Montreal suggestions

No, cost is not a factor. When I looked at a map it seemed like my hotel was just a few blocks from one end of the bridge, and that Benelux was just a few blocks from the other end. it was mostly a question whether walking was permitted over the bridge. Apparently I need to look at the scale on that map a little closer. Thanks for the suggestion. If I don't take a taxi to those breweries I'll just look for a good bar close to the hotel and go to it.

 

There's a new brewery in Brossard called Brasserie Éléments that's not too far from where you'll stay. I haven't been there yet so can't comment on their beers though...

https://fr-ca.facebook.com/brasserieelements/

 

Benelux has very good beers and the Verdun location is nice. It'd be a quick taxi ride. The other plus to going there is that there is a very good bottle shop (Maltéhops) a few blocks away in case you wanted to pick up some beer for the rest of your tour/to take home. There are some restaurants and shops around there too if that helps.

 

Thanks, Whatup14. That is close, so I'll probably check it out.

 

Well it turns out that my 5 nights in a hotel in Brossard produced only two local brewery visits, and those were at lunchtime in downtown Montreal near where our bus tour group was taking a break from sightseeing. Every night included a group dinner that ended late, thus no energy on those nights to go out. Our tour also included day trips to Quebec City and Ottawa, so it was late when we returned to the hotel and I had no energy on those days to go out late. But I did have lunch break visits to Pub BreWskey and Les 3 Brasseurs (McGill) in Montreal, and L'Inox (Quebec City) and The Clocktower Brew Pub (Byward Market) in Ottawa. I had some good beer and food at each place, although I didn't have any specific remarkable beers to note here.

Thanks to each of you for the recommendations provided above. When I return to Montreal I hope it won't be with a bus tour and that I will be driving and have more flexibility to go where I want. So close to DDC, but closeness does not count.

 

Well I hope you had a great trip regardless! You were at least lucky to be here for the nicest weather of the whole summer. Next time you're here gimme a holler and I'll buy you a beer or three to make up for the tour group monopolizing your time

 

Merci, will do. We'd like to return to Montreal again, but especially to Quebec City too. We saw quite a bit of Montreal (except breweries), but a day trip to Quebec City was definitely not enough time to see that city.

 

This thread has been pretty dead for a while, but figured I’d ask to see if there are any new spots to check out or any awesome beers that are a must.

I’m here from San Diego, so I’m not looking for IPAs.

Thanks.

 

That's an odd statement.

 

The IPAs in San Diego are amongst the best in the world, so why would I be looking for IPAs anywhere else?

 

Any of the downtown bottle shops have loons or 3F bottles?

 

Lol. Absolutely not. You can barely find decent beer from Quebec downtown.

 

Hey there, beer friends. Visiting again in a few days, partly for le Mondial, and partly just because I love Montreal. Any suggestions for current bottle releases to be on the lookout for, especially barrel-aged sours & farmhouse beers?

 

I'm going to be there next week as well, so any help will now be doubly appreciated...

 

Help for beers to look for or what?

 

Excellent point. Looking for great beer joints. I'm staying near the Bell Centre. If there are IPAs to try great, but I would rather hunt down some Lambics, if possible, or grab a beer at a cool outdoor location.

 

If by "hunt down some Lambics" you mean "find some hard-to-get Belgian sours" then I have some bad news for you... Nonetheless, there are a lot of good options for the rest of your comment. Quebec used to be terrible at IPAs but they are starting to be pretty decent on the whole. Just make sure to check the dates. There are lots of good beers to be had of all styles though.

As for bars, the closest option to you will be Biermarkt (a chain with an int'l selection but lacking in locals and without outdoor seating).
Next closest and one of my favorites in town is Benelux (good hoppy beers, some nice bottles sour blends, outdoor seating). It could also be fun to go to Little Italy where there are multiple options, good food and a nice vibe. Places there include Vices et versa (probably the best beer bar selection-wise, nice patio) and Isle de garde (brewpub with solid beer and outdoor searing). If you're looking to get bottles to take home that area also has a glut of very good bottleshops. Both of those places are within walking distance and you are actually fairly close to Dieu du ciel too (which you should obviously visit as well, but I imagine you probably already knew that).

 

Thank you! I'm not planning to bring anything home, just looking for an evening of enjoyable beverages.

 

My family and I will be in Montreal for two nights next week, and hoping to make it out for a beer-centric dinner one of those nights. Currently thinking either Dieu du Ciel or Le Saint Bock. My kids are 5/10; are (generally well behaved) kids allowed? If not, any other suggestions? We'll be staying near downtown and would plan on taking the Metro up; we're staying between the McGill and Square Victoria stops.

Unrelated, do places generally fill growlers? If yes, do they fill not-their-own growlers or would I have to buy their glass?

 

Kids are generally allowed (if not inside, on the terrace until 8 pm) but I would avoid Dieu du Ciel since it can get really crowded. Downtown, there's Benelux (simple food menu), there is also MaBrasserie who is really kid friendly, but I don't know if they serve food.

For growlers, many brewpubs are filling them now but only their own growlers.

Have fun!