Where To Find Laurentide Beer For Purchase?

The Laurentide Beer Company was established in 2020 in Penn Yan, New York, and offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, lagers, and ales. However, there is also a separate brand of Laurentide beer produced by Molson Coors in Quebec, Canada. This brand was exclusively distributed in Quebec and was discontinued around 2012 but was revived in 2015 due to a citizen-led petition. So, it seems that you can still buy Laurentide beer, at least in Quebec and New York State.

Where to buy Laurentide beer

Laurentide Beer is an icon in Quebec's brewing scene. It was exclusively produced in and distributed throughout Quebec and was created to be a distinctly Quebec beer. It was first launched in 1962 or 1963 by Molson, who wanted to create "regional" products to get closer to its clientele.

By 2012, Laurentide Beer seemed to have disappeared, but in 2017, it was brought back due to a citizen-led petition. Molson reintroduced the beer in response to the petition and released 120,000 cases of Laurentide, just in time for Montreal's 375th anniversary.

Since its reintroduction, Laurentide Beer has been brewed periodically as a nostalgia item and can be found in some bars in Montreal, Quebec, and at the Metro chain of supermarkets. Additionally, according to Untappd, a beer-tracking app, Laurentide Beer Company is located in Penn Yan, New York, United States, suggesting that their beers may also be available at their brewery in New York.

Laurentide beer history

Laurentide beer is an icon of Quebec's brewing scene. Its story begins in 1962 when Molson, seeking to tap into the province's national spirit, launched a distinctly Quebec beer. Exclusively produced in Quebec, Laurentide was created specifically for the province and wasn't available anywhere else in Canada. Molson's strategy was to create "regional" products to get closer to its clientele. The name "Laurentide" was chosen to evoke a great northward escape from Montreal into the largest segment of Quebec's beer market. The label directly targeted Quebec's identity and was inspired by the socio-political context of the time.

The marketing of Laurentide reflected the culture of the 1960s, with breweries using comedians for advertising. The beer experienced mixed success, with some celebrating how they finally had a drinkable beer made in Quebec, while others dismissed it as a marketing ploy. In the mid-1980s, Laurentide shifted its approach, moving from an ale to an international-style lager. This change is reflected in its labelling and advertising, with the English description changing from "ale" to "beer" or "lager".

By 2012, Laurentide seemed to have disappeared from the market, but it made a comeback in 2017 thanks to a citizen-led petition that gathered 1,000 signatures. Molson reintroduced the beer, releasing 120,000 cases of Laurentide, just in time for Montreal's 375th anniversary.

Laurentide beer taste

Laurentide beer has had a varied history, with its recipe being changed several times. The beer was originally an ale, with a lightly fruity taste. It was described in 1982 as having a "pleasant malt aroma with light hops, [being] highly carbonated, [with a] good dry malt and hop flavour, well-balanced, zesty, slightly sour finish and aftertaste."

However, in the mid-1980s, the beer changed to an international lager style. It is now a pilsner, brewed with two-row pale malt and a variety of hops. It is described as having a "subtle hoppiness, with a forthright and smooth taste and an indisputable reputation."

Some people disagree about whether the beer is an ale or a lager, with some people's long-term memories of the beer being that it is an ale, while the current version is a lager.

Reviews of the beer's taste are mixed. One person describes it as "bland, boring, typical of other macro brews", while another says it has "more flavour and presence" than other American Blonde Ales. Another review states that it is "not what I remember, in other words, but still good with quite a full flavour."

Laurentide beer reviews

Laurentide Beer has received mixed reviews from customers. While some customers have described it as a "good brew", "good local beer", and "a good spot to meet with friends", others have called it "average" and "mediocre".

One customer, who visited the Laurentide Beer Company in Penn Yan, New York, described the beer as "just average" and the service as "mediocre". They also mentioned that the bartender was not very friendly. Another customer, who visited the same location, described the pork schnitzel sandwich as "quite thick and a bit dry".

However, there are also positive reviews for Laurentide Beer. A customer who visited the Penn Yan location praised the "great craft beers" and "good food", calling it a "must-do place" in the area. Another reviewer on BeerAdvocate gave Laurentide a rating of 4.42/5, stating that it tasted "a bit like milk" and was "really good to drink". They also mentioned that it gave them a "buzz", indicating a higher alcohol content.

Another reviewer on BeerAdvocate, who purchased Laurentide in Montreal, gave a more detailed review. They described the beer as having a "yellow clear golden color" with "half a finger of head that stays". In terms of smell and taste, they noted hints of "hop" and "corn", with a "light to medium body" and an easy drinking feel. They concluded that it was a "better choice than your typical Adjunct Lager".

Overall, Laurentide Beer seems to have received a range of reviews, with some customers enjoying the taste and experience, while others found it average or disappointing.

Other Laurentide beer products

Laurentide Beer, an icon of Quebec's brewing scene, was first launched in 1962 by Molson. The beer was exclusively produced in and available only in Quebec, Canada.

Over the years, Laurentide Beer has been marketed as both an ale and a lager. While the beer was initially advertised as an ale, by 1989, the label had changed to simply list the beverage as a "beer". The shift in marketing strategy may be due to the fact that, at the time, the terms "ale" and "lager" were used primarily for marketing purposes, regardless of the yeast used in the brewing process.

Today, Laurentide Beer is considered a pilsner by Molson Coors. It is brewed with two-row pale malt and a variety of quality hops, using a slow fermentation process that results in a subtle hoppiness and a smooth, forthright taste.

In addition to the standard Laurentide Beer, there are a few other products that bear the Laurentide name:

• Laurentide Lager: This variety is likely the same as the standard Laurentide Beer, as the Molson Coors website describes Laurentide as a pilsner, which is a type of lager.
• Laurentide Ale: While Laurentide was originally marketed as an ale, it is unclear if the recipe has changed over the years. The beer historian Mario d'Eer suggests that the terms "ale" and "lager" were used interchangeably for marketing purposes during the mid-1980s. However, some sources claim that Laurentide Ale and Laurentide Lager are two distinct beers, with the former being a top-fermented ale with a lightly fruity taste.
• Molson Canadian: Some people believe that Molson Canadian is a version of Laurentide made for markets outside of Quebec. However, Molson-Coors has denied this, stating that the two beers have different recipes.

Frequently asked questions