Festibière

As mentioned last week, Mrs. PC was determined to attend the Festibière. I’m guessing here, but perhaps it was the thought of over 100 Quebec beers presented in one location (plus we could get there by bus) that caused her eyes to light up? Ever supportive, I went along. A bus ride? I’m in!

A bus ride? I’m in!

We went on the opening afternoon, a fairly quiet time, with most attendees seemingly retirees or young parents with small children. The daytime vibe was quite family oriented, very much a tasting and trying rather than big drinking event. Save that for OktoberFest and leave the young ones at home?

It being relatively uncrowded gave us the chance to chat to the vendors and brewers, chew over the various offerings and mostly still end up with IPA or APA. Adventurous, me? No, not with beer. Not after The Gose Incident. If you know, you know…

Not a gose? I’m in!

I did have a maple influenced saison that was really good, and Mrs. PC opted for a Belgian blueberry ale that was way better and more subtle than it could have been. Actually, looking back, somewhat hazy of memory, I also had an amazing stout from a tiny producer that was as good as any I’ve tried. There, not all pale ales!

Tiny (the volume produced, not the brewers – they were on the tall side if you were wondering…)

Aside from chitchatting with tall brewers in Franglais about the beer, we also learned about the small towns where the beer is made. The enthusiasm the brewers from Baie St Paul shared for their region had us looking up the area, and we’ll be heading there sometime in the fall, and not just to visit the brewery. But mostly to visit the brewery.

Good beer, blue skies- oh. Good beer.

We tried eight new to us beers, four each, and if anyone thinks we overdid it, the servings were 4 oz, so we had the equivalent of a pint over the afternoon! Quality not quantity, and that’s something my younger self took some time to learn with beer…

Quality

Anyway, we spent a delightful afternoon down on the docks, and for the most part the weather cooperated. We (I) got absolutely soaked in a heavy downpour that lasted the five minutes it took from bus stop to venue. (One of us packed a light rain coat. And one of us steamed gently when the sun reappeared…)

After the rain

Next year, following a better training schedule, and packing another light rain jacket, we’ll aim to taste the other 92+ beers we couldn’t quite manage this outing.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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plaidcamper

I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...

12 thoughts on “Festibière”

  1. Wow, we’re with you all the way on this fun & somewhat adventurous visit, PC. I’ve been checked by the “Gose mistake” myself, so am a little draft-shy at times, but those sample beers look tasty. My wife’s been wanting me to visit the city again, and not stay put on the trout stream, so with a little advance warning for next year’s tasting event, perhaps we’ll try to get there. Thanks for the enjoyable insight!

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    1. Thanks, Walt! Yup, it is an easy to enjoy event, pretty much like the city – if you’re up this way, it would be great to connect and share a pint or two! Just so long as it isn’t a Gose…

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  2. Sounds like a very good festival. Intrigued by the Belgian Blueberry ale, as soon as I saw the colour in the photo, my curiousity was piqued.You went along with Mrs. PC? Uh huh.What is IPA or APA, excuse my ignorance.

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    1. Thanks, Jane! The blueberry ale was a winner for sure, like many we tried. Good thing Mrs. PC insisted eh?!
      IPA is India Pale Ale, hoppy and refreshing, provided the brewer doesn’t go too mad (for me) on the alcohol content. Traditionally uses English hops.
      APA American Pale Ale, similar to IPA, using American hops, often very dry, bright taste, citrusy, sometimes (for me) too dry and hoppy.
      I hope your week is off to a good start!

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  3. This was so entertaining. I looked up Baie St Paul, I will add it to my future adventures. I had a good giggle . Thanks

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  4. Loved the beer festival review and it had to be a great day if you’re drinking maple beer and discovering amazing stout!! Wonderful that you were able to visit with the vendors and plan future adventures, I’m very impressed with the It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere lifestyle. Don’t forget with all these new things in your life, that if it’s too much watching Everton the seasons are starting out great for Notre Dame and Bayern if you need something else to watch (Kane was very close to a hat trick today). Enjoy the week and new beers!🙂

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    1. Thank you! Maple beer and it was good?! It’s a learning curve…
      Oh Everton. Not good, and I will have to work very hard at it not being 5 o’clock somewhere at the final whistle to drown many sorrows! I’ll keep watching, if only to stay informed when my brothers and I perform the post match autopsy. Macabre fun…
      Good for Harry, he’s enjoying himself, but how come Spurs are doing so well?!
      Enjoy your week!

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  5. You have a knack, pc, for getting me chuckling when I read your adventures. I loved hearing more about the beer festival, what you tried, your adventure getting there. Sounds like the perfect event for both of you. And loved the bit about getting soaked and gently steaming when the sun reappeared…still chuckling. Cheers to you and Mrs. PC, my friend.

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