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 - Jacques-Cartier Street

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. 

À la Dérive - Hull sector

Over in Hull, discover the second À la Dérive location, where the tasting room offers a completely different experience. There’s a good reason the beers are so good: they’re brewed with 100% Quebec grain. Observe the brewing system and see how the magic happens. Enjoy your favourite beers on the spot or take some home for an evening with friends. 

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!  

CHELSEA & CO CRAFT BREWERY

There’s something new in the quaint village of Chelsea: the Chelsea & Co microbrewery! It’s the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing local brew before heading out to explore the surrounding area and not-to-be-missed Gatineau Park. Take advantage of the lighted patio and relaxed atmosphere to sample beers inspired by the brewery’s natural surroundings. 

Perfect pairings in Petite Nation

Brasseurs de Montebello

From bold IPAs to refreshing lagers, a varied range will appeal to the most discerning connoisseurs. L’Usine-Microbrasserie also offers a wide selection of take-away beers to share the authentic taste of Montebello. You can sample all their beers at the Souche-I restaurant at 485 rue Principale in 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. Located in Buckingham, Fine et Fûtés offers a wide variety of local gourmet products, quality kitchen accessories and a vast selection of microbrewery beers. 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 Gatineau and Aylmer, the Tite Frette chain also stocks an impressive selection of 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! 

BREWING SKILLS

Have we sparked your interest in local beers? Take a guided microbrewery tour with Aventure Outaouais and get a behind-the-scenes look at some of our breweries, where beer tastings and comfort food await you. 

We also encourage you to participate in the L’Outaouais brassicole initiative! Visit seven microbreweries and meet some of the Outaouais’ most experienced brewers. Once you’ve visited four different microbreweries, you’ll receive a souvenir L’Outaouais brassicole glass by mail. Visit all eight establishments on the tour and you could win a gourmet and cultural getaway in the Outaouais.  

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Read the contest rules and plan your brewing getaway! 

A quick reminder: Moderation is always in good taste, and don’t forget to appoint a designated driver.