A Local’s Guide to Craft Beer in Prince Edward County
With 10 breweries scattered across Prince Edward County, one of the questions I hear most often is: “Which brewery is the best?”
The honest answer? It depends on what you’re looking for.
Are you after the best beer? The best food? A waterfront view? A dog-friendly patio? Somewhere the kids can run around while you enjoy a flight? Every brewery in the County has its own personality, and that’s exactly what makes exploring them so much fun.
As a longtime Prince Edward County resident and craft beer fan, I’ve spent plenty of afternoons making “just one quick stop” at a brewery that somehow turned into a full afternoon on the patio.
Over the years, I’ve learned that there really isn’t one perfect brewery. There are simply different breweries for different moods.
Beyond the Vines: The Rise of Craft Beer in Prince Edward County
Most people know Prince Edward County for its wineries, and for good reason. Our local Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines have put the County on the map. But if you only follow the wine trail, you’re missing out on one of the County’s best-kept secrets.
Over the last decade, Prince Edward County’s craft beer scene has quietly exploded. What started with a handful of passionate brewers has grown into a collection of unique breweries that attract visitors from across Ontario.
The best part? Each brewery feels completely different.
Some are tucked away on quiet country roads. Others are right in the heart of Picton, Wellington, and Bloomfield. Some serve incredible wood-fired pizza, while others specialize in relaxed patios, live music, farm views, and spectacular sunsets.
Why the County’s Terroir Matters for Beer Lovers
Just like our winemakers talk about terroir, many local brewers take the same local-first approach.
County breweries often use ingredients grown nearby, draw inspiration from the surrounding farmland, orchards, and countryside, and create beers that reflect the laid-back personality of Prince Edward County itself.
Whether it’s a crisp lager after a day at Sandbanks, a hoppy IPA on a sunny patio, or a smooth cream ale beside a fire pit, the beer somehow seems to taste better here.
Maybe it’s the ingredients.
Maybe it’s the scenery.
Or maybe it’s just being on County time.
So, What Is The Best Brewery In Prince Edward County?
That’s where things get interesting.
For me, the answer changes depending on the day.
If I want amazing pizza and a pint downtown, I might head to 555 Brewing. If I’m looking for a family-friendly afternoon, Parsons is always a solid choice. For views that will make you stop and stare, it’s hard to beat Slake. If I want a relaxed lunch and great value, Midtown is hard to argue with.
And honestly? Part of the fun is discovering your own favourite.
So instead of crowning a single winner, I’ve put together a complete guide to every brewery in Prince Edward County, along with what makes each one special.
Because the only real solution is the same one I’ve been working on for years:
Visit them all.
It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
What I Love Most About County Breweries
One thing I’ve always appreciated about the craft beer scene here is the people behind it. Unlike larger brewery destinations, you’ll often find the owners, brewers, or staff chatting with customers, sharing stories about how they got started, or recommending something new to try.
Every brewery has its own character, its own beer styles, and usually a story worth hearing.
That’s why I always recommend ordering a flight. Try something familiar, then take a chance on something you’ve never heard of before. Some of my favourite beers in Prince Edward County came from saying, “Sure, I’ll give that one a try.”
And who knows? Your new favourite brewery might end up being the one you weren’t even planning to visit.
Below is a quick list of all the breweries in Prince Edward County.
Bloomfield
- Matron Fine Beer
📍 65 Barker’s Lane, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0
🍽️ Food: Chicken sandwich with tater tots; pet-friendly patio seating.
🌐 matronfinebeer.ca - All My Friends Beer Co.
📍 8 Stanley Street, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0
🍽️ Food: No full kitchen; small batch brewery with a cozy patio and rotating beer menu.
🌐 amfbeer.com
Hillier (near Wellington)
- Gillingham Brewing Company
📍 1316 Wilson Road, Hillier, ON K0K 2J0
🍽️ Food: Sourdough plates from Bantam PEC; pop-ups with Indian street food and oysters.
🌐 gillinghambrewing.ca
Wellington
- Midtown Brewing Co
📍 266 Wellington Main St., Wellington, ON K0K 3L0
🍽️ Food: Full menu including burgers, fish, and woodfire pizza; Small Pet-friendly outside patio
🌐 midtownbrewingcompany.com
Picton
- Slake Brewing
📍 181 Mowbray Road, Prince Edward County, ON
🍽️ Food: No full kitchen, but great views and huge picnic-style seating.
🌐 slakebrewing.com - Parsons Brewing Company
📍 876 County Rd 49, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
🍽️ Food: Full menu with Latin American flavors, including butter chicken empanadas and chips & guac. Family and pet friendly.
🌐 parsonsbrewing.com - Prince Eddy’s Brewing Company
📍 13 Macsteven Drive, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
🍽️ Food: Kitchen and seasonal outdoor kitchen; beach volleyball and games with outside beer garden.
🌐 princeeddys.com - Lake on the Mountain Brewing Company
📍 11369 Loyalist Parkway, Prince Edward County, ON K0K 2T0
🍽️ Food: Served at The Inn and The Miller House nearby; picnic tables and fire pit
🌐 lakeonthemountain.com - 555 Brewing Co
📍 124 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
🍽️ Food: Amazing Wood-fired pizza and a pet-friendly cozy patio on the main street
🌐 555beer.com
West Lake
- Dune Hopper Brewing Company
📍 Near Sandbanks Provincial Park, West Lake, Prince Edward County
🍽️ Food: Natural Born Grillers food truck (May–September); kid- and dog-friendly with games and sandbox.
🌐 dunehopper.ca
Prince Edward County Breweries Map
There are thousands of microbreweries sprouting up all over the country now, and Prince Edward County is no exception.
See my guide for all the breweries in PEC and the costs of the beer.
What to Expect From PEC Breweries
The only way to decide is to visit them all yourself because each brewery offers something different!
Also…I would say you need to try all the breweries because I love craft beer! And each location has something cool about it. 🙂
Prince Edward County (PEC) is home to some of the best craft beer in the area. The county’s climate and soils are perfect for growing hops, and the local breweries take advantage of this by using fresh, local ingredients in their beer.
PEC is quickly becoming a hotspot for craft beer tourism, as the area is home to numerous breweries and cideries.
A great way to experience all of the different breweries is by taking the Prince Edward County Beer Tour, which takes you to all of the major ones as well as a few of the smaller ones.
I remember the very first place that sold craft beer in Prince Edward County, it was the County Canteen on the main street, and it has since turned into 555 Brewing on the main street.
A few years later, there were a few more microbreweries throughout the county, brewing great local craft beer.
See my complete guide to all the Prince Edward County brewers here.
Craft Beer in PEC – The Beginning
My first introduction to craft beer was a beer called Beau’s Lug Tread, and it was on tap only.
Since I have moved on to many other local favorite craft beers from right here in Prince Edward County.
You may have noticed that each of the craft breweries has a different theme specific to each one.
I always enjoy hearing each of the unique stories about where they came up with the names for their brewery.
You may have noticed that each of the craft breweries has a different theme specific to each one.
I always enjoy hearing each of the unique stories about where they came up with the names for their brewery.
There are literally thousands of microbreweries sprouting up all over the country now and Prince Edward County is no exception.
Picton is home to several craft breweries, including 555 Brewing, Prince Eddy’s, Parsons, and Lake On The Mountain Brewing Company, just to name a few.
I have a list of the Prince Edward County Breweries below for you to check out.
These are mainly the best breweries in Prince Edward County and are a must-visit for any beer lover, and the County offers a variety of beer festivals throughout the year.
See my complete guide on all the breweries and the price of their beer.
The Prince Edward County Brewers Festival was one of the largest craft beer festivals in the area, and it featured over 15 different breweries from across the province.
The Picton Fairgrounds also has a craft beer garden event during the summer months, and visitors can sample beers from all over Prince Edward County.
Whether you’re a local looking to explore the best that Prince Edward County has to offer or a visitor looking for an unforgettable craft beer experience, Prince Edward County is the place to be.
Our First Prince Edward County Brewers Tour
Midtown Brewing Company
-Location: 266 Wellington Main St, Wellington, ON – Phone: (613) 399-1001. Great food, large portions, and inexpensive! Love it.
See our visit to Midtown Brewing here.
Excellent food and service at a very reasonable price.
The Midtown menu offers staple beers, but it also offers other local beers.
You can’t beat the burger and fries, but they also offer vegan and vegetarian options.
My favorite craft beer is the County Kolsch. It’s very smooth and was perfect for a hot day.
The wood-fired pizza is amazing too; it’s certainly worth a try.
The toppings are loaded up nicely, unlike other breweries I’ve been to.
While everyone is going on wine tours in the County, we like to change things up and go on a self-guided Prince Edward County Brewers Tour now and then.
I created a video of Midtown Brewing that will give you an idea of what to expect.
This craft beer tour took us to Midtown Brewing, Prince Eddy’s, 555 Brewing, and Lake on the Mountain Brewery.
Even if you have visited these breweries in the past, it is always worth checking to see what they are brewing next. It’s always a good practice to stop in and order a flight of different beers you haven’t tried before.
I put together my own Prince Edward County Brewers Review based on our tour. I hope it provides you with an idea of what to expect from the craft breweries here in the county.
Parsons Brewing Company
Location: 876 County Rd 49, Picton, ON – Phone: (613) 476-9977. Lots of craft beer choices and a large outdoor area.
See our visit to Parsons Brewing here.
A very popular and busy brewery in Prince Edward County.
There is always something going on. Chris and Samantha own Parsons, and it’s been open since 2016, and has a farm-like theme based on the fact that the building is around 150 years old.
I’d visit early because, through the summer months, there is often a lineup.
There is an outdoor kitchen and seating area with a fire pit and playground area.
The Parson’s menu rotates and always has an amazing selection. This way I do a pit stop every now and then to try something new. Just might see you there on your next visit to PEC!
Prince Eddy’s Brewing Co.
Location: 13 Macsteven Dr, Picton, ON – Phone: (613) 476-2253. Fun place to visit. They have a volleyball court. Try the Cream Ale!!!
Take a look at our visit to Prince Eddy’s Here.
I would call Prince Eddy’s Brewery the fun brewery, as there is always some type of fun activities going on. Either live music, a bachelorette party, or a volleyball game.
Summer all year round in this Caribbean-themed microbrewery.
They have 10 beers on tap and plenty of shenanigans (Beer) you should try it.
They are always friendly. Last time I was in I got a flight of the new beers on tap.
My favorite is their staple craft beer, Prince Eddy’s Cream Ale.
My most memorable time was a Saturday afternoon when there was a group of 30-year-old women celebrating a bachelorette in PEC.
What a party and some great entertainment to watch.
There were ping pong tables upstairs and, through the colder months, live entertainment to check out.
555 Brewing Co
Location: 124 Picton Main St, Picton, ON – Phone: (613) 476-5556. Great people, a great patio. Ask how they got the name… a great Picton story.
See our trip to 555 Brewing here.
One of my favorite local Prince Edward County Brewers.
The theme at 555 Brewing Co. is based on some courthouse history in Picton involving the public hanging.
Make sure to ask the staff about it!
It’s a great microbrewery with a cool selection of craft beers.
They always offer their main staple beers like “American Lager” but taps rotate often also. I was lucky enough to try the 555 Alive Sour beer and the 5 Alive beer.
It’s fun to mix it up.
The wood-fired pizza is amazing! Highly recommend the #8. PESTO + SPINACH + LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN + SUNDRIED TOMATOES + MOZZARELLA.
They do offer gluten-free pizza, too. The staff is always very nice.
I like this place so much, I’m part of the 555 Mug, so I may just see you on your next visit.
STRANGE Brew Studio
Location: 371 Chase Rd, Hillier, ON – Phone: (613) 885-3135.
This brewery has been open since September 2016, but I finally made it there recently.
I tried the “out of the woods” craft beer. I found it a bit smoky flavored, which reminded me of a nice smoky scotch. Maybe this is why it is called Strange Brew. LOL.
What I found unique is the craft beers with Wine names like the “Ninkasi: 2019 Pinot Noir” and the “Ninkasi 2018 Malbec”.
Considering I’m from the county I had to try the Strange Brew “Horn Trip” beer.
Horn trips were a thing our parents did years ago, where they would drive around Prince Edward County drinking and driving. A very big no-no these days and for good reason.
Gillingham Brewing Company
Location: 1316 Wilson Rd, Hillier, ON – Phone: (416) 892-9646.
A great brewery outside of PEC. The place offers a family environment, and it is dog-friendly.
Small batch craft brewery with 7 rotating taps, tasting room, and a patio outback.
We were there for the oysters and they did not disappoint.
The owners, Christine and Andrew are there most of the time and are very welcoming.
When tasting they take the time to chat with you and tell you how Gillingham Brewery was started.
Matron Fine Beer
Location: 65 Barker Ln, Bloomfield, ON – Down a long lane but a cool place.
Off the beaten path down a long lane, you will find Matron Fine Craft Brewery.
They use fresh local ingredients to make their beer.
Popular for bikers riding on the Millennium Trail in Bloomfield. You’ll bike right by it.
I like the YEASAYER LAGERBIER the best. I haven’t been back in while but I plan to change that.
Lake on the Mountain Brewing Company
Location: 11369 Loyalist Pkwy, Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada – Phone: (613) 476-1321. Friendly place and very informative. Games room and seating outback.
See our trip to Lake on the Mountain Brewing here.
Lake on the Mountain Brewery is close to the famous Glenora Ferry.
A great place to stop in and try some craft beer named after locations from around Prince Edward County.
There is a cozy fireplace and sitting area out back for the cooler weather and all winter long.
In the warmer months, there are picnic tables outdoors to sit and enjoy the weather.
Note, however, there is no food available during the off-season other than chips and popcorn.
One thing to note is that this brewery is not actually located at Lake on The Mountain, but it’s only minutes away.
Garage Time Brewing Company
Located at 658 Danforth Rd, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0, (613) 399-5090.
Small garage-style brewery, and the beer is fabulous. The owner, Bernard and Joanne are great people and are always very welcoming!
I read a Garage Time Review that said…Go for the beers, stay for the company. This is true, so if you decide to drop in, ask him for his best IPA.
Go here to see our visit to Garage Time Brewing
You can thank me later!
So true! Just down the road from the popular Karlo Estates winery. Worth checking out.
Slake Brewing
181 Mowbray Rd, Picton, ON, Canada K0K 2T0 – (613) 919-0995
What a view! The brewery is on top of a hill overlooking Prince Edward County. You can see Belleville on a clear day. The sunsets are amazing.
Slake Brewing is by far the most scenic new brewery in Prince Edward County I’ve ever been to. The beer is great and the staff is very nice. If you are a craft beer lover, make sure this is on your stop.
I’ve never eaten here or even looked at the menu, but it’s a great place for a romantic setting.
All My Friends Brewing
8 Stanley St Unit 5, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0 – (613) 393-9219
Looking for a place to catch up with some old friends while enjoying some quality craft beer? Look no further than All My Friends Brewing in Bloomfield, Ontario.
Check out my beer tasting at All My Friends Brewing here.
This friendly and welcoming brewery is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and sip on the perfect IPA.
Whether you’re a beer aficionado or simply looking to try something new, All My Friends Brewing has something for everyone.
So why not stop by and make some new friends while enjoying some delicious brews in beautiful Bloomfield, Ontario? Cheers to new adventures and great beer!
Dune Hopper Brewing in West Lake
Yes, it’s very close to the Sandbanks here in PEC. The fact is, most people will drive right by it on County Road 12 heading to the park.
Dune Hopper Brewing Company is a charming craft brewery located in West Lake, Ontario, near the entrance to Sandbanks Provincial Park. This family and dog-friendly establishment specializes in small-batch brewing, offering a diverse range of beers, including IPAs, sours, lagers, and seasonal rotating releases.
The brewery features a spacious outdoor area complete with a patio, fire pit, and a hop yard, making it an inviting spot for visitors to relax and enjoy their brews. Additionally, Dune Hopper Brewing provides various recreational activities such as beach volleyball and games, enhancing the overall experience for guests
An Honorable Mention That’s Not A Brewery!
The Miller House Cafe & Brasserie
Location: Lake on The Mountain, 275 County Rd 7, Prince Edward, ON, Canada- Phone: (613) 476-1321.
The Miller House at the Lake on the Mountain sells its own beer from Lake on the Mountain Brewery.
An amazing view of Glenora Ferry as you are just over 200 feet above the Bay of Quinte. It’s a great Prince Edward County patio with a view like no other.
We visit these brew buds often, and many are still open through the winter months.
See my list of all the dog-friendly breweries here in PEC
Check out this post about why we love PEC in the winter.
