The recent annual congress of the Quebec Microbrewers Association took place in the provincial capital. This event coincided with the highly anticipated Canadian Beer Cup, a national competition showcasing independent brewers. The contest received an impressive total of 1,800 entries this year, from which a panel of judges selected around 170 finalists. Notably, Quebec microbreweries secured a remarkable 31 medals, including gold, silver, and bronze.
Charlevoix Beer Wins Prestigious Honor
Microbrasserie Charlevoix’s Flacatoune beer clinched the gold medal in the “Belgian and French Ale” category before being chosen for the overall grand prize. Philippe Lavoie, the communications and marketing coordinator at Microbrasserie Charlevoix, expressed his excitement: “We always hope for awards, but we didn’t expect to win the grand prize of the evening!”
Lavoie highlighted the pride of receiving recognition from experts in the industry, stating, “It’s a fantastic feeling, especially this year with top-tier judges tasting many beers.” A significant portion of the Microbrasserie Charlevoix team from Baie-Saint-Paul attended to celebrate this achievement.
Other Award Winners in Canada
The second and third places in the competition were awarded to:
- Dwarf Sour Cherry Fruited Saison by Blindman Brewing (Alberta)
- Spruce Beer by Garrison Brewing Company (Nova Scotia)
About Microbrasserie Charlevoix
Founded in 1998, Microbrasserie Charlevoix specializes in crafting beers that highlight Quebec’s unique flavors. The Flacatoune, with an alcohol content of 6.7%, is one of its flagship products. Lavoie describes it as “an approachable Belgian beer, not aggressive, but round and inviting.”
Future Expansion Plans
Microbrasserie Charlevoix is set to expand with a new factory in Baie-Saint-Paul, with construction projected to begin this autumn. The new facility, costing $10 million, will feature approximately 1,500 square meters (16,000 square feet) of space. It aims to triple production capacity and will include a restaurant and a boutique.
Lavoie emphasized their commitment to quality, saying, “We just received one of the best awards we could hope for with the Flacatoune, so we want to keep producing consistent, quality beers made with attention to detail.”
Winning Quebec Beers at the Canadian Beer Cup
Several Quebec beers received medals at the Canadian Beer Cup. Here’s a summary of the award winners:
| Beer Name | Brewery | City | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flacatoune | Microbrasserie Charlevoix | Baie-Saint-Paul | Best Overall Beer |
| Kampot | 3 Brasseurs | Montreal | European Sour Ale |
| Calaca | Noctem Artisans Brasseurs | Quebec City | Gose |
This year’s Cup was a testament to the creativity and quality of Canadian craft beers. Many attendees look forward to tasting and discussing these award-winning brews.
