Send this page to someone via email

On a cold weekday morning, the Kahnawake Brewing Co. receives its first order — before its doors even opens.

“We have a lot of people locally who embrace the place, from Châteauguay, Saint-Constant, Candiac and Delson, so there are a lot of people who appreciate us opening,” said Drew Stevens.

I got to catch up with the people at the Kahnawake Brewing Co. today. What shocked me — they got slammed when they opened at noon for lunch. And they only can currently make four kegs' worth of beer per day. Suffice it to say they're expanding. @Global_Montreal pic.twitter.com/QOWSJ9k6WZ — Billy Shields (@billyshields) December 7, 2018

The brewery opened in March and recently expanded to double its size.

Construction is already underway to double the restaurant’s size again, so the brewery can start selling canned beer.

Part of the secret to its success is location.

“There’s really only another one in Mercier close by, but in this area, our size brewery and the atmosphere? There’s nothing really like this,” Stevens noted.

Story continues below advertisement

The establishment sits on reserve land, but caters to anyone who walks through its doors.

A lot of the brewery's offerings draw from traditions at Kahnawake — it uses the "Black Bridge" as its symbol (the railroad bridge running parallel to the Mercier Bridge). Steel and construction work figure into the design of the taps. @Global_Montreal pic.twitter.com/RW5YgbtUKw — Billy Shields (@billyshields) December 7, 2018

Many of its offerings have names like “the Bridge,” “Goose Neck” and “Bammer” — words that draw upon the high-steel construction traditions of Kahnawake.

READ MORE: New Hudson microbrewery

“I worked in New York City on a lot of skyscraper buildings,” said Fred Leblanc, one of the co-owners.

“I can’t be climbing around on steel anymore, so I’d rather sell beer.”