Decew Falls Brewing Company: A craft beer for any occasion

Even though it’s one of the newer spots in town, Decew Falls Brewing Company is already carving a place for itself in St. Catharines.

Back in 2017, the journey started with a group of four friends who all shared their love for beer. Now, the establishment is serving up multiple varieties of brews and some mouthwatering bites.

Their mission is simple. To serve up craft beer that is perfect for any occasion, including watching a game, strumming a guitar by a campfire, or pairing with a good meal.

Danielle Snoeks, general manager, says that despite only opening years ago, they’ve already created a dedicated customer base.

A big part of that has to do with their customer service. “Good service is hard to find these days,” Snoeks shares.

“So everyone’s very friendly here. It’s very small, very intimate, very homey. Everyone’s kind of in it together. And I think people really appreciate the caring.”

Merchant Ale House: Part of the community

If you’ve wandered down St. Paul Street, chances are you’ve passed Merchant Ale House.

The classic brewery, which is known for its amazing bar food and even better beer, recently just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Being well ingrained into the culture of St. Catharines is one thing that has helped the establishment thrive over the years, according to Cameron Landsey, restaurant manager.

Not only that, but Merchant Ale House prides itself on serving a wide variety of local customers.

“We kind of do a bit of everything,” says Landsey. “We’re one of the few breweries that are open until 2 am every night.”

“We get families during the day, lots of customers come from the Meridian Centre, and we also have a late night, where the students come in. So we serve a very wide range.”

The Merchant Ale House recently celebrated 25 years in business.

Despite the wide variety of customers, there is one thing everyone can agree on: it’s good beer. The most popular drinks are the Blueberry Wheat Fruit Beer and the Ales.

Lock Street Brewing Co. : An old building with lots of charm

Sitting beachside in Port Dalhousie, Lock Street Brewing Co. is a must-try for all local beer lovers.

Starting as a craft brewery focusing on German and European beers, the space has continued to expand over the years. Now, you can find an assortment of local wines, cocktails and an amazing food menu.

The variety of products is what makes the brewery so unique compared to others in the area, according to head brewer Jake Foster.

“The product offering is hyper-friendly. It’s very curated for anybody being able to walk through the door and enjoy something here,” says Foster.

Another thing that makes the brewery so unique is the space that it is located in. Being housed in a 150-year-old building, the spot has so many nooks and crannies. To make it better, the brewery is also very family and pet-friendly.

“We have our lounge space, our garden, the balcony, the tasting room, they all kind of have a different vibe to them. So no matter like what kind of setting you’re looking for, we have something here for it.”

Cold Break Brewing: All about the beer

When it comes to Cold Break Brewing, it’s all about the beer, food and atmosphere.

The century-old building used to be an old sheet metal shop before it was transformed into the brewery that it is today.

Keeping the ambiance of the building, owner Noel Buckley says their focus is to offer some great beers and friendly customer service.

“If you want to come for a great atmosphere, great casual, relaxed food and a wide variety of really, really good beers. This is the place to come,” says Buckley.

One of their most popular brews is the Sublime, which is a hazy IPA. Not only is it available at Cold Break, but has also started to make its way around the region.

It can currently be found in 25 to 30 licensees in the Niagara region. It’s also available in 15 to 20 LCBOs.

When it comes to food, everyone is drooling over the smash burger. “We happen to think it’s the best hamburger you can get in all of Niagara,” says Buckley.