TORONTO — Enercare Centre (Hall D) Saturday, January 31st, 2026 The tour kicked off at the Enercare Centre in downtown Toronto, a fitting place to launch Ontario’s premier beer celebration. Toronto’s session featured two time slots — afternoon and evening — offering plenty of time for beer sampling, games, and even a silent disco that invites festivalgoers to dance with a pint in hand. Toronto’s crowd has traditionally been diverse — from craft beer aficionados to newcomers just dipping their toes into the world of local brews. The festival’s indoor format also helps overcome the unpredictable weather of late January, making for a cozy but vibrant welcome to the I Love Beer experience.
HAMILTON — Convention Centre Saturday, February 21st, 2026
OTTAWA — EY Centre Saturday, February 28th, 2026
In the nation’s capital, the EY Centre welcomed festivalgoers with classic elements of the I Love Beer Tour — abundant tasting stations, lively games, and entertainment that keeps the party moving into the night. Ottawa’s version of the festival ups the social game with additional interactive spaces, like board games and arcade zones, giving attendees more variety beyond beer sampling. It’s an environment where beer tasting becomes part of a larger celebration of multisensory fun.
Stopping next in Hamilton, the festival took over the Hamilton Convention Centre, a bustling industrial city that blends urban grit with craft culture. Hamilton’s festival keeps the same dual-session structure and a lineup that highlights both beers and ciders, ensuring that even non-beer drinkers can find something to cheer. There’s a social rhythm to the Hamilton stop — one that melds local pride with a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. It’s less about competition and more about connection: friends meeting up, newcomers finding new favorites, and breweries building deeper ties with their communities.
a weekend highlight that punctuates the long thaw from winter into spring.
Photo courtesy of I Heart Beer Festival
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