My craft beer budget: pricing out Toronto’s newest microbreweries

There’s just one problem with being a craft beer lover — premium pints don’t come cheap.

As someone who tracks his every expense, I know that slow leaks add up quickly — especially when the word ‘craft’ is involved. And nothing kills a buzz like having to add regular beer costs to your spending spreadsheet.

With taps open at no fewer than 30 independent breweries, proposed plans to officially recognize a beer district, and too many beerfests to keep track of, Hogtown is certifiably craft crazy — which makes it tres easy to blow your budget on tasty new releases.

So this year, instead of spending embarrassing amounts of money on craft beer (guilty), or spending less money on more bland macro-brews (not a chance), I’ve resolved to spend what I consider to be a reasonable monthly amount (maximum $100 — less than half of what I used to drop) on the beers I’m most looking forward to trying.

In light of this new craft beer budget, and in anticipation of Toronto’s upcoming Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival (February 11) and Winter Brewfest (March 24-25), I set out to try a beer at five of the city’s newest microbreweries — and to do it all on a budget.

Here’s where I went and what I spent.

Blood Brothers Brewing

Opened: June 2015

Location: 165 Geary Ave.

Capacity: 20 (tap room), 20 (patio)

Vibe: It’s easy to miss this spot, and it’s all the better for it. Hidden in what looks like an old auto body shop on the suddenly trendy Geary Ave, Blood Bros. is complete with a cult motif, roll-up garage door to a small patio, cozy lighting, and fridge stocked with 600ml bottles of their latest and greatest.

What I got: Torch Double IPA. 8.9%. 80 IBUs. Brewed with El Dorado hops.

What I thought: This new release is a big and bold imperial IPA with a hint of sweetness. Tasty, but I prefer their popular 7.0% Shumei IPA.

What it cost: $6 - 12 oz

Shacklands Brewing

Opened: January 2017

Location: 100 Symes Ave.

Capacity: 100 (tap room)

Vibe: Tucked away in the newly overhauled Stockyards area, this place is pretty much your uncle’s garage, filled with old license plates, an out-of-tune piano, and random antiques. Not exactly what you’d expect from a microbrewery, but it works. Super laid back, super DIY.

What I got: Wit Saison. 4.8%.

What I thought: I’m not much of a sour beer guy, but this was delicious. It’s the best parts of a wit combined with a hint of saison tartness. Complex, unfiltered, and highly sessionable.

What it cost: $5.95 - 12 oz

Halo Brewery

Opened: May 2016

Location: 247 Wallace Ave

Capacity: 28 (tap room)

Vibe: Clean, quaint, and smartly branded. With a bit of a minimalist cafe feel, Halo is taking full advantage of the quickly gentrifying Lansdowne area.

What I got: Magic Missle Dry-Hopped Pale Ale. 5.5%. 34 IBUs.

What I thought: This full-bodied IPA is their flagship beer. It’s a perfect combination of strength and drinkability. Definitely interesting enough to keep my attention (and for me to buy a bottle to go).

What it cost: $6 - 12 oz

Bandit Brewery

Opened: April 2016

Location: 2125 Dundas St West

Capacity: 90 (restaurant), 90 (patio)

Vibe: With exposed beer tanks, hanging Edison-style light bulbs, and just enough hanging plants, Bandit is an Instagrammer’s paradise. Think laid back resto meets chic microbrewery, with an unusually spacious patio and enough indoor seating to accommodate large groups. Summer can’t some soon enough.

What I got: Dundas West Coast IPA. 7.0%. 80 IBUs. Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops.

What I thought: Loved it. Hop-forward with an impressively smooth finish. It’s the perfect beer for a hophead who’s not ready to commit to 8.5%’ers all night long.

What it cost: $7.50 - 16 oz

Burdock

Opened: March 2015

Location: 1184 Bloor St West

Capacity: 60 (resto), 85 (venue), 20 (patio)

Vibe: Full-menu restaurant, patio, music venue, and bottle room. Burdock is doing it right. The fact that there’s friendly service and top notch beer helps to make this microbrewery a destination in trendy Bloordale.

What I got: West Coast Pilsner. 5.8%.

What I thought: Pleasantly hoppy for a not-so-strong beer. Bright, tasty, and it sits on the tongue just long enough. A nice intro to hops for lager lovers.

What it cost: $6.20 - 16 oz

Last Call

After my brewery galavanting, I spent a total of $31.65 — well under my new monthly budget of $100. So maybe the secret isn’t ignoring every delicious beer that whispers my name (that would be rude), it's about making room in my budget to occasionally answer the call.