Montréal Recommendation?

I'd go for Brutopia or Hurley's though the latter can get crowded depending on when you go. Another option is Biermarkt, some say service is so-so but i've been treated well when i went.

 

I would second the Biermarkt suggestion. It has the best selection that you'll find downtown, should have some local stuff from on tap and when your daughters find you you can buy their silence with some poutine or charcuterie.

 

Hurley's has a pretty lackluster beer selection. If you can manage the detour, Benelux would be my choice for downtown brews.

 

I'm not a regular there or anything, but every time I've been to Biermarkt they at least have Péché Mortel and Le Castor Yakima on tap. In my opinion Yakima is the best or at least one of the best IPAs in QC, and Péché is Péché. Also keep an eye out for any other DDC beers, Trou du Diable, Dunham (if they have it), Charlevoix, etc. Although they kind of specialize in imports since they are not super frequent in bars here. I agree with @MCBanjoMike that Benelux is great for awesome local beers you won't find elsewhere if you can swing a trip that way. Downtown is kind of a wasteland of Irish pubs.

 

Highlighting this for emphasis. A great beer!

 

The Fromagerie Atwater at Atwater Market is pretty close. They aren't the most extensive but they have a good selection. Also good cheese. And it is in a cool historic market next to a canal/park with beautiful fall leaves. Perfect destination to get your kids some cider and you some bottles.

 

Does this mean that you'll be driving on the 10 for a while? If you drive past Ange-Gardien, you have to check out Le Marché du Village, a large grocery store just off the 10. Inside is one of the best beer selections in the province, and it's staffed by friendly, knowledgeable folks who are happy to make recommendations. Almost as good as Peluso, and it'll be right on your way if you are taking the 91 up through the Stanstead crossing.

 

I'm not a stout drinker, so I can't help you there. I get excited over limited releases by Pit Caribou, or I guess that new brewery Auval, but I haven't tried anything from the latter. Ange-Gardien is near Dunham, so you might be able to find some of their harder-to-get beers. For IPAs, I've recently come around on good old Moralité, at least if it's fresh (the 6-packs are dated). Ask the staff, they'll have lots to suggest depending on the styles you like! It's also an SAQ (provincially-run liquor store), which means they might have some decent Belgian beers in stock, too. Don't know if they're hard to find around where you live, but you might score some Rochefort 8 or 10, and they'll almost certainly have Chimay Grande Réserve. Decent glassware selection, too.

 

Aphrodisaque is another good stout from DDC. I am pretty sure it is available in the states, too, but under a different name. Most anything from DDC is good and a lot of it will only be available here. Also for stouts I heard tell that the MacAuslan St-Ambroise Imperial Stout stout has already come out (it's seasonal) if you find it, get it. It is very good. The store that @MCBanjoMike recommended has a cellar apparently, so either way you may be able to buy older bottles if stouts are your thing.

If you like Belgians, Charlevoix makes a lot of really good stuff. Their 750ml bottles are particularly good. Dunham makes a Black IPA that just showed up again in stores and it is fabulous; also excellent saisons amongst other things. Pit Caribou, Le Castor, Trou du Diable, Beau's (good lagers), etc. The hardest part will be choosing.

Holy cow! What an awesome-looking store. Looks like you just decided my next "needless" detour for me.

 

Auval's IPA was excellent IMO.

 

If you're still in the area, try Naufrageur's St-Barnabe, an excellent regular stout.

 

Gotta give the doctor some credit here You wont be disapointed with Yakima or peche, they are absolutely fantastic. and I'd say Yakima has to be the best Canadian IPA I've tried.

 

If you're coming up on the 89, it won't be directly on your path. If you go home via the 91, it'll be right on the way.

 

That's a heck of a hill, too! Thanks for reporting back. I am always curious what happens to people who ask for advice since they generally never report back on what they did/found.