I happened to visit a Quebec-based French language chat forum and there were a number of postings confirming that Festibiere is a no go for his year but that it might be back next year. The organizers have always been in a very tenuous financial position so if last year wasn't a resounding financial success, it could have impacted the decision to run it this year.
I can highly recommend the Capital City Beer Festival which is going into it's second year. Last year there were reasonable crowds and a good selection of beer in a nice, downtown setting.
However, it is being organized by the same group as the Toronto festival, so I wouldn't expect there will be anything drastically different (beer-wise). I could be wrong, though. One thing is for sure - definitely less crowds than TO.
Last year's Ottawa festival was excellent for a first year festival. Many of the same exhibitors as Toronto but fewer although Saturday was a heck of lot more enjoyable than the zoo at Fort York. Good location too in the heart of downtown Ottawa...walking distance to the Market.
When I was at the Toronto Festival of beer yesterday, I talked to someone at the Unibroue booth that said that the Festibiere
de Chambly will be held next year. I will most likely go
