Beauty Beer Big Rig

Where to sip locally brewed craft beer in Ottawa

This brewpub-cum-sports bar has a great pedigree. Brewmaster Lon Ladell once helmed the brewhouse at Victoria’s Spinnaker Gastropub, Canada’s first brewpub. Owners include Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips, whose nickname “Big Rig” is the pub’s name, too. The newcomer of the year at the 2013 Ontario Brewing Awards, the pub makes a black IPA that topped its category at the Canadian Craft Brewing Awards. Flagship ale Big Rig Gold is made with hops grown on Phillips’s farm. And over the din of a busy night at this 300-seat hot spot, enjoy decent pub grub (moist fish tacos, savoury meat loaf).