Fredericton Taproom Trail
Sip Your Way through the Capital City on New Taproom Trail
Spanning both sides of the majestic Saint John River, Fredericton is the perfect pairing of small-town warmth with world-class festivals and cultural institutions of a city three times its size!
Whether you are visiting such cultural icons as the newly expanded Beaverbrook Art Gallery; discovering the city's past while watching the Changing of the Guard or attending an event in the Historic Garrison District; walking or biking the more than 120 km of riverside trails; or exploring the “Rhine of North America” by kayak or canoe, New Brunswick's capital city has something for everyone.
A compact downtown core means that you have access to hotels, restaurants, craft breweries, shopping and attractions, while a short walk along the trail system will lead you to explore Fredericton’s urban forests.
No visit to Fredericton is complete without a trip to the city’s markets! Consistently named as one of the best farmers’ markets in Canada, the Boyce Farmers’ Market is a Saturday morning tradition in Fredericton, and one way to get some tasty local treats to fuel your adventures. Contrast that with the newer, funkier vibe and finds at the Thursday evening Garrison Night Market, where unique and varied foods, arts and crafts; and weekly busker entertainment, and the two paint a picture of the range of experiences in this exciting destination.
All of this fun is making me thirsty!
As if all of this isn’t enough, Fredericton is hoppy to add the tasty reputation as Atlantic Canada’s Brewing Capital to this list of reasons to visit! With some of the top East Coast craft breweries and ciderhouses scattered all across the city, the concentration of inventive brewers has made Fredericton the place to be when it comes to craft beer and cider. And with 11 taprooms, one taproom per 5,400 people, it ranks Fredericton amongst the most taprooms per capita in Canada.
But we don’t just sit around and drink pints. Fredericton loves to take a fun time and amp it up! If you are an athlete, try the craft beer at our annual Beer Run. If that’s not your thing, why not participate in a tasting event such as the Down East Brew Fest, the annual Fredericton Craft Beer Festival, Beer on the Bridge, or by visiting the Tasting Room at the Garrison Night Market. Outdoorsy types can pair their beer and cider with either biking or stand up paddleboarding by participating in Beers and Gears or Paddle and Pint, two touring options provided by our partners at Second Nature Outdoors.
I’m ready - Beer me!
While there are many bars and restaurants that feature these local delicacies so that anyone looking for a refreshing pint can easily find one, the best place to give these beers and ciders a try is at the individual taprooms. Many of them feature regular live entertainment, and are both kid and pet friendly. Not to mention that many of them are conveniently situated along Fredericton’s extensive trail system for easy access.
To make a visit to these craft taprooms even more appealing, Fredericton-area breweries and cideries, in partnership with Fredericton Tourism, are making it easy for you to discover some new favourites by launching the Fredericton Taproom Trail, the first of its kind in New Brunswick.
So, how does it work?
This passport-style map lists and shows the locations of 11 taprooms around the city. Every time you grab a pint or flight of beer or cider at one of the tasting rooms listed, you’ll get a stamp for that location on your passport.
After stamps from six different taprooms, you’re eligible for one of our exclusive #FredTapTrail bumper stickers. Go to two more taprooms to bring that number to eight, and you’ll get one of our limited-edition t-shirts. And, if you visit each of the taprooms listed and submit your completed passport to Fredericton Tourism, you’ll be entered for a draw to win a free weekend at the 2021 Fredericton Craft Beer Festival – a must-attend festival for any craft beer and cider lover. Is there a better reason to stop at all 11 locations? We can’t think of one!
For extra brownie points (but no extra entries to the draw – sorry!), don’t forget to snap some photos for social media and tag #FredTapTrail. Your friends will be #jealous of all the tasty drinks you’re enjoying!
If you are over 19 years old, pick up your passport at partner taprooms listed below or at the City of Fredericton Visitor Information Centre, and start responsibly enjoying the delicious tastes found all along the Fredericton Taproom Trail!
Participating Taprooms:
Gahan House Riverside (426 Queen)
Graystone Brewing (221 King)
Grimross Brewing Co. (600 Bishop)
King West Brewing & RustiCo. (304 King)
Mama’s Brew Pub (500 Brookside)
Maybee Brewing (559 Wilsey)
Picaroons Brewing Company (912 Union)
Red Rover Craft Cider (546 Queen)
The Cap – Opening Mid-March 2020 (362 Queen)
TrailWay Brewing Co. (280 Main)
York County Cider (38 Main)
