Brew Donkey

Brew Donkey The company was started to help people explore the beverage makers of Ottawa - We still do that today. Explore craft beer locally!

Safe space for EVERYONE 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 ♿
Ottawa Ontario We are Brew Donkey, a brewery tour operator servicing craft breweries in Ottawa.

Ottawa Craft Beer Week is coming!!! AND so is our first ever Hop on Hop off shuttle. We're getting excited to help celeb...
08/19/2024

Ottawa Craft Beer Week is coming!!! AND so is our first ever Hop on Hop off shuttle.

We're getting excited to help celebrate this inaugural event.

We've had a few questions about this product, so we'll provide a bit of an explanation here.

First and foremost, each ticket for the hop-on, hop-off shuttle comes with a $5 Brew Donkey glass. That's a pretty sweet deal, we think.

The shuttle is meant to help guests get to one or two of the participating locations' events. This is primarily in support of the breweries that are putting on events during OCBW.
This is NOT a tour and does NOT include any programming from us. The bus schedule is listed on the booking page.
Guests are encouraged to get on or off at any of the locations by paying attention to the schedule when booking.

Savvy guests can enjoy three breweries with the help of our shuttle by waiting for us at one of the participating breweries listed in the schedule instead of our office pick-up on Elgin St.

As mentioned in the listing, we also do not guarantee return transportation. Our hope is that you spend the rest of your evening after the service ends enjoying beverages at one of the amazing shuttle stops.

We're looking forward to the week-long event and to doing what we do best: helping people get to local breweries.

Over the last four years, the brewing industry in Ottawa has suffered a few sad losses. This article sheds some light on...
08/15/2024

Over the last four years, the brewing industry in Ottawa has suffered a few sad losses. This article sheds some light on a complex issue that all businesses deal with.

Breweries are the local bakeries for the socially minded. Be sure to support your local maker of that liquid bread.

co/ - CBC - Ontario craft breweries struggle with rising costs

Link to New in Bio (Instagram News Stories)

Like a jammer flying around the track, this trip is one of our fastest-selling tours.  Last offered in 2019, we are ecst...
08/12/2024

Like a jammer flying around the track, this trip is one of our fastest-selling tours.
Last offered in 2019, we are ecstatic to welcome back the team from Ottawa Valley Roller Derby - for our Crush'd and Brews'd tour. This tour combines the excitement of a behind-the-scenes tour at a few breweries and watching flat-track roller derby. This tour will even have a representative from OVRD to tell us a bit about the sport and how it works!!

This weekend August 17th: (Link to "Tours with Activities" in Bio)

https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/crushd-and-brewsd-tour-august-17th-2024

Don't miss your chance to snag a seat on this star collaboration.

🙀VERY BIG DEAL😮For the first time ever, we are offering a Hop On Hop Off brewery shuttle.  These shuttles are part of th...
08/12/2024

🙀VERY BIG DEAL😮
For the first time ever, we are offering a Hop On Hop Off brewery shuttle. These shuttles are part of the - Ottawa Craft Beer Week events happening around the region.
Only $10, and it includes a Brew Donkey Glass

Be sure to check out the site, share this post, and follow their social pages for more events and details.
All events (and the week) are brewery-run and organized entirely to support the brewers of Ottawa and the area.

Links for Tickets (In Bio for Instagram):
🔚 East on 23rd of August
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/ocbw-hop-on-hop-off-08-23-2024
👉 West on the 30th of August
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/ocbw-hop-on-hop-off-08-30-2024

**Those who buy will be able to track the bus with a link closer to the date.
Brew Donkey does not guarantee a ride back to your original pick-up location. Buses may be early or late due to traffic.
Includes a Brew Donkey Glass and access to the Brew Donkey Hop On Hop Off bus during the event. Tours, beverages and food are NOT included.**

Last week we had the pleasure of hosting a very unique conference event. 🐀 🐴 🐺 🐶The CanFURence event has been hosted in ...
08/07/2024

Last week we had the pleasure of hosting a very unique conference event.
🐀 🐴 🐺 🐶
The CanFURence event has been hosted in Ottawa since 2017 and is a multi-format event for those who want to explore and enjoy the furry community.

It has always been renowned for being a great time, and for the last two years, we have tried to contribute to that enjoyment.

We can't wait for next year and are happy to be part of the event

🐀 🐴 🐺 🐶

Thanks to - Vimy Brewing Company & - Beyond the Pale Brewing Company for hosting us.

- Canfurence

🙀VERY BIG DEAL😮For the first time ever, we are offering a Hop On Hop Off brewery shuttle.  These shuttles are part of th...
08/05/2024

🙀VERY BIG DEAL😮
For the first time ever, we are offering a Hop On Hop Off brewery shuttle. These shuttles are part of the - Ottawa Craft Beer Week events happening around the region.
Only $10, and it includes a Brew Donkey Glass

Be sure to check out the site, share this post, and follow their social pages for more events and details.
All events (and the week) are brewery-run and organized entirely to support the brewers of Ottawa and the area.

Links for Tickets (In Bio for Instagram):
🔚 East on 23rd of August
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/ocbw-hop-on-hop-off-08-23-2024
👉 West on the 30th of August
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/ocbw-hop-on-hop-off-08-30-2024

**Those who buy will be able to track the bus with a link closer to the date.
Brew Donkey does not guarantee a ride back to your original pick-up location. Buses may be early or late due to traffic.
Includes a Brew Donkey Glass and access to the Brew Donkey Hop On Hop Off bus during the event. Tours, Beverages and food are NOT included.**

Line up next weekend - 3 stellar Quebec breweries on one tour. Samples and Tours at each location. Also, a brewery and d...
08/04/2024

Line up next weekend - 3 stellar Quebec breweries on one tour. Samples and Tours at each location. Also, a brewery and distillery tour coupled with axe throwing and a meal.

La Belle Brew-Mance - $95
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/la-belle-brew-mance-express-tour-august-10th-2024
Sip Axe and Relax - $130
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/sip-axe-and-relax-tour-august-10th-2024

Visiting Chelsea & Co microbrasserie - - - Brasserie du Bas-Canada as well as BATL Axe Throwing - - North of 7 Distillery - - - Dominion City Brewing Co.

Most breweries pasteurize canned NA beer to ensure safety and shelf life, but those draft kegs and draft lines... 🔬🔬Any ...
08/03/2024

Most breweries pasteurize canned NA beer to ensure safety and shelf life, but those draft kegs and draft lines... 🔬🔬

Any thoughts on this? These beers are increasing in popularity.
🔭(Also stay tuned for a Dry January/February tour series)

co/ - VinePair - Draft Non-Alcoholic Beer Is Growing. So Are Questions About Its Safety.

Link in Bio under Instagram News Stories (FB too)

✨CONTEST🤩Giveaway time: Tag the FRIEND you would bring and which BREWERY you are most excited to visit or try on any one...
08/01/2024

✨CONTEST🤩
Giveaway time: Tag the FRIEND you would bring and which BREWERY you are most excited to visit or try on any one of our tours.

We are giving away 2 tickets for our upcoming August 17th Crush'd and Brews'd collaboration tour.
🏅On this tour, you'll get to watch a - Ottawa Valley Roller Derby match and visit two of our beverage partners.
You will get to learn about and try the wares of - Bicycle Craft Brewery & - Brew Revolution.
All this with a meal and premium seats to the game, and YES, - Vimy Brewing Company will be serving some delicious beers at the game.

🎟LINK for all details: https://www.brewdonkey.ca/products/crushd-and-brewsd-tour-august-17th-2024 (Link in Bio for Instagram - Tours with Activities)

The contest will close, and winners will be drawn Monday, August 5th @ 12 noon.
(watch for a similar contest on Ottawa Valley Roller Derby Accounts next week)

Sad day East of Ottawa.  Your location, stories and passion will be missed. The Gougounes Rousses will be as well!
08/01/2024

Sad day East of Ottawa.
Your location, stories and passion will be missed. The Gougounes Rousses will be as well!

Today, the Bracebridge beverage supply company  - Brew Culture Inc. announced their closure. The work that this company ...
07/31/2024

Today, the Bracebridge beverage supply company - Brew Culture Inc. announced their closure.

The work that this company did to help create and develop the industry in Ontario was significant. Their presence will be missed in the brew houses around the region.

Congratulations on a silver Olympic medal for the Women's  team. They'll always be winners in our heart. Thanks for tour...
07/30/2024

Congratulations on a silver Olympic medal for the Women's team.

They'll always be winners in our heart. Thanks for touring with us last July after your win in Ottawa.

CC/

🍻GIVEAWAY🍻 - Soooo, we have a few new tours in the works at any given time. On the drawing board right now is:✨ a tour w...
07/26/2024

🍻GIVEAWAY🍻 - Soooo, we have a few new tours in the works at any given time.

On the drawing board right now is:

✨ a tour with a VR experience coupled with beer and spirits - - North of 7 Distillery with - Zero Latency Ottawa I Free-Roam VR Arena

✨ a tour experience that will help you explore during January and February without breaking your dry month promise.

We were hoping you could help with the names of these 2 new tours launching over the fall and winter.

💡Ideas to keep in mind:
We love puns, and we have been known to like pop-culture references. The best name will win a set of 4 tickets on their namesake trip (or any other if needed)

Feel free to ask the Dad's in your life for help if you feel with the puns!!!

For those who remember the  event in the Hintonburg neighbourhood that lasted from 2014 to 2018, this podcast interviews...
07/24/2024

For those who remember the event in the Hintonburg neighbourhood that lasted from 2014 to 2018, this podcast interviews one of the masterminds behind it (aka Cass Enright).
The event was run locally by some superstars, who made sure that every brewery felt valued and that the event was full of great guests like you.

C/O - Great Lakes Brewery - with Cass Enright of
https://youtu.be/c26yIZKeLOQ?si=3GPOwF14A5e-2Ch1

Photo throwback to a time in November of 2013.Our 2nd ever tour that had a "Who's Who" of royalty on board. Marc and Jus...
07/22/2024

Photo throwback to a time in November of 2013.

Our 2nd ever tour that had a "Who's Who" of royalty on board.

Marc and Justin of Stray Dog Brewing Company -
Shawna of Acclivity (formerly ReSoMe)
Sara of - Top Shelf Preserves
Justin of - Perch Ottawa
Ryan, our TICO legal saviour of 2015
Katy of 613BeerCast

Audio throwback to August of 2016 with 613BeerCast - We chatted quite enthusiastically about  with Dave and Katy.  There...
07/20/2024

Audio throwback to August of 2016 with 613BeerCast -

We chatted quite enthusiastically about with Dave and Katy. There was optimism and excitement and the craft scene was so different.

Please give it a listen, and then take a look through the archives. Would you like to see more Ottawa Content like this?

https://613beercast.com/episode-24-beaus-10th-anniversary-beers (Instagram Link in Bio - Instagram News)

We specialize in getting you to beer and beverage makers around the Ottawa area.  Those are the trips that make the whee...
07/18/2024

We specialize in getting you to beer and beverage makers around the Ottawa area. Those are the trips that make the wheels on the bus go round.
We additionally try to collaborate with the other stellar makers of experiences in the area.
This weekend we are visiting - Camp Fortune for Zip Lining and a ride on the Mountain Coaster as well as 2 breweries.

You can find our entire collection of trips on our site, including those with activities.
You can use the category selector on the Browse Tours page to find them or follow the link below.

https://www.brewdonkey.ca/collections/brewery-tours-with-activities?view=full

We've been announced as a finalist for the Arival  TourReview Spotlight Awards.It's pretty amazing to be recognized for ...
07/12/2024

We've been announced as a finalist for the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards.

It's pretty amazing to be recognized for the amount of great reviews that we get. Those reviews are submitted by the people who've taken our tours and even though there's a few that we had to learn from over the years, we've managed to retain a pretty great rating.

Arival and TourReview created the Spotlight Awards to shine the "spotlight on the businesses who are consistently wowing their customers."

Although we can admit that our tour product definitely wows our customers we are never able to do it without our amazing destination partners.

We don't make beer, we don't make scones, we are not a distillery, we don't even drive the bus.
We wouldn't have been able to WOW without the amazing help of our destination and logistics partners.

Earlier this year we were lucky enough to have Mel from  - BRB Travel Blog on tour with us. She has outlined some of the...
07/11/2024

Earlier this year we were lucky enough to have Mel from - BRB Travel Blog on tour with us. She has outlined some of the great breweries in the area and our tour in their post.
It is always great to get coverage like this with the help of Ottawa Tourism -

https://www.brbtravelblog.com/blog/ottawa-breweries

Since our launch in 2013, we have used the tried-and-true yellow school bus for our tours. Our type of business is a soc...
07/09/2024

Since our launch in 2013, we have used the tried-and-true yellow school bus for our tours.

Our type of business is a social experience that almost always occurs on weekends. This means multiple buses are out on the same day when we are busy.

In 2015, we had the pleasure of starting to work with - Roxborough Bus Lines Ltd. We created a unique arrangement that would allow us to showcase our brand and augment the tour experience with a branded and modified bus for our tour patrons.
The Brew Donkey Bus has a full bus wrap thanks to K6Media - (yes, the roof, too!), booth seating, tables and a selfie booth. It is a showpiece that we are proud of.

The good old yellow bus does the heavy lifting, though. Due to scheduling, we send a yellow bus out more often than the BD bus and are proud of it!

These are after all, educational experiences that can best be described as an adult field trip. Instead of a bus to the History Museum, we have a bus to the Unofficial Craft Beer Maker Museum! ( - Tourism)



📸- Photo #3 & #4 thanks to BRB Travel Blog

Did you know you can get beer slushies at .beer?  Amazing, delicious and with a side of nostalgia.
07/06/2024

Did you know you can get beer slushies at .beer? Amazing, delicious and with a side of nostalgia.

It always happens. 🐴 Us - We do amazing beer tours.  🚫 Them - I don't drink beerA few years ago we found a genius fix fo...
06/23/2024

It always happens.

🐴 Us - We do amazing beer tours.
🚫 Them - I don't drink beer

A few years ago we found a genius fix for this by creating a trip that showcased All Things Brewed, literally.

Visiting - Kin Vineyards, - Hummingbird Chocolate Maker, - Dairy Distillery and - Braumeister Brewing Co.

You can find this trip design on July 27th, August 3rd (Long Weekend) and September 14th.

Our Hot Links page has links to all "Tours with Activities".
https://www.brewdonkey.ca/collections/brewery-tours-with-activities?view=full

#

It's 5 O'clock somewhere!Happy Friday!What time do you believe you should wait until to have your first beer of the day?
06/21/2024

It's 5 O'clock somewhere!

Happy Friday!

What time do you believe you should wait until to have your first beer of the day?

   What is a Saison?French for “season,” Saisons are traditional, pastoral (related to grazing sheep or cattle) ale that...
06/19/2024



What is a Saison?

French for “season,” Saisons are traditional, pastoral (related to grazing sheep or cattle) ale that originated in the farmhouses of Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. The historic style is characterized by low alcohol, a light body, and high carbonation. Expect an ester spice taste and supreme dryness. Great on a hot day!

One of the beautiful things about saison, though, is that the style is relatively open to interpretation. So, brewers might lean into the hoppier side of things, drawing inspiration from beers like XX Bitter from De Ranke. Or, brewers could channel the lambic producers of Belgium for a more complex, wild interpretation of the style.

Check out some local Saisons on your next Brew Donkey tour from Spark Beer, Beyond the Pale, & Dominion City!

Spark Beer - .beer Dominion City Brewing Co. - Beyond the Pale Brewing Company -

Our tours can be described in many ways.➡ Adult Field Trips➡ Curated Regional Adult Field Trips (CRAFT)➡ Brewery Crawls➡...
06/17/2024

Our tours can be described in many ways.

➡ Adult Field Trips
➡ Curated Regional Adult Field Trips (CRAFT)
➡ Brewery Crawls
➡ We drive you to drink
➡ Beverage Adventures

No matter how you describe it, guests who take our tours seem to enjoy them. If you have had a great time on a Brew Donkey Tour, don't keep it to yourself.
🌎 Tell the world.

If you want to leave us a kind review try to option below.

➡ Google - https://g.page/r/CasiM08e3FymEBM/review
➡ Trip Advisor - https://www.tripadvisor.ca/UserReviewEdit-g155004-d7291647-Brew_Donkey-Ottawa_Ontario.html

But wait, there's more.Ontario is shaking up the entirety of the AGCO (Alcohol and GAMING Commission of Ontario).Seems t...
06/14/2024

But wait, there's more.

Ontario is shaking up the entirety of the AGCO (Alcohol and GAMING Commission of Ontario).
Seems that a $250 million payout was only part of the story. Beer Store locations may soon be able to sell you scratchers.
Do you need some Bingo Scratch Tickets and Sleemans Cream Ale? Visit the Beer and Bingo Store of Ontario.

CO/ - CBC - - Lotto sales could be coming to The Beer Store, LCBO - Small business owners say change could cut hurt revenue, just as they're about to be able to sell alcohol

Link to News Stories in our bio [Instagram News Stories]

There is still space on our Father's Day tour this Sunday.  12 spaces for you and Dad to explore  - Dominion City Brewin...
06/13/2024

There is still space on our Father's Day tour this Sunday.
12 spaces for you and Dad to explore - Dominion City Brewing Co. & - Orléans Brewing Co. - OBC & - Shillow Beer Co.
The trip is 1:15 to 5:15 p.m. and includes a light snack from - The SconeWitch

If he already has Sunday plans, we have a Friday trip for your touring pleasure. Starting at 5:15 p.m., we will be rolling into - Vimy Brewing Company & .lager - Local Lager & - Beyond the Pale Brewing Company - This trip also has a light snack from - The SconeWitch

Links to all tours are in our Bio and in the first comment.

I know. I know. We have already told you this.Ottawa has some of the best breweries and beer in the world.  World Beer C...
06/03/2024

I know. I know.
We have already told you this.

Ottawa has some of the best breweries and beer in the world. World Beer Cup thinks so. Now, the Canadian Brewing Awards is corroborating the story.

With at least 6 winning entries from 3 breweries, we cleaned up. Happy to be able to visit these local stars.
Who would be up for a hardware viewing tour? See the medal and drink the beer!

[Link to Instagram News Stories in Bio]

CO/Forbes - The Best Beers In Canada, According To The Canadian Brewing Awards

Tooth and Nail Brewing Company - Flora Hall Brewing - Brauwerk Hoffman - Chelsea & Co microbrasserie

🍻🎉 CONTEST ALERT - Day 3 🎉🍻We are so excited for this final giveaway of two 4-packs of tickets to Session 2 of the Orléa...
06/01/2024

🍻🎉 CONTEST ALERT - Day 3 🎉🍻

We are so excited for this final giveaway of two 4-packs of tickets to Session 2 of the Orléans Festivals Craft Beer Festival! 🍺✨

2 other winners are planning a hell of a day out with five friends.

This time 2 winners will get 4 tickets to attend Session 2, which takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8th. We have been saying it but there will be 30 different Ontario breweries. 30 is huge. Locals like Beyond the Pale Brewing Company, BIG RIG Brewery, Bicycle Craft Brewery, Spark Beer, Dominion City Brewing Co. & Stray Dog Brewing Company to name a few.

How to enter:
➡Like our page (if you don't.... well you can't win. So do it!)
➡Tag the friends you’d bring with you in the comments below

Miss out this time? No worries! We’ll have TWO more giveaways later this week! 🎟️

Good luck, and cheers to great times with great friends! 🍻

📅 Contest ends Sunday, May 26th at 11:59pm, so enter now! 📅

Address

987 Wellington Street W
Ottawa, ON
K1Y2Y1

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Explore craft beer locally!

This company was started to help get locals to the makers of the beer they love and that is exactly what it still does. Every year we devote our time and effort to help get people to local beverage producers. While there we chat, sample and experience.

Hop on a Brew Donkey tour and experience the spectacular beverages that our cities make.


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