Montreal's Best Craft Beer: Where To Buy

Montreal is a city with a rich craft beer culture, and there are many places to buy craft beer in the city. From microbreweries to beer stores, Montreal has a lot to offer to beer enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a cozy pub, a lively bar, or a quiet tasting room, there's somewhere in Montreal serving up a wide variety of craft beers to suit your taste.

Montreal's best craft beer bars

Montreal is known for its rich craft beer culture, with a variety of microbreweries and craft beer bars to choose from. Here are some of the best craft beer bars in the city:

Brasserie Dieu du Ciel in Laurier Ouest is known for its craft beers with character. It offers a wide selection, from timeless classics to experimental creations, making it a great spot for both novices and connoisseurs.

Mellön in Pointe-Saint-Charles is a must-visit for lager lovers. With an artisanal approach and a passion for quality, Mellön has perfected the art of "lagerization," a 5-week process that gives each beer a unique and flavourful character. They also offer Czech-inspired beers, pale ales, and imperial stouts.

Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs is an ambitious brewery east of Montreal. They create seasonal beers, patiently crafting their vision of a better world. In 2018, they merged with Jukebox to build a chic tasting room on the premises of Bingo Hochelaga.

Brasserie Projet Pilote in the heart of the Plateau, near Parc La Fontaine, offers a unique tasting experience with around twenty homemade beers on tap. It also serves as a distillery and a spirits bar, making it the only place in Quebec to taste spirits developed on-site.

Benelux and Vices & Versa Bistro Du Terroir are also recommended craft beer spots in Montreal. Whether you're looking for a cosy pub or an industrial-style microbrewery, Montreal has something for every craft beer enthusiast.

Microbreweries in Montreal

Montreal is known for its rich craft beer culture, with a variety of microbreweries scattered across the city, each offering a unique selection of beers.

One of the most well-known microbreweries in Montreal is Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!, located in Laurier Ouest. It offers a wide range of beers, from timeless classics to experimental creations, and has been around for a long time. Another popular option is Isle De Garde, known for its classic styles and slightly upscale feel. Pit Caribou, located in Gaspe, is also worth a visit for its mixed ferments and spontaneously fermented beers.

For those looking for a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, Le Cheval Blanc, Montreal's brewpub pioneer, is a great choice. It offers a laid-back feel with a hint of vintage and superb hoppy creations by brewer Isaël Dagenais. Réservoir, located on the Plateau, is another excellent option, featuring a refined cuisine and a range of beers brewed on-site.

Montreal also has some new and unique microbreweries, such as Les Sans-Taverne in Pointe-Saint-Charles, which showcases art and gourmet food by local artists alongside its beer offerings. Memento, located directly on the Lachine Canal, offers an eclectic atmosphere inspired by geek culture, old school cartoons, and video games. Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs, located east of Montreal, creates beers according to the seasons, and has a chic tasting room on the premises of Bingo Hochelaga.

In addition to these, there are several other microbreweries and craft beer bars worth mentioning, including Benelux Brasserie artisanale, Le Saint-Bock, Pub Brewskey, and Brasserie Projet Pilote, each offering its own unique selection of beers and ambiance.

Craft beer stores in Montreal

Montreal is known for its rich craft beer culture, with a variety of stores and microbreweries to choose from. Here is a list of some of the top craft beer stores and microbreweries in Montreal:

Dépanneur Peluso (Bonisoir)

Located in the east end, Peluso is a popular spot for craft beer enthusiasts. With a huge selection of beers, including local Quebec beers, it's a great place to discover new flavours.

La Consigne – Beer Chope

La Consigne is a beer store that offers a wide range of craft beers. They specialise in microbrewery beers and imported beers, so it's a great place to find something unique.

Le Bièrologue

With two locations in Hochelaga and on Ontario E, Le Bièrologue is a well-known craft beer destination. They offer a variety of local and imported beers, and are known for their knowledgeable staff.

Bières etc.

This beer store offers a wide selection of craft beers, with a focus on microbrewery options. They are known for their rotating selection, so you can always find something new to try.

Mellön

Located in the heart of Montreal, Mellön is a must-visit for lager lovers. With an artisanal approach, they have perfected the art of "lagerization," resulting in unique and flavourful beers. They also offer a variety of other styles, including Czech-inspired beers and pale ales.

Brasserie Dieu du Ciel

This small brewery in Laurier Ouest is known for its craft beers with character. With a wide selection ranging from classics to experimental creations, it's a great spot for both novices and connoisseurs.

Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs

Located east of Montreal, Avant-Garde creates seasonal beers with a vision of a better world. They have a chic tasting room and a superb production brewery, making it a great destination for those seeking a unique craft beer experience.

Projet Pilote

Projet Pilote is a microbrewery and distillery located in the heart of the Plateau. With a diverse menu of twenty craft beers, a pleasant ambiance, and a beautiful terrasse, it's a perfect spot for a cozy evening.

In addition to these stores and microbreweries, Montreal also offers craft beer bars and pubs, such as Benelux and Vices & Versa Bistro Du Terroir, where you can enjoy a variety of local and imported craft beers.

Montreal's craft beer culture

Montreal has a rich craft beer culture, with a wide variety of microbreweries and craft beer bars to choose from. Whether you're looking for a cosy neighbourhood pub or a trendy new hotspot, Montreal has something for everyone.

One of the most well-known microbreweries in Montreal is Mellön, located in the heart of the city. Mellön is known for its artisanal approach to lager, using a 5-week "lagerization" process that gives each beer a unique and flavourful character. Their varied menu includes Czech-inspired beers, pale ales, and imperial stouts. Another popular option is Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!, a small brewery in Laurier Ouest known for its craft beers with character. The establishment offers a wide selection of beers, ranging from timeless classics to experimental creations, making it a delightful spot for both novices and connoisseurs.

For those looking for a more eclectic beer selection, Pointe-St-Charles' first microbrewery, located in a former bingo hall, offers a range of beers from English ales to apricot-tea pale ales and cappuccino stouts. The bottle shop is also worth a visit, as they sometimes offer discounted four-packs. Up in Ahuntsic, Silo stands out with its colourful murals and plants. Here, you'll find creative beers like a coconut milk porter, an oat-pepper-ginger saison, and a guava IPA, as well as a classic pilsner.

Montreal also has its fair share of cosy craft beer bars and pubs. Benelux and Vices & Versa Bistro Du Terroir are popular spots, offering a great selection of beers and a cosy atmosphere. Khosrow is another highly regarded microbrewery, known for its Aphrodisiac beer and small snacks. For those who enjoy a side of music with their beer, Hochelaga is the place to be, with a metalhead-approved playlist and a selection of German-style ales and lagers.

The craft beer industry in Montreal is booming, and it's clear that the city takes its beer seriously. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring Montreal's craft beer culture is sure to be a delightful and flavourful experience.

Craft beer and food pairings

Montreal is a great place to explore craft beer and food pairings. There are many microbreweries and craft beer bars in the city, each with its own unique atmosphere and offerings.

Some popular spots include the relatively new microbrewery in a former bingo hall, which offers a wide range of craft beers on tap, from IPAs to British-style ales, and Neapolitan-inspired food to round out the experience. Pointe-St-Charles' first microbrewery, which opened in 2018, offers an eclectic set of beers in an industrial setting with a canal-facing terrace. You can bring your own food or order in, and their bottle shop sometimes has discounted four-packs.

For those looking for a more dive-y spot, there's a comfortable, dark, and retro brewpub that serves a solid lineup of house beers, from IPAs to stouts, and even a Belgian white. If you're in the mood for some metal music, Hochelaga's neighbourhood brewery offers German-style ales and lagers, as well as a variety of IPAs and sours.

When it comes to craft beer and food pairings, the possibilities are endless. It's an art that can elevate your dining experience and create memorable moments around the table. Here are some general guidelines for pairings to get you started:

• A refreshing Pilsner pairs well with a fresh salad. The light and crisp notes of the beer balance the leafy greens and veggies, and the effervescence cleanses your palate.
• For spicy dishes like tacos, an IPA is a perfect match to complement the heat.
• A robust Stout with hints of coffee and chocolate is an ideal pairing for a decadent chocolate dessert, creating a harmonious fusion of rich flavours.
• Seasonal fruits can also be paired with beers, such as blending juicy peaches with a crispy wheat beer for a refreshing summer drink.
• Don't be afraid to experiment and create new flavour combinations. Everyone's palate is different, so find what works for you!

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