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Unibroue
Unibroue
from Wikipedia

Unibroue is a brewery in Chambly, Quebec, Canada, that was started by Serge Racine and Quebec native André Dion. The company was purchased by Sleeman Breweries Ltd. in 2004, which was itself taken over by Sapporo in 2006.

Key Information

History

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One product in the Unibroue line is Don de Dieu

Unibroue was founded by business partners André Dion and Serge Racine who had acquired 75% of La Brasserie Massawippi Inc. of Lennoxville, the initiator of the micro-brewery movement in Québec, in 1990. The two purchased the remainder of the shares at the end of 1991 when they transferred their interest in La Brasserie Massawippi Inc. to Unibroue. The original goal of the two entrepreneurs was to improve distribution for the few emerging craft breweries in Quebec. When other breweries left the project, Unibroue shifted towards brewing entirely. According to Pierre Clermont, a knowledgeable observer of Quebec beer, "since there was a moratorium on brewing licenses, Unibroue bought Massawippi to be able to brew their own beer. By purchasing the brewery, they automatically acquired the brewing license, Br-008."[1]

By 1992, La Brasserie Massawippi Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Unibroue. Afterward, it changed its corporate name to Brasserie Broubec Inc. and in July 1993 merged with Unibroue. It was bought by Canadian brewer, Sleeman Breweries Ltd., in 2004. Sleeman, in turn, was purchased in 2006 by Sapporo.[2]

Beers

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A tallboy can of Maudite
"Maudite"

Unibroue makes a wide range of beers; although, there is a focus on Belgian-style brews, such as their Maudite ('Damned'), La Fin du Monde ('The End of the World'), and Don de Dieu ('Gift from God'). Most of Unibroue's beers are bottled "on the lees", or containing yeast sediment (or lees). This practice provides additional fermentation, also called bottle-conditioned, after bottling. The result is a beer which ages well if kept in the dark and unrefrigerated, and allows it to be shipped relatively cheaply to international markets. The yeast gives Unibroue beers a cloudy appearance and provides a characteristic element to the taste. On many of their labels, suggested serving temperatures (for example, "better at 12°–14°C") are included.

Recently, Unibroue shifted to more conventional styles with a series of lighter beer cans inspired by their original, heavier Belgian beers to renew with a younger customer base. Recent addition include la Petite Maudite, a brown ale, and Saison Libre, a saison light beer.[1] As with its classics brews, recent additions also typically refer to Quebec's history and folk traditions.[3]

Selected beers

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La Fin du Monde

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La Fin du Monde (French for "the end of the world") is a Belgian-style tripel and bottle conditioned golden ale introduced in July 1994.[citation needed]

Saison Libre

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A 4.0% ABV light Saison beer in reference to Quebec's Quiet Revolution in the sixties.[4]

A can of Blanche Chambly
Blanche Chambly

Blanche de Chambly

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Blanche de Chambly is a 5% ABV Belgian-style wheat beer ("witbier"), introduced in 1992, which has won many medals since.

Awards

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La Fin du Monde has been the winner of many medals of excellence: 5 platinum, 6 gold, and 1 silver from the Beverage Testing Institute since its introduction in 1994.[5] In 2004 it won the gold medal at the Los Angeles County Fair for Belgian-Style Abbey Ale.[6]

Don de Dieu has won four gold medals from the Beverage Testing Institute since its introduction in 1998.[7]

Grande Reserve 17 received the "World's best dark ale" award at the World Beer Awards in London, England in 2011. Also, it received a Platinum medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2009, 2010, and 2011.[8]

Unibroue has won several awards in subsequent years too, at the World Beer Awards. In 2015, for example, the company's products received many accolades. La Fin du Monde was declared World's Best Belgian Style Tripel, La Résolution and Éphémère Poire (pear), La Résolution won The Americas' Best Belgian Style Strong and Éphémère Poire was named The Americas' Best Fruit Flavored Beer. The Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve was declared The Americas’ Best Vintage Dark Beer and the company won three gold medals for Terrible, Maudite, Éphémère Pomme, three silver medals for Blanche de Chambly, Trois Pistoles, Noire de Chambly, and a bronze medal for Blonde de Chambly.[9]

At the 2016 Awards, the company won the following World's Best awards: Belgian Style Strong Dark, Unibroue Trois Pistoles and Belgian Style Tripel, Unibroue La Fin Du Monde. Conventional awards for Unibroue products included Belgian Style Strong Dark - Silver Medal, Fruit & Vegetable Flavoured Beer - Silver Medal, Belgian Style Witbier - Gold Medal.[10]

See also

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References

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Sources

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Unibroue is a Canadian craft brewery based in , renowned for producing Belgian-style ales using traditional refermentation methods inspired by monks. Founded in 1990 by entrepreneur André Dion with the goal of uniting Quebec's emerging microbreweries, it merged the following year with Brasserie Massawippi, bringing on co-shareholder Serge Racine and Belgian brewmaster Gino Vantieghem to pioneer North American interpretations of European brewing techniques. The brewery's flagship beers, such as Blanche de Chambly (launched in 1992 as the first Belgian-style white beer refermented in the bottle in ) and La Fin du Monde (introduced in 1994, a triple-style ale that has earned over 60 international awards, including a 30th anniversary edition released in 2024), exemplify its commitment to complex, bottle-conditioned flavors blending malt, fruit, spice, and notes. Other notable releases include Maudite (1992), a strong red ale; Unibroue 17 (2008), a quadruple aged on French oak that was named dark beer in 2010; and collaborative efforts like À Tout Le Monde (2016), a brewed with . In 2018, Unibroue expanded beyond strict Belgian styles with the Autre Chose series, and by 2020, it invested $15 million to introduce its first canned beers, adapting to modern distribution while maintaining artisanal quality; however, as of 2024, U.S. distribution was significantly reduced to flagship beers La Fin du Monde and Blanche de Chambly. Acquired by in 2004 and subsequently by International in 2006, Unibroue has grown into Canada's most-awarded brewery, amassing over 454 international accolades for its more than 82 varieties produced by a team of 100 artisans, over half with more than a decade of tenure. The brewery emphasizes , or 99.62% of its factory waste through a dedicated Environmental , and operates from an ultra-modern facility that honors its roots in Quebec's brewing heritage.

History

Founding and Early Development

Unibroue was established in 1990 by businessman André Dion, who envisioned consolidating Quebec's emerging microbreweries to improve their distribution across Canadian provinces. This initial project proved unfeasible, leading Dion, along with partner Serge Racine, to instead acquire a majority stake in the existing Brasserie Massawippi in , laying the groundwork for Unibroue's operations. In 1991, Unibroue fully merged with Brasserie Massawippi, integrating its facilities and resources. To elevate brewing quality and authenticity, the company hired Belgian brewmaster Gino Vantieghem, who introduced traditional European techniques, particularly bottle refermentation, to produce unfiltered, naturally carbonated beers. This merger and expertise shift positioned Unibroue to differentiate itself in Quebec's beer market, which was overwhelmingly dominated by mass-produced lagers, by prioritizing artisanal quality over high-volume output. Early efforts emphasized education on these methods, though consumers initially faced confusion with (lees) in bottles, leading to some returns as they adjusted to the style. The company's product innovation began in 1992 with the debut of Blanche de Chambly, North America's first Belgian-style witbier brewed with bottle refermentation, featuring subtle citrus and spice notes from orange peel and coriander. That same year, Unibroue launched Maudite, Canada's inaugural strong ale at 8% ABV, a mahogany-hued beer inspired by abbey styles and distributed as the province's first such offering in grocery stores. By 1994, after 18 months of research and development, Unibroue introduced La Fin du Monde, a golden tripel-style ale at 9% ABV, named after the 15th-century belief among Quebec's early European explorers that they had reached the world's end. These launches established Unibroue's identity as a pioneer in Belgian-inspired craft brewing, focusing on complex, high-gravity beers that challenged conventional Canadian tastes.

Ownership and Expansion

In 2004, Unibroue was acquired by , a Canadian company based in , , for approximately $36.5 million, which facilitated broader distribution across by leveraging Sleeman's established network. This acquisition marked a significant shift from Unibroue's independent Quebec roots, enabling expanded production and market access while preserving its focus on Belgian-inspired brewing. The ownership structure evolved further in 2006 when Japan's Ltd. purchased , including Unibroue, for around $400 million, integrating the brewery into Sapporo's global portfolio. Under Sapporo, Unibroue retained operational autonomy, with its Chambly facility continuing to lead production, but benefited from international resources to enhance and capabilities. Facility expansions accelerated in the , highlighted by a $15 million investment—the brewery's largest to date—in upgrades at the Chambly site, including the installation of a new line that enabled the launch of Unibroue's first canned beers in late 2020. These enhancements increased production capacity and adapted traditional refermentation processes for cans, bottles, and kegs, supporting greater efficiency and product variety. In 2024, Unibroue released a special 30th anniversary of La Fin du Monde, incorporating elements. Market growth under this ownership has transformed Unibroue from a Quebec-centric operation to one with international presence, exporting to the , , and other regions while amassing 454 international accolades. This expansion has solidified its recognition as a leader in Belgian-style ales beyond , though distribution remains concentrated in key North American and European markets.

Brewing Philosophy and Operations

Belgian-Inspired Techniques

Unibroue employs traditional brewing techniques, most notably bottle refermentation, a method originating from 18th-century monastic practices in and where a second fermentation occurs after packaging using fresh to produce natural carbonation and enhance complexity. This process, refined by monks over more than 200 years, is applied to all of Unibroue's Belgian-style beers in bottles, kegs, or cans, allowing the beer to continue evolving post-packaging in a controlled warm room for up to two weeks. Following the initial hiring of Belgian brewmaster Gino Vantieghem in 1991, this technique became central to Unibroue's identity as the first North American brewery to specialize in such refermented ales. The avoids and for most of its beers, preserving the natural , , and live cultures that contribute to their longevity and flavor development, with shelf lives ranging from one to seven years. Ingredients emphasize purity and quality, utilizing malted , , noble , and proprietary Belgian strains selected for their ability to impart distinctive phenolic, spicy, and fruity esters without like corn or in core offerings. Unibroue exclusively produces top-fermenting ales, eschewing lagers to align with Belgian traditions, focusing on styles such as tripels, dubbels, wits, and saisons that showcase the yeast's characteristic clove-like , banana-like esters, and peppery notes. These ales are crafted to deliver layered aromas and tastes, from and in wits to and dark fruit in dubbels, all enhanced by the refermentation process. Under brewmaster Jerry Vietz, who joined in 2003 with a background in bioengineering from the University of Louvain, Unibroue has adapted these methods for North American production by incorporating for consistency while maintaining authenticity, including innovations like refermenting in cans since 2020 to broaden accessibility without compromising tradition. Vietz's approach treats with particular reverence, experimenting with strains and aromatics like fruits or spices to evoke Belgian complexity suited to local palates and climates.

Facility and Sustainability

Unibroue's brewery is located in , a town situated along the , at 80 rue des Carrières. The facility is an ultra-modern site dedicated to producing premium ales inspired by Belgian traditions, blending advanced technology with artisanal craftsmanship. It employs approximately 100 artisans, with over half having more than 10 years of tenure and about a quarter having been with the company since before its acquisition by Sleeman in 2004, fostering a stable and experienced workforce that contributes to consistent quality in beer production. The emphasizes employee development and through structured programs, including mandatory courses that are remunerated to enhance skills and preserve expertise. Additionally, Unibroue promotes work-life balance by prioritizing family-friendly policies and providing advantageous group insurance benefits, creating a supportive environment that retains talent and supports long-term artisan growth. Sustainability is a core aspect of operations, overseen by an environmental committee that implements initiatives focused on waste reduction and resource efficiency. The facility achieves a 99.62 percent recycling or upcycling rate for factory materials, adhering to a "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" philosophy. This effort has earned elite recognition from Quebec's ICI on recycle program, highlighting Unibroue's commitment to minimizing environmental impact. In 2020, the brewery introduced a dedicated canning line, which supports packaging options that align with sustainability goals by offering lighter, more recyclable alternatives to traditional glass bottles. As of 2024, Unibroue has adapted its distribution operations, reducing varieties available in the US market to focus on core beers like La Fin du Monde and Blanche de Chambly, while celebrating milestones such as the 30th anniversary edition of La Fin du Monde in 2025.

Beer Portfolio

Core Year-Round Beers

Unibroue's core year-round portfolio consists of approximately six to eight Belgian-inspired ales, all of which undergo bottle refermentation using a traditional method for natural conditioning and . This process, over two centuries old, contributes to their complex flavors characterized by balanced profiles, prominent yeast-driven esters, and subtle notes. The beers typically range in (ABV) from 5% to 9%, offering a variety of styles from light wheat ales to strong dark varieties, emphasizing accessibility and consistency for broad consumer appeal. Key examples among these staples include Blanche de Chambly, a witbier-style wheat ale at 5% ABV brewed with orange peel and coriander for citrusy, spicy, and honeyed notes. La Fin du Monde, a triple-style ale at 9% ABV with complex fruity and spicy notes. Maudite, a strong red ale at 8% ABV evoking bold malty and spicy flavors. Don de Dieu, a strong blonde at 9% ABV, features a hazy golden hue with aromas of , , , and spices from its and base. , a dark at 9% ABV, incorporates four malts and exotic spices, yielding deep brown color and flavors of black cherry, plum, dark rum, and subtle spice. These beers are primarily packaged in 750 ml bottles to preserve refermentation integrity, with select varieties like Blanche de Chambly available in 341 ml cans since 2019 and expanded formats following in 2020. They are distributed across , the , and select international markets, ensuring wide availability through retail and on-premise channels. Beer names draw inspiration from and history, such as Maudite evoking the legend of —a cursed flying canoe—and Trois Pistoles honoring a historic town and the tale of the inn. This thematic branding ties the products to regional cultural narratives, enhancing their distinct identity within the Belgian-style ale category.

Seasonal and Limited Releases

Unibroue's seasonal releases emphasize ephemeral fruit-infused ales through the Éphémère series, which features refreshing white ales lightly spiced and brewed with various fruits to capture the essence of fleeting seasons. Examples include the apple variant, offering a fragrant green apple bouquet and balanced at 5.5% ABV, and the cherry edition, which highlights tart fruit notes in a lightly spiced profile. These beers rotate with seasonal availability, sometimes becoming year-round favorites due to popularity, while incorporating fruits like or for vibrant, harmonious flavors. Another key seasonal offering is Saison Libre, a light at 4% ABV with a hoppy bouquet of and notes, delivering a crisp, dry finish ideal for warmer months. In terms of collaborations, Unibroue has partnered with cultural icons to create unique limited releases, such as À Tout Le Monde in 2016, a dry-hopped Belgian-style developed with Megadeth's at 4.5% ABV, blending hoppy, spicy elements with tropical fruit aromas as a tribute to the band's song. This sessionable ale marked the brewery's venture into music-inspired , followed by a second , 13, in 2019. The Autre Chose series, launched in 2018, represents Unibroue's experimental limited editions that diverge from traditional Belgian styles, exploring modern innovations like IPAs and while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship. Standouts include the NEIPA de Tropiques-sur-le-Lac, a hazy 6% ABV ale with juicy piney sensations from Cascade, , Citra, and Lemondrop , and the IPL variant, a clear golden emphasizing citrusy and floral hop notes. Initially positioned as limited runs, some entries in this series have transitioned to year-round availability to meet demand. Notable among limited editions is Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve, a barrel-aged strong dark ale at 10% ABV, fermented in French oak barrels and bottle-conditioned for complexity, first brewed in 2007 to mark the brewery's 17th anniversary. This discontinued yet iconic release offered notes of dark fruit, spice, and , produced in small, numbered batches annually until its cessation. Unibroue's seasonal and limited releases follow patterns of annual rotations tied to holidays or events, ensuring limited production to enhance rarity and collector appeal. These brews prioritize innovation—incorporating dry-hopping, fruit additions, or non-traditional styles—while rooted in Belgian-inspired techniques like bottle refermentation, allowing enthusiasts to explore evolving flavors without straying from the brewery's heritage.

Notable Beers

La Fin du Monde

La Fin du Monde, Unibroue's flagship beer, was launched in 1994 as a tribute to the 16th-century French explorers who believed they had reached the "end of the world" upon discovering . This Belgian-style achieves its 9% ABV through triple fermentation, including natural bottle refermentation, which contributes to its complexity and longevity. The pours with a brilliant golden hue and a creamy white head, exhibiting champagne-like . Its aroma features a floral bouquet complemented by notes of fresh , , spices, , , and subtle alcohol. On the , it delivers a mildly hoppy profile with balanced elements of grains, fruit, and spice, leading to a smooth, dry finish warmed by its strength; this complexity arises from a blend of special strains used in the triple process. Traditionally packaged in an iconic 750 ml bottle designed for aging and cellaring, La Fin du Monde saw a special 25th anniversary edition released in 2019 to commemorate its enduring popularity. In 2024, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Unibroue released a incorporating Quebec-inspired ingredients such as , dune pepper, and juniper berries. Following shifts in consumer preferences, it became available in cans starting around 2020, including 16 oz formats and 4-packs, while maintaining its core recipe. As a symbol of Unibroue's ambition to craft world-class Belgian-inspired beers in , La Fin du Monde has garnered over 70 international awards, including recent 2025 honors such as Bronze at the and Country Winner at the World Beer Awards, with multiple "World's Best " titles. It has been featured prominently in media reviews and collector sets, underscoring its status as a benchmark for sophisticated, age-worthy ales.

Blanche de Chambly

Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue's inaugural beer, debuted in 1992 as the first white beer in brewed in the Belgian tradition and refermented in the bottle. This witbier, with 5% ABV, is unfiltered, resulting in its characteristic hazy appearance from suspended proteins and . Brewed using top-fermentation and bottle refermentation techniques inspired by Belgian methods, it offers a light body and effervescent that enhances its refreshing quality. The 's flavor profile centers on a wheat base, incorporating spices such as and orange peels for a balance of and subtle notes. Aromas evoke yeast bread, , and faint cloves, while the palate delivers wheat-driven lightness with orange zest, mild acidity, and a honeyed finish. This combination creates an approachable yet authentic representation of the witbier style, accessible for everyday drinking while honoring traditional Belgian complexity. Available in 750 ml bottles and 16 oz cans since , Blanche de Chambly is also featured in mixed packs highlighting acclaimed beers. As of , its distribution has been reduced in some international markets, including the . As the most popular white in , it has played a pivotal role in introducing North American consumers to spiced wheat ales, bridging broad appeal with authenticity. Its success inspired the Éphémère series, which infuses seasonal fruits into a similar white beer foundation.

Maudite

Maudite, a flagship from Unibroue, was launched in 1992 alongside Blanche de Chambly as the brewery's second offering, marking it as an 8% ABV named after "the cursed one" (maudite in French) drawn from the legend of . In this , voyageur log drivers, isolated during winter, make a pact with the to fly home in a enchanted canoe, but risk damnation if they utter God's name during the spectral journey, embodying themes of temptation and peril that inspired the beer's devilish branding. This abbey-style strong red amber ale, brewed in the Belgian tradition, pours with a deep amber-red hue and is bottle-conditioned for natural carbonation. Its aroma features prominent notes intertwined with orange peel, , and spices from the proprietary , accented by subtle floral . On the palate, it delivers a velvety texture of caramelized and sweetness, balanced by light roastiness and a spicy, warming finish with moderate bitterness at 22 IBU. Maudite is primarily packaged in 750 ml corked bottles for sharing, alongside standard 341 ml and 355 ml bottles and cans for everyday consumption. It pairs well with robust foods such as spicy dishes, , or strong-tasting washed-rind cheeses like those with meaty profiles. As a pioneer, Maudite represented Unibroue's approach to through by weaving local into its identity, while its 8% ABV strength made it the first such ale available in grocery stores, sparking an early revival of strong ales in .

Awards and Recognition

Historical Accolades

Unibroue's early accolades in the and early established its reputation for excellence in Belgian-style brewing, with flagship beers like La Fin du Monde earning the title of " Belgian Style Beer" three times at the World Beer Awards. Similarly, Blanche de Chambly secured multiple designations as " ," including the " Belgian Style Witbier" at the 2012 World Beer Awards, highlighting the brewery's mastery of wheat-based styles. These wins underscored Unibroue's innovative approach to refermentation techniques inspired by Belgian traditions, setting it apart in North American craft brewing. The 2000s marked a peak in recognition, with the brewery accumulating over 100 medals by 2010 across international competitions. A standout achievement came in when Unibroue 17 was named "Best Dark Beer in the World" at the World Beer Awards and ranked among the top five beers globally. The acquisition by in 2004 enhanced distribution and visibility, contributing to sustained success in events like the , where Unibroue consistently earned golds in Belgian-style categories throughout the decade. By 2025, Unibroue's portfolio had amassed more than 400 international honors, reflecting decades of consistent performance at prestigious festivals such as the , particularly in Belgian ale divisions. This cumulative record solidified its status as Canada's most-awarded . Furthermore, Unibroue has been recognized as a pioneer of Belgian-style in , being the first on the continent to adopt authentic Belgian methods like bottle refermentation on a commercial scale.

Recent Honors

In 2020, Unibroue achieved significant recognition at the World Beer Awards, securing 18 medals overall, including five "World's Best Beer" honors for specific styles. These top awards went to La Fin du Monde as the World's Best Pale Belgian Style , Lune de Miel as the World's Best Flavored Honey & Maple beer, Maudite as the World's Best Dark Belgian Style , and Blanche de Chambly as both the World's Best and the World's Best Belgian Style Witbier. Building on this momentum, Unibroue continued its strong performance in 2024. At the World Beer Awards, Saison Libre earned a gold medal and was named Country Winner in the farmhouse ale category, highlighting its hazy straw profile with notes of pepper, clove, lemon zest, and lavender. Additionally, La Fin du Monde received a gold medal at the World Beer Cup in the Belgian-Style Tripel category, marking its 36th overall win in that competition. In 2025, Unibroue maintained its excellence with notable placements across major international events. La Fin du Monde took bronze at the in the Belgian-Style category, while also securing gold and Country Winner status at the World Beer Awards as the World's Best Pale Belgian Style Triple—for the fourth time in its history. The amassed 11 medals at the 2025 World Beer Awards, including gold for Maudite and Country Winner for Saison Libre, underscoring ongoing quality in Belgian-style and farmhouse ales. These recent honors reflect Unibroue's sustained success under Sapporo ownership since 2004, with a cumulative total of awards exceeding 400 across its portfolio by 2025, emphasizing consistent excellence in traditional Belgian-inspired brewing.

References

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