🍺 Renfrew Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival
Local craft breweries, food trucks & live acoustic music — sweater weather celebration
Date
Oct 3, 2026
Cost
🎉 FREE Entry
Where
Renfrew, ON
Hours
12 PM–8 PM
A celebration of the Ottawa Valley’s thriving craft beer scene. Over 10 local and regional craft breweries, food trucks serving diverse cuisine, live acoustic music from local musicians, and community vibes in downtown Renfrew. Free entry, casual atmosphere, autumn ambiance.
🍺 10+ craft breweries
🚚 Food trucks
🎵 Live acoustic music
🍂 Sweater weather
💡 Downtown Renfrew location means easy street parking and walkable access. Bring cash for beer samples and food. The Ottawa Valley has become a craft beer destination — this festival showcases local brewers that may not be in your regular LCBO.
What to Experience at Renfrew Craft Beer Festival
🍺 10+ Local Craft Breweries
The heart of the festival. Craft breweries from the Ottawa Valley and eastern Ontario set up sampling stations. Whitewater Brewing Company, a flagship local brewery, participates regularly. Meet the brewers, learn about their craft, taste small samples, and support local production. Many breweries sell merchandise and cans on-site.
🚚 Diverse Food Trucks
Multiple food trucks serve a variety of cuisine, from street food classics to specialty offerings. Exact vendors vary year to year. Plan to sample food while you sample beer — pairing food and craft beer is part of the experience. Popular in past years: diverse cuisines, BBQ, and specialty fare.
🎵 Live Acoustic Music
Local musicians perform throughout the day in an acoustic setting. The intimate vibe — rather than loud amplification — creates a community-focused, conversational atmosphere. Perfect backdrop for sampling beer and enjoying the outdoors.
🍂 Autumn Ambiance in Downtown Renfrew
Early October in the Ottawa Valley means crisp air, autumn colours starting to appear, and perfect “sweater weather.” The festival is held in Low Square downtown — tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly, historic architecture. It’s not just about beer; it’s about enjoying autumn in a charming Ontario town.
🤝 Industry Networking & Stories
Craft beer enthusiasts come to meet the people behind the beers — brewers, owners, sales reps. You’ll hear the stories of local breweries, learn about the Ottawa Valley’s growing craft beer scene, and connect with other beer lovers. It’s as much about community as it is about the product.
🎯 Support Local Industry
The festival is organized by the Town of Renfrew to grow awareness of craft breweries and support Lanark & Renfrew County’s emerging beer industry. The more visitors attend, the more these local breweries grow. Your attendance directly supports small businesses.
Essentials
🎟️ Admission & Cost
FREE entry to the festival. Beer samples available for purchase by the sample or glass. Food trucks accept cash and card. Budget $25–50 for beer tasting and food depending on consumption.
📍 Location & Hours
Low Square in front of Town Hall, 127 Raglan Street South, Renfrew, ON K7V 1P3. Saturday, October 3, 2026, 12 PM – 8 PM. One day only.
🚗 Parking & Transit
Downtown Renfrew has street parking near Low Square. No public transit directly to the venue; personal vehicle or ride-share recommended. Renfrew is about 1.5 hours west of Ottawa, 2 hours from Toronto.
💳 Payment Methods
Most breweries and food trucks accept both cash and card. Bring a mix to be safe. Many craft beer enthusiasts prefer cash for tipping brewers.
👟 What to Wear
October in Renfrew is crisp and cool — sweater weather. Comfortable walking shoes for downtown navigation. Light jacket or sweater. October weather can be unpredictable; check the forecast closer to the date.
⏱️ Duration & Pacing
Plan 3–4 hours. Sample at your own pace, chat with brewers, enjoy food and music. This is not a rush event — it’s designed for leisurely sampling and community engagement. Evening slots (after 5 PM) tend to be less crowded than midday.
Questions Answered
Why Go to Renfrew Craft Beer Festival
Because the Ottawa Valley’s craft beer scene is real, growing, and worth experiencing directly. This is not a tourist trap or a mass-produced beer event — it’s a genuine celebration of local breweries, many of which you won’t find outside the region. You get to meet the people making the beer, taste small samples, eat good food, and soak in autumn in a charming downtown setting. It’s free to enter, casual in vibe, and designed for community (not just consumption). Perfect for craft beer enthusiasts, curious casual drinkers, or families looking for a small-town fall festival. Renfrew itself is worth exploring — historic downtown, local shops, beautiful autumn landscape. Combine the festival with a walk around town, lunch at a local restaurant, and a brewery tour if you want to go deeper. It’s a full day well spent supporting local business and discovering beers you won’t see elsewhere.
Details may change — always confirm on the Town of Renfrew website for 2026 dates, vendor lists, and details before heading out.
Location
Get DirectionsLow Square, Town of Renfrew, 127 Raglan Street South, Renfrew, ON, K7V 1P3
