The Bar Towel

Okay, so I've got all the brew pubs in Montréal mapped out. Would love to hit them all, but to keep my marriage on solid ground will probably only hit 2 or 3. Here's my question--which ones? Dieu du Ciel is, of course, a no brainer. So what are your opinions on the others.

Also was thinking of heading down to Chambly. Does Unibroue conduct tours during the week? Do I have to reserve? Is it worth it just to go to Le Fourquet Fourchette?

Cheers, Joe.

P.S. Of course I will be going to Métro Joannette and/or Le Gobelet.

I thought Le Fourquet Fourchette was excellent, great food, Unibroue on tap. Whether it's worth the trip to Chambly is your call I guess.

Hey Joe,

I just had a great Montreal brewpub trip a couple of weeks ago, so here's my thoughts on them....

Dieu du Ciel a no brainer, as you mentioned. Right around the corner from them is Sergent Recruteur (sp?), but I'm not a fan of their ambience. I think you're better walking a bit further down St-Laurent to Reservoir, a new, quite small brewpub. Kind of feels like a garage, with one big open side overlooking a side street.

If it's a nice day, I would definitely go to 3 Brasseurs on St-Denis. It's right in the heart of the active strip, and they have a couple of great patios overlooking the street. This would probably be my #2 choice behind DDC (keep in mind I'm not judging these places on beer alone).

Also on St-Denis is Amere a Boire, which can have some interesting beers and can be quite hopping (no pun intended) on the right night. When I was there last it was pretty quiet the evening I went, but they had some good beers and music.

Cheval Blanc is alright, but I remember it being like a diner. If you're in the mood for that it's cool.

I would not recommend Brutopia. Personally I dislike the Cresent district of Montreal. It reminds me too much of TO and Brutopia in particular had some terrible live band when we went a couple of weeks ago.

If it's a nice night I would also recommend checking out the back patio of the Ste-Elizabeth pub.

As for Unibroue, I went once and their brewery (at the time) isn't really set up to receive visitors for tours. This may be why they set up the restaurant, so if you're in the mood to drive I say check it out (I've always wanted to). But be sure someone else can drive you back

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Cass on 2003-08-06 17:09 ]</font>

Also, although when I went to Unibroue that one time I was able to achive my goal (get their glassware), they did not offer a tour.

Thanks Cass and JerCraigs. Though I think I've got a plan, I would value all other input.

If anyone is interested the web site for le Fourquet Fourchetter is http://www.fourquet-fourchette.com

Says they have a gift shop. Has anyone here actually toured Unibroue. Didn't you, Gunny?

Yes I did, Joe. The brewery tour was, well, a brewery tour. The highlight was the tutored tasting and the dinner that followed at Le fourquet fourchette. The food was unlike anything I had tried before and the ambience was par none. The restaurant struck me as more of a local gathering place rather than a tourist attraction. If you go, try and get a riverside table. The "store" is a buffer between the entrance and the restaurant with glassware, beer rich condiments and, of course, beer. The tour for the brewery meets at the restaurant but you have to drive to the brewery which is a few kilometres away. I booked our tour via E-mail.

Slainte,
Jeff

When I hear Montréal I think of both beer and food.

There are plenty of cheap but good eats in the city. You should check out St Viateur ( http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/559261/ ) and/or Fairmount Bagel ( http://english.montrealplus.ca/infosite/477826/ ), both of which are near Dieu Du Ciel. Also, no trip to Montréal is complete without a smoked meat sandwich - your best bet is either Schwartz's or The Main, across from each other on St Laurent. Heck, since you're in the area, you might as well check out the delicious chicken sandwiches at Coco Rico, arguably the city's best churrasqueira. Frite Alors! is supposed to have the best fries in the city; check out their substantial beer list here: ( http://www.fritealors.com/ ). Lastly, try the Bar B Barn ( http://www.barbbarn.ca/frameset.htm ) for science-experiment-gone-wrong gargantuan ribs served up in a should-be-condemned 70's rec room environment.

If you have lots of money, there's Toque!, Queue De Cheval, and many others.

Oh, and Rahman's is a dépanneur near Dieu Du Ciel and they carry a decent amount of local beer as well as branded beer glasses.

Have a great trip.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mississauga Matt on 2003-08-07 08:37 ]</font>

Here is my 2 cents worth...DDC of course is your best choice, followed by L'amère à boire, then by either Le Réservoir (I enjoyed their Porter this winter) or Cheval Blanc (because it's close to AAB and it is the original BP in Mtl).


If you plan on going out of town, say St. Hubert (hehe), I would recommend Bistro des Bieres Belges (2088 Montcalm) http://www.bistrobelge.com/

I second Lubiere on this one. DDC is the best. I would say that Cheval Blanc is now second since they have their new brewmaster. It is now considered a must stop in my books. Then go to L'amere a boire. Cheval Blanc and Amere a boire are within a 5 minute walking distance. Of course, if you are going to Amere a boire, 3 braseurs (only 3 beers) is a two minute walk down the street. I have never made that stop.

If you plan on eating at one of the brewpubs (good idea), I highly recommend Amere a boire. It is a Czek restauraunt with fine Bohemian cuisine at a good price (13$ and down for entres). God I wish I could join you!

Daniel