479395 Mon Jan 14 17:28:38 -0800 2008 13 22 Quebec (including Montreal) 0 3295446 Im trying different beers out at the local grocery stores IE metro, IGA. Whats a good IPA to get, it seems they only have Alexander Keith which is a good beer, but it really isn't an IPA at least to me. I bought some Belle guelle variety pack, and before that got some rickards variety and the Rickards white is a really nice beer. What do you guys recommend? Im not a guiness type guy. I love all the sleemans, at least the ones i have tasted. Just wanted to know what the locals like to drink. I live in Saint-Leonard if that helps out any if i have to go to a special dep or grocery store. Mike :) Mon Jan 14 17:28:38 -0800 2008 132337 mike2000z28 1 3295530 Howdy! Try this: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/397713 and get ready to drive. Mon Jan 14 17:49:41 -0800 2008 3295446 68073 zekesgallery 1 3295744 try McAuslands (St Ambroise) Pale Ale, its got some character, good price too. For your Blanche Id say start with Unibroues Blanche de Chambly. Then head to Paradis de biere on Laurier for some exploring--if you cant get there, many deps carry St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (even though you said no Guinness, Id still recommend it) and Unibroues Trois Pistole, for a stronger ale, is also pretty widely available. (my keyboard is shot so no apostrophes etc). Also I think youll find that certain deps have way better prices than IGA or Provigo for local beers--the Delphi on Fairmount still sells the oatmeal stout for under $10 including tax and deposit0 Mon Jan 14 18:56:04 -0800 2008 3295446 23536 skinner 2 3296633 A bit closer to Saint-Leonard than Paradis on Laurier is another place called Paradis de la Bière on Beaubien and De Lanaudière in Rosemont. They carry almost every beer you could find in this town. I just bought some P'tit Train du Nord there from Saint-Arnould brewery. It's an extra dry pale ale and it's quite refreshing even though it's still a bit sweet. It's not as hoppy as an IPA, though. There's also an IPA from la Barberie that's good. My favourite local is still St-Ambroise. Tue Jan 15 06:28:32 -0800 2008 3295744 18488 SnackHappy 1 3295909 I second the rec for McAuslan's St. Ambroise Pale Ale. It's not an IPA per se, but extremely well-made and much hoppier than Keiths (which is just a slight cut above your typical megabrew, IMHO). Similar but not quite so hoppy is McAuslan's Griffon Blonde. If you ever see it on tap, give McAuslan Cream Ale a whirl -- similar to Griffon, but smooth as silk. Rickards is not a cut above industrial brew, it *is* one through and through (courtesy Molson/Coors), so you might want to give some artisanal whites a try. Blanche de Chambly, last I checked, was still good quality despite a change in ownership. Boreale and Belle Gueule tend to be serviceable quaffers but nothing special. (Forgive all the snobbery, but you did put out a call for beer snobs...) I haven't explored a lot of new beers lately, but if so inclined I'd head straight for Marché des Saveurs @ Jean-Talon Market. Mon Jan 14 19:59:00 -0800 2008 3295446 13325 Mr F 1 3296721 The rickards is good and easy accessible like most of the sleeman line. The best IPA i have tasted and im spoiled was Dogfish head, but i know we don't get that up here. I will try the St Ambroise Ale. Ill check out that place in Rosemont as well. Thanks for the replies. Tue Jan 15 06:58:02 -0800 2008 3295446 132337 mike2000z28 2 3297379 To each is own, but I suggest a blind taste test of Rickard's white, Boréale Blanche, Blanche de Chambly and Hoegaarden. I'd be surprised if the Rickard's didn't come in 3rd or 4th. Tue Jan 15 09:54:28 -0800 2008 3296721 13325 Mr F 1 3297565 Howdy! And before I forget... If you don't require your beer to be in a bottle (or a can) there are these places: # Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel - 29 Laurier Ouest, Montréal # Le Saint-Bock Brasserie Artisanale Inc. - 1749, Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal # Le Cheval Blanc - 809 Rue Ontario Est, Montréal # L'Amère à Boire - 2049 St-Denis, Montréal # Le Sergent Recruteur - 4801 St-Laurent, Montréal # Brutopia - 1219 Crescent St., Montréal # Réservoir - 9 Duluth E., Montréal # Benelux Brewpub & Café - 245 W. Sherbrooke St., Montreal More details here: http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/20 Tue Jan 15 10:30:52 -0800 2008 3295446 68073 zekesgallery 2 3297947 Dieu du Ciel bottles some of their beers, which can be found around town at select depanneurs (including, I believe, Paradis de Biere). They're well worth trying, although St. Ambroise's Griffon Rousse is still my favourite. Tue Jan 15 11:52:52 -0800 2008 3297565 19331 cherylmtl 2 3298911 If you are in the area, Brutopia's IPA is a nice mug; smooth and nice mouthfeel for an IPA. Tue Jan 15 16:00:04 -0800 2008 3297565 15318 Fritzy 1 3297571 The best IPA I had at the "mondiale de la bière" was from a brewery called L'alchemiste. I don't know where their products are carried though. Tue Jan 15 10:32:38 -0800 2008 3295446 97427 Moosemeat 2 3297593 Howdy! http://mbalchimiste.com/fra/det-endroit.asp Tue Jan 15 10:37:23 -0800 2008 3297571 68073 zekesgallery 3 3298463 Much obliged. Tue Jan 15 13:59:46 -0800 2008 3297593 97427 Moosemeat 1 3453469 not sure if you're still looking....but I tried the Dieu de Ciel's pale ale, Corne du Diable--it;s very good, a truer pale ale than st ambroise's, much hoppier with a big yeasty body for those who crave a cask ale-like flavour Sun Mar 02 19:44:18 -0800 2008 3295446 23536 skinner