Warm up winter at Kingston Brewing Company

Walking into the Kingston Brewing Company is like stepping into a treasure trove for beer lovers. The walls are covered in beer memorabilia, new and old; there are more than two dozen beers on tap, and it’s a comfortable place where everyone is welcome. As Ontario’s oldest brew pub, opening almost 40 years ago, the conversation flows as easily as the beer here.

Located in a heritage building dating to the 1800s, Kingston Brewing Company’s brick and stone digs add to the legendary feel of the Kingston institution. The cozy atmosphere makes way for delicious eats from the full kitchen at KBC, known for its pub fare with a few twists. The icing on the cake is two patios in the summer, one streetside and another intimately tucked off one of Kingston’s famous alleyways.

Owner and Chef, Colin Burtch, noted that Kingston Brewing Company opened its doors much before the craft beer craze started and has successfully evolved over the years to remain relevant.

Now, they offer traditional English styles with a few modern seasonals to stay fresh in the ever-changing craft beer world. “Adaptation is essential; although traditional beers will always be popular, we find we need to constantly offer more modern styles,” he said. 

Brewing up good times in Kingston

Burtch said they have been fortunate to make 10 beers of their own while also offering 16 additional Ontario craft beer guest taps to ensure something for everyone. “Location is essential for us; in the heart of downtown Kingston we gain a lot of local residents and tourists alike,” he said. “Being a brewpub and having a full restaurant has been the biggest blessing, making us a popular lunch and dinner stop as well as a great spot to grab a drink.”

Burtch said Kingston Brewing Company’s bestsellers have traditionally been Whitetail Cream Ale and their Double Dry-Hopped IPA. The Whitetail is a 5% clean drinking crisp beer while KBC’s Double Dry-Hopped IPA is a 6.5% Hazy and Moderately Hoppy IPA. 

He said one intriguing brew is the Cask Conditioned Ale - it’s a red ale that’s naturally carbonated and pulled through a hand pump to offer beer lovers a unique experience. KBC has been brewing this one since the beginning. In terms of new beers on top, an Oatmeal Stout was released earlier this winter and in late February or early March, KBC will have both a New England IPA and a Single Hopped Hazy Pale coming out.

Fresh food and locally sourced in Kingston

Locally-sourced ingredients take the food at Kingston Brewing Company to the next level. The menu changes up in the spring and fall to add seasonal items. Burtch said right now, it includes typical comfort pub food like fish and chips made with their own beer, pot pies and cottage pie. But it also offers southern smokehouse items, seasonal salads and of course legendary burgers for which KBC has a foodie following. 

“You can’t go wrong with the Royale with cheese,” Burtch said of the 6 oz prime rib patty with pickle, grilled onions, cheese, homemade sauce on a brioche bun. “It’s a very simple burger but delicious. It’s really about the quality of the ground beef, which we have ground for us at Barriefield meat market.”

What’s more, the talented staff at KBC are experienced in helping to pick the perfect drink to accompany every meal on the menu. If beer isn’t your thing, they also have two ciders on tap and even two house-made soda pops.

Oktoberfest and hot sauce

Kingston Brewing Company hosts a handful of events that fans look forward to annually. A loyal following comes out in droves for the fall Oktoberfest party with local German-style beers, live music and a German-inspired feast. Similarly in February every year, KBC operates a hot sauce competition where a panel of chefs judge hot sauce entries from the public to crown a winner. The 2025 hot sauce competition takes place on Feb. 23 - get ready to feel the heat!

Ready to discover Kingston Brewery Company for yourself? Look at www.kingstonbrewing.ca or better yet, swing by at 34 Clarence Street in Downtown Kingston. Follow along on Facebook @KingstonBrewPub or on Instagram @kingston_brew_pub