{"id":9900,"date":"2023-05-24T13:22:38","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T13:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citybrewtours.com\/montreal\/?p=9900"},"modified":"2025-10-31T01:43:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T01:43:52","slug":"local-blog-what-is-brewery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citybrewtours.com\/montreal\/local-blog-what-is-brewery\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a brewery and what distinguishes the different types of breweries?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The process combines\u00a0both experience and knowledge<\/strong>\u00a0of the ingredients and techniques to create\u00a0a high-quality<\/strong>, delicious beer. Simply, the\u00a0process of creating beer<\/strong>\u00a0from ingredients such as\u00a0water, malted barley, hops, and yeast<\/strong>. The\u00a0brewing process<\/strong>\u00a0typically involves\u00a0mashing, boiling, fermentation, and conditioning steps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Breweries have been a staple in the\u00a0production of beer for centuries<\/strong>, with a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations. As the craft\u00a0beer movement<\/strong>\u00a0is rising, more people than ever are seeking out\u00a0unique and flavourful brews<\/strong>\u00a0from small, independent breweries. But\u00a0what is<\/strong>\u00a0a brewery<\/strong>, and how have crafted beer become so popular?<\/p>\n

Whether you are a seasoned beer enthusiast or simply curious about the\u00a0world of brewing<\/strong><\/a>, read on to discover what sets apart\u00a0craft breweries, microbreweries, brewpubs, and gastropubs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A brief history of beer in Canada<\/h2>\n

The first commercial brewery in Canada was\u00a0established in Quebec City in the 1660<\/strong>s. After a few centuries, brewing became an increasingly important industry throughout the country.<\/p>\n

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many large breweries dominated the Canadian market thanks to the wave of consolidation. This trend continued into the mid-20th century, when beer consumption reached its peak in Canada. Now, the\u00a0Canadian beer market\u00a0<\/strong>is a mix of large, multinational corporations and a thriving\u00a0craft beer industry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Craft Beer In Montreal & Quebec<\/h2>\n

Being one of the first\u00a0brewing place in Canada, Qu\u00e9bec & Montreal<\/strong>\u00a0contribute significantly to the\u00a0development of the Canadian beer industry<\/strong>. The city is home to a number of well-established breweries, including Molson, which was founded in 1786 and is one of the\u00a0oldest breweries in North America<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Montreal has also become a\u00a0hub for craft brewing<\/strong>, with many new breweries opening up in the city and surrounding area. Currently,\u00a0more than 150 microbreweries<\/a>\u00a0are operating in the province of Quebec, with many of them located in the Montreal area.<\/p>\n

In 2020,\u00a0Quebec was the largest producer of beer in Canada<\/strong>, accounting for\u00a039% of the country’s total production<\/strong>, followed by Ontario at 33%. In addition, approximately half of the beer drinkers in Qu\u00e9bec and Ottawa-Gatineau preferred consuming\u00a0microbrew or craft beer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What Is Brewing?<\/h2>\n

Brewing delightful tastes of beer is not easy. One of the most influential steps in brewing to make good beer is the\u00a0fermentation process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

During this process, the wort, which is the liquid obtained by mashing grains, is combined with yeast in a specialized vessel known as the Fermentation Tank. As the yeast consumes the sugars present in the wort, it produces alcohol and carbon dioxide, as well as unique flavors and aromas that contribute to the final product. The\u00a0temperature, duration, and strain<\/strong>\u00a0of yeast used all have a\u00a0significant impact on the flavor and alcohol content of the beer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Additionally,\u00a0proper sanitation<\/strong>\u00a0is crucial to avoid contamination and tasteless in the finished product. At the end of the\u00a0brewing process<\/strong>, the beer is typically\u00a0stored in large containers<\/strong>\u00a0such as\u00a0Barrels Of Beer<\/strong>\u00a0to allow it to mature and develop its full flavor.<\/p>\n

Distinctions of Craft Beer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Brewery<\/p>\n

So what has considered craft beer?<\/h3>\n

The trend of\u00a0craft beer started in the United States<\/strong>\u00a0in the 1970s and has been spread worldwide, boasting their thriving scenes. Certainly, the\u00a0craft beer brewery<\/strong>\u00a0is usually independent. Additionally, they value\u00a0distinctive flavours<\/strong>\u00a0and often seek out new and interesting varieties to try. On the other hand, a\u00a0non-craft brewer<\/strong>\u00a0is typically a large,\u00a0commercial brewery<\/strong>\u00a0that produces beer on a much larger scale. Hence, craft beer stands out from commercial beer in some characteristics:<\/p>\n

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  1. Quality: Being produced in limited batches allowed local brewers to focus on\u00a0quality control, ingredients and flavours.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Distinction: Craft breweries create\u00a0unique beer styles<\/strong>\u00a0through experimentation with locally-sourced ingredients, resulting in a diverse range of kinds of beer produced. Due to their smaller size in the brewery, craft breweries are more\u00a0agile and flexible<\/strong>\u00a0in their production and distribution.<\/li>\n
  3. Independence: As craft breweries are independently owned and operated, they have more flexibility in their\u00a0brewing practices<\/strong>. Therefore, we can taste seasonal drinks throughout the year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How About Microbrewery?<\/h2>\n

    In general,\u00a0microbreweries<\/strong>\u00a0have the same size and operation as\u00a0craft brewers<\/strong>. However, it performs at a\u00a0higher production capacity<\/strong>. So, their distribution network is wider and further. Thanks to their\u00a0advantage of productivity<\/strong>, they can extend experimentation and innovation to a wide variety of styles and flavours.<\/p>\n

    What About Brewpub?<\/h2>\n

    Brewpubs<\/strong>\u00a0are local bars or pubs that brew their own beers on-site. These establishments often create a menu of signature dishes that complement their beers. Unlike craft breweries or microbreweries, Brewpubs are typically designed with a\u00a0larger seating capacity<\/strong>\u00a0to accommodate more guests. In addition to serving their own beer, they often offer a selection of guest taps from other breweries to provide a wider variety of options for customers.<\/p>\n

    And Gastropub?<\/h2>\n

    Gastropubs\u00a0<\/strong>are a\u00a0modern version of the traditional taverns<\/strong>\u00a0and public houses. Unlike brewpubs, these establishments provide an\u00a0upscale atmosphere<\/strong>\u00a0for foodies and craft beer lovers. The priority at gastropubs is to\u00a0develop a diverse menu<\/strong>\u00a0of authentic food items. Instead of exclusively offering their beers, they rotate a selection of\u00a0craft beers from local and regional breweries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Exploring the craft brewing culture with City Brew Tours<\/h2>\n

    Inspired by the love of beer, we elevate your experience through the history, brewing process and one-of-a-kind tastes of\u00a0local brewers<\/strong>. We are excited to give you exclusive access to the\u00a0brewing industry in Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    Les Sans-Taverne Coop & Brewery:<\/strong>\u00a0The award-winning microbrewery is located in the Pointe-Saint-Charles, which is known as the district of a hundred taverns. Les Sans-Taverne is famous for its\u00a0creative and experimental approach<\/strong>\u00a0to brewing, using\u00a0unique local ingredients<\/strong>\u00a0and sustainable techniques to create its drinks.<\/p>\n

    Boswell Brewery:\u00a0<\/strong>It is one of the famous\u00a0oldest\u00a0<\/strong>craft breweries<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Montreal Quebec City<\/strong>. They offer a cozy and welcoming taproom on the banks of the Richmond River. Their beers are known for the\u00a0unique flavours<\/strong>\u00a0of the Eastern Townships region of Quebec.<\/p>\n

    Benelux Brewery:<\/strong>\u00a0a modern Belgian and West Coast-styled brewpub in the heart of Montreal. The brewpub tackles your taste with a menu of pub-style food, and\u00a0award-winning Belgian style<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Messorem Bracitorium:\u00a0<\/strong>The brewery specializes in hazy IPAs, using a variety of\u00a0hops and brewing techniques<\/strong>\u00a0to create their sour-type hop beers. To combine passion and friends gather, Marc-Andr\u00e9 Filion, S\u00e9bastien Chaput and Vincent M\u00e9nard have created a welcoming and social atmosphere for everyone.<\/p>\n

    Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs:\u00a0<\/strong>a microbrewery and taproom was established by 2 brilliant young men, Renaud Gouin and Shawn Duriez. After merging with Jukebox for expansion purposes, Bingo Holcheta, has become the\u00a0hottest bingo among beer lovers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t hold anymore! Let’s find out the answer to the question “what is breweries?<\/strong>”\u00a0through a city tour with us today<\/strong><\/a>. Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a journey through\u00a0local breweries<\/strong>, where you’ll discover the\u00a0unique brewing processes<\/strong>\u00a0and taste a variety of delicious beers. Book your tour now and let us show you what makes these breweries so special.