3 Of Our Favourite Quebec Craft Beers: Dunham, Helm, Pit Caribou

April has arrived!

The fact that spring FINALLY feels like it’s kind of here means one of many things; more time for drinking good beer on a porch.

I am always on the lookout for the best local craft beers.  I enjoy encouraging local breweries, and let’s be honest, I say encouraging but really all I do is drink and enjoy their beer.  So as this self-proclaimed craft beer enthusiast, I thought a few good brew recommendations were necessary.

So without further ado, here are my spring beer recommendations to celebrate the start of April, the fast approaching end of school, balcony weather, and hell, good beer!

1. Brasserie Dunham- La Saison du Pinacle

This beer simply tastes like spring.  It is a light beer, with strong hop-y bitterness to it.  If you don’t enjoy an IPA, this may not be your first choice.  However, this kicks ass in the light beer department.  Don’t let its golden colour fool you; it has bite to it.

Even with the bitterness, the beer is not overpowering.  It has a nice citrus taste to it, which makes this Dunham beer the perfect accompanying beverage for lighter, subtler meals like a seafood dishes or dinner salads.

The Dunham microbrewery is situated in the town of Dunham, Quebec.  The brewery has won many awards for its numerous kinds of beers.  La Saison du Pinacle won the gold at the 2014 “Mondial de la Bière” festival.

2. Brasserie Helm- La Bernard

This Pale Ale is a beautifully balanced beer.  It’s the perfect mix of that refreshing pale ale taste, with flowery notes and an amber thickness.  This is my go-to dinner beer when eating a nice big plate of pasta or a good steak.  It’s heavier than a blonde ale, but goes down like a lighter brew.

This beer is one of many brewed at the Helm brewery on Saint-Bernard.  The Mile End spot also serves as a restaurant/bar.  The place has a really relaxed vibe, and makes the beer tasting experience quite enjoyable.

3. Microbrasserie Pit Caribou- La Bonne Aventure

If you’ve never been to the beautiful maritimes, you can take some home with you with La Bonne Aventure.  Pit Caribou is a microbrewery situated in Gaspésie, QC.  For some, this beer might bring back memories of warm summers in the beautiful Quebec area, and for others like myself, the taste of the beer will be the highlight rather than the nostalgia.

La Bonne Aventure is the spot’s Amber Ale.  It is rich, spicy and hits the spot.  The hops and malts comes through very well in the taste, the slight sweetness of the beer balancing the bitterness out.

Find these beers:

Marché Station 54
760 Boulevard Rosemont

Au Coin Duluth
418 Avenue Duluth E

I hope these picks float your boat, and make your balcony experience that much more enjoyable.  If it snows when you’re out there, which is a possibility, just stick your pint in the snow- never-ending winters have to be good for something.  Sigh.

New beer picks will be out regularly, so keep your eyes peeled and bottle opener ready.

Cheers fellow beer enthusiasts!