one point or another. Make sure to check out the Three Sisters Pale Ale, named after the iconic peaks that seem to appear in every Canmore photo. Despite being the oldest and first brewery in Canmore, Grizzly Paw Brewing isn’t scared to try new seasonal and rotating beers, meaning that there’s usually something new on tap.
Canmore Brewing Company
Canmore Brewing Company exemplifies “thinking local”. Founder Brian Dunn collaborates with local Canmore businesses as much as possible, and the iconic Three Sisters mountain peaks are recognizable on every single can of beer. Names for Canmore Brewing’s beers draw inspiration from the surroundings, from the ever-popular Ten Peaks Pale-Ale to the Misty Mountain Hops NEIPA. They also have a cider that is better than it has any right to be, and there’s always experimentation with a constantly rotating selection of beers on tap. The large indoor tasting room and heated outdoor patio are popular year-round.
BLAKE Brewhouse & Distillery
BLAKE is a popular and chic Canmore restaurant, brewery, and distillery all wrapped into one! Their bright and spacious restaurant is a converted industrial garage, and it’s not uncommon to see the space packed. In addition to a lineup of beers ranging from their Trans Canada IPA to the Canmore Coal Nitro Stout, BLAKE produces its own vodka and London dry gin, as well as a chipotle vodka and pepper gin if you’re craving for some heat. The real highlight however is the eclectic food menu which brings together a number of different Asian inspirations to create a delicious and creative fusion.
