La Grande Coulée Beer Fest back for 3rd Edition
For the third year in a row, the Grande Coulée Beer Festival will return to Mont Orford National Park from September 14 to the 16. Over the course of the three days, organizers expect the mountain to swarm with activity from top to bottom, as the festival will also kick off the iconic Magog-orford Flambée des couleurs fall celebration.
Celebrating Québec microbreweries and more ...
Some 20 microbreweries from as far away as Baie-comeau will be on hand to show off their products and take part in the festivities, and several food trucks and restaurateurs will be there to quench appetites.
"We have improved our food offering this year with a variety of options,” said event president Todd Pouliot. “Whether you want to eat a poutine, a cheese fondue, a lobster roll or a vegan wrap, you will be served!”
Guests ready to party
The site will welcome the first festival-goers at 4 pm on Friday. Later that evening, Hey Major, a duo formerly known as Orange O'clock, will kick off the 3rd edition. The two multi-instrumentalist brothers will get the crowd dancing with their explosive chemistry. Several artists in various styles will succeed each other on the Desjardins stage throughout the weekend, including Mentana, JF Gosselin & Paul Shine, Les Trouble-fêtes, and Alopozéthere will also be the dozen traveling musicians of Ze Radcliffe Fanfare, who will roam the site on Saturday and Sunday.
A partner who is not afraid to innovate
In 2017, the organizers of the festival decided to offer unlimited access to the panoramic gondola with all the tasting packages to encourage visitors to go to the summit to admire the breathtaking scenery. This year, to make the experience even more memorable, Kezber, a company specializing in IT business solutions for over twenty years, will be taking advantage of that offer to set up shop at the top.
"It's an honor to be able to count on a partner who shares our desire to do things differently and to think outside the box," said event coordinator Pascale Forand,. “In the Kezber area you will find a full bar with exclusive beers from faraway lands, beanbags to relax with friends, outdoor games, and a DJ. The organizers are promising an atmosphere not found anywhere else.”
"My team and I are excited to be contributing to this great event this year,” said Kezber CEO Alan Kezber. “La Grande Coulée is making the region shine to the delight of beer lovers like us, but also their families, with activities for everyone.”
A small gesture for the planet
Always anxious to do their part, organizers decided not to sell bottled water at the festival site this year. Visitors are therefore invited to bring their own water bottle or use their Grande Coulée drink to hydrate themselves. It will be possible to refuel for free under the Vapeau-pure tent.
Save 20 per cent
Packages are already available at the Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert level, a nod to the level of difficulty of the slopes of the ski resort. Each package includes access to the site, a glass with the Grande Coulée logo, tasting tokens, and unlimited access to the ski lift leading to the summit throughout the event. The pre-sale is underway until August 26 via online purchase and allows buyers to save 20 per cent off the regular price.
For visitors who do not wish to buy a package, access to the site will cost $5 for adults and is free for children. Festival goers will have to have this year’s festival glass in order to drink and hikers who want to access the mountain during the festival will also have to pay the entrance fee, or head to the Giroux East parking lot located on Route 141 and gain access via Mont Giroux Est.