Metro Joanette

by Shannon Wand
(Beer Delegate, QC, Canada)

Metro Joanette in Verdun is one of Montreal's great beer stores

Few Montrealers have benefited from visiting the flats and avenues of time-weary Verdun; yet, there is many a hidden treasure to be found there. True, it is a poor area; true, there are seemingly more children than adults roaming the streets; true, Metro Joannette (MJ) has numerous local and imported brews. Huh?

In the heart of Verdun—de l'Eglise Ave. corner Wellington St.—rests a Metro grocery store. Browse through the aisles to find canned corn, beer nuts, diapers and the like. However, do not skip the left front corner of Metro Joanette or you will miss the most divine beer selection coming out of a major grocery chain ever. Really.

Featuring microbrewery beer from 19 Quebec locations, imported brew from 11 countries and a slew of mass-produced beer, MJ boasts over 150 bottles of beer for your tasting pleasure. Each bottle is sold individually and is priced appropriately.

Of particular interest are the brews from Brasserie Saint-Antoine-Abbé. Sweet (but not too sweet) and exceptionally bubbly, their brews still have that made from scratch sludge at the bottom of the bottles. They boast an amazing Honey Red that gets its distinct taste from the honey farmed next door.

You can purchase Saint Abbé's distinctive and crisp beers at MJ, or you can go straight to the source. An hour southwest from Montreal is their cozy brewery and restaurant. They open their patio doors in the warmer months for lunch.

The ambiance is pure Quebec countryside: checkered tablecloths, Quebeqoise music and local art. Sit back, enjoy the French culture while sipping on a freshly brewed brews.

Metro Joannette
349 Ave. de l'Eglise, Verdun
ph: 514.761.3406

Brasserie Saint-Antoine-Abbé
3299 Route 209, Saint-Antoine-Abbé, PQ, J0S 1E0
ph: 450.826.4609