After a three-year break due to the pandemic, the event starts again this weekend, in a slightly more sober form, but above all at a different location.
The Mauricie Brewing Festival has moved. (Amelie St-Yves)
According to Amine Lemrini from the Organizing Committee, the last edition in 2019 was quite expensive and this year the budget was lower. He points out that the new website is appreciated.
“We feel extremely comfortable. The Île St-Quentin provides us with a lot of infrastructure and staff. This significantly reduces the amount of work involved in organizing the event. »
We recall that the relocation of activity had provoked certain reactions, including that of the municipal councilor of the Pointe-du-Lac district, François Bélisle.
The organizing committee gave various reasons, including the planned dates for the activity.
The happy brewers
A dozen exhibitors are on site at the end of the week, all arranged around a courtyard.
The brewers liked the old location, but were soon fascinated by the new location.
“Both are very beautiful places. It’s a little more social this year,” said Alexandre Ayotte, brewer at Broadway Microbrewery in Shawinigan.
It is certain that the presence of the covered playground was, and will be, useful during Saturday’s rainy spells should a blazing sun ever appear. Otherwise, some think being closer to the city center is a good thing.
“Maybe that way we’re a little more accessible. said Le Temps d’un Pinte festival director Jean-Philippe Sylvestre.
There was some traffic on Saturday despite the uncertain weather early in the day.
“It’s really well constructed. People have easy access to the site,” said Benoît Lépine of the Garage microbrewery in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade.