Good Robot started with three drinking buddies who quit engineering careers that had them feeling more like robots than people. What they wanted was camaraderie, and a place where anyone could come as they are. They built it on Robie Street, in Halifax’s North End, in 2015.
Painted on the wall in that brewpub is the line that started it all: “I don’t wanna grow up.” It’s our reminder to hold onto the good stuff that keeps us from feeling like robots, like creativity, a sense of humour, being yourself, and every so often, being downright stupid.
Since then, we have grown up a bit. We brew award-winning beers for just about every taste, we ship online and stock liquor stores across Canada, and The Beverage Factory in Elmsdale now turns out beer at a world-class level of quality and consistency. The goal hasn’t changed since day one, though: treat our guests and customers like humans.
You might know us from a 12-pack of Good Robot Lager at the NSLC, a Diablo on a patio, or a Thursday night that got away from you at a comedy show. However you found us, welcome.
The beer
We make lagers, IPAs, sours, hard sodas, and a growing list of things that won’t sit still. Some of it is built to be easy, like Good Robot Lager or the Ultra Light IPA at 4% and roughly 100 calories, if you’re counting (it took gold at the Canada Beer Cup). Some of it is a little more out there. Diablo, our Mexican lager with lime and jalapeño, gets asked about constantly, so to save you the trouble: it isn’t spicy. A good chunk of our beer is low-gluten or gluten-reduced too.
You can order it online, pick it up at the NSLC, ANBL, and PEILC, or drink it fresh at one of our spots.
The places
Robie Street, Halifax. The original. A taproom, pub, kitchen, and beer store with a seasonal dog-friendly patio, plus the Mousetrap upstairs for comedy, live music, and private parties. The kitchen jams out brewpub favourites, like smash burgers and nachos. Voted Best Taproom in Halifax (Silver).
The Commons, Halifax. A seasonal beer garden right on the Halifax Commons, with pizza from Suzanne’s, cold beer to drink there or take home, and room to bring the dog. Voted Best Beer Garden in Halifax.
Elmsdale, East Hants. A beer store and seasonal beer garden next to where most of our beer gets made, and named Tourism-Hospitality Business of the Year. One reviewer called it epic. We did not pay him.
What we’re for
Good Robot works as a lot of things: after-work pints, a first date, trivia with friends, or a quiet corner with a book where nobody bothers you. It also works as a Diablo 12-pack for the backyard BBQ, an Ultra Light IPA 12-pack for the softball tournament, or a case shipped to your door. Our Goodwill Trivia nights send $1 from every drink to a rotating local nonprofit. Better Times Comedy and Silent Reading come around regularly. We host markets, fundraisers, and the odd idea that has no business working.
We’ve been voted the Coast’s Best Craft Brewery six times. We’re glad about it, but it isn’t the reason to come. Come because the beer is good and the people behind the bar are better.