Wills Beer Montreal – Brand new brewery in Mile-Ex

Tucked along a curving road that used to be a railway spur in Mile-Ex is a new brewery with an excellent array of delicious beers. Built by two cousins - Alex and Ethan - this brewery focuses on sophisticated beers reflecting recent trends (e.g. DIPA) and more classic German and Central European styles. Certain nights of the week, they pair up with a Nouveau Palais food truck offering street food.

I've watched the brewery take shape leading up to its opening. (I photographed it at many stages, from the installation of the really beautiful machinery to brewing) and got to know the cousins. Friendly and unpretentious, they insist Wills is the kind of place you could show up with your dog, for a quick chat and a brew. Warm, laid back, with high-quality beer, and family run. What's not to love?

The location has passed through many hands, most recently an underground punk bar called Alexanderplatz (signs asking that patrons be quiet when outside are still present), so it has a kind of historic feel to it. The area is quiet now. I always find Mile-Ex offers little surprises as it shifts from its light industrial past (e.g. Mile Ex is still the place to get your Saab fixed, if you happen to have one) to its current iteration as home to some of the best AI companies in the world.

There is a boutique open Thursday to Sunday, 2 pm to 9 pm, for take-away beer as well.