You know what they say- “Ain’t no folk like Norfolk”! We have to agree.
This day trip through Norfolk County will have you travelling from brewery to brewery enjoying all the cozy vibes and ending things with a delightful perch dinner and quiet overnight stay in a really cool spot.
Sip Your Way through Norfolk County
Go full rural in Norfolk County as you take in the beauty of Lake Erie and the bounty of Ontario’s Garden.
Stop 1: Belgian Brews + Lunch in an Old School
Where: New Limburg Brewery, 2353 Nixon Rd. Simcoe, ON. (View Map)
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Built inside an old school, this brewery serves up Belgian-style beers on tap and in bottles all year round. With a lineup of Belgian Blondes and Whits to Grisettes and beyond, their style isn’t just in the thirst-quenching brews, it’s in the building itself, on the menu and more.
From beautifully artistic chalk drawings in the tap room on an old blackboard to the labels on the bottles themselves, everything has that extra little touch that makes this spot truly unique and special.
Grab yourself a tasting flight and something off the menu. We love the bitterballen (they’re like croquettes or little balls of delicious stew), pizza and their fresh bread served with herb butter.
If the weather is nice, grab a spot on the patio or cozy up inside the tap room.
Time to next stop: 14 mins
Stop 2: Get cozy over ales in Charlotteville
Where: Charlotteville Brewing Company, 1207 Charlotteville West Quarter Line, Simcoe, ON. (View Map)
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Built on an organic farm and nestled into the Carolinian Life Zone, Charlotteville Brewing Company is all about producing well-made beer in a sustainable manner.
They craft everything from Italian Pilsners and Saisons to IPAs, APAs and more. With beers running the gamete of styles, there’s always a reason to return.
Time to next stop: 21 mins
Stop 3: Dinner & [Port] Dover
Where: Erie Beach Hotel, 19 Walker St, Port Dover, ON. (View Map)
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Our philosophy: you can’t go to Norfolk County and not grab a perch (or pickerel) dinner from the Erie Beach Hotel. This staple restaurant and hotel has been in Port Dover on the banks of Lake Erie for over 70 years and the food leaves no wonder as to why.
Head upstairs to the bar to hang out over a delicious meal, a cold beer and The Erie Beach Hotel’s famous celery bread (seriously, don’t leave without trying it). It’ll be a great way to catch up with loved ones and kick back in a relaxed atmosphere.
Time to next stop: 20 mins
Stop 4: Wine Not!
Where: Burning Kiln Winery, 1709 Front Rd, St Williams, ON.(View Map)
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While Burning Kiln generally closes around 5 pm and you may not make it in time, their numerous events makes visiting the winery apres hours fairly simple. From concerts in the vineyard to holiday markets and beyond, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on their Facebook for all that goodness.
Cozy up with their Norfolk-inspired wines (tobacco-themed names abound like Cureman’s Chard and Kiln Hangar Cab Franc)and enjoy the beautiful view of the vineyard and time together with those you love. They even have a heated outdoor patio so you can be outside all year round!
Didn’t make it before close? No worries! Keep reading.
Stay the Night
If you want to extend your time in Norfolk County a little longer (and we suggest you do), consider booking accommodations in Burning Kiln’s Farmhouse if you have a group! If you intend to visit between November 1 and May 1 you can even take advantage of some off-season pricing!
Have your own RV? Burning Kiln is also a member of Harvest Host so you could reserve their spot and stay in the comfort of your own home on wheels. Then the next day, have a lazy morning and enjoy the winery when it opens.
