Le Cheval Blanc

ajzbeers

Oregon

1.68/5  rDev -57%
vibe: 2 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 3 | $$

This was the last day of a 2 week tour of Montreal microbreweries and the worst experience. Not only did the beer leave a bad diacetyl taste in my mouth but the service was horrible. When I asked if I could exchange my drink for another one the waitress not only denied my request, but got upset and began berate and curse at me for asking. I should also mention that this was after we paid a table fee and tip. In Montreal on business I was having drinks with representatives from five different breweries. We were so appalled that we left without finishing our drinks. I would not recommend this place to anybody.

06-18-2011 19:55:33 | More by ajzbeers

dturchin

Massachusetts

2.73/5  rDev -30.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.5 | $$

a ways down rue st denis you'll find this sparsely decorated steel walled industrial jaunt filled with noisy college students, local drunks, and the occasional wide eyed tourist looking for a good pour...decent selection, usually serving 7 or 8 of their own which range from bad to not that bad...easy to get to, right near several metro stops, but nothing that blew me away...attentative service, but when i asked about one of the beers i was told that it "had some hops and some malt character"...not a place id want to spend a significant amount of time or money

09-05-2006 23:52:05 | More by dturchin

fdrich29

Massachusetts

3.29/5  rDev -15.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3

I attempted to walk here from Metropolis on Ste. Catherine's Street after the Cake show, but ended up needed needing to grab a cab once I made it up to Ontario.

First impressions walking into this bar, looks wise, and looks wise only, is Spuyten Duvil in Brooklyn, New York. The physical layout of the joint is nearly identical. That's where the similarities end.

I liked the sliver plated decor, it was a nice contrast to the near blizzard conditions that were outside. About 15 people in the bar late on a Sunday night, I took that as a good sign.

I ordered a winter seasonal brew. It was the most horrid liquid I've ever put to my lips, it tasted like it was past it's prime and someone had added some kind of mushroom to it. Unfortunately I didn't have time to give the other beers a chance, which I normally would, to provide a fair review. They will have to wait for my next visit, when I will update this review if I walk out with a new take on things.

01-04-2005 04:42:03 | More by fdrich29

judyblueyes

New York

3.51/5  rDev -10.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4

After all the hype about this place I was very disappointed in the beers. I had a sampler of all 8 that were on tap at the time and only 2 were worth rating over 4, the ESB and the Bok (neither of which is in the list of beers). The others were either over-hopped, unimpressive or infected. The place itself is comfortable, with diner-style bar seating and plenty of bench-style tables. Service is friendly and efficient. Of the 5 Brewpubs I visited, I would have to say this was the least favorable experience, with L'Amere a Boire being the best overall for beers. I will visit Le Cheval again just to see if it was a "bad day" and hopefully the beers will be better.

11-30-2004 18:04:12 | More by judyblueyes

Andy

Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5

Tiny little brewpub with great beer history. Is it open or closed? Hard to tell from the exterior. Is that kettle in the back in use? No. Feels like a diner. Simple beer menu, divided up by color. Noire, Blanche, quel colour desirez vous? Bien mon ami!

09-28-2002 22:44:20 | More by Andy

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in here over the weekend to meet up with some friends. About 5 to 10 minutes up from Berri-Uqam station.

Very artsy atmosphere, pretty hip looking crowd, most everyone chatting and downing some pints. Decent interior, slightly trendy but still has an old school feel. Seemed like a lot of locals gather here.

They did have a cask engine and I enjoyed a good pint of their IPA Rousse. Had a few beers and all were pretty solid, nothing crazy but definitely good value. They have a small food menu, pretty much the norm in Montreal brewpubs. Had a fantastic plate of cheese and olives though. Service was good, the servers didn't go out of their way very often but it never took very long to grab a pint. A good stop in Montreal. Not a must like DDC but definitely required if in Montreal often.

02-16-2010 16:32:16 | More by Viggo

rrwiltse

Colorado

3.66/5  rDev -6.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

One of the more interesting brewpubs we visited! Upon approach on the street, there were quite a few people outside Le Cheval Blanc on the sidewalk, very drunk and rather obnoxious (it was rather late on a weekday)...not a great first impression, but I guess at least they had a good time! The interior is certainly interesting--you can tell this place has been here a long time! Lots of black, lots of stainless steel (including the bar!). Long and narrow, and possessing an interesting vibe with a diverse crowd--college kids, loners getting drunk at the bar, and couples. Quite a few brews on the beer board--honestly, I can't remember what all was there, we were pretty tipsy by this point of the evening. The bartender was effecient without being overly friendly. I remember the blanche I had was quite good, and I wished we had had more time and alcohol tolerance to spend there! Certainly worth a visit!

07-27-2006 01:37:31 | More by rrwiltse

Prufrock

Massachusetts

3.76/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Visited March-06.

Very nice atmosphere. Narrow but deep from the street, a long bar area with a few chalkboards listing the day's beers. The brew tanks are in the seating area (in some metal and glass casing), so you can actually set your drink on them and sit next to the beer you're drinking as it ferments. Not too smoky.

I didn't try the food, but I got a sampler of 5 oz. beers: blanche, amber, cerise, and a few others. Beers were pretty enjoyable, although nothing stood out as fantastic. They had eight or so on tap; the cerise was the most interesting.

03-13-2006 02:42:48 | More by Prufrock

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

A better than average quality beer place East of downtown and north of Old Montreal. A must stop for the beer geek. Safe. Just about every table taken, but the bar fairly wide open, so where do you think I sat. Crowd of Twenties to Fourties Quebecoix, with the long hair thing. So while harmless though they stare at you, it may be intimidating to someone not used to this sort of thing. Bartender was knowledgeable and competent and in charge. Very reasonabley priced. Fairly dark at night. Like other Quebec establishments, something to read for my non-drinking friends, in English please. I will go back.

08-21-2007 16:29:50 | More by northyorksammy

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Popped in here on the Friday night of Mondial and was not surprised to see a large and eclectic crowd. The bar itself is surprisingly large, and had no problem accommodating the mass of people in there. Bizarre feeling to the place - part dive bar and part trendy bar. Seemed like a serious beer place, though, and the crowd seemed to know what they were about. Alongside the regular brews there was a great selection of funky wonders, and we worked our way through brett warrior IPA (100% warrior hops and brett-inoculated), 2005 Boon Geueze Mariage Parfait, and India Rouge on cask. I was also given some samples by other people at the table, and while the quality seemed to vary between awful (brett warrior) and great (India Rouge), all the beers did seem to have been kept well and displayed competence.

Service was decent, and for the non-Frnacophones out there, English was spoken. Food menu appeared to be limited, and none was being served by the time we got there (11pm). Prices seemed to be pretty decent.

A decent stop in the area, which would make a good stop on a pub crawl. Its not at the same level as L'Amere a Boire or Dieu du Ciel, but the addition of a cask is a huge plus, and I'd happily go back again.

06-16-2010 19:06:10 | More by bobsy