Drinking beer in Trois-Rivières: Le Temps d’une Pinte Microbrewery

Anyone in the mood for a beer in Trois-Rivières will find exactly the right place at the “Microbrasserie Le Temps d’une Pinte”. This blend of brewery, coffee roastery, and first-class restaurant is the perfect place to comfortably end a day in the city.

A Brewery as a Community Project: The Workers’ Cooperative (Coop de travail)

The history of the brewery began in August 2013. A group of artisans decided to revive the city’s old brewing tradition.

Many microbreweries are founded as classic private companies. Not so in Trois-Rivières. Here, the initiators chose the path of a workers’ cooperative (Coop de travail). This means that the employees are also the owners. Consequently, everyone who works there has a genuine interest in ensuring that the beer and the service are perfect. And quite honestly, you can tell. Although we didn’t have a table reservation (and it was really quite full), they found a cozy spot for us. They went to great lengths to explain everything in English, and upon request, we received great recommendations for a beer that suited our taste.

The interior of the Trois-Rivières brewery features long wooden tables, dark wood booths, and eclectic artwork hanging on the walls under warm, dim lighting. In the background, patrons sit near large windows that look out onto a city street during the day.

Industrial Charm and Coziness

The name “Le Temps d’une Pinte” (The Time for a Pint) stands for coziness. The founders believe that there is a fitting beer for every moment in life – and that enjoying a pint is only truly complete with good company. The design of the brewery is reminiscent of the old working-class world of Trois-Rivières: lots of wood, industrial style, and an atmosphere that recalls the factories of the past.

When you enter the brewery, you immediately see the open kitchen. You can watch the chefs directly as they prepare the food. In the summer, there is a very beautiful terrace in the back where you can enjoy your beer outdoors.

The Art of Brewing: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

The brewers at “Le Temps d’une Pinte” master their craft brilliantly. The brewery distinguishes itself by combining traditional European methods with North American innovative power.

One aspect is the use of specialized equipment developed over a period of three years to ensure maximum control over complex chemical processes.

A vertical chalkboard menu at a brewery in Trois-Rivières lists sixteen different beer varieties "En Fût" (on tap), featuring options like Long Nose, Pinocchio, and Rosie, with their styles and alcohol percentages handwritten in white chalk. The menu is encased in a rustic wooden frame and mounted against a weathered red brick wall.

Two processes are at the center of their brewing art:

Decoction: This classic process, which is primarily used in the Czech and German brewing traditions (e.g., for Pilsner Urquell), involves boiling a portion of the mash. This leads to a more intense malt aroma and an intense color of the beer.
Caramelization: Inspired by English and Belgian brewing styles, the brewery places great emphasis on developing caramel aromas during the brewing process. This is done through targeted heat application in the kettle, which results in complex notes of toffee and dried fruit, without leaving an excessive amount of residual sweetness in the beer.

Our Recommendations: Which Beers You Must Try

When you go out for a beer in Trois-Rivières, the menu at “Le Temps d’une Pinte” offers something for every taste.

Two glasses of golden beer with white foam heads sit on a wooden table at the Le Temps d'une Pinte brewery in Trois-Rivières.

La Blanche des Ursulines

This Witbier has an alcohol content of 6.4%. It is a sparkling, light wheat beer with notes of orange and coriander. It is named after the female founders of Trois-Rivières. Patrick drank this beer and was very surprised by the harmonious interplay of coriander and orange. A highly drinkable beer that fits wonderfully into summer.

Long Nose

This Tropical IPA smells extremely fruity, like mango and pineapple. I found it tasted wonderfully fruity and suited the summery temperatures well.

L’Égoïne

This West Coast IPA appeals to fans of a strong hop flavor. The beer was a bit too strong in taste for me, but Patrick liked the intense hop aroma a lot.

Supeminée

This Tropical Sour reminded me very much of a Berliner Weisse. The sour beer tasted like strawberry and was, for me, one of the best sour beers I’ve had in a long time.

Two glasses of beer, including a vibrant pink Trois Rivieres sour beer and a golden lager, sit on a wooden table at an outdoor brewery patio.

A close-up shot of two full glasses of beer from Le Temps d'une Pinte brewery in Trois-Rivières, featuring a hazy yellow ale in the foreground and a dark, stout-like beer in the background.

Ratchet

An Irish Red Ale with 5.2% alcohol. The reddish beer is poured with nitrogen, a method I hadn’t consciously encountered before. As a result of this method, the beer becomes very creamy.

Le Torréfacteur

Lovers of a stout will love this beer. The dark beer is brewed with coffee from their own roastery and tastes very much like coffee and chocolate.

More Than Just Hops: Coffee and Honey from the Roof

What makes Le Temps d’une Pinte truly special are the extras:

Own Coffee Roastery: Under the name “Le Torréfacteur,” they roast their own coffee. You can drink a classic espresso there or buy beans to take home. Especially popular is the “Québécois,” a coffee with real maple syrup.
Honey from the Roof: There are beehives on the roof of the brewery. They use the honey directly in the kitchen or even brew it into the beer.

Gourmet Food at Bistronomy Level

At Le Temps d’une Pinte, “bistronomy” is a top priority – meaning high-quality cuisine in a relaxed bistro atmosphere. The head chef uses many fresh ingredients from the region. Particularly popular are:

Le Malakoff: A piece of baguette with fried regional cheese.
Scotch Egg: A soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and then deep-fried until crispy. Pairs perfectly with an IPA.
Regional Platters: There are often platters with ham and cheese from local farmers.

A row of silver cans from the Trois-Rivières brewery, Le Temps d'une Pinte, features black-and-white illustrations for beers like "Ouvrière" and "Rosie."

Address

1465 Rue Notre Dame Centre,
Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 4X4, Kanada

Website