The Regional Guide to Canadian Craft Breweries

McCauslan is one of several Quebec breweries producing unique and superb quality beers. McAuslan is another pioneer in the Canadian craft-brewing renaissance, having opened the brewery in 1987. McCauslan produces some of my all-time favourite beers. Topping this list is the Oatmeal Stout, a stellar, creamy brew that has a rich chocolate and coffee flavour. If you enjoy pale ale, McAuslan produces a hoppy (fairly bitter) ale that is well balanced with a fruity finish. McAuslan also produces Griffon Brown ale, a dark (well, brown actually), rich, nutty and full bodied beer which is terrific if you can find it on tap. They also offer a spicy seasonal Pumpkin Ale. If you like fruit-beer, they produce a tasty Apricot Wheat Ale. Check out the other award winning selections McAuslan have to offer at www.mcauslan.com.

La Barberie, located in Quebec City, brews a wide range of specialty beers: the Rousse Au Malt Fume (pictured left), La Barberie Oatmeal Stout, the Belgian Scotch Ale (7% alcohol) and the Blanche Aux Argumes, a wheat beer fermented with citrus fruit. La Barberie brews the majority of its beer for local pubs. True to its community roots, La Barberie also produces small batches for special occasions such as weddings and festivals. Since opening for business in 1997 they claim to have brewed over 100 distinct recipes. If you're a beer lover planning to visit Quebec City, La Barberie is worth checking out. You can find out more about this fine craft brewery at www.labarberie.com.

Unibroue is the brainchild of Andre Dion, a savvy businessman who was formerly an on owner of the Rona chain of hardware stores. He sold his shares in that business and in the early 1990's established Unibroue. Having travelled extensively in Belgium, he cultivated a taste for Belgian-style wheat beers. Unibroue crafts a compelling selection of European-style beers, made all the more interesting by their unique names. Maudite is a potent (8% alcohol!) red ale which improves with age if stored properly. The label (left) depicts an old Quebecois legend called "la Chasse Galerie," the legend of the flying canoe. As told in Unibroue's merchandising material, "legend has it that a group of lumberjacks struck a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoes, guided by Satan himself, to make it home in time for Christmas." If you drink too much Maudite, you might find yourself along for the ride. La Fin Du Monde (literally, the end of the world) is, if you can believe it, more potent that Maudite. At 9% alcohol, this is a beer for sipping by the fire, or perhaps you could use it to start a fire. Both La Fin Du Monde and Maudite share a clove and cinnamon flavour that Belgian beer-lovers will appreciate. Not for the faint of heart. If you're a fan of good old fashioned home-brew, try the bottle conditioned Raftman which has the characteristic sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Be sure to pour this one into a glass. For more information about Unibroue's fine craft beers, visit www.unibroue.com.