DIEU DU CIEL!

United States Brewpubs,

Dieu du Ciel!: A Bar in Montréal, QC - Thrillist
MONTREAL, CANADA

On the corner of Laurier lies terrific café-styled brewpub, DIEU DU CIEL!  Friendly diminutive saloon, visited April ’05, had a well-selected beer bottle collection displayed across the bar area, appeasing connoisseurs of all stripes. Wood stools and tables line the smallish interior with stainless steel brew tanks situated by the front window and bagels, cheese, tortillas, nachos, and pan pizza filling out the terse menu.

Best brew may have been excellent Corne Du Diable American IPA, a deeply embittered red-orange-fruited dry-hopped quencher with currant tinge belying herb-roasted peppery-floral nuance.

Also enticing: buttery orange-bruised peach-syrupy grapefruit-embittered Abbey-styled Rigor Mortis Blonde; raw-honeyed red-fruited wheat-biscuit-y hop-dried Fumisterie Rousse; and lemon meringue-dried orange-peeled bubble-gummy Blanche Du Paradis.

Dry-honeyed low-carb wheat-sweet sedation McAuslan Cream Ale, gentle coffee-dried black cherry-sniped McAuslan Stout A L’Avoine, sullen yellow-fruited wheat-dried Paienne Blonde Ale and softly carbolic resin-hopped citrus-finishing cask-conditioned Vaisseau Des Songes IPA ain’t bad either.

www.dieuduciel.com

BRUTOPIA

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

Fascinating midtown pub, BRUTOPIA, with its ancient ornamental exterior brackets and live nightly entertainment, boasted English-styled libations on Crescent Rue. Right next to Irish pub, Hurley’s (great draught selection: Murphy’s, Guinness, Harp, Bass, Kilkennys as well as local Canadian faves), this busy bistro served quality food and draughts to my family one brisk April ’05 afternoon.

Open since 1996, Brutopia’s busy brick-walled wood-floored bar features front porch and upstairs lounge (with hidden rear-situated brew tanks). Its rustic appearance afforded a dank inner city appeal and the middling hummus, sausage, and quesidillas went down fine alongside excellent handcrafted beer.

Nut-grained clover-honeyed wildflower-bloomed Honey Beer; lilting cereal-grained honey-glazed yellow-orange-fruited Maple Rousse; sour yellow-fruited rye-dried Golden Wheat; soft-watered wheat-grained grape-vinous Scotch Ale; and mild walnut-imbued cocoa-sugared Nut Brown Ale were decent preliminaries for more interesting fare.

Woody Centennial-Chinook-hopped, grapefruit rind-embittered, lemon-zesty IPA and berry-kiwi-blanched rye-pumpernickel-soured Brutopia Extra Blonde should please bitterer swiggers.

Lively raspberry-wheat-fronted, passion fruit-aided, cereal-malted honey-dried Brutopia Raspberry Blonde will appease fruit ale lovers.

www.brutopia.net

RESERVOIR

United States Brewpubs,


MONTREAL, CANADA

Just off St. Laurent on Duluth, small smoke-filled 100-capacity brick-exterior brewpub, RESERVOIR, gets busy with 5 o’clock crowd. Visited April ’05, main bar area included open backside ovens offering calamari, fromage, salads, and oysters, plus table seating near front window. Brew tanks, an extra bar, and more seating are available upstairs.

On tap were three easy plowing beers and four more exquisite choices. Soft-fizzed lemon-candied grapefruit-soured Blonde, delicately buttered floral-perfumed lemon-orange-faded hefeweizen-styled Ambree De Ble and soapy light-spiced stone-fruited lemongrass-hinted Blanche suited light-bodied drinkers.

More engaging fare included terrific Belgian-styled raisin-prune-soured cherry-sweet banana-bruised fig-juiced Triple, piney malt-smoked hop-charred Bitter and lactic coffee-roasted hazelnut-toasted soft-tongued stout-styled Noire.

Mild hop-spiced, lemony grapefruit-embittered, peach-pitted Pale Ale was both light-bodied and distinguished.

www.brasseriereservoir.ca

SERGENT RECRUTEUR

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

On St. Laurent, the former ‘new’ location for SERGENT RECRUTEUR, brick-walled left side dining area and a cozy back bar with stainless steel brew tanks infiltrated this soon-to-be highbrow pub.

Unfortunately, as of April ’05, a brewpub license hadn’t been granted. Yet the selection of tapped brews took pride offering fine Canadian line of Le Cheval Blanc, Mc Auslan’s St. Ambroise Rousse and Griffon Blonde, plus Belgian staple Liefman Framboise and Denmark’s Tuborg Blonde. By 2007, the brewpub had closed.

LES 3 BRASSEURS

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

Since 2002, St. Denis corner pub, LES 3 BRASSEURS, has served brewer Louis Philippe’s likable assortment. The busily crowded cement-floored joint with cordial right side bar, upstairs terrace, and interior balcony served sandwiches, wraps, and pizza plus cappuccino and espresso drinks on April ’05 stopover.

Though Wheat and Brown Ales were out, sampled laid-back lemony grapefruit-fronted, perfume-spiced, wheat-husked Blonde, honey-malted hop-toasted pepper-snipped L’Ambree and sinewy lemon-hopped, banana-dried, orange rind-embittered, coriander-spiced La Blanche (the most expressive choice this rainy springtime day).

www.les3brasseurs.ca

L’AMERE A BOIRE

United States Brewpubs,

L'amère à boire - Le Quartier Latin
MONTREAL, CANADA

I’m convinced the best place to buy Canadian brews as of February ’04 is tiny grocery store, De Panneur Laurier, at 1420 Laurier off Papineau Boulevard. Bought Belle Gueule, Bieropholie, Boreale, Breughel, Du Lievre, La Barberie, Les Brasseurs RJ, Le Cheval Blanc, Nouvelle, Schoune, Saint Antoine Abbe, and Saint Arnould brews at marvelous oasis. Walked to nearby Rahman’s to get more previously unfound brews.

On April ’05 brewpub excursion, stayed at midtown hotel near respected Mc Gill University for three nights. I managed to quaff two local independent brews on tap at refined first floor bar: mild lemony-whiffed prickly-hopped grapefruit-soured wheat-dried Old Montreal Blonde and barley roasted sweet tea-like Old Montreal Red Ale.

L’AMERE A BOIRE, in arty St. Denis section, offered burgers and quesadillas alongside brewer Greg Rossel’s fine beers. High ceilings, a small back loft, oak stools and tables, sundry hanging plants, and rear brew tanks inundate the interior with six seats consuming the small right side bar.

Wheat-soft banana-bubblegummy coriander-cloved Blanche, mild lemon rind-softened spice-nipped Danoise, peppery-hopped honey-lagered Munich-styled Montreal Hell, lemony white-peppered currant-embittered Cerna Hora and floral citric pale ale Amere A Boire proved light and effervescent.

Malt-sugared orange-bruised grapefruit-surged Fin De Siecle (Red Ale), chocolate-malted cherry-ripened Cognac-warmed Boucanier Porter, raisin-greened cherry-tart dessert-like Maibock, mocha-chalked cappuccino-milked Kozak Dark Lager and mellow vanilla-chocolate-centered, crème de cocoa-like Stout Imperial suited connoisseurs.

www.amereaboire.com

MISHAWAKA BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

Mishawaka Brewing Company, Mishawaka IN | Brewery, Mishawaka, Brewing company

MISHAWAKA, INDIANA

Tucked into the Indiana prairies and mere miles from Notre Dame University, MISHAWAKA BREWING has been in operation since ’91. Next to the corner malls off Main Street, this freestanding tan-brown-bricked facility had front garden deck and dark interior with left side dining and rear bar storing brew vessels, August ‘06. Pub fare was offered alongside upscale dishes: Beef Wellington, porterhouse steaks, and ossobuco pork.

Brewer Rick Schmidt poured sun-bright, lemony orange, coriander-spiced Shag Bark Belgian Wheat, vivacious piney-hopped orange-grapefruit-spiced Lake Effect Pale Ale, leather-grassed hay-dried honey-buttered citric-dashed Mishawaka Kolsch and corn-sugared raw-grained Wall Street Wheat. Slick raspberry-sweet citric-licked grassy-hopped wheat-bottomed Raspberry Wheat Ale was OK as dessert fodder.

At least as consistent were barnyard-wafted, honey nut-sweetened, wild oats-toasted, rye-fig-backed Four Horsemen Irish Ale, dry red-orange-fruited, grassy-floral-tinted Indiana Pale Ale and black coffee-roasted, black cherry-dried, cocoa-powdered, nut-roasted Founders Stout.

By December ’08, Mishawaka Brewing shutdown brewpub and restaurant operations, relocating at a Grape Street cornershop serving growlers, kegs, and 6-packs of its best brews to South Bend/ Mishawaka locals and Notre Dame fans.

MINNEAPOLIS TOWN HALL BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Caught Twins ballgame at Metrodome after fishing at Coon Rapids Dam and Beaver Lake with Old Milwaukee Lite drinkin’ pal Doug Van Dell, purchasing August Schell, Aspen Meadow, and Founders brews at Surdyk’s Liquors, June ‘03.

Quaffed Dingo Red, a nebulous Aussie-styled beer with sinewy yeast, spiced hops, cereal grains, and dry flaked mocha, at Bloomington restaurant, Billabong. Though unvisited, MINNEAPOLIS TOWN HALL BREWERY is a sure bet I’ll get to at future date.

www.townhallbrewery.com

DELAFIELD BREWHAUS

United States Brewpubs,

DELAFIELD, WISCONSIN

Smack dab between Madison and Milwaukee, mighty DELAFIELD BREWHAUS simply offered Wisconsin’s most splendidly consistent, interesting beers, July ‘05. Opened in ’99 atop a hill off Route 94 in the town of Delafield, this green-trimmed, brick-solidified Far East architectural building features a large first floor deck, second floor balconies, indoor upper mezzanine, a right side oak bar, and proudly displayed dead center brew tanks.

A fine beer tray collection covers the walls, impressive brewpub insignias line the bar area, and a Sunday breakfast buffet is recommended. Woodstone pizzas and sandwiches solidify an expansive menu.

Glorious Bavarian-inspired brewmaster John Harrison shows great depth and technique crafting a few German beers and such complex liquids as 11% alcohol Belgian pale ale Millennium Tripel (with candi-sugared orange-spiced banana sweetness contrasting white peppered fungi) to summery clear blue malt-syrupy Bomb Pop! (a raspberry-blueberry ice pop-like concoction).

Light fare included raw-grained wheat-soured mandarin orange-tinged German bohemian Freistader Pils, perfume-hopped grapefruit-embittered lemon pith-induced Hops And Glory American Ale, raw-honeyed wheat-backed golden lager Dock Light, tea-like cereal-grained caramel shuffler Delafield Amber and soft clove-lemon-plantain-aided Summerzeit Hefeweizen.

Heartier thirsts are directed to syrupy raw-grained yellow-fruited Fruhlingzeit Maibock, soft-flowing cask-conditioned cologne-perfumed wheat-husked citrus hop-embittered Bengal Bay IPA, dry hop-toasted black coffee serenity Pewaukee Porter and special Einhorn Whiskey Barrel Aged Bock, a sweet Jack Daniels/ Chivas Regal-hinted intricacy imbuing overripe cherry, stewed prune, and scurried ambrosia illusions.

www.delafield-brewhaus.com

STONEFLY (ONOPA BREWING)

United States Brewpubs,

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Neighborhood bar STONEFLY (formerly known as ONOPA BREWING, then after 2015 as now-defunct Company Brewing), stationed in a rustic red brick street corner building (with maroon interior) across from a cool record store, supported hip café clientele with well designed beers, nightly live entertainment, lounge seating, and a large right side beer garden (visited July ’05).

Brew tanks are saddled behind billiard tables in separate backroom where brewmeister Jacob crafts a revolving assortment of beers.

On this stop, sampled whiskey-bound, orange rind-embittered, marmalade-fruited Bouzards Special Bitter, mocha-malted éclair-sweet alcohol-ridden Moustacheride Pale Ale, perfumed citric-cherry-induced medicinal warmer Fratney St. Flanders Ale and black cherry-softened, mocha-nutty, black coffee-finishing Oatmeal Stout.

www.stoneflybrewery.com

MILWAUKEE ALEHOUSE

United States Brewpubs,

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Within walking distance of the center of provincial midtown, MILWAUKEE ALEHOUSE is conveniently situated along the Milwaukee River in a red brick building with a waterfront deck providing scenic industrial view (visited July ’05). Upon entering, right side bar with hanging mugs welcomes visitors and oak tables line the center with large screen televisions spewed across the room.

Specializing in martinis, frozen drinks and the recommended Ale Mary (tomato juice with pickled hop shoots, lemon lime, pepper bells, carrot, and roasted garlic), this large pub also offered pasta dishes, sandwiches, burgers, burritos, and pot roast.

Front windowed brew tanks served wheat biscuit-y soft-fruited Downtown Lites Honey Ale, acidic highly-carbolic dry-hopped honey-dripped yellow-fruited Solomon Juneau Golden Ale, gentle Cascade-hopped pine-embittered stoned-fruited Pull Chain Pale Ale and dry buttery Scotch ale Louie’s Demise (bottled for consumption).

Perfect milk chocolate-sweetened, espresso-embittered, vanilla-spiced Sheepshead Stout made nice dessert fodder.

Red-fruited grape-ester-y Cask Conditioned Pale Ale went down easy as butterscotch swirled finish increased its sticky mocha resonation.

A second Milwaukee Alehouse opened in Grafton around 2007.

www.ale-house.com

WATER STREET BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Water Street’s main drag boasts sundry bars and brewpubs, such as Stout Brothers Public House and Irish pub, Oak Barrel (where I met a bartender who took my friend Jeff and I to a tiny, wood-shelved bar with a wild assortment of aged liquor and hand-crafted beers. Initially visited May ’01, we also hit Irish pubs Sweeney’s, Mc Gillucuty’s, and Fitzgibbons.

Beforehand, we’d shared award winning honey lager, pale ale, and pilsner over lunch at Water Street Brewery. Decent bottled beers found on trip included Lakefront, Sprecher, Capital, and New Glaurus brews.

At Miller Park Stadium, home of baseball’s Brewers, had unexpectedly good Point Cascade Pale Ale and New Glarus Fat Squirrel, August ’04.

Revisited Milwaukee in July ’05, finding exceptional New World Wine Company, which boasted a great microbrew selection, then sojourned to all three Milwaukee brewpubs. Milwaukee’s first brewpub, the upscale brick-walled WATER STREET BREWERY, specialized in German-styled beers to match its Bavarian populous.

An enormous glass-encased beer can collection filled the walls inside the midsize dining area (with high definition TV) and beer taps were shelved in central bar area.

Traditional brews include watery maize-soured lemon-dried Honey Lager Light, raw-honeyed sourdough-grained malt-dried Munich Lager, peppery red-fruited tea-like Pale Ale, frisky Band-Aid-scented smoke-spiced dry-grained Water Street Amber, and murky popcorn-like Old World Oktoberfest.

Better were seasonal fare: banana-tart clove-spiced mango-peach-kiwi-infused Bavarian Weiss, bitterly acidic orange-peeled lemon-tart Belgian Wit, astringent raspberry-rasped lemon-dropped Raspberry Weiss,and impressive hop-roasted caramel-Scotched off-dry Steam Beer.

Water Street opened brewpubs in Grafton and Delafield around 2008.

www.waterstreetbrewery.com