In May, Brasserie Barabas and Leahy Orchards came together to make a refreshing sour beer for the summer. Marc-Olivier Houle of Barabas shares that this came about because of the “appeal of a local collaboration. We wanted to try a new fruit, and the collaboration with Leahy Orchards made perfect sense.”
The beer specifically uses apple sauce made by Leahy Orchards. Houle explains that all of their sour beers are made with fruit purée rather than juice or syrup. He adds that in a sour beer, “The tartness is its most distinctive feature,” setting it apart from other beers.
This beer sold out within one hour of it going on sale. However, Houle says it may still be available at some retailers across the Valley, including La Maisonette in Cazaville, the IGAs in Huntingdon and Ormstown, the Métro in Saint-Chrysostome, and others.
The inspiration behind creating this beer may also be why it has been such a success. “It’s about showcasing local producers! People also like it when two local companies collaborate,” Houle says.
June tunes
Barabas started its summer live shows on May 30. For the rest of June, the brasserie will be bringing all sorts of entertainment to Sainte-Barbe. The brewery features 11 different beers on tap and offers a tasting flight of five different beers. Also on offer are wines and premade mixed drinks, made with gin from the nearby Distillerie 3 Lacs.
The brasserie has more creative product collaborations coming up this summer, including one with Kahnawake Brewing, which will be available soon. For more information, check www.barabas.beer.