10 Craft Breweries In Quebec That Are Worth A Fall Road Trip If You Love Beer
There's even a pumpkin and cinnamon beer called Ale-Ô-Ween!
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.
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
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.
Brewers Montebello
Distance from Montreal: One hour and 40 minutes
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.
Brasserie artisanale Albion
Distance from Montreal: One hour
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.
Le Trèfle Noir
Distance from Montreal: Seven hours
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.
La Korrigane
Distance from Montreal: Three hours
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.
Microbrasserie La Forge du Malt
Distance from Montreal: One hour and 40 minutes
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.
Pit Caribou
Distance from Montreal: 10 hours and 30 minutes
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.
The Microbrasserie Aux Fous Brassant
Distance from Montreal: Four hours and 15 minutes
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.
Le Trou Du Diable
Distance from Montreal: Two hours
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.
Microbrasserie Noire et Blanche
Distance from Montreal: 40 minutes
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.