Did you know that Montreal, the "The City of Saints", is home to dozens of breweries (brasseries). During a recent visit I was able to sample from several of these and in general, the beers were solid with a wide choice in styles. Les 3 Brasseurs is probably the most noticeable establishment with six brew pubs located though out the area. We had lunch at the
Brossard restaurant and was quite pleased with the food (first dapple with Poutine) and their beer menu -- consisting of five staple beers (
Blonde •
Amber •
White •
Brown •
IPA), two neighborhood beers, and a guest cider. It became clear immediately that Montreal brewers have conquered the Blonde style as every version I drank was solid. Les 3 Brasseurs
White was also spot on the style.
From that lunch,
theCompass Winery, Brewery, Distillery app guided us to the production facility for
Les Trois Mousquetaires. The three owners opened this brasserie in 2004 and focus on Germany styled beers and they utilize Quebec grain malted in the Province's Frontenac and Maltbroue malt houses. Truly a local product. There is no tasting room at their facility, but you can purchase any of the beer so we went home with their
Noire,
Blonde,
Berliner Weisse,
Gose,
Oud Bruin - an oak aged Belgium inspired brown ale laced with brett. The
Gose was a little off kilter for me, having a stronger Coriander profile than salt, but I regret not buying more of the other four - particularly the
Noire Schwarzbier.
I had received several recommendations to visit
Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel (translates to Good Lord or God of Heaven) and the beer did not disappoint as I drooled over the beer menu. They produce a wide ranging portfolio from the delicate
Rosée d’hibiscus to the
Immoralité Imperial American IPA. Once again the lighter style beers were rock solid such as the
L’Été Aborigène Golden Ale and
Corpus Christi Pale Ale. And believe me, a Pale Ale is on the lighter spectrum at this brasserie. The
Résurrection Porter was quite delicious as was the
Aphrodisiaque Chocolate & Vanilla Stout.
The final brewery we visited was the soon to open
Mabrasserie coop de solidarité brassicole, a joint venture between
Isle de Garde,
Noire et Blanche Microbrasserie,
Broue Pub Brouhaha, and
Brasserie artisanale La Succursale. This will be a huge facility not only crafting and canning beer, but also a
a beer and brewing interpretive center targeted to home brewers. The facility will also house a large tasting area, both inside and on a terrace. We were able to purchase two future products, a growler full of Porter and the canned
Tribale Pale Ale. The
Porter was sold, but the Pale Ale was exceptional. Just enough hops to balance the malt for a clean finish. The outlook looks good for this startup.
Les Brasseries de Montreal
Bedondaine & Bedons Ronds
Benelux Brewpub
Bierbrier Brewing Inc.
Bistro Le Reservoir
Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises
Brasserie Artisanale Albion
Brasserie artisanale La Succursale
Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel - Montreal
Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel - St-Jérôme
Brasseurs Illimités
Brasserie McAuslan Brewery
Brasseur de Montreal
Broue Pub Brouhaha
Brutopia
Ferme Brasserie Schoune
HELM Brasseur Gourmand
Isle de Garde
L'Amère à Boire
Le Cheval Blanc
L'Espace Public
Le Saint-Bock Brasserie Artisanale
Le Saint Graal
Les 3 Brasseurs - Brossard
Les 3 Brasseurs - Crescent
Les 3 Brasseurs - Laval
Les 3 Brasseurs - Montreal
Les 3 Brasseurs - St-Denis
Les 3 Brasseurs - St-Paul
Les Trois Mousquetaires
Mabrasserie coop de solidarité brassicole
McAuslan Brewing
Microbrasserie Goudale
Microbrasserie L'Alchimiste
Microbrasserie Le Bilboquet
Microbrasserie Maltéus
Noire et Blanche Microbrasserie
This The United Grapes of America feature focuses on an excellent wine from Ohio, the Firelands Winery 2012 Isle St. George Pinot Noir ($16). Firelands is currently the largest winery in Ohio and is located in the northeast part of the state almost at the midpoint between Toledo and Cleveland. Firelands refers to the "region of north central Ohio which was allotted to Connecticut citizens whose homes were burned by the British during the Revolutionary War. As they resettled, they brought with them their wine making heritage, and a love for fine wines."
The Isle St. George AVA is the only island appellation in North America and is located on North Bass Island in western Lake Erie. The island is quite remote as it requires two ferry crossings to reach from the mainland and has only a dozen full time residents. The location is ideal for red vinifera which are unable to ripen on the mainland as Lake Erie warms the island in the fall - prolonging the growing season. It also contains limestone - perfect for Pinot Noir.
