Mauricie was one of the first regions of Québec to take craft beer seriously, and it shows: almost every town now has its own microbrewery, often housed in a building with a story. Here is our tour, from south to north. One rule: appoint a designated driver, or sleep on site.
Trois-Rivières, city of pints
Downtown, Le Temps d’une Pinte is a brewer with a chef’s heart: the food is as good as the beer. Archibald offers the big-lodge atmosphere, ideal for groups and families. In a quieter neighbourhood, La Forge du Malt is the kind of local microbrewery we love.
Two distilleries complete the picture: Wabasso, whose spirits draw on the city’s industrial past, and Mariana, which works with wild forest ingredients. And for a glass of natural wine with shared plates, Le Renard and Épi are two wine bars locals recommend in a whisper.
Shawinigan, the benchmark
You cannot talk about beer in Mauricie without naming Le Trou du Diable. The downtown Shawinigan brewpub is an institution: the list is long, the beers travel far beyond the region, and the shop lets you take your favourites home. In the Grand-Mère area, Ô Quai des brasseurs brews right by the water, patio included.
The brewing villages
- Saint-Tite — À la Fût is a brewing co-op with a pub and patio. During the Western Festival it is the beating heart of the village.
- Saint-Stanislas — Le Presbytère brews in the village’s former rectory. Bonus: you can sleep upstairs at the Auberge du Presbytère.
- Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade — on the Chemin du Roy, Le Garage and Les Boissons du Roy make a fine stop between two villages.
- Yamachiche — Brasserie Dépareillée is the village microbrewery of the western part of the region.
- Saint-Alexis-des-Monts — Nouvelle-France combines beer and a restaurant, a stone’s throw from the lakes.
- La Tuque — way up north, La Pécheresse rewards those who drove all the way up Route 155.
What about wine?
Mauricie is not only about hops. Domaine Beauchemin in Yamachiche, Vignoble Prémont, Domaine Gélinas in Saint-Sévère (wine and spirits) and, further north, Clos Sainte-Thècle all offer tastings on the estate.
Our advice: spread this trail over two days rather than one. A microbrewery is a place where you linger.
Find all these addresses, with hours and websites, in the Where to eat section of the guide.
