I am heading to Quebec City next week and was wondering if any native Quebecois had any suggestions of under the radar beer spots. I am staying at Chateau Frontenac so will definitely make it to St Alexandre Pub and am planning on getting over to Bateau Du Nuit but any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ideally I would love to try some smaller Quebec micro-brews and even some ice wine. Any suggestions of really good cheese shops would be awesome too! Cheers!
Although I don't recommend the brewpub, take the ferry across to the Corsaire in Levi. The view off Quebec City is awesome and the ferry ride scenic and fun.
Not too far from Chateau Frontenac, you have 3 nice beer spots within 5 minutes of walk from each other: - Le Bateau de Nuit (bar) - Le Projet Spécialité Microbrasserie (Restaurant / bar) - La Duchesse d'Aiguillon (beer store - ask for Francis) La Souche (in Limoilou district) is quite nice too, but you will have to take the bus to go there from Chateau Frontenac. Look for Ice Ciders instead of Ice Wine. Find a SAQ store (state liquor store, there's a couple in the area) and look for products from La Face Cachée de la Pomme. The Neige Première is amazing and quite affordable (375 ml / 25$), but I strongly suggest you to go for the best and grab a bottle of Neige Récolte d'Hiver. It's more expensive (375 ml / 50$), but it's worth every penny. If you can, aim for the '08 vintage but any vintage is exceptionnal. Beers to grab depend of what you like, but the staff at La Duchesse d'Aiguillon will help you get what is best from Québec at the moment. Le Castor Yakima IPA, Dieu du Ciel Solstice d'Été aux Cerises (might not be in Québec city yet though) are the best that I think of at the moment, but there's plenty of other good beers available too.
Le Castor Citra Weisse is out now too and is also tasty, and of course, there is always DdC Moralité!
Sweet. Hopfenweisses are one of my favorite styles. Add to that the single-hoppedness of it and I have been pretty excited. Now I guess I know where I am heading later this afternoon...
