Montreal's Beer Scene: A Guide To Drinking Local

Montreal is known for its French connection to the great traditions of drinking fine wine and cooking French food. However, when it comes to beer, the city's bars are in a class of their own. Here is a list of some of the best places to drink beer in Montreal:

- Le Saint Bock: With over 40 beers on tap, including 20 brewed in-house, and one of the largest collections of bottled beer in the country, this bar takes its beer very seriously.

- L'Amère à Boire: One of the only breweries to make both ales and lagers, L'Amère à Boire also serves a Czech brew called Černá Hora.

- Brasserie Benelux: With locations in downtown and Verdun, this brewpub focuses on Belgian, Dutch, and Luxembourg-style beers.

- Brasserie Dunham: Located outside the city in Dunham, this experimental brewery makes some of the most innovative beers in the region.

- Le Saint-Bock: This ultra-popular Latin Quarter brewpub offers over 40 beers on tap, many of which are brewed on-site.

- Brasserie Harricana: The first beer bar in Montreal with a futuristic Flux Capacitor draft system, Harricana offers a range of house brews and gourmet Quebec comfort food.

- MaBrasserie: This collaborative brewery offers off-site brewing services for some of Montreal's best brewpubs, as well as brewing their own creations.

- Broue Pub Brouhaha: With two locations in Rosemont and Ahuntsic, this beer temple offers a wide selection of beers, including tap house classics and homemade concoctions.

- Microbrasserie Pit Caribou: The Montreal outpost of the infamous Gaspésienne brewery, considered one of the best in North America, offers a range of fine beers, including the award-winning Brown Ale Américaine.

- Yïsst: Focusing on small-scale Quebec brewers, Yïsst also pours pints of their own collaborations with sister brewery La Succursale.

- La Brasserie Saint-Denis: This Vieux-Rosemont pub is for classic beer lovers, offering well-made, no-frills beers devoid of any funk.

- Les Soeurs Grises: Named after a group of 18th-century women who illegally sold black-market booze, this spot offers 10 home-brewed tipples in a former convent.

- Station Ho.st: The flagship bar of the Hopfenstark brewery, Station Ho.st offers a mix of Hopfenstark classics and beers from other Quebec breweries.

- EtOH Brasserie: This bar offers 20 beers on tap, separated by optimal service temperature rather than style, and also provides growlers to go.

- HELM: A Mile End staple, HELM focuses on using Quebec-grown ingredients in their 10 brewed-on-site beers, named after nearby streets.

- L'Espace Public: More than just a bar, L'Espace Public is a brewery and a meeting place for the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve community, offering a range of light and easy beers with a focus on sours.

- Bar Big in Japan: A vibrant and polished spot, Bar Big in Japan combines a bar and a restaurant, featuring a menu of beers from across the city and the Gaspésie region.

- Bar le Vestiaire: While not the most polished bar, Le Vestiaire is one of the liveliest spots in the city, offering fine Quebec beers on tap and private import Belgian bottles.

- Brasseur de Montréal: This Latin Quarter brewery, one of Quebec's oldest, offers a classic Belgian-style white beer that can only be found on-site.

Best Breweries in Montreal

Montreal's microbrewery scene is thriving, with plenty of options for beer lovers. Here is a list of some of the best breweries the city has to offer:

Brasserie Harricana

Harricana was the first beer bar in Montreal and Canada, boasting a futuristic Flux Capacitor draft system that controls the temperature and carbonation of each draft line. The bar-restaurant offers a range of house brews, from sodas to kombucha and gourmet Quebec comfort food. It's open all day from noon, except on Sundays.

Isle de Garde

This sleek spot, with a stylish terrace on Beaubien, is known for its well-curated and constantly rotating beer list, knowledgeable servers, and excellent pairing dishes like lobster ravioli. They also advocate for lagers over IPAs.

Dieu du Ciel

Veteran craft brewery Dieu du Ciel is one of Montreal's most iconic and revered breweries, offering around 20 consistently rotating beers on tap and a curated list of in-house and imported bottles. While their beers are available in stores, nothing beats a pint straight from the source.

Vices & Versa

With 40 craft brews on tap that change daily, Vices & Versa is the city's clubhouse for beer enthusiasts. For the past 15 years, it has been the proving ground for up-and-coming breweries and a go-to spot for rare suds from renowned breweries.

Benelux Brasserie Artisanale

With locations in downtown and Verdun, Benelux focuses on Belgian, Dutch, and Luxembourgish beer styles. Enjoy one of their dozen house-brewed beers with a hotdog from the kitchen. The Verdun location is recommended for its spaciousness and pretty patio.

Réservoir

Once a low-profile brewpub, Réservoir has gained a boost in popularity thanks to its amazing rooftop terrace, refined cuisine (including vegetarian options), and excellent beers brewed on-site.

Boswell Brasserie Artisanale

Located in the Plateau, Boswell Brasserie Artisanale offers Quebec-made beers, with all 19 beers on tap crafted in-house. They also serve wine and hard liquor, and their bites are a step above typical pub grub, with dishes like salmon tartare and duck breast.

Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

This bright Plateau pub is the Montreal outpost of the infamous Gaspésienne brewery, considered one of the best in North America. They offer 24 taps with some of the world's finest beers, including the award-winning Brown Ale Américaine.

MaBrasserie

Open seven days a week, MaBrasserie is a collaborative brewery that offers off-site brewing services and crafts its own beers. Sample their creations from 32 taps in the tasting room, or bring your recipe to have them brew your beer.

Broue Pub Brouhaha

With two locations, one in Rosemont and another in Ahuntsic, Broue Pub Brouhaha has been a true beer temple since 2008. They pour tap house classics and homemade concoctions from 11 am until late from their 24 taps.

L'Espace Public

L'Espace Public is Hochelaga-Maisonneuve's neighbourhood brewery and meeting place, offering light and easy beers with a focus on sour varieties. They brew nearly 20 different sours and about 10 non-sour options, including a rice lager and farmhouse IPA.

These breweries showcase the diversity and quality of Montreal's beer scene, offering a range of styles and atmospheres to suit different tastes.

Best Brewpubs in Montreal

Montreal is a city with a rich craft beer culture. Here are some of the best brewpubs to visit:

Réservoir

An old brewpub classic of the Plateau with modern decor, this bar offers in-house beers and limited collaborations with guest brewers. The pilsner is a year-round favourite, but their grapefruit IPA is also a refreshing choice.

Dieu du Ciel!

Veteran craft brewery Dieu du Ciel! is one of Montreal’s most iconic and revered breweries. With 20 rotating beers on tap and a curated list of bottles, it's a must-visit for beer lovers.

Vices & Versa

With 40 craft brews on tap that change daily, Vices & Versa is the city's clubhouse for beer nerds. It's been a proving ground for up-and-coming breweries and offers access to rare suds from the likes of Cantillon and Evil Twin.

Benelux

With locations in downtown and Verdun, Benelux focuses on the styles of beer from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Grab a hotdog and wash it down with one of the dozen house-brewed beers on tap.

Brasserie Harricana

The first beer bar in Montreal with a futuristic Flux Capacitor draft system, Brasserie Harricana has all the trappings of a classic tavern with a stylish twist. Expect anything from an English bitter to a saké-fermented blonde.

Isle de Garde

This sleek spot with a stylish terrasse made a name for itself with a well-curated and constantly rotating beer list. They also offer excellent pairing dishes like a 60-day aged burger and lobster ravioli.

Broue Pub Brouhaha

A true beer temple since 2008, Broue Pub Brouhaha has two locations and serves an extensive selection of beers by the bottle and on draft, as well as hearty bar fare.

Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

This bright Plateau pub is the Montreal outpost of the infamous Gaspésienne brewery, considered one of the best in North America. Try their award-winning Brown Ale Américaine.

Yïsst

With 24 taps featuring Quebec producers, especially small-scale brewers, Yïsst also pours pints of their own creations made in collaboration with sister brewery La Succursale. Be sure to try their interesting snacks, like the Californian ranch party mix.

La Succursale

This Vieux-Rosemont pub is for classic beer lovers, offering well-made beers devoid of funk. Their glass-enclosed brewery allows patrons to watch the brewing process while enjoying a refreshing kölsch or hearty English Ale.

Les Soeurs Grises

Housed in a former convent, this spot takes its name from a group of 18th-century women who illegally sold black market booze. Enjoy one of their 10 homebrewed tipples with a side of their delicious pork ribs.

Station Ho.st

Although the beer is not brewed on-site, Station Ho.st is the flagship bar of its parent brewery Hopfenstark. Enjoy a mix of Hopfenstark classics and beers from beloved Quebec brasseries.

EtOH Brasserie

EtOH takes its name from the scientific shorthand for the properties of grain alcohol. Their 20 beers on tap are divided by optimal service temperature, and they offer flights to taste the beers as intended.

HELM

A neighbourhood favourite in Mile End, HELM focuses on using Quebec-grown ingredients. Their 10 brewed-on-site beers offer a crash course in Mile End geography with names inspired by nearby streets.

L’Espace Public

More than just a bar, L’Espace Public is a brewery and a meeting place for the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve community. With a strong focus on light and easy beers, especially sours, they also offer clever creations like the Tusmami, a saison brewed with seaweed and green tea.

Bar Big in Japan

A vibrant and polished spot, Bar Big in Japan is a unique confluence of a bar and a restaurant. The beer menu offers a range of styles from breweries across the city and reaching as far as the Gaspésie. The kitchen features a wood-fired oven churning out Caribbean-inspired fare with international twists.

Best Beer Bars in Montreal

Montreal's drinking culture is legendary, and the city has a large number of breweries, bars, restaurants, and taprooms dedicated to showcasing suds from far and wide. Here are some of the best beer bars in the city:

Vices & Versa

This Little Italy bar is likely to win over the pickiest drinker with local beers on tap and in bottles, and a wide spread of gastropub grub. Beer fans will appreciate the attentive, well-educated staff, and non-beer fanatics will appreciate the wine selection. The expansive back patio seating is a bonus.

Pub BreWskey

Pub BreWskey is ideal for beer fans, with 14 rotating taps and flights on offer. But as the name suggests, they're also big on whiskey, with monthly beer and whiskey pairing events. They also have an infused beer special every Sunday and Monday night and whiskey Wednesdays, where whiskey is 10% off.

Benelux

One of the few places on the list that serves almost exclusively beer, with a mix of offerings from Quebec and California, and the occasional left-field choice. There are also plenty of snacks, including gourmet paninis and hefty hot dogs. The bar has two locations, one in downtown Montreal and the other in Verdun, with the latter being more spacious.

L'Espace Public - Brasseurs de quartier

A small bar with a meticulously curated selection of beer. If you fancy something with a touch of berries, a pale ale, or blonde brew, then you’re in luck. They also host special events, including tap takeovers, pop-ups, and Pride.

Brasserie Harricana

Brasserie Harricana is a bright and airy bar with a load of delicious beers on tap. They have a wide variety of craft beers, offering sodas and kombucha as well. They were the first beer bar in Montreal to use a Flux Capacitor draft system, which allows them to be efficient and conserve the quality of their tap beers. The menu has a wide variety of delicious food, from burgers to salads, and the kitchen is open until 11 pm every day.

Bar Alexandraplatz

Bar Alexandraplatz channels a bit of Berlin with its outdoor seating and liberal dog policy. They have a rotating selection of local beers on tap, as well as non-alcoholic beer, sodas, and juice. They also host special events like pairing with seasonal farmers' markets and local DJs.

Bistro-Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises

This sophisticated downtown spot trends towards sophistication, with detailed tasting notes on each of their beers. Their beer selection includes a crunchy blonde with flower and hazelnut butter flavors, and their food menu includes tapas like beetroot hummus with grilled pita and honey and nuts baked brie cheese.

Best Beer to Drink in Summer

Montreal is known for its French connection to fine wine bars and French food, but when it comes to beer, the city's bars are in a class of their own. Here are some of the best beers to drink in Montreal during the summer:

Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs – Tendresse

The grapefruit and verbena flavours of this Witbier are crisp and refreshing, perfect for a warm day. It’s the perfect choice for those with a penchant for citrusy and herbal notes.

Brasseurs de Montréal – Griffintown

Ale Blonde aficionados will love this beer brewed in Griffintown. Perfect for summer BBQs, it’s an instant classic with tons of flavour.

Brasserie Harricana – Tony Colada

Are you yearning for a day at the beach? This is the perfect beer for steamy weather! Its Pina Colada, tropical fruit and banana aromas will remind you of the cocktails you sipped under a parasol on your last tropical vacation.

L’Espace Public – Bière de Balcon

This sour raspberry micro-brewed beer is part of the cultural landscape of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood. It’s brewed to be light and smooth – perfect, as the name suggests, for a summer evening of chilling on a balcony with friends.

Isle de Garde – IPA américaine

L'Isle de garde is a must-try in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie neighbourhood. The brewery has recently started offering its beers in cans and their American API is a classic that you just have to try.

Matera – Lafontaine

La Lafontaine de Matera is brewed in part with Basmati rice, making it great for picnicking with a poutine or some fresh sushi at a neighbourhood park. The Matera team also wants you to know that drinking this beer may heighten your bocce skills.

Microbrasserie 4 Origines – La 514

This Hazy Pale Ale, brewed out of love for Montréal, will definitely quench your thirst. You can even find it sometimes in a one-litre format. It’s perfect for lounging on a sunny afternoon on the banks of the Lachine Canal.

Oshlag - Kellerbier Blonde

The Oshlag microbrewery offers a German-style lagerized ale made from 100% Québec ingredients. This refreshing, lemony beer is great for sharing with friends in the park of your choice on a summer afternoon.

Les Vilains Brasseurs – Fleur

Les Vilains Brasseurs, Oshlag's sister company, offers a session IPA that opens on your palate like a flower. It defines itself as the weekday beer par excellence, or as summer in a can. Perfect for a laid-back Happy Hour any day of the week.

Microbrasserie Vox Populi – Kettle Sour

Here’s a fun new way to add bubbles to a traditional Montréal brunch! Nicknamed the mimosa of beers, the Kettle Sour will easily replace champagne and orange juice.

Réservoir

This Plateau favourite has been serving up classic pilsners and playful brews like rhubarb wheat and haskap sour for years. It's a great spot to enjoy a cold pint on a hot summer day.

Le Cheval Blanc

Le Cheval Blanc was the first fully licensed brewpub in Montreal and is a cornerstone of the city's brewpub scene. Enjoy a well-made, unpretentious beer and tune in to their hi-fi sound system to hear some great music.

L’Amère à Boire

One of the only breweries to make both ales and lagers, L’Amère à Boire has been a flourishing fixture of Montreal since 1996. It's a great spot to enjoy a unique beer on their terrace or cozy up inside.

Benelux

With locations in downtown and Verdun, Benelux focuses on the styles of beer from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Grab a hotdog and wash it down with one of their dozen house-brewed beers.

Le Saint-Bock

With over 40 beers on tap, including 20 of their own brews, and one of the largest collections of bottled beer in the country, Le Saint-Bock is a beer lover's paradise. Don't miss their poutine made with beer!

Vices & Versa

With 40 different beers on offer, including several local options, Vices & Versa is a one-stop shop for beer lovers. Their terrace, surrounded by greenery, is the perfect place to relax in the summer.

Best Beer Tours in Montreal

Montreal is known for its French connection to fine wine bars and French food, but the city's best beers are in a class of their own. Here are some of the best beer tours in Montreal:

Montreal Craft Beer Tour

This is a two-kilometre walking tour through Montreal's hottest, liveliest, and most picturesque neighbourhoods. The tour includes visits to three craft breweries, which brew a variety of beer styles for on-the-premises consumption only. The tour costs $64 per person and includes eight or more craft beer tastings paired with poutine, local charcuterie, cheese, nachos, and chocolate. The tour also includes a visit to a beer tasting bar. Montreal Craft Beer Tours also offers private tours for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

MTL Brew Tours

This all-inclusive tour of Montreal's best breweries includes visits to 4 Origins Microbrewery, Les Sans-Taverne Coop & Brewery, and La Succursale Craft Brewery, among others. The tour also includes beer and food pairings, and transportation is provided.

Self-guided tour

For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, a self-guided tour of Montreal's best breweries is also an option. Some notable breweries include:

• Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!: A veteran craft brewery that has been in operation for over two decades. They offer 20 consistently rotating beers on tap, as well as a curated list of bottles made in-house or imported from around the world.
• Vices & Versa: With 40 craft brews on tap that change daily, this bar is a must-visit for beer lovers. They frequently feature rare and sought-after suds from breweries like Cantillon and Evil Twin.
• Benelux: This brewpub, with locations in downtown and Verdun, focuses on Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg-style beers. They offer a dozen house-brewed beers on tap, and the Sherbrooke location is popular with McGill University students.
• Brasserie Dunham: Located outside the city in Dunham, this brewery is known for its experimental and innovative beers. They have created a sour foeder-fermented grisette brewed with plums called the Funk Royale, and a collaboration with beers aged on the lees of grapes from Quebec winemakers called Vini Viti Vici.
• Le Saint-Bock - Brasserie Artisanale: This Latin Quarter brewpub offers over 40 beers on tap, many of which are brewed on-site. Their Malédiction framboise, a milk stout blended with raspberry puree, is a must-try.
• Brasserie Harricana: This tavern-style bar offers a range of beers, from an ultra-classic English bitter to a saké-fermented blonde. They also serve roasted chickens and have a futuristic flux capacitor carbonation system.
• MaBrasserie: A collaborative brewery that offers off-site brewing services for some of Montreal's best brewpubs. They have 32 beers on tap in their tasting room and also sell bottles to go.
• Broue Pub Brouhaha: With two locations in Rosemont and Ahuntsic, this beer bar offers an extensive selection of beers by the bottle and on tap, as well as hearty bar fare.
• Microbrasserie Pit Caribou: This is the Montreal outpost of the infamous Gaspésienne brewery, considered one of the best in North America. They offer 24 taps with some of the finest beers in the world, including the award-winning Brown Ale Américaine.
• Yïsst: This bar focuses on small-scale Quebec brewers, with 24 taps featuring brewers like Brasserie Oshlag and Avante-Garde. They also offer interesting snacks to pair with their beers, such as a Californian ranch party mix.
• Brasserie artisanale La Succursale: This Vieux-Rosemont pub is for classic beer lovers, offering well-made, straightforward beers. The brewery is enclosed in glass, allowing patrons to watch the brewing process while they enjoy their drink.
• Les Soeurs Grises: This former convent-turned-bar takes its name from an 18th-century group of women who illegally sold black-market booze to the French aristocracy. They offer 10 homebrewed beers and delicious pork ribs from their industrial smoker.

Frequently asked questions