A microbrewery in cultural vocation was born in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood. Public Space - Brewers neighborhood offers residents a meeting place for artists and a space of cultural diffusion. We offer not only home brew recipes, but also those of the best microbreweries in Quebec and various spirits of quality.more...See more text
It all started with an off-the-cuff remark by Pierre Lessard Blais. An entrepreneur with a degree in political communication, Pierre is the father of two and the president of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Business Development Corporation. "I came back from an unsuccessful surfing trip and I joked that we should open a tavern in Montreal," he explains about the history of L'Espace Public.
Nothing more was needed for Pierre and his partners, Frank Privé, Dominique Gingras and Rémi Bonneau, to pool their resources and embark on an adventure to become co-owners of the first "post-tavern" bar in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. L'Espace Public opened on January 3, 2010, in the middle of winter. "We were told it's the worst time of year to open a bar, and yet there was a huge line outside our door. People were waiting with bated breath," recalls Pierre, laughing.
These neighbourhood brewers, as they call themselves, like to vary their products according to the seasons. So you may have a chance to taste their jour de la marmotte (banana and lemon), the Douce (an amber ale that celebrated Montreal redhead comic la Poune would surely have loved), and the Ptit Dej (an oatmeal stout).
This microbrewery with a cultural bent opened in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in 2012. Besides serving up house-brewed beers, the place offers local residents a meeting place for artists, and puts an exhibition space at their disposal. Patrons can enjoy a drink while admiring an art show. The beer selection usually features eight different varieties, which might include, for example, a ginger blanche, an American Sour, an English pale ale, or a Flanders red. Although snacks are available, you are allowed to bring your own food.
You might argue that the beer glass has replaced the Stanley Cup as trophy receptacle of choice for thirsty Montrealers. What you can’t argue is that hockey’s biggest prize is much harder to get your hands on than a tall, cold pint of craft-brewed ale or stout from one of the city’s many, thriving hop spots. The range of choices, styles and flavours has never been greater.