Over the hills and not too far away, visit Sonnen Hill Brewing

Calum Hill, founder of Sonnen Hill Brewing in the rolling knolls of Caledon, sums up his brewing philosophy with a single word: drinkability. “I like making simple, quality-focused, drinkable beers,” he says in typically understated fashion. Hill may be modest about his goals, but lovers of craft beer have been heaping effusive praise on his pale ales, lagers and saisons since Sonnen Hill opened in 2018 on his family’s farm just outside of Orangeville.

To hit that sweet spot of drinkability and quality, Hill confines his recipes to a small variety of ingredients, including only two types of malt, and he keeps the alcohol level just south of 5 per cent. “You can drink three or four of our beers without getting too drunk or tiring out your taste buds,” he promises. Sonnen Hill’s 37 acres of pasture land and fruit orchards provide the ideal spot for a moderately buzzed country idyll. To that end, Hill plans to hand out maps to the property, which includes a fruit orchard and bee hives, so that visitors can “drink all over the place.” Sounds like a plan!

Here is Calum Hill’s insider’s guide to pastoral Caledon.

GoodLot Farm and Farmstead Brewing Co. (18825 Shaws Creek Rd.)

Hill is a big fan of the suds at this combination brewery, beer garden, and organic hops farm. GoodLot brews a range of ales, porters, and lagers, all using organic hops that are harvested on the farm or sourced from local growers. And in the summer, the rolling farm becomes the ideal venue for live music events, movie nights and dinner parties hosted by local chefs.

Caledon Hills Brewing Company (17219 Hwy. 50)

If your designated driver is game, the Caledon Hills Brewery is only a short drive away from the area’s other noted brewhouses. There, on a sprawling family farm, you can sample the brewery’s offerings — Hill is keen on the Vienna Lager — either at the on-site pub or, in the summer, the homey biergarten. Make sure to try the pub’s scrumptious sausage, burgers and schnitzel, which make for great beer pairings.

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe (17049 Winston Churchill Blvd.)

The Heatherlea Farm Shoppe is a one-stop hub for foodies from as far away as Brampton, Georgetown, and Toronto. Operated by the McArthur family on their Caledon farm, Heatherlea boasts a butcher shop, café, and food store all showcasing ethically raised meat, produce, and prepared meals — from beef bourguignon to butter tarts. For a culinary deep dive, sign up for one of their on-site events, which in the past have included The Art of Poultry Butchery, Bone Broth and Stock Class, and courses on food canning and pasta making.

Orangeville Farmers’ Market (B-Rink, 6 Northmen Wy., Orangeville)

With so many farmers and artisans living near this sprawling Ontario town, it’s no wonder that Orangeville’s farmers’ market offers such a cornucopia of locally grown and produced food, drink, and gift items. Jams, pickles, heritage crops, grass-fed beef, honey, cheeses, chic cutting boards — it’s all here under one arena roof. Just make sure to check the opening times before heading over, as they vary from season to season.