Updated November 12, 2021

I love being able to take a break from travelling to enjoy a locally-made beverage and even better is finding a brewery that allows dogs. More rare than the dog friendly brewery is a dog friendly winery. It is such a fun way to experience the local atmosphere and support an independent business. Not to mention the drinkable souvenirs that give you a story to tell.

Needless to say, we have found a few of these gems over the years. This list is far from exhaustive and will be updated as we discover new locations.  All information was accurate at the time of our visit.   If dogs are allowed in certain areas, I have included that and if there is no notation, then dogs are welcome everywhere. In case you were wondering about the listing scheme, it’s alphabetical by country, then province or state, then city or town. Or scroll to the bottom for a handy map to see if we’ve been to a brewery or winery near you. Without further ado, let’s get drinking:

Canada

Alberta

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company, 622 8 St., Canmore (patio only)

Date of Visit:  September 11, 2018  

The beer here was insanely good.  The Beavertail Raspberry Ale was the best raspberry beer I have ever consumed, as in dangerously good. My favourite was the Rutting Elk Red and I loaded up.  The staff are very helpful and have a quick hand with the samples.  The swag is pretty cool too.  Even though it was too cold to enjoy the dog-friendly patio, it’s nice to know it’s an option for the next time we pass by.

Folding Mountain Brewing, 49321 Folding Mountain Vlg, Hinton (patio only)

Date of Visit: September 5, 2021

Located just outside of the north boundary to Jasper National Park, this brewery is ideally located for a quick stop before entering the park.  Unfortunately our stop occurred during the pandemic I did not want to get a photo of the brewery full of people but the seating area was well-designed and spacious.  Dogs are allowed on the patio as evidenced by the multitude of canines I saw enjoying the space.  The beer is outstanding with several different styles.

Hell’s Basement Brewery Inc., 522 18 St. SW #102, Medicine Hat

Date of Visit: September 22, 2017

When I brought the dogs here after facing off with dinosaurs and hoodoos, they were welcomed like the superstars they feel they are. I love when dogs are ale to sit inside the brewery with me, especially when the weather is less than ideal. It also means that you can belly up to the bar and chat away with the staff. The staff were very helpful when it came to choosing a beer and the beer that I did have was delicious. They also had a wide selection of seasonal beers which is nice to see.

British Columbia

Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard, 1218 27 Ave. S., Creston (vineyards)

Date of Visit:  September 14, 2018    

This is an elegant winery with a very classy feel to it and even though I came in after hiking with the dogs in the wilderness, they made me feel welcome.  Knowledgable staff help you find the perfect glass or bottle and  I was able to walk the dogs through the vineyard which was very relaxing. And talk about a view.

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, 1140 27 Ave. S., Creston (tasting room and vineyards)

Date of Visit:  September 14, 2018     

Located directly adjacent to Skimmerhorn, Baillie-Grohman allowed the dogs to join me inside the tasting room as I sampled the wares.  I found it a bit more laid back than Skimmerhorn and the resident dog was a boxer so of course I was smitten. Dog-friendly wineries are hard to find and are an absolute treasure when you do.

Bad Tattoo Brewing Company, 169 Estabrook Road, Penticton (patio only)

Date of Visit: September 10, 2021

Bad Tattoo Brewing Company has two locations: one in Kelowna and one in Penticton.  While I stopped at the one in Kelowna, they are not dog-friendly.  However, the staff told me that the Penticton location allows dogs on the patio.  While the beer is tasty with many unique flavours and styles, the designs on the cans are almost worth more than the beer.

Whistler Brewing Company, 1045 Miller Creek Road, Whistler (patio only)

Date of Visit: September 9, 2021

This brewery is a short walk from a nice trail system in Whistler and with dogs allowed on the patio, it would have been a nice place to stay.  At the time of our visit, the sidewalk patio had too many people for us to sit and enjoy the sun and some suds.  I will say that if you are a fan of dark beers, the Black Tusk Ale is one of my favourites and I would happily return for more.

Manitoba

Farmery Estate Brewery, 480 MB-5, Neepawa (patio)

Date of Visit:  September 9, 2018       

Talk about a hidden gem.  The Endless Summer lager was perfect to enjoy on the large patio complete with a food truck that offered up some fine fish and chips.  I was blown away by the Pink Lemonade and Hard Iced Tea.  I’ll admit that I didn’t ask if dogs were allowed in the tasting room since I originally hadn’t planned to stay. Whoops.

Ontario

Muskoka Brewery, 1964 Muskoka Beach Road, Bracebridge (next to patio)

Date of Visit: June 16, 2019

Muskoka Brewery has a dizzying selection of beer and even offers up several different types of gin. They now prepare and serve food so dogs are not allowed inside the tasting room or on the patio. The side of the patio has hooks all down it’s length for leashes. They also don’t have table service so you have to go inside to order your drinks.

Sawdust City Brewing Co., 397 Muskoka Road North, Gravenhurst

Date of Visit: June 16, 2019

This was such a fun and unexpected find. There is a huge selection of beers on tap with a core menu and several offerings that change with the seasons. On the date of our visit, there were 17 different beers. They also have a great selection of swag (throw pillows anyone?)

Canvas Brewing Company, 12 John Street, Huntsville (lower patio)

Date of Visit: March 30, 2021

This brewery is conveniently close to Algonquin Provincial Park which means that it is a perfect way to rehydrate after a day of hiking. They serve snacks and you can bring your own food there as well, which is fantastic because there are so many restaurants nearby that it will keep everyone happy. There is a good selection of beers and all of the ones I had were fantastic.

Windmill Brewery, 5 Newport Drive, Johnstown

Date of Visit:  July 4, 2018     

It is a small tasting room but dogs are welcome as long as you keep them out of the bakery next door.  While this brewery does not have a wide selection of brews, the ones they do have are definitely worth sampling. This brewery is a short drive from Highway 401 making it an easy place to visit.

Market Brewing Co., 17775 Leslie Street, Newmarket

Date of Visit:  December 19, 2018     

You’ll find Market Brewing tucked away in what used to be a garage with ample parking.  Not just a brewery, it markets itself as an event space and there is a stage permanently set up in one corner for a show with your beer.  It is one of the larger places that we have visited which is nice to have space away from people that may not like dogs (weirdos).

Three Dog Winery, 1920 Fish Lake Road, Picton 

Date of Visit:  August 19, 2016   

With a name like Three Dog, I had to stop on our tour through “The County”.  As is typical in Prince Edward County, the winery staff are very welcoming and laid-back and the tasting room has a rustic feel to it.  After I had sampled my way through the wares, the dogs were welcome to enjoy a run among the vines.  They offer yoga and make wood-fired pizza on the weekends during the summer. Being able to find a dog-friendly winery in Ontario is a real treat and this one is well worth a visit.

Old Flame Brewing Co. , 135 Perry St., Port Perry

Date of Visit: May 6, 2019

The selection of beer offered here is insane for such a small brewery with at least nine different beers, and even a cider, offered on tap. Located in downtown Port Perry, this is a great place to visit after wandering the historic downtown or Lake Scugog.

Side Launch Brewing Company, 200 Mountain Road, Unit 1, Collingwood

Date of Visit: August 5, 2020

We just happened to be driving through Collingwood because I wanted some poutine and to go hiking in the Blue Mountain area. After a day of trudging up a mountain, some wonderfully cold beer went down perfectly. We visited during Covid-19 so we were seated on the patio outside which was perfect for us, especially since I had slipped in some mud on said mountain and was filthy.

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., 712 Macdonell St., Thunder Bay (patio only)

Date of Visit:  September 22, 2018 

The tasting room is so large you won’t feel left out since dogs are not allowed in the restaurant side.  Enjoy a flight of suds then stand in front of the wall of beer to figure out how much you can fit in your car. Recent visits with Covid restrictions meant the tasting room wasn’t open but the pups were allowed on the patio area in the front.

The Second Wedge Brewing Co., 14 Victoria Street, Uxbridge

Date of Visit: Frequently      

This is my home base brewery, partly because it is the closest to home but also because I have had some of my most favourite beer here.  In the summer, the Uxbridge Farmer’s Market sets up next to the brewery.

Beau’s, 10 Terry Fox Drive, Vankleek Hill

Date of Visit:  July 23, 2017       

One of the original big-name craft breweries in Ontario, the array of beers offered is impressive and there are plenty of samples available.  This is the first place I ever had a milk stout and I’m pretty sure I heard angels singing somewhere. There is a large covered patio outside that serves up some great food.

United States

Illinois

Baxter’s Vineyards & Winery, 2010 Parley Street, Nauvoo (patio only)  

Date of Visit:  May 15, 2017    

As far as I know, Illinois is not exactly known as wine country but it makes sense given the moderating effect of Lake Michigan.  There’s no stuffy wine snobs here and it has a a low-key and welcoming feel to it.  After buying some bottles to take as souvenirs, I enjoyed a delightful wine slushy on the patio with the dogs.  The fact that this winery is practically stumbling distance from Nauvoo State Park is a bonus.

Empirical Brewery, 1801 W Foster Ave., Chicago

Date of Visit: February 15, 2019

Be still my nerd heart. This was one lucky find on so many levels: I got to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Wars: Rogue One, I had the opportunity to chat with the sales manager which made me want to move to Chicago, and I was able to enjoy some of the finest beer I have had in a long time. And I got to do all that with my dogs. This is one brewery that I will make plans to visit whenever we are close and is definitely one of my all-time favourites.

Michigan

Contessa Wine Cellars, 3235 Friday Road, Coloma (patio only)

Date of Visit:  May 7, 2018     

I never really imagined a winery in Michigan and yet, Contessa is a fine example of the agricultural richness found in the area.  The views offered from the patio makes me wonder why anyone would want to be inside if they didn’t have to be.  On a side note: the cherry wine is dangerously good and goes exceptionally well with chocolate, especially from the chocolate shop next door.

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub, 24019 Upper Falls Drive, Paradise Tahquamenon Falls State Park (patio only)

Date of Visit:  August 11, 2018       

A brewery in a state park is unique to say the least, and they brew the beer using water from the falls themselves.  It’s a great way to rehydrate and recover after spending the day hiking the trails as we did on our way through.  Be warned: if you’re eating on the patio, they will charge you a “to go” fee.

Greenbush Brewing Co., 5870 Sawyer Road, Sawyer  (dogs are only allowed on the patio next to the sidewalk of The Annex) 

Date of Visit:  May 7, 2018     

The fact that a small town like Sawyer could have a bustling brewery is a testament to the quality of the beer.  They have the Taproom on one side of the road and The Annex on the opposite side. The Annex will allow dogs but they have to stay next to the fence and you cannot simply walk them in the front door to the patio; meaning the only option is to negotiate through the wire strands that define the patio. This is just a short drive from Coloma so you can stop for the beer drinkers and the wine drinkers and keep everyone happy.

Minnesota

Voyageur Brewery Company, 233 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais (patio only)

Date of Visit:  August 14, 2018       

Don’t let the relaxed atmosphere fool you: the quality of the food and beer is second to none.  Even better were the water bowls placed all over the patio for thirsty canine travellers.  This brewery allows you to sit back with a beer and enjoy the view of Grand Marais Harbor. Once you leave Grand Marais, there are wide open beaches to let dogs and humans splash and play after being good on the patio.

New Mexico

Sierra Blanca Brewing Company, 1016 Industrial Road, Moriarty

Date of Visit:  February 26, 2018     

I thought that I had gotten lost driving to this brewery.  It seems like it is on the edge of civilization but once you step inside, you are greeted by a selection of different beers and welcoming staff.  I was lucky enough to have the limited edition cherry wheat and it blew my mind.  The beer garden is one of the nicest I have ever seen and the dogs enjoyed exploring (and rolling in Leo’s case).

New York

Clayton Distillery, 40164 NY-12, Clayton (patio only)

Date of Visit:  July 3, 2018          

Technically not a brewery or winery but dogs are allowed on the patio which is a fine way to experience the handcrafted spirits made from locally sourced ingredients. If you’re there in the summer, get the slushy.

Prohibition Distillery, 10 Union Street, Roscoe

Date of Visit: March 6, 2020

A dog-friendly brewery and a dog-friendly distillery mere blocks from each other? Be still my heart. The dogs were able to come inside with me as I got a lesson in the various offerings of the distillery. This was a fantastic place to visit.

Roscoe Beer Co., 145 Rockland Rd., Roscoe

Date of Visit: March 6, 2020

I had no idea that I was going to find a brewery with such outstanding beer when we stopped in Roscoe or that they would be completely dog-friendly. I was also lucky enough to arrive on the day that had bacon sandwiches as the special.

North Carolina

Childress Vineyards, 1000 Childress Vineyards Road, Lexington (vineyards)

Date of Visit: April 22, 2016

We were passing through Lexington as we explored the North Carolina Historic BBQ Trail, and when I heard that Childress Vineyards made wines specifically to be enjoyed with barbecue, naturally I had to stop for a visit. Unfortunately, they had sold out of those wines but I still picked up a few bottles for souvenirs that I enjoyed later.

Wisconsin

Potosi Brewing Company, 209 S. Main Street, Potosi (patio only)

Date of Visit:  May 16, 2017     

This was one of my most favourite breweries that we happened to stumble across as we followed the Great River Road.  A waterfall next to the patio lent a sense of calm in the quiet town and the food was outstanding.  This is one place that I would happily return to.   

Do you have any thoughts about our list? Are there any breweries or wineries that we should visit next? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.