Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Published on May 27, 2024
While microbreweries are proliferating across Québec, hop festivals are springing up everywhere. Let’s take a look at the ones you’ll be able to enjoy in the Townships!
By Marie-Claude Masse
In a festive campground atmosphere, the Sherbrooke Beer Festival will be showcasing 310 products produced by 80 carefully selected exhibitors: from the best microbrews in the Townships to those based in Montréal, by way of Rouyn and all the way to Cap-d’Espoir! What’s on the menu? Tastings, street food, campground games and electrifying shows! And to celebrate the festival’s fifth anniversary, the organizers have really upped the ante on stage: Alaclair Ensemble, Aswell, Blue Ridge Band and Lys Gossel will be warming up the crowd in Victoria Park!
May 31 until June 2, 2024 – Parc Victoria in Sherbrooke
As these lines were being written, the Foire brassicole à ciel ouvert had not yet announced its program. But, if last year’s event is anything to go by, it should feature the cream of the microbrewery crop! Will there still be a competition to see who can eat the most pulled pork? No matter what happens, the best beers, decadent food trucks and live music will all be on the menu at this festival set in the unique landscape of Val-des-Sources!
August 2 and 3, 2024 – 175, Jeffrey st., Val-des-Sources
At Dunham’s Foudre Unis, they don’t do things halfway! Dunham Brewery’s very cool Beergarden will be hosting this festival, featuring some forty breweries from Europe, the United States, the rest of Canada and Québec. Only the favourites of the organizers, who, in fact, belong to the select club of the 100 best brewers in the WORLD! Here, no coupons, just a single ticket giving you unlimited access to the site and the tastings! You’ll also find food stands to satisfy your cravings!
August 24, 2024 – Brasserie Dunham’s Beergarden, 3809, Principale st., Dunham
Is there any better place than the summit of Mount Orford to raise a glass of beer with friends in the beautiful September light? We think not! And the 2024 edition of the Grande Coulée festival is more than promising, both in terms of exhibitors and programming! Excellent microbreweries, distilleries and cider houses, carefully selected food trucks, a number of agri-food exhibitors, shows by Daniel Boucher, Les Shirley and Les Chiens de ruelles... who could ask for more? There’s also a free shuttle service from the beach in Magog to Mont-Orford! Indeed, it’s all there!
September 13 until September 15, 2024 – Mount-Orford
Now in its seventh edition, the Festival des bières de Waterloo will be showcasing some fifteen microbreweries from the region and across Québec, as well as delicious spirits and meads. Foodies will have plenty to satisfy their appetites with a wide range of food stands. A festive setting and a musical ambiance right in the centre of the charming town of Waterloo! Keep an eye out for program details!
September 21, 2024– 5200, rue Foster (Place du Centenaire), Waterloo
Finally, the Camping Aventure Mégantic’s Oktoberfest (campingaventuremegantic.com) isn’t strictly speaking a beer festival, but it’s a great event to discover! Sausages and grilled meats from Ferme des Petits Torrieux, beers from the 11 Comtés microbrewery and La Garnison, a play area and folk singers are all part of this great celebration! And the best part? All proceeds from the beer sales will go to the La Bouée shelter for women victims of domestic violence. Invite your friends for a good cause!
October 5, 2024 – Camping Aventure Mégantic, 1255, route 161, Frontenac
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