Leslieville has always had a certain kind of pride about it. It's the pride of a neighbourhood that builds things slowly, chooses quality over convenience, and supports what's local. That same ethos runs through every table at NOLA Eatery & Bar, a French-Italian kitchen at 1161 Queen St E that has become one of the east end's most beloved gathering spots.
While NOLA is rightly celebrated for its Old World wine list and craft cocktail program, there's another side of the bar worth raising a glass to: Ontario's finest craft beer, led by our enduring partnership with Wellington Brewery, one of Canada's most respected independent breweries.
Ontario craft beer at NOLA. Poured cold, enjoyed slowly.
Ontario Craft Beer
Wellington Brewery: Ontario's Finest, On Your Table
Guelph, Ontario has quietly produced one of Canada's most consistent craft brewing operations since 1985. Wellington Brewery crafts lagers, ales, and IPAs that honour tradition without compromising character. That is exactly the kind of drink philosophy that resonates with how NOLA approaches everything it pours.
We're proud to carry a rotating selection of Wellington's core range, giving our guests a genuine taste of Ontario craft culture alongside our French-Italian kitchen.
Wellington Helles Lager
The Crowd's First Choice
Clean, crisp, and deeply sessionable. The Helles Lager is the benchmark for what a well-made lager can be. Brewed in the Bavarian tradition with soft malt sweetness and minimal bitterness, it pours a brilliant straw gold with a tight white head. It's the beer you reach for when the evening is long and the company is good.
Best paired with: NOLA's charcuterie board, light pasta dishes, or on its own as an arrival drink before dinner.
Wellington SPA: Special Pale Ale
The Everyday Classic
Wellington's SPA is a Canadian craft beer institution. Light-bodied with a gentle hop nose and just enough caramel malt to keep things interesting, it's a pale ale that doesn't shout. It simply delivers, pint after pint. At NOLA, we find it pairs beautifully with the casual first half of the evening before guests transition to wine or cocktails.
Perfect for: Walk-in guests who want something familiar, honest, and local.
Wellington County Ale
The Heritage Pour
A nod to Wellington's deep craft roots, the County Ale is a traditional English-style bitter, amber-coloured, with a toasty malt backbone and earthy hop finish. It's not trying to be trendy. It's trying to be good. And it succeeds every time. This is the beer for guests who want depth without the intensity of a stout.
Best paired with: Slow-braised proteins, mushroom dishes, or the NOLA steak & polenta.
Wellington Upside IPA
For the Hop Adventurers
Bold, resinous, and unapologetically hoppy, the Upside IPA is Wellington's answer to craft beer adventurers. Bright tropical and citrus hop aromas lead into a firm but balanced bitterness, kept in check by a solid malt foundation. It's the most expressive beer on our list, and pairs surprisingly well with spiced dishes and sharp aged cheeses.
Perfect for: Guests who love bold flavours and aren't afraid of hops.
Pommies Cider
The Perfect Alternative
For guests who want something refreshing without the bitterness of beer, Pommies Cider (crafted from Ontario apples) is a beautifully dry, crisp option. Not cloyingly sweet, not too light: Pommies lands in a genuinely food-friendly middle ground. It's become one of our most-requested warm-weather pours.
Perfect for: Non-beer drinkers, patio sessions, or guests seeking a gluten-free option.
Pairing Guide
Beer & Table: The Quick Reference
Not sure which Ontario pour to open your evening with? Use this quick guide to match your mood, your food, and your table.
| Wellington Beer | Style | Best NOLA Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Helles Lager | Bavarian Lager | Charcuterie board, light pasta |
| SPA: Special Pale Ale | Pale Ale | Arrival drink, antipasto |
| County Ale | English Bitter | Steak & polenta, mushroom risotto |
| Upside IPA | India Pale Ale | Aged cheese, spiced dishes |
| Pommies Cider | Ontario Apple Cider | Patio sessions, seafood starters |
Community First
Celebrating Ontario, One Pour at a Time
NOLA's philosophy was never about chasing trends. It's about building something the neighbourhood can be proud of: a restaurant where the ingredients on the plate and the drinks in the glass are chosen with intention.
Partnering with Wellington Brewery is a natural extension of that belief. Wellington has been independently owned and operated since 1985, making it one of Canada's oldest craft breweries. They don't compromise on ingredients, they don't rush fermentation, and they don't water down their identity for market trends. That's the kind of integrity we respect.
"When you order a Wellington beer at NOLA, you're not just enjoying a great pint. You're supporting an Ontario institution that has been quietly setting the standard for Canadian craft for over four decades."
NOLA Eatery & Bar · Leslieville, Toronto
NOLA's bar, where local craft meets French-Italian hospitality.
Alternative Drinks
From Beer to Cocktails: Let the Bar Guide You
One of the joys of a full evening at NOLA is how naturally the drinks evolve. Many guests begin with a cold pint of Wellington Lager or SPA, casual, familiar, and easy. As the kitchen fires up and the table fills, the occasion naturally calls for something more deliberate. That's where our cocktail program steps in.
The Classic Canadian Caesar
Canada's National Cocktail
There's no cocktail more Canadian than a Caesar. At NOLA, we build ours the right way: vodka, Clamato juice, house hot sauce, Worcestershire, freshly cracked black pepper, a celery salt rim, and a fat stalk of celery to finish. It's bold, savoury, and deeply satisfying. A natural bridge between beer culture and craft cocktail culture.
Order one when: You're done with your first beer and want something with more attitude.
NOLA Espresso Martini
The Evening's Natural Progression
As the evening deepens and conversation slows to that comfortable, unhurried pace, the Espresso Martini becomes inevitable. We shake vodka, Kahlúa, and a double shot of freshly pulled espresso until the tin is ice-cold, then strain into a chilled coupe for a dense, velvety foam top. It's equal parts dessert and digestif, and the most ordered cocktail at NOLA by a comfortable margin.
Order one when: You want one more reason to stay at the table a little longer.
The Perfect Evening Arc
Wellington Lager → Classic Caesar → Espresso Martini
Start local, go bold, finish slow. This is how a great evening at NOLA is built: one intentional pour at a time. No rush, no rules, just good drink and better company.
Come As You Are
Walk-Ins Always Welcome at 1161 Queen St E
You don't always need a reservation to enjoy a cold Ontario craft beer and great French-Italian food in Leslieville. NOLA's bar is open for walk-ins daily. Pull up a stool, order a Wellington, and let the evening take care of itself.
Also read: Toronto's Best Summer Cocktails · Complete Cocktails & Wine Guide · Best Date Night Drinks