Ontario craft brewers launch self-guided 'discovery tours'

The association representing Ontario craft brewers has launched self-guided "discovery tours" in and around the province's protected Greenbelt region.

In addition to breweries and hops farms that welcome visitors, the routes take in cheesemakers, craft cideries, farmers markets and restaurants showcasing local food.

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One itinerary along the south shore of Georgian Bay, from Owen Sound to Kimberley, includes three breweries, three cideries and a hops farm.

Another tour starts at the Old Credit Brewing company in Mississauga and winds up at Upper Canada Cheese Co. in Lincoln, with sites in Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton and Grimsby along the way.

There is also a route from St. Jacobs to New Hamburg in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

The Ontario Craft Brewers Association comprises more than 55 brewers.

Tour maps can be downloaded at www.ontariocraftbrewers.com.