Les Brasseurs du Nord

What Les Brasseurs du Nord does

Les Brasseurs du Nord Inc., doing business as Boréale, is a Quebec-based microbrewery founded in 1988 and headquartered in Blainville, with a second owned taproom, Relais Boréale Montreal, in the Mile-Ex neighborhood. The company produces craft beer across five product lines: Les Classiques (year-round core SKUs such as La Blonde, La IPA, La Lager, La Blanche, La Dorée, and La Noire), Épisodes (limited/exclusive releases headlined by the NEIPA flagship IPA du Nord-Est, launched 2016), Hors Sentiers (an alcohol-free line introduced in 2020 including Blonde, IPA, and a planned Rousse variant), Série Artisan (small-batch craft beers such as Nano IPA des Vallées, Pale Ale des Bois, and Blanche des Cimes), and the newer Série Relais tied to the Montreal taproom. Underlying technology centers on craft brewing expertise, including NEIPA techniques developed by master brewer Gabriel Dulong and proprietary non-alcoholic brewing methods that preserve craft character.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market: two company-owned taprooms in Blainville and Montreal selling beer for on-site consumption and take-home, a direct e-commerce boutique with pickup and delivery, wholesale distribution to bars and restaurants across Quebec, and retail placement through SAQ in Quebec and LCBO in Ontario. Pricing is unit-based by SKUs and format (473 mL growlers/cans typically CAD $3.49–$3.99, artisan SKUs roughly CAD $3.69–$3.99, Épisodes CAD $5.09–$15.20, and 6-packs of Hors Sentiers at CAD $11.59), supplemented by a CAD $25/person brewery tour revenue stream and a free Maîtres Buveurs loyalty program that drives repeat engagement through ActiveCampaign-driven email. Customer segments are predominantly B2C craft beer enthusiasts, with secondary segments in non-alcoholic drinkers, outdoor/lifestyle consumers (via partnerships with Maghalie Rochette and Hooké), and HoReCa accounts. Recent strategic moves include the acquisition of Sober Carpenter, the opening of Relais Boréale Montreal, the launch of Hors Sentiers and Série Relais, and Ontario expansion via LCBO, supporting a diversified craft beverage platform with provincial scale.

Name

Les Brasseurs du Nord

Legal name

Les Brasseurs du Nord Inc.

Website

https://boreale.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Les Brasseurs du Nord (Boréale) is a Quebec microbrewery founded 1988 producing craft beer across five lines (Classiques, Épisodes, Hors Sentiers non-alcoholic, Série Artisan, Série Relais), sold through two owned Relais taprooms, SAQ/LCBO retail, HoReCa wholesale, and e-commerce, serving craft beer enthusiasts, non-alcoholic drinkers, and lifestyle consumers across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer / Microbrewery

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (72241)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings (THAJAGAE), Alcoholic Beverage Contract Manufacturing & Co-Packing (AFAFAAAI)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Microbrewery products
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Brewery tours
• NEIPA specialty

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, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Beer Sales at Taprooms: Relais Boréale locations in Blainville and Montreal sell beer directly to consumers for on-site consumption and takeaway (growlers, cans, bottles). Blainville retail hours: Tue-Wed 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Montreal: Sun-Wed 3pm-midnight, Thu-Sat noon-midnight.
2. E-commerce Boutique: Online store selling beer for pickup at Blainville location or delivery. Pre-orders available for pickup to save time. Growler filling and merchandise also sold online.
3. Wholesale Distribution: Distribution to bars, restaurants, and liquor retailers throughout Quebec. Products available at SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) locations. Ontario distribution via LCBO partnership (e.g., Pale Ale des Bois).
4. Brewery Tours: Microbrewery tours offered at $25 per person plus taxes, including free tastings, 15% discount on in-store purchases, and a $10 gift card for next visit. Tours require minimum 4 and maximum 6 participants, last approximately 1 hour.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Les Brasseurs du Nord (Boréale) is a Quebec microbrewery that produces and sells craft beer across four primary lines: Les Classiques (year-round core beers), Épisodes (bold/limited releases headlined by the flagship IPA du Nord-Est NEIPA), Hors Sentiers (alcohol-free craft beers), and Série Artisan (small-batch craft beers). The company also operates two Relais Boréale taproom/retail locations (Blainville and Montreal), an online boutique, a free loyalty program (Maîtres Buveurs), and offers brewery tours.

Product overview

Les Brasseurs du Nord (Boréale) is a Quebec microbrewery with a diversified product portfolio centered on craft beer. The offering consists of four main beer lines: Les Classiques (6 core year-round beers including Blonde, IPA, Lager, Blanche, Dorée, Noire, and Rousse), Épisodes (limited/exclusive releases headlined by the flagship IPA du Nord-Est NEIPA), Hors Sentiers (alcohol-free beers in IPA, Blonde, and Rousse styles), and Série Artisan (small-batch craft beers including Nano IPA des Vallées, IPA des Côtes, Pale Ale des Bois, Blanche des Cimes, Saison des Plages, Double Blanche du Lac, and others). The company also operates two Relais Boréale taproom/retail locations (Blainville and Montreal) and an online shop. The Maîtres Buveurs free loyalty program provides members with event invitations and birthday rewards. Brewery tours are offered at the Blainville facility via Square booking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Les Classiques

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $216,000 raised for children's charities since 2014 through 24h Tremblant partnership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Schilling Beer Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont microbrewery collaboration. Boréale's CEO Sébastien Paradis and Master Brewer Gabriel Dulong visited Schilling Beer Co. for their annual Oktoberfest, presenting Cap Citra beer. Represents cross-border craft beer community exchange between Quebec and New England brewing regions.
• MessoremminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative brewing partnership referenced in blog article 'Deux visions, une passion: Boréale × Messorem'. Represents collaboration between two Quebec craft breweries.
• LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOntario retail distribution partnership for Boréale products. Pale Ale des Bois was the first product distributed in Ontario, marking Boréale's geographic expansion beyond Quebec into Canada's largest province.
• Maghalie RochetteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanadian and Pan-American cyclocross champion collaborated with Boréale on cycling route content in the Laurentians. Created 'Libère l'Ours' cycling challenge routes and organized free CX Fever gravel cycling events. Represents lifestyle/outdoor brand alignment.
• HookéminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuebec outdoor adventure company specializing in fishing and outdoor content. Collaborative beer project (Hooké beer - India Pale Lager with Nelson Sauvin hops). Shared values around outdoor exploration and sustainable practices. 15% discount code offered to Boréale customers for Hooké gear.
• Fondation ChillcoreOthersCharitable foundation created by Jake Burton (Burton Snowboards) and Donna Carpenter. All profits from Stone Hut beer sales go to Fondation Chill, which supports youth development through board sports (snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, paddleboarding). 25,000+ youth reached through programs in 16 North American cities.
• Fondation 24h TremblantcoreOthersAnnual athletic fundraising event for children's charities. Boréale has been corporate sponsor since 2014, with employees participating in the relay event. Over $216,000 raised for children's charities (Fondation Charles-Bruneau, Fondation Tremblant, Fondation du CHEO). CEO Sébastien Paradis serves on the executive council.
• Pink Boots SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational non-profit supporting women in the beverage alcohol industry. Boréale participated in Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day, using a special hop blend (Cashmere, Ahtanum, Citra, Loral, Sabro). Proceeds fund scholarships for women in brewing. Collaborative beer 'Ceci n'est pas une bière de fille' (NEIPA) created with women from Quebec brewing industry.
• Peterson Quality Malt (Vermont)minorOthersVermont-based malt supplier for Stone Hut beer project. Using Vermont ingredients was essential to honor Jake Burton's legacy. Part of intentional sourcing from Burton's home region.
• Champlain Valley Hops (Vermont)minorOthersVermont-based hop supplier for Stone Hut beer project. Enthusiastically supported the charitable initiative and proud to participate in the project honoring Jake Burton.
• Lenoir & LacroixminorOthersBio and fair-trade micro-roaster based in Blainville. Supplying coffee for Épisode Éveil Nocturne (Espresso Stout). Hot and cold brewed in the beer to extract full flavor profile.
• Yakima Chief Hops (YCH)minorOthersGlobal hop supplier (100% farmer-owned) that enabled Boréale's access to Pink Boots Society hop blend. Luc Beaulieu at YCH facilitated the initiative for the collaborative brew.
• Malterie Caux LaflammeminorOthersLocal Quebec malt supplier for collaborative beer project (Bières #2, #4, #6). Supporting local ingredient sourcing for Quebec craft beer production.
• Anhydra - Aliments DéshydratésminorOthersDehydrated food supplier providing dehydrated citrus for collaborative beer project (Bière #3 L'Escapade Belgian Witbier).
• Houblon BastienminorOthersQuebec hop supplier for collaborative beer project (Bière #2 La Solidaire - Kölsch-style ale). Nugget and Crystal hops from local Quebec hops.
• InnomaltminorOthersQuebec malt supplier for collaborative beer project (Bière #2 La Solidaire). Pilsner malt and red wheat malt sourced locally.
• IntermielminorOthersQuebec wildflower honey supplier for collaborative beer project (Bière #1 La Traversée Black IPA).
• Houblon des Jarrets NoirsminorOthersQuebec hop supplier for collaborative beer project (Bière #7 Merci La Vie table beer).
• Boulangerie Merci la VieminorOthersLocal Quebec bakery providing bread for collaborative beer project (Bière #7 Merci La Vie table beer). Bread incorporated into brewing process to highlight complexity of local cereals.
• Cafés Humble LionminorOthersQuebec bio coffee roaster providing blend for collaborative beer project (Bière #1 La Traversée Black IPA). Assembled for espresso from Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia.
• Association des microbrasseries du QuébecminorOthersQuebec microbrewery association that organized the Vermont mission trip and coordinated the scholarship for the Pink Boots Society collaborative beer project.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dieu du Ciel!: Quebec microbrewery with a comparable craft positioning, multiple taproom locations in Montreal, and a portfolio of IPAs, seasonals, and limited releases directly overlapping with Boréale’s Épisodes and Série Artisan lines.
• Amsterdam Brewing Company: Toronto craft brewery operating a combined brewery, taproom, and restaurant; comparable in hybrid CPG/hospitality model, Ontario distribution, and core-plus-seasonal product strategy to Boréale.
• Unibroue: Iconic Quebec craft brewery (now Sleeman-owned) producing Belgian-style ales and specialty beers distributed through SAQ and across Canada; directly comparable on Quebec craft heritage, specialty/limited releases, and provincial retail distribution.
• Brasserie Le Castor: Quebec microbrewery producing hop-forward ales and limited series; competes with Boréale on Quebec tap handles, SAQ shelves, and the loyalty-program-driven craft enthusiast segment.
• Collective Arts Brewing: Ontario-based craft brewery known for limited-edition series, community/music-driven branding, and LCBO distribution; closely mirrors Boréale’s combination of Episode-style releases, art collaborations, and interprovincial retail reach.

Emerging players

• Brasserie & Distillerie Oshlag: Quebec microbrewery/distillery producing small-batch craft offerings; previous employer of Boréale’s Production Supervisor, indicating talent overlap and similar craft scale in the Quebec market.
• Messorem Brasserie: Smaller Quebec craft brewery mentioned as a direct collaboration partner with Boréale; comparable on Quebec craft ethos, taproom presence, and limited-release positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Lagunitas Brewing Company: International craft brewery (Heineken-owned) recognized for pioneering NEIPA expertise — directly comparable to Boréale’s IPA du Nord-Est positioning and a relevant benchmark for scaling craft brands beyond regional boundaries.
• Sleeman Breweries: Canada’s largest Canadian-owned craft brewer, owner of Unibroue; competes with Boréale via portfolio scale, deeper LCBO/SAQ distribution, and cross-Canada craft wholesale relationships.
• Molson Coors Canada: Quebec-headquartered national brewer with a craft and non-alcoholic portfolio; benchmark competitor on provincial distribution, retail pricing, and NA beer category strategy in the Quebec/Ontario markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 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

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Les Brasseurs du Nord