The BEST Banff Breweries to Have a Drink
Are you visiting the Canadian Rockies and on the hunt for a fantastic Banff brewery? If so, you’re in luck – the Canadian Rockies are home to some of the best craft breweries in Canada. No matter which mountain town your itinerary takes you to, a stellar brewery will be nearby.
Offering locally brewed beer, tasty eats, and mountain views, what better place to indulge in a cold one than at one of the best breweries in the Canadian Rockies. Here, we’ll break down the best breweries in Banff and beyond!
The Best Banff Breweries
There are two must-visit breweries right in the heart of beautiful Banff: the one and only Banff Ave. Brewing Co, and the new Three Bears Brewery.
With the Brew Co located on Banff Avenue and Three Bears just one street over on Bear Street, there’s no need to choose between the two – check out both breweries during your visit to Banff after you hit up a fabulous Banff restaurant.
Banff Ave. Brewing Co.
- Location: 110 Banff Ave., Banff
- Parking:
- Food menu: Full menu – lunch, dinner, snacks
The Banff Ave. Brewing Co, also known as the Brewpub by the town’s dedicated locals, is the OG Banff brewery. This pub offers several taps and covers everything from Pale Lagers to Stouts- all of which are brewed in-house. The Brewpub is great at rotating its available selection while holding onto the fan favorites. One of my all-time favorites is their famous Head Smashed IPA!
The Brewpub offers a chilled-out atmosphere that allows tourists to feel just as at home as the locals do. With mountain views from both inside the bar and the second-story patio, there’s no need to miss a moment of Banff’s beauty while you enjoy some local brews.
The offerings at this brewery go much further than the tasty drinks and cozy atmosphere, with the Brewpub food menu being a town favorite.
Offering everything from delicious snacks to pair with your drink, to vegetarian-friendly bowls, to hearty sandwiches, I definitely recommend a meal here. Be sure to try out their Alberta Bison Burger for a genuine Canadian Rockies meal.
Three Bears Brewery
- Location: 205 Bear Street, Banff
- Parking:
- Food menu: Full menu – lunch, pizzas, dinner, snacks
The Three Bears Brewery is brand new on the Banff Bar scene, and I couldn’t be happier with this wicked addition. This brewery offers refreshing brews in an equally refreshing atmosphere.
The interior of the Three Bears has a modern-rustic vibe, with a wood theme and fresh greenery that has the space bursting with life. In the summer months, they open their retractable roof, making the second floor a rooftop patio! Enjoy your drinks under the sun or the stars, with the mountains in the distance.
Enough about their gorgeous interior; their beer is just as dreamy! Offering 5 tasty, constant taps and 1 seasonal tap, every beer lover can find a favorite on this drink menu. The Happy Trails Pale Ale is my favorite, but you can find yours by trying their 6-beer flight. While you enjoy a refreshing pint or flight, be sure to try out their food menu too.
The Three Bears food menu offers a wide variety of food options, including some of the best pizza in town. Their menu also has an excellent selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. I must say, their Sweet Potato Wedges are probably the tastiest appetizer I have ever had (and it’s vegan)! This new Banff bar definitely passes the beer, food, and vibe check – especially during the warmer months when their rooftop patio is open!
Park Distillery
- Location: 219 Banff Ave
- Parking:
- Food menu: Full menu – lunch, dinner, snacks
With a prime location on Banff Ave, it’s tough to miss Park Distillery. This is where we take friends and family to eat when they’re in town. Park Distillery has quickly made a name for itself in the Rockies as one of the best distilleries around.
If you’re looking for a classic cocktail, try their Caesar made with chili vodka at brunch. However they have plenty of other inspiring cocktails on the menu. It’s a fun place to head for lunch or dinner as they dish up some fantastic food items.
Other Banff Bar Favorites
- The Rose & Crown
- Tommy’s Neighbourhood Bar
Other Breweries in the Region
Jasper Breweries
If you are visiting the beautiful alpine town of Jasper, you just so happen to be visiting the birthplace of National Park Breweries in Canada! The Jasper Brewing Company started it all, being the first brewery established in a Canadian National Park – right in the heart of Jasper National Park.
With Jasper Brew Co being a lone brewery on the Jasper bar scene for over a decade, Folding Mountain Brewing turned this stunning National Park into a hotspot for some of the best breweries in the Canadian Rockies!
Jasper Brewing Company
- Location: 624 Connaught Dr., Jasper
- Parking: Available Downtown for a fee
- Menu: Full menu – lunch, dinner, snacks
The Jasper Brewing Company broke ground as the first brewery in a Canadian National Park! Thanks to the ingenuity of two Jasper locals, we can now enjoy fresh mountain brews while surrounded by the most beautiful sites in Canada. Jasper Brew Co, also known as the Brewpub, is the sister company to Banff Ave Brewing Company!
The Brewpub offers tasty brews and genuine Canadian grub, all inspired by the one and only Rocky Mountains. It’s one of the best restaurants in Jasper on top of being a brewery. This brewery offers 8 constant taps, with a wide selection of rotating taps – their rotating selection even includes ciders, hard seltzers, twisted teas, kombucha, and non-alcoholic pints! With such a wide selection of drinks, everyone will find a favorite on this drink menu.
Even if you have visited the Banff Ave Brew Co, do not cross the Jasper Brewpub off your list! This popular Jasper brewery offers a brand-new atmosphere, fresh scenery, and a creative food menu.
The atmosphere here is bright and lively, with a modern wood theme and fun retro booths. Whether you are inside this stylish brewery or enjoying Jasper’s natural offerings, the picture-esque views do not stop.
Folding Mountain Brewery
- Location: 49321 Highway 16, Jasper East
- Parking: Available at the brewery
- Menu: Full menu – Snacks, select lunch and dinner options
The Folding Mountain Brewery, opened by two of the area’s locals, is a must-visit Jasper Brewery This relatively young brewery hosts a stunning, Jasper cabin-chic atmosphere and some equally as impressive brews. Located just one minute from the Jasper National Park gates, there is no better place to enjoy a delicious pint.
This stylish brewery offers a dozen delicious, unique beers on tap, covering a wide selection. Every beer lover will have a tough time choosing a favorite from this extensive list of fresh mountain brews. Not only are the drinks perfectly brewed, but the food menu has delicious offerings to pair with them. Their menu consists of a long list of snacks and select sandwiches and has a section for the kiddos too.
The Folding Mountain Brewery does an excellent job of creating a fun, bright, and mountain-esque atmosphere for locals and tourists alike! When you pair this lively interior with their spacious patio, the atmosphere here could not get much better, especially considering that the brewery is surrounded by our gorgeous Canadian Rocky Mountains!
Other Jasper Bar Favorites
Notable B.C. Breweries Nearby
The best breweries in the Canadian Rockies do not stop at the Albertan border; some of my all-time favorite brews are crafted by our neighbors in beautiful British Columbia! Both Fernie and Golden each offer their own excellent breweries, Fernie Brew Co and Whitetooth Brewing Company, which gives you all the more reason to visit these cozy mountain towns.
Fernie Brewing Company
- Website: Fernie Brewing Company
- Location: 26 Manitou Road, Fernie
- Parking: Available at brewery
- Menu: Light snacks
With so many breweries in the Canadian Rockies, it’s hard to choose a favorite. But if I am honest, the Fernie Brew Co is my go-to brand any time it’s offered on tap or on the liquor store shelves. The Fernie Brew Co has an unbeatable selection of brews and is owned by a local family committed to sustainable practices as they are to brewing excellent beer.
The Fernie Brew Co offers 10 constant beers year-round and has an endless list of seasonal drinks full of creativity and flavor. Their fun and lively taproom typically have 12 taps ready for your choosing. You can enjoy their taproom or sunny patio, and even tie your pup up in their shaded “doggo parking” area.
This brewery only offers light bar snacks for food – they do not have a kitchen or food menu. With the showstopper being their tasty beer, you wouldn’t want to distract yourself with a meal anyhow! Visiting is one of the best things to do in Fernie! When you visit the Fernie Brew Co, be sure to try their unique “What the Huck” Huckleberry Ale.
Other Fernie Bar Favourites
Whitetooth Brewing Company
- Website: Whitetooth Brewing
- Location: 623 8th Avenue North, Golden
- Parking: Street parking available at brewery
- Menu: No in-house menu, option to order take-out from a local restaurant
The Whitetooth Brewing Company is one of those places that you should base your travel plans around to ensure a stop at. This young brewery has epic beer and offers a fun environment to enjoy them in. Their main goal is to create West-Coast inspired brews for you to indulge in after your favorite Rocky Mountain activity – a goal they effortlessly achieve.
The Whitetooth Brewing Company is in the heart of Golden, B.C, with Kicking Horse Ski Resort just up the road and tons of mountain adventures all around you. This brewery rocks an industrial-style interior, with indoor seating right amidst their brew tanks and daily operations. This is a fun spot to enjoy a delicious beer while watching just how that drink came to be.
Along with their indoor seating, Whitetooth also has a beautiful patio to enjoy mountain views in the sun. For food, they offer the option to order from a nearby local restaurant which is a great way to indulge in some tasty eats while enjoying their brewery.
Be sure to check out their retail shop for some stylish merch or a growler to go! FYI – their “Thread the Needle” Witbier as definitely a fan favorite.
Other Golden Bar Favourites
Hopefully this Banff brewery guide helps you plan where to have a tasty beer.
If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendations include the Banff Gondola and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka (here’s a combo tour with both!). If you want a stress-free way to get to Moraine Lake, we highly recommend looking into Moraine Lake Bus Company. For a full day tour, we can’t recommend Radventures Best of Banff Tour enough!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Hiking: If hiking we highly recommend you download offline maps with AllTrails+ to always know your location, preview trails to plan ahead, and find trails that fit your schedule. Get wrong-turn alerts and advanced trail conditions to enjoy your hike with less stress and more preparation.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- Cheaper Airfare: We also use Going for airfare deals and travel credit cards to earn points on purchases. Those credit card points can be redeemed for free flights and hotels! Want to earn $1,000 toward your next trip? There’s an awesome travel card that has a new limited-time offer that will get you access to just that. The Capital One Venture X has no foreign transaction fees. To keep up to date with insane credit card welcome offers like this, we highly recommend signing up for the Daily Drop Newsletter.
