Summer Beer Events in Cottage Country

Nothing says summer like enjoying a cold beer on the dock or patio. With six craft beer breweries located throughout cottage country, Boshkung Brewing Co. , Haliburton Highlands Brewing , Highlander Brew Co., Lake of Bays Brewing Company, Muskoka Brewery and Sawdust City Brewing Co. , you can find a local brew to suit any taste or occasion. There are special events happening throughout the season, so plan a summer trip to cottage country to enjoy local craft beer paired with food, live music and more.

The official kick-off to the summer beer season, the Muskoka 2/4 Craft Beer Festival is a celebration of food, live music and craft beer. Now in its second year, the festival takes place Saturday May 20th from 12 – 6pm at Huntsville’s River Mill Park, located directly on the Muskoka River. With more than 15 beer vendors on-site, including the region’s local breweries, you are guaranteed to find a brew you love. Food is provided by local favourites and the live music line-up lasts all day.

Yours Outdoors tours in the Haliburton Highlands provides tours throughout the summer that include stops at two local breweries: Boshkung Brewing Co. and Haliburton Highlands Brewing. Their Sip, Swill and Savoury tour as well as their Tastes of Haliburton and Stray Cats tours feature stops at the breweries while enjoying the region’s beautiful scenery and local arts scene.

The Crafted Muskoka Spring Arts Market will showcase a selection of amazing artists and artisans from across Ontario. Hosted at Sawdust City’s brewery in downtown Gravenhurst on Saturday June 3rd, the event will pair some of the region’s best beers and creative works.

Treat your Dad to a cruise aboard the historical SS Bigwin while sampling local brews from Lake of Bays Brewing Company. The 2017 Father’s Day Beer Tasting Cruise is on Saturday June 17th, with cruises departing from the Baysville Public Docks at 12:00, 2:00, or 4:00 pm.

Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with Sawdust City Brewing Co. at Funkfest on July 1st. Funkfest is Ontario’s first sour beer festival and the season’s best parking lot jam. With brews from 35 different producers, tons of live music and delicious food, add some funk to your Canada 150 celebration.

Lake of Bays Brewing Company is also getting into the Canada 150 spirit with their July 1 Canada and Customer Appreciation Day. From 11:00 – 5:00 the brewery will be hosting an outdoor BBQ and beer tasting with live music. Grab a picnic table and enjoy Canada Day with awesome food and free beer and cocktail samples.

Do you like to run? Do you enjoy a cold post-run brew? If so, the Muskoka Brewery 5K, part of the Craft Brewery Running Series, will be perfect for you. Head to Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge on Saturday July 8th for a 5 km run. Designed for runners of all skill levels (you can even bring your dog!), runners will be greeted at the finish line with a cold Muskoka Brewery beer in a collectible mug. Be sure to stay and enjoy a post-run party with food and live music.

Celebrate the August Civic Day weekend with Muskoka’s largest craft beer festival, Session Muskoka. On Saturday, August 5th head to Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge from 1:00 – 8:00 pm to sample craft brews from over 30 Ontario breweries. Amazing food vendors are an event staple, as is the impressive live music line-up. Create a four person team and compete in the Beer Olympics with events designed to test your verbal, mental and physical skills.

Join the Lake of Bays Brewing Company on Saturday, August 19th for their August Brews Cruise aboard the SS Bigwin. Leaving the Baysville dock at 2pm, enjoy a scenic cruise of Lake of Bays while sampling some of the brewery’s award winning craft beer.

Head to the Gravenhurst Wharf on Friday, August 25th and Saturday the 26th for the Muskoka Craft Beer Fest. Combining the best of beer, food and music with incredible Lake Muskoka views, the event is the perfect way to close out the summer craft brew season.

This summer, plan a trip to cottage country to enjoy the best craft beers paired with amazing events and festivals. Grab a cold one, pull up a chair and soak up some sun.

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Drink responsibly on the beer traiL. Do not drink and drive.