What Les Brasseurs du Nord inc does

Les Brasseurs du Nord inc, operating under the Boréale brand, is a Quebec-based craft brewery founded in 1987 by Laura Urtnowski and Bernard Morin and held since 2013 by Fonds de solidarité FTQ, with Sébastien Paradis as CEO and Master Brewer Gabriel Dulong leading R&D since 2014. The company produces over 30 beer variants organized into five lines: Les Classiques (six foundational recipes including La Blonde, IPA, Lager, Rousse, Cuivrée, Noire), the limited Épisode series, the Hors Sentiers non-alcoholic range launched in 2020, the Série Artisan seasonal collection, and the newer Série Relais tied to the Montréal brewpub. Production is concentrated at the Blainville microbrewery (original site relocated from Saint-Jérôme in 1994), with the Le Relais Boréale Montréal brewpub opened in 2022 in the Mile-Ex neighborhood functioning as both a hospitality venue and an experimental brewing laboratory.

The commercial model combines direct-to-consumer revenue through the Boutique Boréale e-commerce platform (shop.boreale.com) and the two owned retail sites with wholesale distribution across Quebec grocery and convenience retail, the Ontario LCBO network, and more than 40 on-premise tap accounts. Pricing sits in the premium craft segment (CAD $3.49 for 473ml classics up to CAD $6.59 for limited Épisode releases), augmented by growler fills, brewpub food and beverage, and branded merchandise. The Maîtres Buveurs loyalty program and a content/charity ecosystem (Blogue with 48+ articles, 11 consecutive years at 24h Tremblant, and collaborative projects with Quebec artisans such as Malterie Caux-Laflamme, Houblon des Jarrets Noirs, Boulangerie Merci La Vie, and Cafés Humble Lion) drive repeat engagement.

Strategic activity since 2013 traces a deliberate expansion pattern: the 2020 Hors Sentiers launch addresses the moderation trend, the 2022 Montréal brewpub extends direct margin capture into an urban market, and the 2025 acquisition of Sober Carpenter adds additional capacity and brand IP in the non-alcoholic category. The company also maintains an extensive Quebec-sourcing partnership network and a foundation-funded impact line (Stone Hut beer benefiting Fondation Chill, reaching 25,000+ youth across 16 North American cities).

Name

Les Brasseurs du Nord inc

Legal name

Les Brasseurs du Nord Inc.

Website

https://boreale.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Les Brasseurs du Nord inc (Boréale) is a Quebec craft brewery founded in 1987 that produces over 30 premium natural beers across five product lines, sells through two owned Relais brewpubs in Blainville and Montréal, the shop.boreale.com e-commerce site, Quebec retail, and Ontario LCBO, serving craft beer consumers across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Microbrewery production
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Brewpub dining
• Specialty beer retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Blainville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Beer Sales (Retail Packaging): Sale of packaged beer in cans (355ml, 473ml) and bottles through the online boutique, Relais Boréale locations, and retail stores across Quebec and Ontario (LCBO). Core product lines include Épisodes, Hors Sentiers (non-alcoholic), Série Artisan, Les Classiques, and Série Relais.
2. Growler and Cruchon Sales: On-site and online sale of 1L and 2L growler fills (cruchons) at Relais Boréale locations, including exclusive and pilot beers not available in retail packaging.
3. Merchandise and Accessories: Sale of branded merchandise including tuques, caps, t-shirts, hoodies, glasses, beach towels, and bar mats through the online boutique and on-site at Relais Boréale.
4. Brewpub Food and Beverage: On-site dining and tasting experience at Le Relais Boréale Montreal brewpub, which also serves as a brewing laboratory for exclusive seasonal beers. Includes beer tasting flights, à la carte seasonal food menu, and retail beer purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Les Brasseurs du Nord (Boréale) brews and sells a portfolio of over 30 craft beers across five product lines — Les Classiques, Épisodes, Hors Sentiers (non-alcoholic), Série Artisan, and Série Relais. The brewery operates its own microbrewery in Blainville, two company-owned Relais Boréale locations (Blainville retail taproom and Montréal brewpub), an e-commerce storefront (shop.boreale.com), and the free Maîtres Buveurs loyalty program. Distribution extends across Quebec through retail and on-premise accounts and into Ontario via the LCBO.

Product overview

Boréale (Les Brasseurs du Nord) is a Quebec craft brewery founded in 1987, operating as a multi-product portfolio company with five distinct beer series plus retail locations and loyalty programs. The core offering spans Les Classiques (six foundational styles including Blonde, IPA, Lager, Rousse, Cuivrée, and Noire), the seasonal/limited ÉdEpisode series for adventurous consumers, the innovative Série Artisan featuring creative recipes, the newer Série Relais from the Montreal brewpub, and the Hors Sentiers non-alcoholic line. The company operates two physical locations (Relais Boréale Blainville taproom and Relais Boréale Montréal brewpub), an e-commerce platform (shop.boreale.com), and the Maîtres Buveurs loyalty program. Founded in 1987, the brewery was acquired by Fonds de solidarité FTQ in 2013 and is led by CEO Sébastien Paradis with Master Brewer Gabriel Dulong.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Épisodes: Bold, exclusive, or ephemeral beers that venture off the beaten path.
• Hors Sentiers
• Série Artisan
• Les Classiques
• Série Relais

Products and services

• Les Classiques Core beer lineup brewed in the pure artisanal tradition for over 30 years, comprising six styles: La Blonde, La IPA, La Lager, La Rousse, La Cuivrée, and La Noire. Targeted at adult craft beer consumers across Quebec and Ontario.
• Épisodes Bold, exclusive, or ephemeral limited-time beers released on a recurring basis for adventurous craft beer enthusiasts. Each Episode is a creative, seasonal or pilot brew that ventures off the beaten path, including styles such as IPA du Nord-Est, Osmose, Octopode, Projet Citra Triple Belge, Projet Citra NEIPA (Kahnawake), and Double IPA du Nord-Est.
• Hors Sentiers Non-alcoholic craft beer range brewed by master brewer Gabriel Dulong with the full craft know-how of the brewery, designed for consumers seeking alcohol-free options without compromising on craft flavor. Includes Blonde, IPA, Rousse, and Sure à la framboise (Raspberry Sour) variants in 473ml format.
• Série Artisan Seasonal and innovative craft beer recipes showcasing brewing creativity and craftsmanship, often featuring local Quebec ingredients. Includes styles such as Cerveza Des Îles, Lager Houblonnée Des Monts, Scotch Ale du Nord, Double IPA des Pinèdes, Double Blanche du Lac, IPA des Côtes, ISA des Chutes, Nano IPA des Vallées, Pale Ale des Bois, Blanche des Cimes, and Pilsner des Mers.
• Série Relais New craft beer collection celebrating brewing innovation from the Relais Boréale de Montréal brewpub. Bold and creative seasonal offerings from the master brewer that evolve throughout the year and are distributed across the province.
• Le Relais Boréale Blainville Brewery-adjacent retail taproom and boutique at the Blainville microbrewery offering beer tastings, growler refills (1L and 2L cruchons), merchandise, and exclusive pilot beers in a warm atmosphere. Open Tue-Wed 10h-18h, Thu-Fri 10h-20h, Sat 10h-17h.
• Le Relais Boréale Montréal First Boréale brewpub at 159 rue Jean-Talon Ouest in Montreal's Mile-Ex (Fabrik8), combining on-site dining, beer tasting flights, à la carte seasonal food menu, retail beer and merchandise sales, and an on-site brewing laboratory producing exclusive seasonal beers. Open Sun-Thu 15h-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-midnight. Phone: 514 375-4026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Surpassed $500,000 total funds raised for children's charities through 24h Tremblant as of 2025 (after 11 consecutive years of participation)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Fondation ChillminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Created the Stone Hut beer in memory of Jake Burton (founder of Burton Snowboards), with all profits from sales directed to Fondation Chill — a non-profit founded by Jake Burton and Donna Carpenter that develops youth through snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and paddleboard sports. The beer uses Vermont-grown ingredients (malt from Peterson Quality Malt, hops from Champlain Valley Hops).
• 24h Tremblant / Fondation TremblantflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual sponsorship and team participation in the 24h Tremblant charity relay event since 2014. Boréale has raised over $500,000 cumulatively for children's charities (Fondation Charles-Bruneau, Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine, The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, CHEO Foundation, Fondation Tremblant). The partnership includes product donations, team participation, and branded merchandise.
• Malterie Caux-LaflammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Quebec maltster supplying specialty malts for multiple collaborative project beers including L'Évasion (Lager), L'Escapade (Belgian Witbier), and La Collective (Pale Ale). Featured across the 7-beer collaborative project launched during COVID-19.
• Houblon des Jarrets NoirsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec hop grower supplying hops for the Merci La Vie collaborative beer (#7). Represents Boréale's commitment to local Quebec agricultural ingredients.
• Boulangerie Merci La VieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal artisan bakery supplying bread used as a special ingredient in the Merci La Vie table beer (#7) of the collaborative project. Demonstrates Boréale's farm-to-glass philosophy with local food producers.
• Schilling Beer Co. (New Hampshire, USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Hampshire craft brewery that invited Boréale to present its Cap Citra beer at their annual Oktoberfest. PDG Sébastien Paradis and Master Brewer Gabriel Dulong traveled to Kingdom Trails and Littleton for the event, strengthening cross-border craft beer community ties.
• Messorem BrassiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec microbrewery with which Boréale collaborated on a beer as documented in the blog post 'Deux visions, une passion: Boréale × Messorem'.
• HookéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor lifestyle brand collaborating with Boréale on the Double Blanche du Lac recipe featured in Boréale's blog and cuisine section.
• LCBO (Ontario)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOntario Crown corporation liquor retailer through which Boréale distributes its Pale Ale des Bois in the Ontario market, marking the brand's first provincial expansion beyond Quebec.
• Pink Boots Society / Yakima Chief HopsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational non-profit supporting women in the beverage alcohol industry. Boréale participated in the Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day using a special hop blend (Cashmere, Ahtanum, Citra, Loral, Sabro). Proceeds fund scholarships for women in brewing. Luc Beaulieu of Yakima Chief Hops facilitated the hop supply.
• Association des microbrasseries du QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial trade association for Quebec microbreweries. Coordinated the Vermont women-in-brewing mission that led to the 'Ceci n'est pas une bière de fille' collaborative beer. Also coordinated the scholarship donation to the Institut Brassicole du Québec.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dieu du Ciel!: Quebec microbrewery founded in 1998 with strong on-premise presence and reputational craft beer portfolio. Direct competitor in Quebec craft market with similar DtC taproom and broader distribution strategies.
• Unibroue: Quebec craft brewery (maker of La Fin du Monde, Maudite) acquired by Sapporo. Comparable Quebec craft heritage brand, multi-product portfolio, and similar retail/wholesale distribution footprint in Quebec and Ontario.
• Le Cheval Blanc: Montreal-based microbrewery with a celebrated brewpub and craft distribution. Direct competitor in Quebec craft on-premise with similar DtC taproom model.
• Le Trou du Diable: Quebec microbrewery recognized for Belgian-inspired craft beer innovation. Direct competitor in Quebec craft specialty segment with similar seasonal/limited release portfolio.
• McAuslan Brewery: Montreal craft brewery (St-Ambroise) and taproom operator. Comparable Quebec craft heritage brand with multi-channel retail and brewpub distribution.
• Belle Gueule: Quebec craft beer brand (now part of ABI's craft portfolio). Direct competitor in Quebec mainstream-on-trade craft segment, similar product portfolio targeting everyday craft consumers.

Emerging players

• Sober Carpenter: Non-alcoholic craft brewery recently acquired by Boréale (2025). Highly relevant peer due to shared ownership and shared focus on the non-alcoholic craft beer segment.

Broad incumbents

• Steam Whistle Brewing: Ontario craft brewery with broader Canadian distribution and established brewpub. Comparable as a Canadian craft brewery with multi-channel DtC and retail distribution beyond Quebec.
• Mill Street Brewery: Ontario-based craft brewery with multiple brewpubs and broad Canadian retail distribution. Comparable Canadian craft player with brewpub/retail model and broader geographic reach than Boréale.
• Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company): US craft brewery pioneer with strong brand equity, broad portfolio, and at-scale distribution. Comparable to Boréale's strategic aspiration: heritage craft brand with multi-line portfolio and seasonal innovation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BiereBoreale
• Facebookfacebook.com/BiereBoreale
• Instagraminstagram.com/biereboreale
• Xx.com/biereboreale

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les Brasseurs du Nord inc