Guelph is one of the small cities in southwestern Ontario, with a population of about 110,100. The city includes the location where the Eramosa river meets the Speed river.

The city is the home of several breweries. The largest by far is the Sleeman brewery, well known for its Cream Ale and Honey Brown Lager amongst other brands.

The smallest brewery in town may well be the F&M Brewery. They produce their own well-liked Stonehammer Pilsner, as well as a Stonehammer Dark Ale that is somewhat remindful of Amsterdam Nut Brown Ale and even more so of the good Black Oak Nut Brown Ale. F&M also makes MacLean's Pale Ale, which is quite good.

Some of the very best beer produced in Ontario is made at the Wellington Brewery. Two of their best beers are the Arkell Best Bitter and the County Ale. These are also available in cask, in what they call a Real ale format in which some fermentation continues on in the cask. It is these two of beers which, as Real ale in the cask in particular and when served at the right temperature, can compete with anything else brewed in the province.

Another important place in Guelph is the Woolwich Arms. Apart from focusing on local Ontario food and produce, the "Woolie" also serves Wellington Brewery's real ale format ales.