Beer Festivals 2012

[Blake]

My work requires a lot of travel and occasionally, actually quite often, I am in or near various Beer Festivals. It occurred to me that we should have a place on this forum to discuss festivals, beer finds, trends, disappointments, and tastes. So lets hear it. I will shortly post something from the "Gatineau Festibeer" I attended this past weekend.

Please feel free to post upcoming festivals. I am planning on attending Vermont Brewers Festival July 20 & 21. http://vtbrewfest.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Blake

[GAM]

Wish I was there.

Sandy

[mr x]

These can go in the events section. Just make new threads for events of note.

General Beer Discussion section is where the rest should go.

[chalmers]

I've got a couple of trip reports I need to post up. The Events sub-forum is probably best for this. Or the Beer Abroad one.

[Blake]

Gatineau Festibiere

For only celebrating its second year as a beer festival, this event is certainly cozy and well worth attending if you want to see and taste what is happening among Quebec micro-brewers. Most of the brewers told me that the Gatineau Festibiere is one of the few events they now put on their annual calendars because of the difficulty of participating in festivals outside Quebec. Because Gatineau is just across the river from Ottawa, this event allows people who might remain oblivious to what is brewing in Quebec the opportunity to partake in a taste of Quebec. The two "official beers" of the 2012 festival were Chihuahua from Brasseurs de Montreal (Marc-Andre Gauvreau) and Boreal from Les Brasseurs du Nord in Blainville, Quebec. The Chihuahua, which I have tried at one of Sandy's tastings, was not available because the batch did not come out right. (Hats off to Marc-Andre for making the decision to not serve an inferior product in an atmosphere where it appeared most people would not have even recognized it. And kudos to Marc-Andre for doing this when he had one of the two sponsoring beers of the festival and to have a "discussion" with the event sponsors.) Regardless, this event should be on your calendar not only because of the variety it offers in taste, but because this festival is successful and expected to grow. If you have to be in Ottawa, try planning on being there the last weekend in May so you can attend.

It is no secret that Quebec brewers have an affinity for Belgium beers and maintain a close connection to Belgium brewers. What may well be a secret to much of North America is the big, full bodied ales and lagers that employ a variety of hops to create a unique Quebec taste and style. Most of the micro-breweries had on display big taste that came in at 6.5% APV or above. It was not difficult to find an 8% APV most anywhere you looked. The lightest ale I tasted, and the lightest beer I could find, came in at 3.5% APV. (Self-disclosure here--my own preference is an ale between 4.5% and 6.5%, a stout between 4% and 6%, and a great tasting porter can come in anywhere.) With this stated, I set out, from my own notes, what I found. Of course, your results should vary.

Borale IPA 6.2% This is a full bodied ale. Wonderfully bitter with a lingering complexity. Very hoppy. http://www.boreale.com/en/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brouemont Scotch Ale 8% Definitely tasted the roast malt. Sweet, with a very slight bitterness.
Brouemont Blond 5% Light-tasting, good summer beer. Well-rounded.
(has anyone tried the other beers from this place? http://www.brouemont.com/en/bieres.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Brasseurs de Montreal Many of you are probably familiar with this brewer. Many people may recognize that this is the brewery that infused its stout with Absinthe to create something new. Their website is here: http://www.brasseursdemontreal.ca/en/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; You should visit when you are in Montreal.
Marc-Andre Gauvreau wonderfully provided me with his full line of beers, and even with a few that he wasn't selling to the general public. He has a variety of beer that attempts to appeal all tastes while trying to capture some of the market share.
I tried the "Black Watch" (4.7 %) which I found to have a complexity and a big malty, roasty flavour which surprised me for a 4.7 .
I also sampled the Apple (4%) and Cranberry (4%)offerings which I found sweet, but I am sure that these would be appealing to my wife and some of her friends.
The "Chi" (4.5%) is a ginger-lemongrass concoction. Surprisingly, the lemongrass provided an unusual but flavourful bitterness that cut the ginger.
The "Rastefarian" (8%) has an apple and plum flavour that, to me, came in much like a barley wine. I think my wife would love this for its sweetness and fruity flavour.
The "Rebelle" (6.5%) is modeled on a Belgium recipe using hops from Quebec. It has a bit of spice, but I also found it "soapy". In fairness, I did try this after one of the fruity beers and need to give it another try.

Brasserie St-Sylvestre Gavroche (8.5%) A malty red ale that I found surprising. It has a sweet caramel flavour that is quite smooth.
3 Mont (8.5) uses Flemish hops for a clean clear Blonde. A good summer beer. Among the Blonde's I tried, this was a favorite.
http://www.brasserie-st-sylvestre.com/i ... &Itemid=28" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Microbrasserie du Lievre La Frousse (5.4%) is a red ale that surprised me on the back end. There is a light bitterness that made me want more and focused my attention to see what other subtle flavours this little ale had.
La Montoise (5.4%) is a pale ale with a freshness and balance that made me want more.
La El Diablo (10%) is a barley wine full of flavour and complexity. Again, a wonderful surprise.

Micorbrasserie du Lievre is my pick for "Surprise Find" of the Festival. I found their beers to be wonderfully complex and full of unexpected flavour. But what I think made their beers so good was the overall balance of every one I tried. Complexity and balance is an art that we all try so hard to achieve, and these guys did it across the board. I look forward to trying more of their offerings.
http://www.microdulievre.com/en/microbr ... beers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Les Brasseurs du Temps Au Pied du Courant (6.5%) is a dry hopped IPA. My note-taking was slipping. They simply say "clear, good, bitter".
ESB 1821 (5.5%) My note-taking was definitely lacking by the time I tried this. My notes say "Full, good, [scribble scribble]. Must try local in Gatineau." In fairness, this brewery has a good reputation from beer aficionado's in Ottawa and has been mentioned here somewhere. Since this was one of the last booths I visited, I wouldn't rely on my own note taking.
http://www.brasseursdutemps.com/beers/our-full-range" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Microbrasserie de Charlevoix Vouch Folle Milk Stout (5%) An acceptable stout with a tasty roasted malt that lingers on the back end. http://www.microbrasserie.com/microbras ... beers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Microbrasserie Saint Arnold I can't read my writing--so here is the website: http://www.saintarnould.com/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Les 3 Brasseurs Amber Passion (6.2%) that has a caramel and bitterness that I liked. You may be familiar with this brew-pub, which is expanding to several locations.
http://www.saintarnould.com/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Montreal Beer Company has the appearance and feel to me of being backed by one of the big companies. Nevertheless I did try their Lager (4.5%) and found it tasted like one of the big beer companies, my note says "meh--U.S. tastes".
Broken 7 (5%) was another okay beer, but out of place at this festival.
Bierbier (5%) reminded me again of a U.S. lager and maybe a good summer beer.

Montreal Beer Company receives my "Biggest Disappointment" award. The beer did not seem to fit at this festival, and it was the only "small company" booth where the brewer was absent. The booth was also staffed with good-looking young people. All the signs of big marketing were there, all the way down to not caring about their product. It tried to foster an appearance of fun-loving beer that beautiful people drink, but left out the taste.

Microbrasserie Les Trois Mousquetaires Baltic Porter (10%). Not really balanced, a disappointment. Trying to do too much to a good thing. http://lestroismousquetaires.ca/bieres/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Microbrasserie Le Grimoire Noire Souer (5%) Stout. I think this is the worst stout I have ever tasted. It was sour, over the top, and just wrong.
La Vitale Bluets (5%) Not to be outdone by the stout, this blonde somehow missed all the tasting notes a blonde is supposed to have.
http://www.brasseriegrimoire.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Microbrasserie Le Grimoire as a whole is truly an acquired taste. I personally found their beer gimmicky and off-putting. They get my award for "We are here to sample real beers".

Micorbrasserie Le Naufrageur is worth checking out, according to my note. I don't have any tasting notes.
http://www.lenaufrageur.com/bieres.aspx?biere=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Microbrasserie L'Alchemist Dark Ale (5.5%) was a wonderful malty and bitter ale. When I asked for it, the server asked me if I liked strong bitter beer. Of course I do! I found this to be a fine ale, but not as bitter as I had hoped. It was tasty, but not complex.
Bock (6.1%) was malty and fruity, which was interesting. A decent bock, but one that I would recommend drinking lightly.
http://lalchimiste.ca/fr/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I said above, your experience should vary. As for me, I would like to find out more about Micorbrasserie du Lievre.

Blake