Our Story

Muskoka Brewery crafts beverages as refreshing as the region we’re from.

Our Mission

To create premium beverages that connect people to the shared joy you feel in Muskoka.

Values

Resolve

We work hard. We are determined to win as a team and are unwavering in our desire to find a way.

Agility

We are empowered to move with speed and purpose.

Respect

We foster a culture of caring and collaboration. Our diversity makes us stronger.

Authenticity

We stay true to our independent roots and draw inspiration from the unique region we are from.

Togetherness

We share our achievements and celebrate our success together. We play hard.

Why Muskoka

There Is Only One Muskoka

It is a special place where rugged granite outcrops and lonely windswept pines meet the shimmering beauty of freshwater lakes. Unspoiled natural beauty is what people find here in Muskoka. This place is our home. It is at the heart of what we brew. Go ahead, taste it.

1996

Muskoka Brewery opens the brewery on Taylor Rd., our first home, and launches Cream Ale, a smooth and easy drinking pub-style ale.

1998

Craft Lager, formerly named Steam Beer, is released adding a thirst-quenching and flavourful lager to the line up.

2004

The one millionth bottle rolls off the line marking a significant milestone in sharing our handcrafted beers with fans across Ontario.

2011

Mad Tom West Coast IPA is released, a bold beer with notes of stone fruit, citrus, and pine that led the way for hop-forward beer domination in the craft beer industry.

2012

Muskoka Brewery opens a new brewery location on Muskoka Beach Rd. expanding production capacity and opening a taproom for guests to visit and enjoy fresh pours.

2014

Detour Session IPA is released, a trailblazing beer that offers bright citrus and tropical hop-forward flavours, all packed into a delicious light beer.

2015

The Moonlight Kettle series is created to promote beer education and innovation at the brewery with team members collaborating on a unique monthly rotating brew.

2016

Muskoka Brewery proudly becomes a Certified Living Wage Employer and reaches another major milestone of being a team of 100 individuals strong.

2017

Muskoka Spirits line up of Vodka Sodas are released, paving the way for crafting a wide portfolio of drinks so everyone can enjoy the taste of Muskoka.

2018

Launch of the Muskoka Brewery Venture Fund, a promise to make a difference in our community to raise support for preserving our natural region and surrounding environment.

2020

Tread Lightly light Lager is released, an easy-drinking and refreshing light lager that appeals to all.

2025

Muskoka Brewery celebrates 30 years of independent brewing in the heart of cottage country.

General FAQ

Gary McMullen and the late Kirk Evans founded the brewery in 1996. Our flagship beer, Cream Ale won Best Beer in Canada the same year. In 2008, partner Bob MacDonald and his family joined our team as part owner, and in 2017, Gary transferred the role of president to our former VP of Sales and Marketing, Todd Lewin.

Yes, Muskoka Brewery has been independently owned since 1996 and plans to stay that way!

We made the move from Taylor Road to Muskoka Beach Road in 2012 in order to increase our capacity. This means more beer for you – and that’s a good thing, right?

We’re always discovering and learning more about beer. Our Moonlight Kettle Series promotes brewery education, and allows us to experiment with new styles. We determine new seasonal and full-time styles based on industry research, and what our brewers excel in brewing. Got a style you think we should try? Send us a message, or better yet, drop by the Brewery with a few bottles and prove it to us!

Many large breweries, and some small ones, filter their beer, which can strip the beer of vitamins and minerals. At Muskoka, we prefer for our beer to be as natural as possible, which is why we leave these important sources of nutrients in your beer.

In 2013, we purchased a Centrifuge, one of the first breweries in Canada to do so. The centrifuge spins the beer at a high speed so large sediment can settle to the bottom – similar to a washing machine, or the Gravitron at a local fair. This is the way beer was traditionally made, up until the macro breweries wanted their lagers to be clear, and free from sediment. When beers are filtered, it removes vitamins and minerals that enhance the flavour and aroma of your beer. By keeping our beers unfiltered, this results in more flavourful beer that’s also better for you – a win-win in our books.