Part two of my Montreal series ran this week in Planet S Magazine and Vue Weekly. I contrast two Montreal breweries with VERY different styles. I have a lot of respect for both. McAuslan Brewery, makers of the St. Ambroise line, produces a marvelous stout (extolled here) and a series of other respectable beers. They are a strong example of how independent brewers can make a national name for themselves.

I contrast them with Dieu du Ciel, who have quickly become one of my favourite breweries for thecombination of their politics and their imaginative, stunningly well-made beer. Dieu du Ciel is, without question, on Canada’s cutting edge of craft brewing.

Put the two together and you have both a useful exposition of Montreal’s strong brewing scene, and a remarkably insightful case study into the best of Canada’s craft brewing industry. Out here in the west, we need to consider carefully the conditions that allowed both of these breweries to thrive. There is something about Montreal that allows a diversity in beer that is not possible here – at least so far. But it is something we can work on.

Read the Planet S version of the article.

And here is the Vue Weekly Version.