This post is presented in partnership with the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association.
When the air gets crisp, it’s time for many of us to hit the road to admire the fall leaves. But leaf peeping can be thirsty work!
If you need to slake that thirst, I have good news for you: October is the perfect time to taste some of the many craft beers made in the Ottawa Valley. (It goes without saying that you need to pick a designated driver and/or enjoy your beers after you stop driving for the day…but I’ll say it anyway. ????)
Wondering where to go or what to try? Here are four ideas.
Frewtober Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival, Renfrew
Frewtober photo by Laurentian Brew Kombucha.
The lively Frewtober celebration in Renfrew, about an hour northwest of Ottawa, is a great chance to try beers from a variety of local microbreweries, including Square Timber Brewing Company (Pembroke) and Whitewater Brewing Company (Cobden).
Frewtober photo by Laurentian Brew Kombucha.
If beer isn’t your thing, no worries; you can also chow down on all sorts of tasty dishes from food trucks, such as Backyard BBQ Gourmet (Douglas) and Big D’s Dog House and Poutine Emporium (Stittsville).
Frewtober photo by Laurentian Brew Kombucha.
Wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drink makers (such as Laurentian Brew Kombucha) will be on hand, too, and you can enjoy lots of live musical entertainment as you stroll among the stalls and trucks. Basically, Frewtober pretty much takes over downtown Renfrew! It’s happening this year on Saturday, October 5, from 11am to 8:30pm.
P.S.: If you’d like to stay overnight, you might still be able to snag the Craft Beer and Food Truck Special at the Days Inn by Wyndham Renfrew Conference Centre for $109 plus taxes, including a continental breakfast. Call the hotel at 613-432-8109 to book.
Ladysmith Oktoberfest
The three-day Oktoberfest in Ladysmith (October 4 to 6) is the only Oktoberfest in the Pontiac region of the Outaouais (yes, the “Ottawa Valley” includes both sides of the Ottawa River!). This German-style celebration features craft and vendor booths, a parade, Bavarian dancers, a pumpkin contest, face painting, a truck and tractor pull, and live music by local favourites like the Riley New Band, Gail Gavan, and Rain Water Whiskey.
Ottawa Valley Craft Beer Festival
The Ottawa Valley Craft Beer Festival in Pembroke (Saturday, October 19) is about much more than beer! Along with breweries such as Whitewater Brewing Company (Cobden), Square Timber Brewing (Pembroke), Two Hawks Brewing (Petawawa) and Whiskeyjack Beer Company (Temiskaming Shores), cider makers like Crimson Cider Company (Picton) and distilleries like O’Kenny Craft Spirits (Pembroke) and Dairy Distillery (Almonte) will also be on hand. In addition, Westwinds Restaurant will be serving a special menu of festival foods.
Square Timber Brewing will be among the brewers pouring at the Ottawa Valley Craft Beer Festival.
Check the festival’s Facebook page for the latest updates.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, which includes two drink tickets and a souvenir glass.
It’s all happening at the Best Western Pembroke Inn and Conference Centre (1 International Drive) from 1pm to 11pm. Call the hotel at 613-735-0131 for information on Sip and Stay packages.
Germania Club Oktoberfest
You can sample Whitewater beers at the Germania Club Oktoberfest.
Pembroke has not one, but two, beer-themed events on Saturday, October 19. The Germania Club Oktoberfest (1pm until late) offers visitors everything from Bavarian dancers and a beer stein-hoisting contest to singalongs, yodelling and wood-cutting. You can nosh on bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzels and more provided by local favourite Ullrich’s Catering, and sip Whitewater and Square Timber beers. Local band Sidewinder will take to the stage at 8pm.
Looking for a place to stay overnight after the festivities? The Holiday Inn Express is conveniently located within walking distance of both the Germania Club Oktoberfest and the Ottawa Valley Craft Beer Festival.
Looking for more things to see and do in the Ottawa Valley this fall? Why not do the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour on October 5 and 6? You can also check out the website of the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association, which has sponsored this post.