Best Bottles in Montreal

No big europeens like cantillon or 3F, or even americains, here. Pretty much locals... But in those locals you could find some pretty good stuff. I suggest to go to "Veux-tu une biere" wich is a store in the villeray area. They have a pretty decent selection and price too. Small store, but nice place to shop.

 

Quebec has a definite Belgian influence. Try any of the Dominus Vobiscum series from Charlevoix: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2807 - The 2012 Hibernus just came out. Their Vache Folle Milk Stout is excellent.

For Dieu du Ciel, a seasonal called Blanche Neige just came out which is quite good.

One of my favorite regular stouts is this one. Very good!
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18003/62986

 

Here are my suggestions, some of the best beers i've had overall here in Montreal

Stout
La Criminelle (La Voie Maltée)
Aphrodisiaque (Dieu du Ciel)
Péché Mortel (Dieu du Ciel)

Scoth Ale
MacKroken Flower (Bilboquet)
Corne de Brume (A l'Abris de la Tempête)

Porter
Porter Baltique (Les Trois Mousquetaires)

IPA
Vache Folle Double IPA (Charlevoix)
Joseph Bellarmin (Ile d'Orleans)
Postcolonial IPA (Hopfenstark)
Diable au Corps (Brasseurs du Temps)
Simple Malt Cascade (Brasseurs Illimités)

Belgian
Flacatoune (Charlevoix)
Dominus Vobiscus Lupupus (Charlevoix)

You can easily get those (except the Hopfenstark) at most well know places (Peluso, Veux-tu une Bière, Bière etc., etc.)

Enjoy

 

In regards to the Solstice d'ete, it's brewery only (the one in St-Jerome, not the brewpub in Mtl.). Last year it came around June/July. It should make its appearance again this summer.

 

I'm going to check that one out for sure. I've been looking to expand my stout inventory. Thanks

 

If the person you're dealing with is lucky enough, he might still find 2 beers from "trou du diable", a kind of cult brewery here. One is a collaboration made with Brasseur de la Senne in belgium, the Schieve Tabarnak, and the other one is a light belgian pale ale named "P'tite buteuse". They were available last week at "Peluso" and "delire du terroir".

The best IPAs presently available, imho, are made by "À la fût" and named "cuvées houblonnées" with number "I" "II" or "III". The third one is a belgian style IPA, but number I and II are really nice, totally bitter american style IPAS, produced in limited quantities...

Cheers

 

The barrel-aged ones yes as well as the Solstice d'ete. The other seasonals (Rigor Mortis, Solstice d'hiver, Blanche Neige, etc...) are available at all the usual suspects.

 

I am a huge fan of St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, Maudite, and Les Trois Mousquetaires Porter Baltique. All of which are pretty easy to come by (the grocery stores around me carry all three).

 

Its difficult to find but if you like Imperial Stout and see a bottle of Obscur Désir from Brasseurs du Temps. Pick it up, its not cheap but its so damn good. Best stout in the province if you ask me.

 

Obscur Désir was good but why so expensive? I bought it, it was great but I rather put that kind of money on Cantillon.

 

Papat: Not much to offer to the OP; just cool to see your little girl growing up as a BA avatar.

For beer for the OP:
Do check out Supermarche Rhaman, right down the street from DDC.

 

Pretty soon there'll be a second daughter to add to my avatar

 

nice congratulations!

 

I cannot stress this enough. Have him drop in there to find a wide selection of micro-brew, and sometimes nano-brew, beers which can be unbelievably awesome. Really, there are so many interesting things there that he's sure to find something interesting. It's almost worth going to Quebec just for this one store, but if he's there, then he has time to shop and recommend. That, or the cheese/beer store at Atwater Market (which has some French beers like 3 Monts - usually). But, Supermarche Rhaman is like two min. from the Dieu du Ciel brewpub, so why not ask him to do some shopping there and then take a well deserved break at the brewpub (where you can cover his pint for his trouble)?

If you trust your friend's taste, let him pick up some Quebec-style versions of great beers at the store. Quebec beer culture is a real jewel comparable to the West Coast of the US, they make awesome (often under-rated due to small circulation) beers!

 

The thing with Rhaman is, Yes! He has a wide and rare selection, BUT, he keeps it in hot places like the top of fridges. I think he may sill have old mcauslan vintage ale, but i wouldnt give it a shot...

 

Thanks!

 

Yeah, i've seen some McAuslan seasonals (Framboise & Citrouille) with a year past its best before date. Convenient if you're at DDC but i personally prefer doing my beer shopping where there's a bit more care taken.

 

Reviving this post instead of starting a new one.
What's your strategy for beer shopping in montreal? I go to the usual stores and they have so many beers I've never heard of. Sure, I've read all the forums, and tried many of these. Obviously there aren't enough reviews here of most of those beers. I've tried a few Dunham and Bilboquet, and DDC obviously. But what's your general strategy, do you just try everything from a particular brewery, are there any good Quebec beer blogs out there? Thanks!!