Some products are simply consumed. Others take on an entirely new meaning once you meet the people who make them.<\/p>\n
In Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, in the heart of the Laurentians, our Artisanal Production<\/strong> experience introduces us to two producers who transform grain into pleasure: La Manufacture Distillery<\/a> and La Veill\u00e9e Microbrewery<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two distinct businesses, two different atmospheres and two ways of expressing the region\u2014but one common thread: producing locally and passionately while maintaining a deeply human approach.<\/p>\n La Manufacture Distillery<\/a> is located in an industrial area of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. From the outside, nothing quite reveals what awaits us inside.<\/p>\n Then the door opens.<\/p>\n Inside, the imposing stills immediately catch the eye. The copper reflects the light, the tanks dominate the space, and a slightly tart, grainy and lively aroma fills the air. It is the scent of fermenting mash\u2014a substance undergoing the transformation that will eventually turn it into a spirit.<\/p>\n The tour introduces visitors to every stage involved in producing artisanal alcohol: milling the grains, fermentation, distillation, blending and, finally, bottling.<\/p>\n Here, the expression \u201cfrom grain to bottle\u201d<\/strong> is more than a marketing slogan. La Manufacture does not simply purchase neutral alcohol and flavour it afterward. Its team produces its own alcohol from raw ingredients and completes the entire process at its Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts facility.<\/p>\n This tour allows you to understand all the work hidden behind a single bottle.<\/p>\n Standing among the equipment, distiller Laurent Roche-Ballard\u2019s explanations bring an entirely new dimension to the bottles displayed on the shelves.<\/p>\n Producing a spirit requires time, technical expertise and tremendous precision. Temperature, the grains selected, fermentation time and the different stages of distillation all influence the final result.<\/p>\n The tour reveals what a label cannot explain: the complexity of the process, the experiments, the decisions and the discipline required to transform a simple raw ingredient into a balanced gin or vodka.<\/p>\n La Manufacture produces several spirits, including Panac\u00e9e and Ko\u00ef gins and Narval vodka. The tour of the facilities concludes with a guided tasting, allowing visitors to appreciate each product with a greater understanding of its origins and production.<\/p>\n Learn more about La Manufacture\u2019s local production process<\/a>.<\/p>\n La Manufacture\u2019s regional roots are also reflected in its choice of ingredients.<\/p>\n The distillery uses wheat and corn from a cooperative in Thurso, organic ginger grown near Mont-Tremblant, locally foraged fir shoots and fruit from La R\u00e9colte de la Rouge in Br\u00e9beuf.<\/p>\n Its products bear the Origine Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong> certification, indicating that at least 90% of their ingredients were harvested in the province.<\/p>\n These are therefore not simply spirits manufactured in Quebec. They are products designed to express the Quebec landscape, from the field all the way to the glass.<\/p>\n I am ready for the tasting!<\/a><\/p>\n La Manufacture also collaborates with Martin Picard<\/a>, the renowned Quebec chef and entrepreneur known for the Au Pied de Cochon restaurant, his sugar shack, cider house and extensive collection of products inspired by Quebec\u2019s terroir.<\/p>\n This partnership led to the creation of the Spiritueux des Laurentides<\/a> collection, which includes Gin de Matante, Gin de Mononcle, Redoux Vodka, Sp\u00e9cial Piments Vodka and Tricot\u00e9 Serr\u00e9.<\/p>\n Martin Picard is not presented as the owner of the distillery, but as a partner who contributes to the development and visibility of its products. La Manufacture notably produces several spirits created within the Au Pied de Cochon universe.<\/p>\n This collaboration perfectly illustrates the philosophy that drives the distillery: bringing Quebec talent together to create authentic, audacious products that are deeply connected to the region.<\/p>\n After discovering the copper stills and the precision involved in distillation, the experience continues in a different world: that of craft beer.<\/p>\n At La Veill\u00e9e Microbrewery<\/a>, the atmosphere immediately becomes more relaxed and sociable. It is the kind of place where you want to sit down, order a tasting flight and keep the conversation going.<\/p>\n Founded in 2018, La Veill\u00e9e draws its inspiration from the moments when friends and families gather: an evening around the fire, a weekend camping trip, an improvised party or a conversation that lasts much later than expected.<\/p>\n Here, beer is not merely a beverage. It becomes a reason to connect.<\/p>\n Patrick Laurin, co-founder of La Veill\u00e9e, has a warm and engaging personality. When he talks about his beers, he does not simply present a list of styles, alcohol percentages and hops.<\/p>\n He talks about people.<\/p>\n Several La Veill\u00e9e beers are named after members of his family or his friends. Small booklets on the tables even allow visitors to discover the faces and stories behind some of these creations.<\/p>\n This approach to naming the beers summarizes La Veill\u00e9e\u2019s entire philosophy: beer truly comes alive when it is shared. The project was created around the ideas of community, warmth and meaningful moments experienced together.<\/p>\n This welcoming spirit was also highlighted in Explore Magazine\u2019s feature on cycling the P\u2019tit Train du Nord<\/a>.<\/p>\n The selection is as varied as the personalities that inspired it:<\/p>\n Discover the current selection on La Veill\u00e9e\u2019s beer menu<\/a>.<\/p>\n The microbrewery also produces creations incorporating buckwheat, maple syrup, boreal shoots, fruit and other ingredients that evoke the flavours of Quebec.<\/p>\n The brewing portion of the tour helps visitors understand the work carried out behind the tanks: choosing the grains, creating the recipes, fermentation and the adjustments that give each beer its own personality.<\/p>\n However, it is when you cross over to the pub that the spirit of La Veill\u00e9e truly comes alive.<\/p>\n Conversations flow, glasses are filled and visitors take the time to discover the different creations. You are no longer simply observing how beer is produced. You are entering the social world for which it was created.<\/p>\n It is the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer than expected\u2014the kind of place where you order a tasting flight \u201cjust to try it\u201d and suddenly find the entire table engaged in a very serious debate over whether the wheat beer, the stout or the berry sour is the best.<\/p>\n A genuine board meeting, only with much better pints.<\/p>\n La Manufacture and La Veill\u00e9e offer two very different experiences.<\/p>\n At the distillery, visitors are first impressed by the stills, the transformation of the raw materials and the technical complexity of the production process.<\/p>\n At the microbrewery, the stories, personalities and sense of community take centre stage.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, both businesses share the same fundamental values: artisanal production, local collaborations, a commitment to making their products on-site and tremendous pride in introducing visitors to their craft.<\/p>\n The true richness of this experience is therefore not found only in the tastings. It comes from meeting artisans who can explain why they selected a particular grain, fruit, technique or even the name of a friend.<\/p>\n The Artisanal Production<\/strong> experience is designed for beer and spirits enthusiasts as well as anyone curious to discover what happens behind the scenes of local production.<\/p>\n Visitors learn, exchange stories, taste the products and, most importantly, leave with a different perspective on Quebec\u2019s artisanal creations.<\/p>\n After smelling the fermenting mash, watching the light reflect from the stills and hearing the stories behind La Veill\u00e9e\u2019s beers, a bottle is no longer simply a bottle.<\/p>\n It becomes the result of a region, a craft and an entire community.<\/p>\n Discover the Artisanal Production experience and meet the people who transform ingredients from the Laurentians into products made to be shared.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Alcohol abuse can be harmful to your health. Tastings are reserved for visitors of legal drinking age and should always be enjoyed responsibly.<\/em><\/p>\n The experience takes place in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, in the Laurentians. It includes visits to two distinct local businesses: La Manufacture Distillery<\/a> and La Veill\u00e9e Microbrewery<\/a>.<\/p>\n La Manufacture specializes in the artisanal production of spirits, including gin and vodka. La Veill\u00e9e produces craft beers in a warm and welcoming environment inspired by family, friends and evenings spent together.<\/p>\n The tour provides a better understanding of the various stages involved in producing a spirit, from the transformation of the grains to fermentation, distillation and bottling.<\/p>\n The imposing stills and the explanations of the production process are among the highlights of the experience.<\/p>\n La Veill\u00e9e stands out for its friendly atmosphere and the stories behind its beers. Several creations are named after a friend or member of the founders\u2019 family.<\/p>\n Each beer becomes an extension of a relationship, a personality or a shared memory.<\/p>\n Yes. La Manufacture and La Veill\u00e9e place considerable importance on Quebec ingredients and regional collaborations.<\/p>\n Depending on the recipe, their products may include grains from Quebec, fruit grown in the Laurentians, honey, buckwheat, boreal shoots or maple syrup.<\/p>\n The experience introduces visitors to the products made on-site and may include tastings of beer or spirits, depending on the package offered.<\/p>\n Tastings are reserved for people who have reached the legal drinking age.<\/p>\n No. The activity is also intended for people who are curious about the artisans\u2019 work, the production equipment, local ingredients and the different transformation processes.<\/p>\n The value of the tour comes just as much from the meetings and explanations as it does from the tastings.<\/p>\n La Manufacture collaborates with Martin Picard<\/a>, a Quebec chef and entrepreneur particularly well known for the Au Pied de Cochon restaurant.<\/p>\n This collaboration contributed to the development of several products in the Spiritueux des Laurentides<\/a> collection. Martin Picard is presented as a partner of the distillery, not as its owner.<\/p>\n This experience allows visitors to meet two passionate producers during the same outing.<\/p>\n It combines the discovery of Quebec expertise, regional products, human stories and tastings in an accessible and welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n Booking the experience in advance is recommended so that you can confirm the visiting hours, availability, tasting options and participation requirements.<\/p>\nFirst Stop: Step Behind the Scenes at La Manufacture<\/h2>\n
The Production Facility<\/h3>\n
The Production Process<\/h3>\n
Quebec Ingredients, All the Way to the Glass<\/h2>\n
The Partnership Between La Manufacture and Martin Picard<\/h2>\n
Second Stop: La Veill\u00e9e Microbrewery<\/h2>\n
Behind Every Beer Is a Person and a Story<\/h2>\n
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Originality in Every Recipe<\/h2>\n
From the Production Floor to the Pub<\/h2>\n
Two Producers, One Shared Vision of the Region<\/h2>\n
An Experience to Savour in the Laurentians<\/h2>\n
\nFrequently Asked Questions About the Artisanal Production Experience<\/h1>\n
Where does this artisanal production experience take place?<\/h2>\n
What is the difference between La Manufacture and La Veill\u00e9e?<\/h2>\n
What will I discover during the La Manufacture Distillery tour?<\/h2>\n
What makes La Veill\u00e9e Microbrewery unique?<\/h2>\n
Do the producers use local ingredients?<\/h2>\n
Does the tour include a tasting?<\/h2>\n
Do I need to enjoy beer or spirits to appreciate the tour?<\/h2>\n
What is the connection between La Manufacture and Martin Picard?<\/h2>\n
Why choose this activity in the Laurentians?<\/h2>\n
Should the tour be booked in advance?<\/h2>\n