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After a deluge on setup day, the skies remained clear for the next five days, the beer poured freely, and Le Mondial de la biere saw a record crowd.
The beer fest, signalling in early June the beginning of Montreal’s summer festival season, has come a long way in its 11-year history — from its element-challenged site in the old port to its current home in the heart of downtown Montreal. In its third year at the elegant Gare Windsor, Montreal’s old train station, under the direction of Jeannine Marois and her righthand woman Marie-Jose Lefebre, Le Mondial has truly captured the imagination of the city’s beer-loving public. The bulk of the estimated 75,000 attendees were Quebecois, but they were joined by beer fans from all over Canada, the U.S., Europe and beyond.
The beers came from all over too, as the festival name suggests (Mondial=global), but while in the early days it may have been the imports which attracted the fans, this year the local beers rose to the top as never before.
Unibroue, the perennial pride of Quebec poured its fine brews as usual, albeit against a background of conjecture surrounding its recent purchase by Ontario brewery Sleeman. Dieu du Ciel, one of Montreal’s half dozen brewpubs, was once again recruited to brew the Mondial’s signature beer. This year, brewer Jean-Francois Gravel came up with MonKriek, an Oud Bruin (Flemish Brown Ale) with cherries, subtle on the fruit and not too sour. La Barberie, the prolific brewpub from Quebec City, was front and central featuring a myriad of beers, as well as a bar and tables at its double booth. Most impressive were a 10-month-old Barleywine, a 8-month-old Double Brown and an 8-month-old Imperial Stout. Schoune, the farm brewery, is always a must-stop to try La Gueuze, which seems to mellow with the years, a little sweeter and less harsh this year. This year’s specialty was a hearty Imperial Stout.
Ginger seemed to be the spice of choice this year. Brasseurs du Nord, makers of Boreal brews launched a ginger-spiced Witte, while the Microbrasserie du Lievre poured a Spiced Ginger Beer. Lievre also launched a new amber brew, La Jos Monferrand. Montreal regulars McAuslan presented its Ambroise and Griffon lines, along with partner Moosehead’s lager.
For those seeking ambiance rather than afficionadom, the mainstream booths of Carlsberg, Labatt, Molson, Guinness, Stella Artois and Sleeman proved popular as did such pseudo malt beverages as Smirnoff ice and other weird-colored malt mixtures. Specialty Quebec ciders were represented in force with glace (ice) ciders making a particular impression. There was even a martini bar for those tired of malt beverages.
Specialty imports including several Belgian Trappist brews dotted the landscape. This year Houblon Magique imports featured the beers and brewers of Belgium’s Musketeer brewery, as well as brews from New York State’s Wagner brewery.
Eighteen other U.S. breweries sent 60 beers to be a part of the Petit Pub showcase, while Magic Hat, from nearby Burlington, VT staffed its own booth with copious quantities of Ravell Porter, #9 and HIPA.
With no entrance fee, the crowds kept coming, but the fully-enforced tasting by token system controlled a discerning intake. Still, on Friday and Saturday evenings, it was tough to find some elbow room, particularly in the indoor section of the show.
Food was ample, from artisinal sausages, to venison and wild boar on a stick, to aged, smoked beef, to cheese plates, frites, sandwiches and salads. Food and beer culinary demonstrations abounded and The Dairy Farmers of Canada presented workshops pairing cheese with beer and cider.
Several local bands performed while ASN’s resident music columnist DJ Stockbizzy, aka Matt Sciacca, spun tunes nightly. People’s awards were given to Dieu du Ciel for Elixir Celeste, a brew featuring Star Anise; Ginger Beer from d Lievre; Blueberry White Ale from La Barberie and Duchesse du Bourgogne from Belgium’s Verhaeche brewery.
ASN Busy at Fest
By Tony Forder
This was my fifth Mondial and most assuredly this year’s was the best beer selection, including some great imports from the U.S. Blue Point’s Old Howling Bastard raised some eyebrows, as did Dogfish Head’s Worldwide Stout, Ommegang’s Three Philosophers, Rogue’s Imperial Pale Ale, and Wolavers organic brews, just to name a few!) The local beers in particular seemed to take it up a notch (see accompanying story).
It was ASN’s busiest year. Not only was I tapped by the festival organizers for radio and TV appearances on Montreal’s English speaking stations, but this year partner Jack Babin presented ASN’s Beer Goddess booth in all its glory.
And, of course, a score or so of beer fans from the states took advantage of ASN’s annual festival package, which included a bus excursion, VIP pass to the festival and lodging, at either the stately Queen Elizabeth Hotel, which was in the process of celebrating the 40th anniversary of John & Yoko’s celebrated ‘Give Peace a Chance’ press conference, or at the more modest, yet convenient, Hotel du Nouveau Forum.
This year’s group included travelers from Miami Beach, North Carolina, Chicago, New York City and State, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Les Brasseurs du Nord, one of the longest running microbreweries in Quebec and the brewers of Boreal beers, were on the agenda for our full-day excursion. Although their tasting room bar was doing double duty at the fest, Marc-Andre Gauvreau did us proud treating us to a little parking lot picnic action. He delighted us with pours of Amber, and even more with Stout, mmmm good for breakfast.
The day trip then followed its regular routine of a visit to Unibroue brewery in Chambly followed by lunch at the nearby Fourquet-Fourchette Restaurant. The restaurant not only serves the full line of Unibroue beers, but also does a great job cooking with selections such as Maudite and Fin du Monde.
Owner Yves saluted ASN’s four years of patronage with a 3-liter bottle of Fin du Monde. This we proudly cracked at our VIP gathering at next days festival gathering. Hosted by Mondial chief (and ASN production manager) Jeannine Marois, the group enjoyed a tasty buffet and choice of the festival brews in the comfort of the VIP lounge. As the crowds poured in on Saturday afternoon and evening it was the choice place to be.
Stay tuned for next year - this fest is getting better and better!
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