The essence of a real beer festival

In countless Bavarian villages, beer is celebrated... with the family. Whether it's the Bierbrauerfest in Bad Staffelstein or the Annafest in Forchheim, a handful of local brewers gather in a public square, market, or park under the trees. Tables and kiosks are set up, meat is grilled, all kinds of dishes are prepared, and, above all, quality beer is poured. What's more, everyone is invited: children and grandparents, professionals and amateurs alike. There's something for everyone. Because beer, there, brings people together.  

This is exactly the spirit embodied by the Montreal public Markets' Oktoberfest. Over 100 beers to discover from numerous Quebec microbreweries, free face painting and inflatable games for children, guest restaurants, and a festive musical atmosphere. No need to speak German, of course. Local craft beer also comes into its own in this enchanting setting.

The Oktoberfest are the perfect opportunity to discover, among other things, the brewing identity that Quebec is currently developing. Not only are our local ingredients being showcased by more and more microbrewers, but they are being used in innovative ways that highlight our terroir. Microbreweries such as Robin – Bière Naturelle (in the Eastern Townships) do this wonderfully, offering local fruits and herbs. Think of camerise berries and edible flowers, among other things, as well as grains and hops grown by local specialists. A visit to their booth is a must for anyone who wants to taste these gourmet beers with a distinctly Quebecois signature.

Tasting order

If the festival's offerings seem a little intimidating—which would be perfectly normal given the enormous choice available—you could create your own tasting order. A winning formula would be to start with German-inspired lagers crafted by some of the best craft brewers in the Greater Montreal area. Whether it's Mutoïde or L'Amère à Boire, Hopfenstark or Avant-Garde, some of the breweries in attendance will be pouring numerous creations in honor of the German brewing heritage. In addition to their obvious connection to Oktoberfest, these beers are also subtle and lend themselves well to both thirsty drinkers and lovers of refined flavors. As a bonus, they pair perfectly with the sausages, sauerkraut, and pretzels available on site.

Once your curiosity about lager has been satisfied, you might want to move on to more intensely hopped beers. Specialists in this genre, such as Messorem, Bob Magnale, and Trois-Lacs, to name but a few, will be delighted to introduce you to their many IPAs, bursting with powerful aromas of passion fruit, citrus, and other tropical flavors. Pairing with spicy dishes is a must for those who want to combine the heat of a hot pepper with a beer that has just as much character.  

Meanwhile, don't forget to take in the atmosphere around you. People are tasting, yes, but they're also meeting, sharing smiles, playing, strolling, discovering... whether they have a beer in their hand or not!

Text by Martin Thibault, beer globetrotter