Ste. Mathilde
Micro-Brasserie Breughel

I stopped at Brasserie Brueghel because I was traveling through Quebec. In an area where there is very little, I was excited to see a sign in French indicating there was a microbrewery near Route 20, which travels along the St. Lawrence riviere.

We stopped at the brewery, which by the way is a scenic farmhouse beautifully nestled between some rolling hills and the river. Now, I am a huge fan of Belgian beers, so I expected there wares to be right in my wheelhouse.

I have to say that after trying my third bottle, I am quite disappointed. Yes, it's a drinkable beer. But no, it's not the quality I had hoped for.

Ste-Mathilde has the label it does because it is named after the brewers daughter. She is putting a blue "blanket" on her husband, which indicates she is cheating with another lover. This was all told to us by the woman/owner of the brewery.

The Kamour single and double were not good at all. The strong blond Ste.-Mathilde was ok... not great... and certainly not as good as some of the other beers in Quebec, namely anything by Unibroue.

I did talk to the owner for some time, and although I respect the struggles of a microbrewery in an otherwise daunting economic climate in Quebec, I have to say that these beers need some work.

Ste.-Mathilde was average at best. All of their beers seem to be a little on the ciderish side, which other reviewers have mentioned. In addition, they name a distracting and bitter metallic taste, which doesn't please me.

I know this isn't very objective, but I really wish this beer was better. It's just not and I'm disappointed because I thought I had found a gem.

Well, maybe I just got a bad bottle....

Looks good, not great, but good. Pale copper and we can't see through. Not bad looking.

Smell - strong yeast mainly... more like a belgian than english ale. Don't hate the smell, could be promising.

Well, the taste is just not good at all. I taste a lot of metallic... very strange and not good at all! I tried but after two sips... it went into the drain. Sink I mean, I couldn't drink anymore this one beer. Hopefully I hope this is a bad bottle.

Decided to drink that one right away since I notice that the bottle was loosing the carbonation from the cap and didn't want to loose it completely.

Bottle: Poured a beige color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some minimal lacing. Aroma of light sweet malt is pretty boring. Taste is also dominated by some light sweet malt notes with no hops or spices to be noticed. Medium body with average carbonation. Not as bad as some other beers from this brewer but just awfully boring.

good Belgian tried on a lark. Pours a foamy peachy apricot colour with good initiaol head and then a minor but nice white crown with retaining lace. Farmhouse and spice like a saison. Lots of yeast, aged six months in my cellar and probably about a year since brewing which did not hurt it.Tastes between a blonde, a saison, and dry like a cider without any ciderness at all. Crisp and masterful.