After a long day’s ride on a snowmobile, what could be better than warming up in a friendly brewpub while savouring a tasty local beer? The maritime regions of Québec are home to many microbreweries: here are 15 we recommend you add to your itinerary this winter!

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

Baleine Endiablée
When: daily
Where and how to get there: Rivière-Ouelle, via TQ5, trail #553 and then local trails
What we love: beers that showcase regional ingredients such as 132 (a flavoured IPA made with wildflower honey) and the friendly atmosphere

Tête d’Allumette
When: daily
Where and how to get there: Saint-André, via TQ5, trail #559 and then local trails
What we love: the breathtaking view of the frozen St. Lawrence, the festive atmosphere and beers brewed using a process that combines cutting-edge technology with traditional methods

Le Secret des Dieux
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where and how to get there: Pohénégamook, via TQ35
What we love: the selection of beers with names that evoke the building’s previous vocation (it was a presbytery!) or that are inspired by local history, particularly bootlegging in the early 1900s

Aux Fous Brassant
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where and how to get there: Rivière-du-Loup, via TQ5, TQ85 and then local trails
What we love: the location right in downtown Rivière-du-Loup and beers crafted on site with original names based on colourful expressions (Diable Vert) or old dialects (Bagatême)

Le Caveau des Trois-Pistoles
When: Thursday to Sunday
Where and how to get there: Trois-Pistoles, via TQ5, trail #571 and then local trails
What we love: the welcoming atmosphere and innovative beers with bold flavours such as the rye stout and potato IPA

Le Bien, le Malt
When: daily
Where and how to get there: Rimouski, via TQ5 and then local trails
What we love: the location near many lodging establishments and the cozy atmosphere, which is perfect for savouring their English-style beers brewed mainly from ingredients grown in Québec

GASPÉSIE

Le Ketch
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where and how to get there: Sainte-Flavie, via TQ5 and then trail #578
What we love: the view of the sea, the selection of regional craft beers on offer as well as the one brewed on site, Vaisseau d’Or, named after Québec poet Émile Nelligan’s most famous poem

La Fabrique
When: daily
Where and how to get there: Matane, via TQ5 and then local trails
What we love: the variety of English-, Belgian- and American-style beers made on site, the urban atmosphere and the opportunity to tour the brewery

Le Malbord
When: Thursday to Saturday
Where and how to get there: Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, via TQ5 and then local trails
What we love: their traditional beers with names inspired by various local characters, such as La Pagon and La Collin, as well as the guided tour of the microbrewery

Pit Caribou
When: daily (may vary depending on weather and customer traffic). Not sure they're open? Give them a call: 418-782-1443 
Where and how to get there: brewpub in Percé or microbrewery in L’Anse-à-Beaufils (boutique only), via TQ5 and then local trails
What we love: their award-winning beers, the warm atmosphere of the pub in the heart of the village of Percé and the opportunity to stock up on bottled beers from the boutique in the L’Anse-à-Beaufils microbrewery

Le Naufrageur
When: Wednesday to Saturday
Where and how to get there: Carleton-sur-Mer, via TQ5 and then local trails
What we love: the friendly atmosphere, the dozen beers available on a permanent basis (especially the Ale Amérindienne beers) and the regional dishes on the menu

CÔTE-NORD

Microbrasserie Tadoussac
When: daily
Where and how to get there: Tadoussac, via TQ3 and then local trails
What we love: the location at the heart of the village overlooking majestic Tadoussac Bay and the beers with very original names, such as Pale (Wh)Ale and Fond de Cale (which means bilge)

Microbrasserie St-Pancrace
When: daily
Where and how to get there: Baie-Comeau, via TQ3 and then local trails
What we love: the selection of beers inspired by Côte-Nord, such as Crâââbe, a bitter flavoured with crab shells, as well as the opportunity to tour the brewery (with beer tasting included!)

La Compagnie
When: Monday to Saturday
Where and how to get there: Sept-Îles, via TQ3 and then local trails
What we love: the pub’s relaxed atmosphere and the selection of beers whose names recall the industrial history of the region (including Wagon Rouge, Ouvriève and Clarke)

Which of these microbreweries will you add to your itinerary this winter?