Exploring the world of craft beers can feel like an unending adventure through flavors and styles. From robust imperial stout to refreshing Pale Ale, each brew offers a unique experience. This guide highlights 18 outstanding craft beers from various craft breweries, each with its own story and flavor profile, emphasizing craft brewers who push the boundaries with experimental beers and honor traditions with classic styles like German pilsners and Belgian beers.
These amazing beers have been carefully selected for their unique flavors, quality ingredients, and overall exceptional taste. Whether you prefer hoppy IPAs, rich stouts, or crisp lagers, there is something on this list for every beer lover to enjoy. City Brew Tours offers authentic, all-inclusive craft beer tours in Montreal. We offer private brewery tours for special occasions, as well as group brewery tours. So trust our beer expertise and discover our top craft beers!
Some Best American’s Craft Beer
You may wonder what is a craft beer? Craft beer is beer that is traditionally brewed by small, independent breweries using traditional methods and high-quality ingredients. It often emphasizes unique flavors, styles, and experimentation, in contrast to mass-produced beers.
Canada’s finest
Canadian brewers have crafted a reputation for exceptional craft beers. The beer culture in Canada is as rich and diverse as its landscape. Among these, Quebec’s craft beer industry shines, offering everything from bitter beers to dry finish delights that represent the pinnacle of craft brewers’ expertise.
Craft beer has become a cornerstone of Canadian culture, with Montreal standing out as a hub of innovation and excellence in brewing. From traditional amazing Belgian-style beers to bold and stand-out IPA’s, the craft beers of Canada offer something for every palate.
Montreal’s Craft Beer
Montreal’s breweries are a melting pot of influences, drawing inspiration from traditional European brewing techniques as well as the bold and innovative spirit of North American craft brewers. From small-batch microbreweries to established craft beer brands, Montreal offers a seemingly endless array of options for beer aficionados to explore.
Montreal, a vibrant city known for its rich culture and culinary excellence, also boasts an impressive beer landscape. The city’s craft breweries are at the forefront, presenting a range of styles influenced by American brewers to traditional Belgian styles and everything in between. With a strong focus on supporting local breweries, Montreal has become a hub for craft beer lovers looking to discover new and exciting flavors.
Dive into the craft beer industry and discover some of the most popular beers in incredible breweries! Some of these breweries can be considered head brewers and are among the best American brewers in terms of craft beers.
1) 4 Origines – Houbombe
4 Origines in Montreal offers the Houbombe, a Indian Pale Ale with a light yellow hue, that showcases the aromatic and flavorful potential of hops. Its craft beer roots are evident in its rich hop aroma and balanced malt backbone, making it a favorite among locals and tourists. Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing evening at home or dining out with friends, the Houbombe is sure to elevate any culinary experience with its impeccable balance and delightful character.
This hybrid beer, between a classic West Coast IPA and East Coast IPAs, is a versatile brew that pairs excellently with a variety of dishes. For a perfect pairing, try it with grilled chicken or seafood dishes like shrimp scampi. Its effervescence and complex flavor profile also complement creamy cheeses such as Brie or Gouda.
2) Messorem Bracitorium – Ok l’Enfer
This divine brew pours a milky, hazy golden hue, crowned with a creamy white head. This New England India Pale Ale Beer (NEIPA) invites you to indulge in its complex hop aroma, with subtle hints of fruit such as citrus and cantaloupe. The final note is herbaceous, with the hop burn typical of Messorem NEIPAs.
Ok l’Enfer from Messorem Bracitorium is a testament to how craft beers can challenge our taste buds. This brew takes you on a journey of flavor, encapsulating the essence of small-batch microbreweries with its complex profile and bold taste.
Pair this heavenly libation with creamy cheeses like Brie or Gouda to complement its fruity notes, or opt for spicy dishes such as Thai curry to contrast its subtle spice.
3) Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs – Fashionista
This New England IPAs inspired beer, pours a radiant golden hue with a frothy white head, enticing your senses with its complex aroma of with notes of tropical fruits, peaches and apricots. This beer is aromatic, hoppy and slightly bitter.
The Fashionista is a strong and versatile beer that pairs impeccably with a variety of dishes. Its bright acidity and effervescence make it an ideal companion to fresh salads, seafood such as grilled shrimp or ceviche, and creamy cheeses like brie or camembert.
4) Boswell Brewery – Cream Ale
Boswell Brewery’s Cream Ale is a silky ale, smooth and refreshing. This light-bodied, straw-colored beer is a perfect example of craft beer that’s accessible and enjoyable, making it a popular style and choice among those exploring the beers of Canada and appreciating the straightforward yet flavorful approach to brewing. This craft beer is made from pilsner malt, accented by light notes of fruit and spice.
This light beer goes very well with light, summery foods such as salads and fresh fruit, as well as with softer, milder cheeses. Cream Ale can also complement your barbecues, such as grilled salmon or ribs.
5) Les Sans-Taverne Coop & Brewery – Bise d’Août
Indulge in the tangy delight of Bise d’août, a raspberry sour. Inspired by the Berliner Weisse style, this beer features subtle aromas of Quebec raspberries, perfectly blended with barley and wheat flavors. Fruity, refreshing, this sour beer combines light sugar and strong acidity for a refreshing result in keeping with this small red fruit and a reminder of summer.
Pair it with creamy goat cheese, a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, spicy Thai curry, or a refreshing mixed greens salad topped with fresh raspberries for a culinary journey that captures the essence of the season in every sip.
6) MËLLON -Here Comes the Sun
This Sunshine IPA perfectly represents summer, with its veiled yellow color: a beer that tastes exactly like sunshine! Here Comes the Sun is juicy and fruity, with notes of mango and citrus. Its Motueka and Mosaic hops also bring out a slight bitterness.
Pair this exceptional brew with seafood and fish. Try it with ceviche or whitefish tacos, for example. The citrus and mango notes of this beer harmonize with the citrus of the fish. This beer also pairs well with spicy and Asian dishes, blue cheeses and exotic fruits.
7) Dieu du Ciel! – Péché Mortel
Péché Mortel by Dieu du Ciel! is an Imperial Stout that’s rich, deep, and sinfully good. Known for its bold flavors and high ABV beer, it’s a brew that captures the intense and passionate side of craft brewing. This award-winning perfect beer is brewed with a blend of roasted malts and fair-trade coffee beans, resulting in a complex and satisfying brew.
Pair Péché Mortel with rich desserts like chocolate cake or tiramisu to complement its coffee notes. It also pairs well with hearty dishes like barbecue ribs or beef stew.
8) Brasserie Dunham – Leo’s Early Breakfast IPA
Leo’s Early Breakfast IPA by Brasserie Dunham mixes traditional IPA bitterness with unexpected, delightful twists. This spicy IPA presents a fusion of flavors that is sure to excite the taste buds of any beer enthusiast. With its bold hop profile and subtle hints of guava and earl grey tea, Leo’s Early Breakfast IPA offers a refreshing and invigorating drinking experience. This enchanting, complex beer is the fruit of a collaboration between Anders Kissmeyer and Brasserie Dunham.
Pair this delicious American-style pale with brunch favorites like eggs Benedict or avocado toast, or indulge in the bold flavors of spicy chicken wings for a delightful contrast. Fresh, bitter and fruity, whether enjoyed at the crack of dawn or as a nightcap, Leo’s Early Breakfast IPA is a versatile and flavorful choice for any occasion.
9) La Micro de Bromont – Miss Demeanour
Miss Demeanour from La Micro de Bromont is a classic English IPA, known for its balanced hop profile and smooth finish. This beer is a nod to the traditional British brewing process, adapted by craft brewers to fit the modern beer expert’s palate. This IPA-style beer has a beautiful coppery red color, reflecting its malty, caramelized taste.
Pairing wise, Miss Demeanour is a versatile companion to a myriad of dishes. Its effervescent character and nuanced flavors make it an excellent match for a range of cuisines. For a delectable pairing, consider pairing this brew with a plate of tangy goat cheese and fig jam crostini, allowing the beer’s fruity esters to complement the creamy cheese while the carbonation cuts through the richness.
10) Les Trois Mousquetaires – Porter Baltique
Les Trois Mousquetaires’ Porter Baltique stands out with its deep, rich flavors and historical significance. This perfect beer is a robust dark lager and complex Baltic porter brewed with a blend of roasted malts. It boasts flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, and dark fruit, with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel.
This dark lager pairs well with hearty dishes like braised short ribs, beef stew, or chocolate desserts. Its rich and full-bodied profile also makes it a great match for strong cheeses like blue cheese or aged cheddar.
11) Brasserie Harricana – Berliner Weisse
Brasserie Harricana’s Berliner Weisse is a tart and refreshing wheat beer with a lively carbonation. This sour ale is brewed with lactobacillus (lactic acid bacteria), then cooked and re-fermented with conventional yeast, giving it a bright and tangy flavor profile. This smooth beer is inspired by an ancestral German style, has a light body and crisp finish, making it an excellent introduction to the diversity of craft beers. Discover its lemon and green banana flavors with its tart and refreshing taste, perfect for fans of tangy beers.
Berliner Weisse pairs well with light and tangy dishes like ceviche, salads with citrus vinaigrette, or goat cheese. It also complements spicy foods like buffalo wings or tacos, balancing out the heat with its refreshing acidity.
12) Microbrasserie Le Castor – Yakima IPA
Yakima IPA from Microbrasserie Le Castor is celebrated for its hop-forward profile and citrus undertones, making it a staple for anyone exploring the American style of craft beers. This is a bold and hoppy American-style IPA showcasing the vibrant flavors of Yakima Valley hops, empowering the aromas of West Coast hops. It features citrusy aromas, a resinous hop bitterness, and a crisp, dry finish.
Yakima IPA pairs well with bold and spicy dishes like curry, barbecue ribs, or spicy chicken wings. Its hoppy bitterness also complements rich and creamy foods like macaroni and cheese or buffalo chicken dip.
13) Les Brasseurs du Nord – Boréale Blonde
This tasty natural ale from Les Brasseurs du Nord is a light and refreshing beer, embodying the simplicity and elegance of the German style in a craft beer format, perfect for casual sipping and serious tasting alike. Boréale Blonde is a classic and easy-drinking blonde ale with a clean malt profile, subtle hop bitterness and notes of honey and caramel malt. It has a light golden color and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Boréale Blonde pairs well with light and simple dishes like grilled vegetables, seafood pasta, or chicken Caesar salad. Perfect for any occasion, Its clean and balanced profile also makes it a great match for classic pub fare like fish and chips or burgers.
14) McAuslan Brewing St-Ambroise – Oatmeal Stout
St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout from McAuslan Brewing is a generous creamy stout brewed with oats for added richness. It features flavors of toast, dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malt, with a velvety mouthfeel. Hints of licorice are also immediately present on the palate. Its smooth texture and complex flavors make it a favorite beer for those cold Canadian nights.
Pair Oatmeal Stout with hearty and comforting dishes like shepherd’s pie, beef stew, or chocolate desserts. Its creamy texture and roasted flavors also make it a great match for creamy cheeses like brie or camembert.
15) Microbrasserie Le Prospecteur – Tête de Pioche
Introducing the Tête de Pioche by Microbrasserie Le Prospecteur, a visually striking NEIPA-style beer with a golden hue and a nicely veiled appearance, crowned by a medium-sized foam head. Its aroma tantalizes the senses with fruity notes of citrus, passion fruit, and mango, alongside herbal undertones. This American IPA has a special feature: it’s an evolving beer. With each brew, different hops are selected to create a good hoppy juice!
Pair it with spicy dishes like Thai curry or tangy cheeses such as sharp cheddar for a delightful culinary experience.
16) Pit Caribou – Gaspésienne #13
Gaspésienne #13 by Pit Caribou is an excellent beer with a strong regional character, reflecting the unique beer culture of the Gaspé Peninsula. It is a crisp and flavorful Robust Porter-style dark beer featuring Quebec-grown hops. It has a black hue and creamy texture, with soft chocolate roundness, coffee and grape aromas and a pleasantly sweet finish.
Gaspésienne #13 pairs well with salty gourmet dishes, such as barbecue, steak on the grill, as well as sweet ones, like half-baked chocolate cake and fruit tart.
17) Brasseurs Sans Gluten – Glutenberg Red Ale
Glutenberg Red Ale stands out as a popular beer that’s completely gluten-free, offering a delicious option for those with dietary restrictions without compromising on taste. This American Amber style beer is a full-bodied and flavorful ale brewed without gluten. It features a deep ruby color and a rich malt profile, slightly hoppy, with notes of caramel and toasted nuts.
Pair Glutenberg Red Ale with hearty and savory dishes like Latin American foods, especially beef. It also goes well with roast chicken, mushroom risotto, or grilled sausage. Its malt-forward profile also complements smoky flavors like barbecue or charcuterie.
18) Microbrasserie du Lac Saint-Jean – Tante Tricotante
Tante Tricotante from Microbrasserie du Lac Saint-Jean is a warm, inviting beer that’s perfect for gatherings, embodying the convivial spirit that craft beers are known for. With the flavors of Alsatian hops, this Belgian-style tripel has a fruity and spicy yeast character. This beer is brewed by Microbrasserie du Lac St-Jean, but you can also find it at other outlets in Montreal. It features aromas evoking apricot, peach, lemon, apple and pear, with a smooth and effervescent mouthfeel.
As Belgian beers, Tante Tricotante pairs well with rich and decadent dishes like creamy pasta, foie gras, or Belgian waffles with fruit compote. This spicy and fruity beer complements spicy dishes like curry or jerk chicken.
18) Le Saint-Bock – Malédiction
Saint-Bock’s Malédiction is a Milk Stout infused with cocoa and vanilla. Its rich, bewitching foam may remind the taste and texture of a marshmallow! This original beer is characterized by bold notes of coffee and dark chocolate that provide a satisfying bitterness, balanced by the sweet and creamy essence of vanilla. Undertones of caramel, red and dark fruits, ash, and subtle anise add layers of complexity, while the slightly viscous texture enhances the overall experience.
Pair this flavorful Stout with rich desserts like chocolate cake or creamy tiramisu for an indulgent treat, or contrast its robust flavors with spicy barbecue ribs for a memorable dining experience.
19) Les Brasseurs de West Shefford – Feu de Joie
This New England IPA (NEIPA) boasts a delightful complexity that tantalizes the taste buds with its harmonious blend of flavors. Feu de Joie by Les Brasseurs de West Shefford brings warmth with its rich flavors and inviting aroma, representing the fiery spirit of craft beers. This IPA reveals fruity aromas and even a subtle hint of mango and citrusy notes, accentuating with each sip, while hints of smoke will surprise your taste buds.
Pair this exceptional brew with hearty dishes such as burger, seafood salads, ceviche, and grilled shrimp. NEIPAs are your best brunch companions! Make sure you serve it really cold to sublimate mild cheeses such as mozzarella.
Discover The Best Canadian Craft Beers With City Brew Tours!
Embark on a journey through some of the best craft beers Canada has to offer with City Brew Tours. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just beginning your craft beer journey, our expertly curated tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the best breweries and great-tasting beer in Montreal. Experience the passion, the flavor, and the dedication that Canadian brewers pour into every bottle and keg.
There’s something for every beer lover to enjoy. So raise a glass to canadian craft beer and savor the wide range of flavor profiles of this dynamic and evolving beer culture. Cheers!