Home Brewing, Winemaking, and Craft Beer Communities in Ottawa
Whether you’re carbonating your first homebrew keg or aging a bottle of cherry wine in your basement, there’s a growing community in Ottawa that shares your passion. From local homebrew clubs to hands-on supply stores and craft beer-focused events, there are plenty of ways to connect with like-minded hobbyists, share tips, and get better at your craft.
Here’s a quick guide to the best home brewing, winemaking, and craft beer communities in the Ottawa area.
Ottawa’s Homebrew Society
This is Ottawa’s most well-known and active home brewing group. Ottawa’s Homebrew Society brings together local brewers of all skill levels to share advice, host tastings, and support competitions.
No formal membership required
Active discussions online (Discord, Facebook)
Occasional meetups and shared brew days
Website: ottawashomebrewsociety.com
Whether you’re brewing with extract or running a full all-grain setup, it’s one of the best places to get feedback, troubleshoot gear, and trade ingredients locally.
Local Brewing & Winemaking Supply Stores
Ottawa has several well-stocked supply shops that double as informal community hubs for home beverage makers.
Recommended shops:
Beer Grains Supply Co. – Great selection of malts, hops, and draft hardware
Musca Wine Pressing & Supplies – Winemaking kits, bottles, corkers, and more
DeFalco's For Brewers & Winemakers – Longstanding local business with strong homebrew roots
Wine Station, Pure Brew, and Wine Garden South – Additional options for winemaking equipment and community knowledge
These stores often have bulletin boards, event notices, and regulars who are happy to offer advice. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation—you’ll probably get invited to a tasting.
Breweries That Welcome Homebrewers
Several craft breweries in Ottawa also act as informal gathering spots for home brewers and DIY winemakers:
These venues frequently host events like:
Tasting nights
Homebrew swaps
Beer education talks
Pop-up competitions or tap takeovers
Keep an eye on their event calendars, or ask the staff if they know of any homebrew meetups.
Education & Competitions
Want to take your skills to the next level?
Prud’homme Beer Certification offers beer education classes in Ottawa for enthusiasts and hospitality pros. Visit: tfkbeer.com
Canada Homebrews maintains a national listing of upcoming homebrew competitions. Visit: canadahomebrews.ca
Competitions are a great way to get structured feedback on your recipes and brewing process—and meet others doing the same.
Keep Your CO₂ Ready to Pour
If you’re running a kegerator, keezer, or portable draft system at home, your CO₂ cylinder needs to be kept in working condition. In Canada, these tanks must be hydro tested every 5 years to meet safety and refilling standards.
At Rapid CO₂, based in Ottawa, we offer:
CO₂ refills for home brewers and kegerators
Cylinder sales with CGA-320 valves
Hydro testing and requalification services
Support for draft setups and safe storage tips
Call 613-299-8412 to keep your homebrew setup compliant and pouring clean.
