Upcoming Closure: the Arboretum will be closed to the public Monday May 29. All other garden areas remain open.

Fest-Of-Ales

Home Things to Do By Season Special Events Fest-Of-Ales

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This page contains details for a 2019 event.

For this year’s Holiday offering, please see our Events Calendar.

Celebrate the holiday season with some Ontario craft brews.

Thursday November 28 and Friday November 29, 2019
6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; RBG Centre

Let the holidays begin! The celebration of Ontario`s independent craft breweries continues with the 5th annual Fest-of-Ales! Spanning 2 nights, guests are welcomed into the stunning surroundings of RBG Centre to peruse the best beer our region has to offer. Entrance to the event gets you your own mug, 6 drink tokens (5oz samples) and access to vendors and experts. A unique vibe crafted by our house DJ sets the tone, with trains and greenhouse tours to boot.

Food sold separately. Additional beer tokens and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

This is a 19+ event

Please do not drink and drive. Bring a designated driver (“DD” tickets are available), utilize public transit, or call a cab.

  • Fest Of Ales
  • Fest Of Ales
  • Fest Of Ales
  • Fest Of Ales
  • Fest Of Ales

Tickets

Pre-registration is required for this ticketed event. Food sold separately. Additional drink tokens available for purchase.

Event Ticket
This includes Fest-Of-Ales tasting glass and 6 craft beer tokens (5oz pours).

$35
(+HST & Service Fee)

“DD” Ticket
This includes entrance into the event, a Fest-of-Ales tasting glass, and 2 specialty mocktails. Note: no alcohol can be consumed with this ticket.

$10
(+HST & Service Fee)

VIP Tour & Ticket Package – Available Friday only
As well as everything included in an “event ticket,” this experience features a tour at a Hamilton Brewery, tasting and food pairing, swag bag, and more!

SOLD OUT

  • Pricing subject to HST and Service Fee
  • Tickets are non-refundable and final sale
  • This is a 19+ event.
Purchase Tickets (Thursday)

Friday SOLD OUT

Royal Botanical Gardens is a registered charitable organization dedicated to connecting people, plants and place. By attending this event, you’re supporting our efforts in areas like plant science, conservation, horticulture and education.

Want to learn more about how you can contribute to RBG’s charitable work?

Learn More

VIP Tour & Ticket Package

Friday November 29, 5:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Enjoy an Original Hamilton Beer Tour before the event with this exciting new package from Original Hamilton Beer Tours! Round trip tour departs from Royal Botanical Gardens at 5:15 p.m. (available Friday only).

Purchase Friday Tickets

Package includes:

  • Transportation in a luxury mini bus
  • You will be joined by Master beer sommelier, The Bald Beer Guy, Scotty Boyle
  • Special VIP tasting and food pairing
  • Swag bag for each VIP including discount beer coupons, merchandise and more!
  • Admission for Fest-of-Ales (6 drink tokens and beer glass)

Things to Do

7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Beer Trivia
How much do you really know about beer? Get your team together and test your knowledge.

6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Notorious Valley Inn
Located in the heart of a key transportation crossroads, the Valley Inn became a popular watering hole for both locals and visitors alike. See what made it infamous among the moral reforms over time.

6 to 10 p.m.

Beer and Biodiversity
Hops (Humulus lupulus) is the main ingredient in beer, but it’s not the only ingredient. Likewise, apples are not the only ingredient in cider. Visit each of the 12 Fest-of-Ales breweries and take the biodiversity challenge to discover the many plants that are used to create these delicious beverages.

6 to 11 p.m.

Botanical Train Display
Constructed from over seven tons of cedar slabs, 3,000 pounds of rock and 250 feet of track, the Botanical Train Show features model trains amongst famous Canadian landmarks from coast to coast!
Every 30 minutes (last tour 10 p.m.)

Breweries

RBG loves local brews! Check back to see the breweries that will be joining us for this year’s Fest-of-Ales.

Anderson Craft Ales

Visit Website

Boshkung Brewing

Visit Website

Caledon Hills Brewing Co.

Visit Website

Are you interested in attending as a vendor? Get in touch at rbg.ca/contact-events

RBG Centre at Royal Botanical Gardens

Find this event indoors at RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road W. Burlington.

About RBG Centre

Event FAQ

Have a question about Fest-of-Ales? Click the topics below for more information. If you have a question that is not answered, give us a call at 905-527-1158.

Tickets

Tickets are available for one or both nights. Your ticket gets you admission, a Fest-of-Ales beer mug, and drink tokens (each worth a 5oz sample pour). Doors are at 6pm, closing at 8:30pm, last call is at 10:30 p.m.

Should the event not sell out with pre-purchased tickets, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Please purchase tickets online prior to the event for guaranteed entry.

Directions and Parking

This event is held in the RBG Main Centre – please enter through the front doors at 680 Plains Road W. Burlington Ontario. Parking is included, available in the main lot.

Do not drink and drive. Bring along a designated driver (DD tickets only $10!), call a cab / ride share program, or take public transit.

RBG Centre located along bus routs for Burlington Transit, with stops a short distance from the entrance. See rbg.ca/directions for more details.

Food and Drink

There will be food vendors on site, selling their delicacies from their booth (see list above).

Standard tickets include drink tokens, redeemable at the breweries of your choice. Additional tokens will be available for purchase, alongside non-alcoholic beverages. Due to liquor license restrictions, no additional alcholic beverages outside the beer vendors will be available for purchase.

Dress

Visitors are encouraged to wear their favourite festive gear, an ugly Christmas sweater or the classic Canadian Tuxedo!

Pets / Service Animals

With the exception of service animals, personal dogs/cats/animals are not permitted at this event.

Weather

With the exception of the Escarpment Train Exhibit, the entirety of this event is outdoors; dress for the weather. RBG reserves the right to cancel the event due to extreme weather.

Pets / Service Animals

With the exception of service animals, personal dogs/cats/animals are not permitted at this event.

Part of Holiday Traditions

Experience the magic this holiday season with unique Santa Experiences, festive entertainment, train adventures and Winter Lights at the Rock Garden!

Some activities require special event tickets, while others are included in your General Admission or Membership; visit rbg.ca/holidaytraditions for full details!