Kingston’s craft beer scene is bubbling over with creativity. From historic downtown brewpubs to innovative hidden gems in the west end, local brewers aren’t just mastering the art of the pour - they’re partnering with incredible culinary talent to elevate your taproom experience.
Whether you’re a devout hophead or a casual pint-lover, grab a seat and dive into these six irresistible beer and bites pairings across the city.
34 Clarence Street
The Beer (with a twist): Tailgarita Beer Cocktail | Whitetail Cream Ale, 3/4oz Cazadores Blanco, 1/4oz Triple Sec, lime juice, and simple syrup.
The Bite: KBC Royale with Cheese
Why You Need to Try It: As Ontario’s oldest brewpub (serving the city since 1986), KBC knows how to honour the classics while keeping things fresh. The crisp, clean profile of their signature Whitetail Cream Ale acts as the perfect, smooth canvas for this zesty tequila beer-tail. Paired with the rich, juicy perfection of the Royale with Cheese, the citrusy acidity cuts through the savoury cheese and beef, leaving your palate perfectly refreshed for the next bite.
675 Development Drive
The Beer: Hawaiian Style Pale Ale
The Bite: Artisinal Spent-Grain Soft Pretzels with Beer Cheese Dip
Why You Need to Try It: Living by the mantra “Beer Without Boundaries,” Spearhead delivers big, bold flavors in the west end. Their iconic Hawaiian Style Pale Ale is a hoppy West Coast ale brewed with real pineapple, resulting in a naturally carbonated, dry-hopped tropical punch. To ground those bright, fruity notes, tuck into a warm, salty spent-grain pretzel.
631 Fortune Crescent
The Beer: Tropical IPA
The Bite: The Riverhead Supreme Pizza
Why You Need to Try It: Riverhead is a massive community hub where everything is proudly brewed on-site. For a stellar pairing, match their bright, citrus-forward hazy juicy Tropical IPA with a fresh slice from their kitchen. The IPA boasts a bold aroma and a crisp hop bitterness that easily stands up to the loaded toppings of the Riverhead Supreme Pizza. The citrusy notes cleanse your palate between every cheesy, savory bite.
275 Princess Street
The Beer: Painted Lake Peach Crisp Berliner Weisse
The Bite: Birria Quesa Tacos or Hot Honey Chicken Tacos
Why You Need to Try It: This downtown hotspot thrives on curiosity and community, donating a portion of every pour to clean water initiatives. When paired with the culinary team at Ghost Taco, magic happens. The Painted Lake Peach Crisp is gently tart, pouring like fresh, vibrant peach juice. It acts as a stunning, sweet-and-sour counterweight to the rich, slow-braised crunch of a Birria taco, creating an explosion of flavor that is pure summer in a glass.
768 Princess St
The Beer: Thirst Trap Hazy IPA
The Bite: "Slytherin Bite" Pizza | Red sauce, mozzarella, hot calabrese, candied jalapeño, hot honey, and parmesan.
Why You Need to Try It: Daft is all about high-energy, experimental fun, and their food menu reflects that wild spirit. The "Slytherin Bite" pizza is a sweet-and-spicy masterpiece. When you pair it with the juicy, tropical, low-bitterness profile of the Thirst Trap Hazy IPA, the hop aromas amplify the sweetness of the hot honey, while smoothly cooling down the fiery kick of the candied jalapeños.
677 Innovation Drive, Unit 4
The Beer: Clay IPA
The Bite: Savoury Artisanal Pot Pie (A local collab with The Pie Commission)
Why You Need to Try It: To round out our ultimate beer tour, head over to Fine Balance for a lesson in texture. Their hazy, hop-drenched Clay IPA features a velvety mouthfeel and vibrant notes of ripe stone fruit. When paired with a rich, buttery, flaky savoury pot pie, the beer’s bright carbonation cuts straight through the pastry, offering a deeply comforting, high-end comfort food experience.
