Maple

While Acerum is slowly gaining recognition, its flavour remains a mystery to many people. To mark sugaring-off season, let’s look at the science behind this one-of-a-kind maple product.

In Quebec, spring means sugaring off season, to the delight of young and old alike. For the latter, a tempting offering of whiskeys and creams from the Coureur des Bois range can be enjoyed in several ways to make the most of the season. Move over cone, we’ve got maple cocktails on the mind.

The Temiscouata Distillery, located in Auclair in the Lower Saint Lawrence region, is made up of some 40 maple syrup producers who decided to innovate, stimulate the economy and take charge of their industry by producing Acerum, a maple syrup-based spirit!

The Eastern Townships, with Mount Shefford as a backdrop, is where the Bourassa brothers harvest some 2,500,000 litres of maple water per year, and where they nurture their second passion—the distillery.

What do you drink with a hearty bowl of pea soup or some mouth-watering maple ham? We asked Marie-Hélène, a sommelier with both a sweet tooth and a refined palate, to enjoy some good eats at a BYOW sugar shack so she could suggest the best pairings. Here’s what she discovered.

Have you heard of Acerum? In this edition of Fresh, we’re looking at this newcomer on the fine spirits scene—an eau-de-vie made from the fermentation and distillation of maple sap.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to plan your trip to the sugar shack. Here are 10 great spots located throughout the province that offer traditional, vegetarian or elevated fare. Some are also BYOB!

In celebration of the SAQ’s 100th, the prolific and talented mixologist Patrice Plante, Monsieur Cocktail, created a festive cocktail that’s 100% local!

Beyond syrup, maple-based liqueurs, wines, cream beverages and other spirits derived from the famous tree have become the delight of mixologists and adventurous amateurs alike.

At long last, it’s maple time! Looking for a bring-your-own-bottle sugar shack but not sure how to pick the right one from among Quebec’s vast choices? We have some unforgettable addresses for you!

It’s hard to choose wines to bring to a sugar shack. Here are a few thoughts on how to match wines with slightly sweet dishes featuring maple flavours.

Why not shake things up a bit this Easter and organize a combination sugar-shack-plus-traditional-Sunday-brunch event? Combining these two springtime traditions makes for an original get-together highlighting all the delights of maple sugar season!