Shaped by the magic of local brewers, beer offers all kinds of variations, some giving it all the tunes of the finest spirits. In short, there is no longer any embarrassment in giving a delicious beer as a gift. We invited a few retailers from the Montreal region to dive in and share their favorites with us.
Alain Abi-Nader, Prette grocery store, Pointe-Claire
The Monochrome series, Brasserie Mille Îles
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The Monochrome series, from the Mille Îles brewery, is a collection of seasonal beers that comes out every year just before Christmas.
The Terrebonne microbrewery returns for the third year with its Monochrome series, once again focused on seasonal beers, each can displaying a color that defines its style – Belgian in the blue, stout in the black, season in the green and British. in purple. On the menu this year: a Quadrupel with buckwheat honey, a cherry stout, a Chardonnay season with apricots and an English barley wine.
“I love the impeccable quality of Mille Îles beers, I asked them last year to brew the beer to mark the 25th anniversary of the store. [une lager noire à la framboise et au café], affirms Alain Abi-Nader. Each year, I prepare a gift package with the four cans of the Monochrome series and I also add a tasting glass. We always can’t wait to see what they will release because they amaze us every year. ”
Jolyane Lavoie, It’s flowing freely, La Prairie
La Fréchette, Ton-quartier x Echo Session Ales
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Jolyane Lavoie, owner of the Ça coule à flot boutique, in La Prairie
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
La Fréchette
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New brewed in collaboration with the team from the Montreal grocery store and café Ton-quartier, this is a tangy beer with Quebec haskapberry very low in alcohol (3.8%). Echo Session Ales argues that it can serve as a Norman hole for holiday meals. In fact, we are talking about a beer that according to them allows “to go from meal to dessert or from lunch to brunch” (!).
“A super nice beer, with a superb color, it’s the perfect pairing for the holiday dinner,” confirms Jolyane Lavoie, of Ça coule à flots. Not too tangy, it offers a little fruity side that goes well with turkey, atocas stuffing, and even for dessert with the Yule log. And you don’t end the meal with an overly full stomach! Having said that, I never had the impression of drinking a low alcohol beer, on the contrary it has something comforting, with a touch of jam that comes out a little in the mouth. It is a beer that allows us to drink better, without overdoing it. ”
Pierre-Luc Blanchette, La Glacière de l’Est, Montreal
Lost in Malle, Avant-Garde Brewers
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Pierre-Luc Blanchette, co-owner of La Glacière de l’Est, with his favorite of the season, a triple from the Avant-Garde microbrewery
Triple Belgian type, inspired by abbey beers from the flat country and brewed with mandarina bavaria, sorachi ace and lemondrop hops, it is back on the shelves for the fifth year, in time for the end-of-year festivities. It is this beer, for the occasion matured for seven months in bourbon barrels and refermented in magnums, which was brewed to mark the four years of La Glacière de l’Est, in 2017.
“Perfect for the period, it can be shared well, especially since it has a fairly accessible style, despite its alcohol content of 9%,” explains Pierre-Luc Blanchette, of La Glacière de l’Est. Very round, with notes of pear and spices, I recommend drinking it a little at room temperature, it is excellent with meals. It is perfect for people who want to discover microbrewery beers. A great creation from a passionate team, which knows the job well. ”
Frédéric Desroches, La Ressource convenience store, Boucherville
Mickey Finn, Brasserie La Mouche
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Frédéric Desroches, co-owner of the La Ressource boutique, in Boucherville
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Mickey Finn
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Brewed thanks to the teachings of Ulrike Genz, of the Schneeeule brewery in Berlin, Mickey Finn is a Berliner Weisse made with respect for style. Sweet with its 3.7% alcohol, it is partially fermented in stainless steel tanks, but the action of yeasts Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces and Brettanomyces continues in the bottle, so that it is possible to age the beer, of course respecting the expiration date.
“As the berliner weisse is often nicknamed champagne from the north, it is perfect for celebrating,” says Frédéric Desroches, from Dépanneur La Ressource. We are talking about a slightly cloudy straw-yellow beer, with a pronounced acidity without being biting, it keeps a nice balance which allows to taste the cereals and the yeasts. It also has a crunchy and thirst-quenching side that refreshes the palate between two bites of seafood or white meat. For oysters, for example, it’s just perfect! ”
Mathias Auger, The Thirsty, Saint-Lambert
Grand Cuvée Imperial Lunch, The Three Musketeers
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Mathias Auger, co-owner of Les Assoiffés boutique
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The Imperial Grand Cuvée Lunch
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Aged for 9 months in 12-year-old bourbon casks with the addition of maple wood chips and maple syrup, this imperial stout at 11.5% alcohol is then cold infused with premium coffee. quality – it was developed with the advice of Loïc Guillemot, Cafés Européens, in Longueuil. Decorated at the World Beer Awards, it is a sure bet that has returned every year since 2016.
“We find it every year and it’s a favorite every time,” says Mathias Auger, of Assoiffés. It is a high quality product, there is an expertise that is felt in all of their products. It combines several aspects that are normally found separately in other Imperial stouts. Here, we emphasize the cohesion of the three flavors, even if we also perceive them individually: the bourbon on the finish, the coffee in the bitterness and the maple syrup in the roundness in the mouth. It can replace an alcoholic coffee, it is also an excellent dessert beer. ”