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
2 4 St SW, Medicine Hat, AB, CA, T1A 4E1
swirlsicecream.ca|(403) 529-1189
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.
612 3rd St SE, Medicine Hat, AB, Canada, T1A 0H5
Medicine Hat's cozy downtown Brewery.
1235 Southview Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB, CA, T1B 4K3
Annegret's Chocolates offers the finest European chocolates made with quality ingredients. From truffles to themed bars, find your chocolate delight here.
303 Southridge Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB, CA, T1B 3S1
Passionate about candy! Explore our variety of sweet treats. Shop now for a sugar rush!
1366 Brier Park Dr NW, Medicine Hat, AB, Canada, T1C 1Z7
medicinehatbrewingcompany.ca|(403) 525-1260
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.
1870 6 Ave SW, Medicine Hat, AB, CA, T1A 7X5
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.
51 Street, Taber , AB, CA, T1G 1P9
facebook.com/purplecowtaber|(403) 894-9456
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.
Lethbridge
3500 9th Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1H 5E6
Real cool Taproom
1701 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge, AB, CA, T1K 2R7
swirlslethbridge.ca|403-942-7507
Swirls Ice Cream in Lethbridge offers delicious local treats. Everything you crave in one place!
305 6 St S, Lethbridge, AB, CA, T1J 2C7
Discover Lethbridge's handmade cookie and ice cream shop with unique flavors and a fundraiser to protect against cookie crimes.
1522 9 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB, CA, T1J 1V8
Milkman Milk Bar is a popular spot known for its tasty treats and cozy ambiance.
1263 2nd Ave S , Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1J 0E7
Surrounded by incredible hop and barley farmers across Southern Alberta, they source as close to home as possible from the grains that kick off the brewing process to the local folks who hand-can each brew.
Lethbridge to South Canadian Rockies
230 24th Street, Fort Macleod, AB, Canada, T0L 0Z0
strongholdbrewing.ca|403-635-9381
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.
101 Breckenridge Ave, Lundbreck, AB, Canada, T0K 0B8
oldmanriverbrewing.com|(403) 751-0017
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.
2501 213 St, Bellevue, AB, CA, T0K 0C0
Cafe serving serving specialty coffees, pastries, light bites and ice cream!
10801 20th Ave , Blairmore, AB, Canada, T0K 0E0
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.
12146 20 Ave, Blairmore, AB, CA, T0K 0E0
crowsnestcandy.ca| (403) 683-0683
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
Twin Butte, AB, Canada, T0K 2J0
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!!!
114 Waterton Ave, Waterton Park, AB, CA, T0K 0C3
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.
111 Waterton Ave, Waterton Park, AB, CA, T0K 2M0
thirstybearwaterton.com|+1 403-859-2211 ext. 309
Book nowThirsty 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.