Montreal: City of beer.

Whether you recently moved to our fair city and are already sick of Fin du Monde, or you’re a city veteran looking to up your beer game, here’s a list of the best Montreal hidden gems, hot spots, and hops-y haunts to get your drink on.

Student-friendly:

Around Concordia, Brutopia has the combo best cramped/cozy interior with live music for cooler evening imbibing (and terrasse for warm-weather lounging). But if you don’t like raspberry wheat beer or the university-age, inebriated crowd, McKibbins has a castle-like, more spacious decor with a slightly older demographic and the same amount of inebriation. Lots of beers on tap including Guinness, of course, plus cave man-size sandwiches and a menu that’s a step above cheap pub grub, though nachos are everywhere.

My last string of Irish roommates liked hanging out at the Irish Embassy and Hurley’s, so check these out if you’re looking for the nicest lads and lasses around (though the northern ones wouldn’t say as much about the southerns, and vice versa).

Around McGill there’s the Thomson Graduate Student House where monthly parties feature multiple DJs spinning vinyl chosen for that night’s theme (80’s, Hallowe’en, St. Patrick’s…makes for a lot of “Thriller” somehow…). Any given day, however, nachos, wings, flatbread pizzas, and affordable pitchers of beer are devoured by students and profs alike, but Benelux is where the beer affocionados go. Well, that’s maybe not fair, since Montreal’s own Bierbrier is offered on tap at the grad house, but Benelux wins with some tasty Belgian-style beers and even hosts not-to-be-missed cask nights. Food-wise, the euro-style hotdogs leave something to be desired, so come here with a full stomach ready to absorb some malty brews. Yes it’s maybe five minutes from campus, but you don’t have to climb the big hill.

…but if your little legs can carry you more than five minutes from campus, you’ll earn a deliciously yeasty prize.

Dieu du Ciel, Vices et Versa, L’Amère à Boire and newcomer La Succursale will get you out of the university ghettos and onto the streets. DdC’s tiny interior doubles in size come summer when the terrasse at Laurier and Clark opens, but for small groups and pairs it’s the coziest place to be year-round. Come early for happy hour and to find a seat. From a 17 or so-long beer menu that changes monthly, start with La Paienne, move into La Blanche du Paradis, Rosée d’Hibiscus, and get the wind knocked out of you at end the night with the Péché Mortel. All their own and a great selection – from wheats to porters, to smoked lagers, to stouts, and Scottish ales, there’s something for everyone, and tasting glasses are a good way to sample before purchasing.

Vice et Versa in Little Italy for when you don’t want vino in Little Italy. No, that’s not fair either, since the beer lover would go out of his or her way to come here, and the beer is a better call than some of the house red plonk in the area. 33 local beers on tap from a variety of Quebec micobreweries. They even have Dieu du Ciel beers, so here it’s really not a competition, though food goes upscale compared to the cheap cheese on things that resembles tortilla chips at Dieu du Ciel; instead, graze on cheeses and locally cured meats.

L’Amère à Boire on St-Denis (the closest good brewpub to a metro stop that I know of) is chalereux and though the house-made beers on tap are fewer and less diverse, they all wash down a well-grilled lamb burger just fine.

Then there’s newcomer La Succursale, which more than justifies the trip to quaint rue Masson. (Plateau 2? Plateau 3?) I’m not encouraging alcoholism, but you probably want to down as much of the house-made blanche on the street-side terrasse before the cold air kicks in. Though the foosball table in the back, ground-to-ceiling windows, and giant wood bar made by the owners make this a year-round destination.
The other local brewpub located more downtown is Brasseur Montreal, and while I can’t say I’m in love with any of their beers that I’ve tried, they’ve got a restaurant with adjoining terrasse and a menu of Quebec comfort food that will please. Paté Chinois with La Quebecoise Rebelle.

You can find a lot of these microbrews at the city’s fine beer stores and specialty depanneurs. And if you’re looking just for campus eats (detoxing the alcohol in your system from frosh gets the Midnight Poutine thumbs-up), we’ve got some French and English suggestions on those too.

Welcome to Montreal/Bienvenue à Montreal, et à votre santé. Cheers.

Brutopia
Where: 1219 rue Crescent
514-393-9277
When: Daily, 3pm-3am, but open at noon on Friday for early drinkers with early (or no) classes.

McKibbins
Where: 1426 rue Bishop
514-288-1580
When: Daily, 11:30am-3:30pm

Hurley’s Irish Pub
Where: 1225 rue Crescent
514-861-4111
When: Daily, 11am-3am

Irish Embassy Pub & Grill
Where: 1234 rue Bishop
514-875-8777
When: Daily, 11am-3am

PGSS Thomson House
Where: 3650 McTavish
514-398-3756
When: Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30 for lunch, pub menu starting at 3pm, plus special events

Benelux
Where: 245 Sherbrooke West
(514) 543-9750
When: Monday-Wed from 2pm, Thurs-Fri from 11am, Sat-Sun from 3pm

Dieu du Ciel
Where: 29 Laurier West
514-490-9555
When: Daily, 1pm-3am

L’Amère à Boire
Where: 2049 Saint-Denis
514-282-7448
When: Open daily, but the kitchen has short hours

Vices et Versa
Where: 6631, boulevard St-Laurent
514-272-2498
When: Sun-Mon 3pm-1am, Tues-Sat 3pm-3am

La Succursale
Where: 3188 rue Masson
514-508-1615
When: Mon-Tues 3pm-1am, Wed-Thurs 3pm-3am, Fri-Sat 1pm-3am, Sun 1pm-1am
How Much: Average half-pints for about $5 with a generous tip. Pints probably $8 or $9 depending on tipping. $8, I think, for the tasting quartet of 4 house-made beers.

Brasseur Montreal
Where: 1485 rue Ottawa
514-788-4505
When: Mon-Fri from 11:30am, Sat-Sun from 3pm
You can reserve on the terrasse though the restaurant/bar is 18+, kids are welcome (cyclists, their bikes, dog owners and “leur toutou” also welcome).

Photos from Amie Watson (“Fermentation Room at La Succursale”, “Tasting Platter at La Succursale”, “Montreal Brewpub La Succursale”, and “La Succursale Back Room/Party Room”) and Blanche Neige and Peche Mortel from Kaszeta on the Midnight Poutine Flickr Pool.