Ale Street News Online

Plenty is brewing in Quebec, as we experience a period of brewing effervescence; almost every month a new brewery or brewpub is popping up.

In the last year at least 15 new locations have opened due to the consumer’s interest in drinking quality beers.

Here is a selection of new craft brewed beers, mostly limited editions, sold in individual bottles only. The exception is a new beer produced by Les Brasseurs RJ called No 926 available in 6-packs. It is a Bavarian-style Hefeweizen (5%), designed by Jérome Denys with his classic touch of Belgian magic!

Among the recently opened breweries, we find a showcase: Les Brasseurs de Montréal is located in Griffontown an area of Montreal, not far from downtown, originally settled by the Irish and now under redevelopment. The creation of Marc André Gauvreau, it consists of a 100-liter pilot brewery, a copper clad 7-bbl. brewery, and a 15-bbl. stainless steel brewing system clearly visible through long horizontal windows in the 100-seat restaurant.

You’ll find six beers on tap: the first is the London Ruby Mild Ale (4%); their session beer the Griffontown Ale (5%) is a blond well brewed lightly hopped thirst quencher; La Chi Oriental (5%) is a specialty beer spiced with ginger, lemon grass and mandarins, exotic and aromatic. There is a dunkelweizen, or red wheat beer called La Meine Schatzy (4.5%); the Black Watch (4.7%) is a classic Scottish Ale, slightly sweet and malty; and last but not least on the beer menu is the Vanderbulle Wit (5%).

Soon to be recycled as a brewpub is a vintage tavern, called the Rendez Vous Rosemont. The people who have passed the last 20 years there are changing their drinking habits! Brouehaha, maison des brasseurs will soon have a 500-liter brewery installed by Pierre Rajotte, and it will be up and running by midsummer. Sixteen micros are already on tap at the bar, and a wonderful selection of imported Belgian ales is available for your tasting pleasure. MBIÈRE tasting courses are taught on location, and are a great way to learn the basics for how to taste, evaluate and judge beer!

Downtown in the Latin Quarter there is a concentration of four brewpubs within a three block radius. The last to arrive is Le Saint Bock. This hot beer bar has a wonderful selection of imported Belgian beers and a compact brewery visible in the back of the bar. There are seven well brewed house beers on tap. Try the Stout brewed and served with marshmallows!

Another recently opened brewery is the up and coming, Au Maitre Brasseur that opened last year. Brewer Pascal DesBien brews a wide selection of excellent beers, including many seasonals and one-offs with a pub attached to the brewery.

L’Alchimiste has gone from a brewpub with a 500-liter system, to a regional brewery with a beautiful new installation on the outskirts of Joliette. Same great beer, but now it’s at another stage. Increased production, lots of room, a well-organized brewery and they are ready for action! Their Icebock is in my selection of new beers.

À la Fut is a new brewing co-op in Saint Tite with a unique concept of providing quality craft beer directly to homes with draft systems. You can learn all about it and see the brewery on their website. Located in downtown Saint Tite in the old General Store.

Buying a copy of the new Québec Beer Trek map is the best way to find and visit these new regional brewpubs. Go see the recently opened Le Trou Du Diable which has numerous beers on tap, is located in Shawinigan and is full of local history, legends and great beer. What more can you ask for? The time to visit, the Loup Rouge, Micro Brasserie Pit Caribou, Les Brasseurs de L’Anse, Les Brasseurs qui Fument, Microbrasserie des Cascades, Brasserie Cardinal, Les Brasseurs du Temps, Microbrasserie St Jean, Brasserie Artisanale Siboire, and the La Voie Maltée.

Schoune Collection, Bruxelle La Nuit (5%), smooth black ale with coffee
Schoune Collection, La Duchesse d’Aguillon (8%), Triple blanche
Schoune Collection, Premier Baiser (First Kiss 7%), spicy Belgian Blonde Ale
Schoune Collection, La Cinquième Saison (4.5%), Belgian style Saison
Brasseurs et Freres, Kebec 9%, extra strong Quebec 400th Anniversary Ale
Alchimiste, Eisbock (9.5%), extra strong Brown Ale, Ice increases alcohol
Au Maitre Brasseur, L’Orgasme (8%), Triple brewed with Champagne yeast
Les Brasseurs RJ, No 926 beer on lees (5%), Hefewiezen (6-packs)