Discoveries

Cheers!

Tastes have changed a lot since the Jesuits of Quebec City began to brew beer in 1647. Over time, the brewing industry has developed non-stop. The latest trend - microbreweries - started in 1987 in Montreal with Le Cheval Blanc. That same year Les Brasseurs du Nord came on the scene. The company produces one of the best-selling microbrew beers in Quebec: Boréale Rousse, a sparkling, copper-coloured caramelized malt ale.

Still, with its impressive production capacity of 200,000 hectolitres annually, McAuslan is the largest microbrewery in Quebec. Sample the company’s fruity seasonal beers, such as the autumn "spicy pumpkin" and the spring "apricot," both of which got a good deal of attention at the last beer festival, the Mondial de la bière.

Quebec’s roots

Quebecers have a soft spot for "U" and "U-2," two pilsners brewed by Unibroue. Take a tour of the plant and observe the five steps in the brewing process: brewing, fermentation, clarification, bottling and re-fermentation. Sip one of the beers with names that evoke the legends of the first colonists in Upper America: "Blanche de Chambly," "Maudite," "La Fin du Monde" and "Eau Bénite." Why stop there? More stories await at the St-Arnould microbrewery. It takes its name from a 12th-century monk who blessed a barrel of beer so that those who drank it could be saved from the plague. The result: light, wonderful draft beers such as "Minerva" and "des Anges."

Thirsty?

Sample our delicious regional beers! Tours and tastings are offered at several places (make a reservation if you’re with a group). If you’re going to the Mauricie region, stop at Les bières de la Nouvelle-France. This microbrewery works with Belgian experts to develop very unique buckwheat and spelt wheat beers. And don’t miss Le Lion d’Or (Eastern Townships), La Diable (Laurentians), Gambrinus (Mauricie), Le Bilboquet (Montérégie) and Charlevoix.

Guillaume Rivard
2008-04-16