I am headed to Quebec City for a couple of days and would like some beer and food recommendations. We are staying somewhere in the old city (wife has a conference if that helps narrow down the hotel). My understanding is the old city is small and walkable and I don't mind walking. I am planning on driving up to Parc de la Jacques-Cartier for some dayhiking, any beer stops on the way? Since we are driving, I can bring beer home. I don't know anything about Quebec beers, i.e. what to buy, what to avoid. It sounds like J.A. Moisin (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/17389) is worth checking out. Any other suggestions?
I will say that its good that you have a car... since the breweries are all outside the city. On your way to Parc de la Jacques-Cartier, you can drive to l'Archibald at Lac Beauport (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11620/). They make good german beers. Nothing out of this world, but solid good beers. And the food is good too. If you can make it, don't miss l'Ile d'Orleans. The restaurant of the brewery is called Pub Le Mitan (the brewery is Microbrasserie d'Orleans) and it has pretty decent beers. There is another brewery that opened last summer in Quebec, its La voie Maltée (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3723/). However, the address in Quebec is 1040, boulevard Pierre-Bertrand Sud Québec (QC) G1M 3H1. They have pretty decent beers. If La Criminelle is out and you like Imperial Stout, get it! Its awesome. Unfortunately, we don't have something similar to Dieu du Ciel but Microbrasserie des Beaux-Prés (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27863/) is getting a lot of attention. Its not close to the old city 'tho. There is also: La Barberie (good to very strange beer ) Korigane (good to average beer) For bottle shop, I strongly suggest La Duchesse d'Aiguillon (469, rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1P3) which is directly on St-Jean now and its in the Old City. The address on Beer Advocate is not up to date. Pretty neat place in the old city. They usually have loads of stuff and some rare stuff, just ask. One more thing, the owner of La Duchesse recently opened a place to eat. They have 16 taps I think, and usually the beers are pretty awesome (could be DDC or Trou du Diable). They don't brew their own beers but have pretty awesome beers from Quebec microbrew. Its not on Beer Advocate (I'll have to add it), its located at 399, rue St-Jean Québec, QC, G1R 1P1. Again its downtown! I didn't had the chance to go yet, but I'm planning on getting there in the very near future! Let me know if you need more information, I'm living there. Cheers, Eric
Thanks for all the information. I had La Barberie on my list, but the reviews are all over the place, it sounds like I should check it out since I usually like "strange" beers
Regarding La Barberie, I have to say their bottles are usually pretty average for most people. I do like their Bitter in bottles. On tap, they are usually pretty decent/good. They do pretty good Stout. I usually don't get their beers made with fruits or tea. I like their IPA which is not very bitter. Also, I tried their Claymore and it was pretty awesome.
ZorPrime is right, La Duchesse D'Aiguillon (ask for Francis) is the best beer store. Le Projet (restaurant) and Le Bateau de Nuit (bar) are the best places to drink. Those three places are only a couple of minutes away from each other. Are you coming soon? If it's after June 10th (I'm in Europe until then), I might be able to make it to Québec City to show you the beer places and help with the selection. And if you want to trade for stuff that won't aren't available at the moment let me know. Cheers, Tommy
Just an update on my trip. I got carried away at La Duchesse D'Aiguillon, what a great selection of beer. I got about six 750s a couple 500s and a mixed 6 of 12oz plus a 6 pack of Peche Mortel. I could easily have tripled my purchase and not duplicated any beer. Got lucky with customs and even though I said I bought beer, they just waved me through I also really appreciate the mention of Le Projet the bar/restaurant at 399 St Jean. I went there a couple of times since it was only a couple blocks from the hotel, the poutine was awesome and the beer selection was great. The couple other places I went to had beer on the menu, but it seemed to be an after thought. I did not make it to La Barberie because I got dragged around by my wife wandering the old city, nice but full of fat tourists I also did not make it to l'Archibald because I ended up doing a longer dayhike than I anticipated. The Le Scotora trail has a really steep climb, but the payoff at the end is worth it. thanks again for the information
