Henderson Brewing Company
128A Sterling Rd, Toronto, ON M6R 2B7
Sunday-Tuesday 11am-10pm
Wednesday-Saturday 11am-11pm
We came on a Friday around 11:30am
Limited Seating, Small Venue, Moderate Selection, Large Windows, Hidden Location
Henderson Brewing Company Entrance off of Sterling Road
Atmosphere
Fernanda: The space has this big windows that overlook a parking lot. It was raining the day we went so there was a nice cozy feeling to the place. The tables are communal but not big enough for large groups, especially in winter with large coats in the way. The people that came in all seemed to be regulars, bringing their kids and dogs while they were having a beer or two and hanging out for a bit.
Scott: Hidden behind the Drake Commissary, Henderson looks a bit industrial and dark from the outside, but inside it's well-lit and warm thanks to its large windows. It's not a large space, and it could definitely get crowded quickly at night. Even though we were there early in the day it started to fill up a fair amount. You might have to share a table with others. The fermenters are in clear view, giving the place a good, strong brewery feel. On the whole, the design and décor are relatively simple. It's definitely a place that's about the beer, although they advertise their events clearly on a calendar at the front door.
Food and Service
Fernanda: Unfortunately, there was no food served there. They do have pop-up days where food trucks come in to serve food. There's not much I can say about service. We were there for twenty minutes before the server told us we had to go up to the bar to order drinks. We had some questions, but she didn't really seem that interested in talking, even though we were the only ones there at the time. There isn't any table service.
Scott: When we arrived, the bartender/server/probably-a-few-other-things-by-the-look-of-it gave us a brief acknowledgement and then didn't really look at us for about fifteen minutes despite the fact that we were the only people there at the time. When we did order at the bar, everything was served quickly. The employees did seem constantly busy, though. The only food available was pre-packaged snack food, but they do allow patrons to bring or order in outside food, which is definitely the way to go if you're hungry or planning on drinking a lot.
Beer
Bar, Featuring the Menu and a Communal Table
Beer is available by the flight or on draught
Fernanda: They have a good amount of beers and different styles. I was not very satisfied with the beers I tried. Every time I had a beer, like the Henderson's Best Amber Ale, it didn't taste like the regular flavours I expect from that beer style. The one that I really did like was the Beast (2019) Barrel-Aged Imperial Amber Ale. The flavours were warm, sweet, and it was thick and creamy. Because of this beer, I would go back again and give Henderson another try.
Scott: The beer selection isn't tremendous, but it's decent. There really aren't any other drink options outside of a house-brewed cream soda or water. The most interesting menu options are their collaborations with other breweries and their shorter-term productions. While I found their basics, like the Henderson's Best Amber Ale and Food Truck Lagered Blonde Ale to be okay but nothing special, I really enjoyed the Beast (2019) Barrel-Aged Imperial Amber Ale and Rube Goldbeer Belgian Tripel. I definitely recommend being more adventurous with your beer choices at Henderson.
Overall
A brewery that truly embraces its beer, Henderson is a place for people who want to immerse themselves in brewing culture and forget about everything else. There's no food, there effectively aren't any other types of drinks. This is an opportunity to look straight at the brewing process while you test out a variety of brew styles. It's a bit hidden, but it's not in the middle of nowhere. The Museum of Contemporary Art is right next door, the smell of chocolate from Nestlé Canada Inc. wafts all the way down Sterling Road, and if you're up for a slightly longer walk, other breweries such as Halo Brewery, Bandit Brewery, Laylow Brewery, Burdock Brewery, and Woodhouse Brewing Company are all within a 15 minute walking distance.
