From the sunny plains of Medicine Hat to the foothills near the Crowsnest Pass, this sweet and hoppy itinerary invites you to sip, swirl, and savour your way through southern Alberta. Kick things off in Medicine Hat and roll west along Highway 3, scooping up visits to charming breweries and family-run ice cream shops.
Why beer and ice cream?
Because nothing bring joy and aids a hot summer day quite like a cold craft pint or a double scoop of ice cream. With rotating seasonal flavours, small-batch surprises, and community at their core, these featured breweries and ice cream shops are worth a visit. So grab your pint glass and your waffle cone—it’s time to hop in the car and churn up some memories on the ice cream ale trail!
Medicine Hat
Kick things off in sunny Medicine Hat
1
Swirls Ice Cream
Swirls Ice Cream offers a delightful selection of soft-serve and hand-scooped ice creams, along with a variety of classic treats, making it a beloved spot for ice cream lovers in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
2
Travois Ale Works
Medicine Hat's cozy downtown Brewery.
3
Annegrets Chocolates
Annegret's Chocolates offers the finest European chocolates made with quality ingredients. From truffles to themed bars, find your chocolate delight here.
4
RJ's Convenience Store
Passionate about candy! Explore our variety of sweet treats. Shop now for a sugar rush!
5
Medicine Hat Brewing Company
Medicine Hat Brewing Company is a family-run craft brewery and restaurant. They have 22 taps and a full-service kitchen. They have a taproom with a patio + a private events room.
6
Camp Handcrafted Ice Cream
This ice cream shop serves up handcrafted scoops made from local ingredients with adventurous flavours. A portion of their sales go towards kids camps in Southern Alberta, so eat up!
Medicine Hat to Lethbridge
In the two hour drive between Medicine Hat and Lethbridge there are a few towns offering a delicious sweet treat. CHeck out Seven Persons and Taber for local Ice Cream.
1
Purple Cow
Purple Cow is a beloved ice cream shop in Taber, Alberta, offering a wide variety of creamy, homemade ice cream flavours and classic treats that bring joy to all ages.
2
LE Mexicana
Real Fruit. Real Flavour. Refreshing paletas and popsicles.
Lethbridge
1
Spectrum Ale Works
Real cool Taproom
2
Swirls Ice Cream Lethbridge
Swirls Ice Cream in Lethbridge offers delicious local treats. Everything you crave in one place!
3
Cookie Crimes Ice Creamery
Discover Lethbridge's handmade cookie and ice cream shop with unique flavors and a fundraiser to protect against cookie crimes.
4
Milkman Milk Bar
Milkman Milk Bar is a popular spot known for its tasty treats and cozy ambiance.
Lethbridge to South Canadian Rockies
1
Stronghold Brewing Co.
Stronghold Brewing Co. is a family-owned and operated craft brewery and taproom located on historic Main Street, Fort Macleod. The taproom always has an approachable beer or two on tap, experimental and fun styles, and non-alcoholic options.
2
Homestead Bakeshop in Fort MacLeod, Alberta
Come and enjoy homemade ice cream right here in Fort Macleod.
3
Oldman River Brewing Ltd.
Oldman River Brewing works hard to create flavourful, drinkable beer in a variety of styles to appeal to everyone. They are a family-run brewery in a small town and pride themselves on their relaxed atmosphere and great customer service. They have a family-friendly taproom with pub-style food and a dog-friendly covered patio. Or enjoy the sun on the picnic tables in the yard.
4
Ophelia Outpost
Cafe serving serving specialty coffees, pastries, light bites and ice cream!
5
The Pass Beer Co.
The Pass Beer Co. is a family & pet-friendly microbrewery located in the beautiful CNP. Pair a pint of one of their 12 taps with their award-winning wood-fired pizzas. Or sample a flight with a made-from-scratch poutine. In the summer you can enjoy the view of the mountains from the patio or greenspace.
6
Crowsnest Candy Company Inc.
Crowsnest Candy Company is operated from the Rocky Mountains of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta Canada. Our goal is to provide quality, unique confectionary products paired with a superior customer experience.
South Canadian Rockies to Wateron
1
Grumpy Goat Ice Cream
We have opened a new ice cream shop in Twin Butte AB! Stop in on your way to and from Waterton National park for soft serve / hard ice cream/ slushies/ twisters/ Avalanches and Homemade waffle cones!!!
2
Big Scoop Ice Cream Parlour
Big Scoop Ice Cream Waterton offers a variety of ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, shakes, floats, and more. With unique flavors like Caramel Praline and Booster Bowls, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
3
Thirsty Bear Kitchen & Bar
Thirsty Bear Kitchen + Bar in Waterton offers live music, late-night specials, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere for guests to enjoy.
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We acknowledge that what we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.