Fill up the car, grease your liver correctly and be prepared for the Extreme Beer Fest (EBF), managed by the Beer Advocate (respect beer). It was my third participation in this event.

Brewpublic’s Marc Demeule and his homebrewing friends had a one of a kind brewing session, in extreme conditions of the Quebec winter.

We decided to brew an extreme IPA with all the leftover hops we had.  For a 50 liter batch, we included 20,8 oz of whole and pellet hops.  We also threw in all of our leftover home grown hops (maybe a half pound of Mt Hood).  With an anticipated 140,9 IBU, according to ProMash, we only expected something that could be drinkable, but extreme too.  If you want the complete recipe, just e-mail me.

Brewpublic’s Marc Demeule makes his annual pilgrimage to Le Mondial des Cidres de Glace, a spectacular display of ice ciders amidst the cold Quebec winter.

The organizers of the event did well for the 3rd edition of Le Mondial des Cidres de Glace. A more spacious and wind-resistant tent has been installed. Even if we had a feeling of -13°C ( 8º F ) outside, it was quite comfortable. I’ve described the development process of the ice cider in my last year’s post.

by Marc Demeule

I saw this article in a business newspaper ( Les affaires 14-20 November 2009 ) when I went to the bank to meet my financial counsellor. It is quite rare to see people you know in those kinds of newspapers, so reposting it on a blog dedicated to beer would allow reaching a better public.

We recently had the fourth edition of this great event. Cooking with beer is a pleasure and should be included to every day recipes. Brewpubs with kitchens use their own products to create delicious meals, so why couldn’t we?

The guidelines we gave us were simple:

Brewpublic’s Quebecer correspondent Marc Demeule recaps a malt-filled weekend in October where he returns to Portland for more of what he loves…craft beer. This time Marc does it fest-style with Brewpublic’s 1st Brewniversary at Saraveza, The Portland Fresh Hop Tastival at Oak’s Park, and the KillerBeerFest at Bailey’s Taproom. We just wonder if he will make it back for the Holiday Ale Fest. Well, there’s always something exciting brewing in Beervana.

I had a wonderful week in Portland and I decided to achieve it with another beer trip. To access it, you need a boarding pass and an ID. There is no surprise here because everybody did ask for my ID. I’m talking of the PDX airport.

The interest for microbreweries and flavours from our terroir Québecois is still growing. Sunshine and mild temperatures have attracted a crowd of 65 000 visitors (2008 data) to the 8th edition of the unique Chambly Flavours Festival, an event which every beer lover should attend. I do not remember exactly, but I’m quite sure that I’ve attended every edition of this festival.

Two fellows and myself took a day out of town for an expedition in Mauricie.  350 km to taste what four breweries had to offer to our critical throats.  You like beer, or you don’t.

1st station:  Gambrinus, brasserie artisanale & bouffe sympa.  Trois-Rivières
This place is a restaurant which includes a cool brewpub.  Located near the University, it is strategic and also a good way to educate students to drink better beers.  But for now, I will say that I just don’t know… These are good beers, but I’ve just haven’t found any that would impress me.  The fact is that they changed their brewer recently, so what he is doing now is good, but just doesn’t reveal his potential.  We will have to come back when recipes will be set up, or even changed.  My preferred beer was the amber ale called Galarneau.

2nd station:  À la fût, brasseur de goût. St-Tite
Thanks to Francis the brewer.  We’ve been welcomed even if the pub was closed.  Eight homebrews were on the pumps.  Some seasonal beers are added in rotation during the year.  We had the honour to try his brand-new Belgian IPA @ 7,2% called une bière, deux goûts.  It is a sure shot!  His pale ale is refreshing and well balanced.  This brewery has only two years old and we will have to add it to our annual beer trips.

This weekend, we had a two-hour car ride to the West. Another province of our country: Ontario. We made four stops during this quick trip.

L’autre Oeil – Aylmer www.lautreoeil.com
This pub has the largest beer menu I’ve seen in Québec (over 442 bottles). Taps were mainly from Quebec breweries. I only took (designated driver) a Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor. Of course it would have been great to taste more beers there, but I’ll certainly be back soon. This pub is located 8 km from Ottawa, so it would be easy to come back with our bicycles on a longer trip.