Drink Local: the best beers in the Outaouais
From Petite Nation to the Pontiac, we invite you to discover the microbreweries that make the Outaouais shine. Some have been part of the landscape for a long time, while others are more recent arrivals. The industry is booming, showcasing the know-how, passion and good taste of the region’s residents. Enjoy the Outaouais with a cold beer in hand!
Gatineau: the mother lode!
À la dérive
Gatineau has the region’s highest concentration of microbreweries. Head to Jacques-Cartier Street to discover À la dérive, a brewery opened in 2019. The concept behind it? Creating quality craft beers with local ingredients, and minimizing the brewery’s ecological footprint (the enterprise discards less than 120 litres of waste every two weeks!). Gourmet cuisine and beers inspired by northern botanicals await you on the banks of the Ottawa River.
Brasseurs du Temps
In Old Hull, the Brasseurs du Temps, colloquially known as BDT, is a monument: part beer museum, part pub and part brewery. This is the place to discover the secrets of hops. On the menu, ask for the Clock to sample12 different beers, and enjoy the huge sunny patio!
Brasserie du Bas-Canada
Proudly independent, the Brasserie du Bas-Canada creates highly popular craft beers, all brewed on site and available for sampling in the tasting room. A delight for the taste buds, the various IPAs1 and stouts will also delight your eyes with their colourful labels. An absolute must: their food menu from a partner restaurant!
5e Baron
A little further west, in the Aylmer sector, things are just as effervescent! The 5e Baron (“fifth baron”), a brewery founded by three young entrepreneurs from the neighbourhood, poured its first beers in the spring of 2020. With its sunny patio and locally sourced menu, it’s already become a favourite destination for beer lovers. A nod to history: The brewery’s name refers to Matthew Whitworth-Aylmer, fifth Baron of Aylmer and former governor general of British North America (in 1830).
Brasserie artisanale Gallicus
Opened in 2019 in the Plateau neighbourhood, the Brasserie artisanale Gallicus offers quality beers with a focus on IPA, seasonally-inspired beers, and mixed fermentation beers. To be enjoyed on site or to go, in cans or bottles—anything is possible!
Perfect pairings in Petite Nation
Brasseurs de Montebello
As local epicures will tell you, the Brasseurs de Montebello have been brightening up Petite Nation for several years. The microbrewery and pub stands out for its quality beers, but especially for its sublime pairings with cheese and chocolate from local artisans—and now with Japanese-inspired dishes! We love the pub’s friendly atmosphere, and the charming village of Montebello.
A self-guided tour in the Pontiac
Brauwerk Hoffman
Follow the Tap & Cork tour route through the Pontiac to discover the best German-inspired beers: the Brauwerk Hoffman microbrewery in Campbell’s Bay uses only water, yeast, hops and malted grain as basic ingredients! In season, sauerkraut, sausages and pretzels are the perfect accompaniment to a local lager or ale.
Old Bank Brewing Company
A little further west, on Isle-aux-Allumettes, the Old Bank Brewing Company is both a microbrewery and a restaurant (L’Ancienne Banque). In a building that once belonged to the Bank of Montreal, a wide variety of beers are brewed. Favourites include Hypotheque Ale, Oiseau Rock Stout, Hayes 72 Kolsch, and SS Pontiac Session IPA served with an orange slice. The hops come from the Lupuline Hop Yard on Isle-aux-Allumettes.
Where to stock up
But where can you find all your favourite beers in one place? In Gatineau, Broue Ha Ha specializes in Quebec craft beers. You can also stock up at Le Marché, a small grocery store with over 500 microbrewery beers, open 365 days a year. In Aylmer, the Rapido Corner Store is worth a visit: the “giant of beer” offers hundreds of Quebec microbrewery beers, popular brewery beer products and a wide variety of imported beers. In Petite Nation, a stop at Brasse-Camarade is a must, in the pretty village of Saint-André-Avellin. This convenience store specializing in microbrewery beers also stocks sausages, cheeses, chocolate, coffee and other local delicacies. Finally, add your favourite hop-based beverages to your local basket from the Outaouais Market co-op!
The prospect of a sunny patio or a drink in good company makes you all dreamy-eyed, doesn’t it? Psssssssst! This summer, don’t miss the Gatineau Beerfest. No matter what form the event takes this year, our brewers’ effervescence and creativity will be on display. Will you be there?
Without a doubt, beer and food are good reasons to travel. Let yourself be tempted by Petite Nation and its 52 epicurean stops: foodies will be delighted!
A little reminder: Moderation is always in good taste, and a designated driver is required.
