1. La Ferme Brasserie Rurale, Shefford
Located in an enchanting setting, the La Ferme microbrewery has what is, in our opinion, probably one of the most beautiful patios in the region, if not the province. You can sip a beer in the middle of the fields while taking in the surrounding mountains. The beers that are brewed here are crafted with cereal grains and hops grown on site, along with aromatics provided by nearby producers. Be sure to bring home a few bottles of Sure Camerise, a tart and refermented beer made from haskap berries.
La Ferme Brasserie rurale, 101, chemin Meunier, Shefford
2. Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, Économusée® du Vigneron, Dunham
While travelling along Brome-Missisquoi's Wine Route, which boasts 22 vineyards over a 140 km span, a stop at the pioneers of Quebec viniculture is a must. The Orpailleur vines, planted in 1982, today yield grapes used to produce 13 wines that are available at their shop. We recommend Cuvée Natashquan white wine, made from chardonnay and vidal grapes, named in honour of singer Gilles Vigneault, who also provided the name Orpailleur to the vineyard. This great wine tourism spot offers many activities, like taking a stroll along the outdoor interpretation trail, visiting the winegrower’s Économusée® and participating in wine tastings.
Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, Économusée® du Vigneron, 1086, rue Bruce (route 202), Dunham
3. Cidrerie Milton, Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton
In the Eastern Townships, passion is a family affair. Cidrerie Milton is now in its fourth generation of apple growers on ancestral land. After operating for nearly 100 years, they now produce over 30 original ciders. Among them is Hollyhop from the Exploration series; it’s a fresh and lemony cider with delightful hoppy notes. Visit the cider house and enjoy a stop at its gourmet shop, grab a seat at its bistro for a quick rest with a soup, sandwich or whatever’s on the menu that day, or pull up a seat at the cider bar and enjoy a tasting of its products. In season, picking your own apples makes for a great family activity, and you can enjoy the outdoor cider bar.
Cidrerie Milton, 5, route 137, Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton
4. Fromagerie la Station, Compton
This Compton farm has been producing organic, widely renowned cheeses since 1928. We particularly have a soft spot for Alfred Le Fermier, a pressed, raw milk farmhouse cheese with notes of fruit, caramel and honey. And we’re not the only ones who enjoy it; it has received numerous accolades. Make sure to stop by the shop to not only purchase some cheese, but also sip an espresso or dig into a grilled cheese sandwich. You can also book a guided tour that includes a cheese tasting. Visits with a picnic basket are also available.
Fromagerie la Station, 440, chemin Hatley, Compton
5. Charcuterie Scotstown, Scotstown
Take a little detour to the Scotstown grocery store and check out Charcuterie Scotstown, which shares the premises. They make artisanal charcuterie, sausages and dry-cured sausages, which are certified Aliments du Québec products. Stock up on goodies for a picnic at Marécage-des-Scots Regional Park or Mont-Mégantic National Park, which are just a few minutes’ drive away. In our cooler, we made sure to stock up on cheddar dry-cured sausages to bring home.
Charcuterie Scotstown, 40, rue Victoria, Scotstown
The roads of the Eastern Townships promise many delicious discoveries. After many finds at vineyards and microbreweries, as well as visiting passionate local producers, you’ll have everything you need to prepare a feast that reminds you of the region.
Photo credits: St-Germain Photographie: La Ferme Brasserie Rurale, Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, Cidrerie Milton; Ian Roberge, Gaelle Leroyer: Charcuterie de Scotstown