J Answers You: Finding your beer. (Montreal)

So I was asked in the comments:

"J, where do you find your beer?"

Good question! If you like beer, its important to know where you can find some. Now, I can't really list places outside of Montreal, as when I'm out of town I tend to go to bars and not shops, but I can give you a few pointers as to where you'll be able to find some nice places for beer in Montreal. Do note I'm talking about real beer here. If you just want a case of bud, go to your local super market (and stop reading this blog until you grow a taste for real beer).

*the best*
Le Grand Duc - rue Mapie, Longueille.
By far some of the best selection around. This is where I go when I want something I can't find Anywhere else. They've had at least good 500 different kinds of beers on their shelves at one point or another. The prices are very reasonable considering some of the beer they have there too.

Le Paradis de la Bière - Corner Beaubien and De Lanaudière.
Good selection of local beers and a few decent choices in terms of foreign beers. Low priced too.

Métro Joannette Supermarket - l’Église in Verdun.
One of the best spots to go for local beers. They have some of the best selection out there. Can be a bit pricey though.

Épicerie Au Coin Duluth - Duluth Est.
Great selection of local beers, low prices and awesome service too (one of my favorites since its not far from where I live). The owner loves his beer and he always goes out of his way to try and find some nice local bottles.


I also have a few other places I sometimes go to. If you guys want me to list them, I'll make a "Finding your beer part 2" next week.

J

Pub Review: McCarold (Montreal, QC, Canada)

Hello everyone! Wednesday is upon us, so Pub Review time! Today I'll be talking about a great little place on che. de la cote-des-Neiges: The "Pub McCarold".

First of all: this place is a REAL pub. No loud club music blasting, no 14 TV screens showing sports, none of that stuff. Its an authentic "British" pub: tables, stools and a well stocked bar (and when I say well stocked, I mean that). The selection here is wide and varied. You'll find every local beers, imported beers and even a few rare gems that are hard to find anywhere else (I'm looking at you, bottles of Delirium Tremens that are sought out by everyone). They also have a great selection of liquors too for those of you that prefer those.

Like all pubs, the also serve, you guessed it, food! Eating there is always a pleasure. From their fish and chips (one of the best in town), to their delicious burgers and even to their goat cheese pizza, everything is delicious. The service is good and fast, the staff is nice and the prices are more than fair.

tl;dr: Great food, lots of choices, awesome place to go relax, not expensive. Try it out! Its right in front of metro Cote des Neiges.

Location: 5400 che. de la cote-des-Neiges

J

PS: Expect tomorrow's review to be late, as I have a night exam and won't get home until late at night. Promise starting next week I'll actually write these in advance and try to get them all posted at the same hour everyday. What time would suit you guys best? I'm thinking around 6pm EST. Let me know in the comments.

Pub Review - Ye Olde Orchard (Montreal, QC, Canada)

Hey Hey Hey! Now I know no one is reading this... yet. So I think its time to add some content to the site, don't you think?

 Let's start with one of my all time favorites - the "Ye Olde Orchard" pub and grill on Monkland Av. I love this place with my whole heart, and I mean that. The atmosphere is nice, the people are friendly, the bartenders are awesome and of course the beer on tap is cold (and they have a great selection too). This place also has a nice twist to it. Since they never got their bar license, every pint you order will come with a free plate of pasta (that is if you didn't already order some of their delicious meals to go with it). So not only do you get great beer, you also get a free snack! (Eating it however, is entirely optional).

Now on the downside, they do broadcast major sport games - which don't get me wrong, is perfectly fine considering they are a pub and all, but since during winter their terrace is closed, it does make the insides VERY crowded. Not a place to go if you have enochlophobia.


Also: they serve breakfast and its pretty damn great. Just be sure to be hungry, because the serve big portions.


tl;dr = Its awesome. Go there now. Just avoid nighttimes if you feel like having a cozy beer.


J


Edit: It was asked - here's the address: 5563 Monkland Av., Montreal