Mountain-Made: The Best Local Drinks in Canmore and Banff

Wild Life Distillery – Canmore

Founded by local legends Matt Widmer and Keith Robinson in 2017, Wild Life Distillery crafts vodka, gin, and a growing whisky lineup using Rocky Mountain water and Alberta grains. Their flagship Batch 001 Single Malt, aged a minimum of five years, delivers notes of marzipan, apricot, vanilla, and white chocolate, with a leather finish. They’ve also released a sherry‑cask expression and a spicier rye whisky that’s been praised for its nutmeg, caramel, and fig flavour. Tours, flights, and cocktails are available at their Canmore tasting room, a real destination for whisky lovers.

Sheepdog Brewing – Canmore & Banff

Launched in June 2019 by former first responders, Sheepdog has built a friendly, community-driven vibe. The spacious Canmore taproom welcomes dogs, families, hikers, and trail cohorts with a garage-chic setting, yoga nights, live music, and a rotating lineup of approachable styles, from juicy hazy IPAs to crisp session ales. In May 2025, they opened their second, adult-only location at 202 Banff Avenue, in partnership with Aardvark Pizza. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., this spot offers a curated selection of taproom favourites and pizza pairings.

Park Distillery – Banff

Set in a historic Banff Avenue building, Park Distillery fuses an alpine restaurant with award-winning spirits. Their vodka and gin, made from glacier-fed water, serve as the base for crafted cocktails. The barrel-aged rye is a highlight, delivering warming spice and oak notes that echo the rugged mountain heritage. Skip the ski pass, you’ll feel elevation just from a sip.

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company – Canmore

A Canmore institution since the early 2000s, Grizzly Paw is known for full-flavoured beers and a stormy personality. Favourites like Rutting Elk Red bring malty depth, while Beavertail Raspberry Ale adds fruity quench. Their lineup also includes handcrafted sodas, perfect for non-drinkers or those seeking a refreshing alternative. With a relaxed brewpub setting, it’s a reliable local hangout.

Canmore Brewing Company – Canmore

This independent brewpub is dedicated to crafting classic styles with Rocky Mountain precision. Their pilsner is bright and crisp, rivalling European standards. The porter is rich and subtly roasty. At the heart of it all is the Ten Peaks Pale Ale, a vibrant, hoppy flagship with local flair and consistency that keeps fans coming back.

BLAKE Brewhouse & Distillery – Canmore

BLAKE combines chef-driven dining with brewery and distillery operations under one roof, delivering an elevated experience. Their crafted beers range from juicy IPAs to tart sours, while small-batch gins and spirits showcase the best of Alberta's botanicals. The sleek space, with open kitchen views, is perfect for pairing bold flavours in food with creative house-made drinks.

Banff Ave Brewing Co – Banff

Anchored in the heart of Banff, this brewpub offers mountain-town warmth and energy. Their core pours, like Head Smashed IPA, sit alongside seasonal experimental batches, ensuring something new with each visit. The casual pub fare, friendly vibe, and outdoor seating beneath alpine pines make it an ideal pit stop on the way in or out of the park.

Find the Best of the Bow—All in One Place

At CanGOLF, we’re proud to support our local makers. That’s why our bar features the best beer and spirits from across the Bow Valley. No need to plan an entire pub crawl, you can sample it all right here. Pull up a stool, try a flight, enjoy a cocktail, and toast to mountain-made excellence, without missing a beat on the green.