For years, drinking beer in Quebec meant knocking back a Bleue, an Export, or a Wildcat Strong — especially if you enjoyed your drinks served out of a paper bag. But, for whatever reason, adventurous millennials became bored with the watery beers of their forefathers. They demanded a greater diversity of choice, and now the Quebec craft brewery scene has changed. Today, there are more than 250 craft breweries across the province, according to L’Association des microbrasseries du Québec, and more are opening every year. Editor's Choice: This Quebec National Park Hiking Trail Leads You Straight Into The Clouds (PHOTOS) A lot of these breweries are in Montreal but small towns across the province are also getting all hopped up on the economic opportunities produced by mom-and-pop beer makers. The fall is always a good time for a trip through the province to admire the foliage with a few good beers, made with local ingredients that capture the flavour of the land itself. So, here are 10 craft breweries in Quebec that are worth the road trip. Kahnawake Brewing Company Distance from Montreal: 20 minutes View this post on Instagram Photo de notre visite hier @ktownbrew à l’occasion de leur bottle release. Nous avons une la chance de mettre la main sur 2 bouteilles que j’ai bien hâte de goûter. Sur place nous avons opté pour une NEIPA, une IPL et un stout. Aussi nous avons eu la chance de discuter avec les 2 maîtres brasseurs. Nous sommes toujours bien reçu à cet endroit. Si vous n’y êtes jamais allez alors il n’est jamais trop tard pour bien faire... haha!!! Ça vaut le déplacement!!! A post shared by Martin Mercier 🇨🇦 (@marty_and_the_craftbeers) on Dec 15, 2019 at 12:55pm PST There are many reasons to visit the Mohawk community across the Mercier Bridge and one of them is the Kahnawake Brewing Company. They have a fantastic kitchen and the industrial decor is a nod to Indigenous ironworkers who helped build many skyscrapers and bridges across the region. Their beers are very tasty including the Whitestone, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout and Smoke That Sap!, a smoked maple porter. Website Brewers Montebello Distance from Montreal: One hour and 40 minutes View this post on Instagram Juste à côté de mon gîte !!! C’est vraiment ma fête :P #pixels #lesbrasseursdemontebello #biereblanche #symposium #lescouleursdumanoir A post shared by studiopixels (@studiopixels) on Jul 27, 2018 at 11:15am PDT Their La Grand Feu is an atypical IPA flavoured with smoked malt in honour of the fire that devastated the community of Montebello in 1913. Website Brasserie artisanale Albion Distance from Montreal: One hour View this post on Instagram Kristopher à été à la barre des commandes Take-out et livraison pendant tout le confinement. Solide gaillard. Il sera d’office demain à la même heure en tant que barman. #barman #fullgear #tigerking A post shared by Brasserie artisanale Albion (@brasseriealbion) on Jun 21, 2020 at 5:20pm PDT Located in the charming community of Joliette, the Albion’s Lait de Dragon (Dragon’s Milk) is a historical recreation of an ale from 1830. It’s very malty and hoppy with hints of oak and wine. Website Le Trèfle Noir Distance from Montreal: Seven hours View this post on Instagram Ale-Ô-Ween de @letreflenoir. C’est l’automne, une bière à citrouille s’impose! Bien épicée, pas trop intense sur la citrouille et la canelle, belle job! 👌🍻 . . #letreflenoir #letrèflenoirmicrobrasserie #pumpkinbeer #bièredautomne #aleoween #mordudelabiere #alebeer #boirelocal #bières #microbrasserieduquébec #spicybeer #hopheadman #biereduquebec #beercraft #beerpic #biereartisanale #quebeccraftbeer #bieredemicro #microbrew #craftbeergeek #onebeerperday #unebiereparjour #tastybeer #bière🍻 #canadiancraftbeer #canadianbeer #beergeekquebec #bierequebecoise A post shared by Alexandre Couture (@hopheadman) on Oct 14, 2019 at 1:19pm PDT If you find yourself in far off Rouyn-Noranda, you should definitely check out Microbrasserie Le Trèfle Noir, the first craft brewery in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Their La Trèfle Noir oatmeal stout sounds like a meal on its own with aromas of coffee, toast and dark chocolate. And their seasonal Ale-Ô-Ween pumpkin and cinnamon beer will be out soon. Website La Korrigane Distance from Montreal: Three hours View this post on Instagram Premiers clients! Premier « cheers »! Enfin, après 3 longs mois d’attente! ❤️ Nos portes sont ouvertes et notre équipe de feu est prête à vous accueillir. A post shared by Brasserie La Korrigane (@lakorrigane1) on Jun 20, 2020 at 9:16am PDT Located in the St-Roch district of Quebec City, La Korrigane is one of the most popular craft breweries in the capital. Their kitchen features local and regional agri-food companies and small artisanal producers. Their beer poutine, which uses La Korrigane’s special beer sauce instead of gravy, sounds both innovative and healthy... ish. Website Microbrasserie La Forge du Malt Distance from Montreal: One hour and 40 minutes View this post on Instagram Un samedi comme je les aime 😎🤘 A post shared by Caroline Jacques (@caroline_jacque_perso) on Jul 4, 2020 at 12:58pm PDT The brainchild of four partners who really love beer, Microbrasserie La Forge du Malt is one of Trois-Rivières’ most popular craft breweries. Their La Mer Ardente is a double IPA with aromas of lemon, dill and coconut thanks to Japanese Sorachi Ace hop. Website Pit Caribou Distance from Montreal: 10 hours and 30 minutes View this post on Instagram La Pale Ale 100% Brett Clausenii est de retour en fût à la microbrasserie. Houblons AMARILLO, HORIZON & CITRA. En fût seulement. A post shared by Pit Caribou (@micropitcaribou) on Jun 6, 2019 at 8:15am PDT For a taste of the Gaspé, head to this place. Pit Caribou’s beers are brewed in L’Anse-à-Beaufils, a picturesque fishing village close to Percé on the Gaspé Peninsula. Their Gose Au Poivre Rose Et Lime Kaffir is flavoured with pink pepper and lime kaffir and sounds interesting indeed. The brewery also operates a pub here in Montreal, just in case you can’t make it all the way there. Website The Microbrasserie Aux Fous Brassant Distance from Montreal: Four hours and 15 minutes View this post on Instagram Fini les vacances!! 😩🍺😭💔 @auxfousbrassant A post shared by Gabri-Ailes (@gabriailes) on Aug 13, 2019 at 7:41pm PDT The Microbrasserie Aux Fous Brassant is a place for Rivière-du-Loup residents to enjoy a good beer, a good meal, and a show. In addition, to producing high-quality craft beers, they regularly partner with local producers to offer meal kits. As I write this, it’s mac and cheese made with their La Grande Classe beer, cheese from Fromagerie des Basques and lamb bacon from Bergerie Dupont or vegan bacon. Website Le Trou Du Diable Distance from Montreal: Two hours View this post on Instagram À partir d'aujourd'hui, on est aussi ouvert le mardi de 15h à 22h pour les breuvages et grignotines ( les cuisines sont fermées, mais le sandwich est de retour) ! Y fait beau, y fait soif... on vous attends! A post shared by Trou du diable - Broue pub (@tddbrouepub) on Jul 28, 2020 at 1:08pm PDT Located in Shawinigan, Le Trou Du Diable is no hell hole, as its name might suggest. In fact, it’s one of Quebec’s most well-known brewpubs. They produce a number of signature beers including their Shawinigan Handshake, which has hints of brioche, banana and fir. The label on the bottle features Shawinigan native Jean Chrétien choking former Hockey Night in Canada host Don Cherry. It's a reference to the time Chrétien actually choked out a protester. See? Canadian history can be fun when beer's involved. Website Microbrasserie Noire et Blanche Distance from Montreal: 40 minutes View this post on Instagram L'été est revenu ☀️ .. #summer #terrasse #friendship A post shared by Marie-Pascale Rolland (@mariepascalerolland) on Jun 14, 2016 at 4:25pm PDT If chilling out in the Laurentians is your thing, make sure to refresh and rehydrate with a trip to Microbrasserie Noire et Blanche in St-Eustache. In addition to serving five varieties of poutine, all with fromage skwik-skwik (squeaky cheese), they have a number of hilariously named craft beers from their Sainte-Moustache blonde ale to their Arnold Sch’weizennegger wheat beer. Website
