Brasserie du Mont Blanc

Brasserie du Mont Blanc traces its roots back to 1830, a time when no fewer than ten breweries operated in the heart of the Alps. Brewers were drawn to the region by one key ingredient: exceptionally pure mountain water, fed by nearby glaciers.

After closing its doors in 1966, the brewery was reborn in 1999, relocating to La Motte-Servolex in the heart of Savoie. Since then, Brasserie du Mont Blanc has built a reputation for brewing authentic, characterful brasserie beer using water sourced from the Mont Blanc glaciers.

Founding Brasserie du Mont Blanc

As with any brewery, behind Mont Blanc beer is someone with a great vision. While studying management in the USA, Sylvain Chiron was surprised to see how many microbreweries were emerging. Once back in France in 1996, he bought the distillery activity of the Cistercian Abbey of Aiguebelle, along with two partners. It was then that the idea of creating a Trappist beer came about - however the community preferred to devote itself to spirituality.

Sylvain went on to study brewing at a Trappist monastery in Belgium. It’s here that he developed the first recipes for Mont Blanc beer.

"At the end of my studies, a Belgian brewer opened my eyes to this noble product that is beer. I was born in the Alpine and I’m deeply rooted here. I wanted to revive this forgotten alpine brewing history.”

The Water Behind Mont Blanc Beer

Water is the soul of Brasserie du Mont Blanc.

The brewery draws its water from the Enchapleuze source, located on the slopes of Mont Blanc at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres. This exceptionally pure glacier water forms the foundation of every Mont Blanc beer.

Combined with carefully selected malts, hops and spices, it allows the brewers to create beers with clarity, balance and freshness. At every stage of production, the master brewers closely follow these recipes.

Top fermentation, carried out at around 25°C, is preferred over bottom fermentation. While more delicate, it develops greater aromatic richness. A defining trait of Mont Blanc beers.

Mont Blanc lager and beer styles

While the brewery produces a range of styles, Mont Blanc lager and wheat beers have become particularly well known. Clean, refreshing and elegant, they showcase the purity of the water and the finesse of the brewing process.

Served in the distinctive Mont Blanc beer glass, these beers highlight the brewery’s alpine identity and attention to presentation as well as flavour. 

An award-winning brasserie

Today, Brasserie du Mont Blanc is one of the most decorated breweries in France, with international recognition to match its alpine heritage.

Notable achievements include:

• 2017 – La Rousse du Mont Blanc named Best Beer in the World at the International Breweries’ Competition, making Mont Blanc the first French brewery to receive a world gold title

• 2015 – La Blanche du Mont Blanc awarded Best White Beer at the World Beer Awards

• 2014 – La Rousse du Mont Blanc confirmed Best Beer in the World at the Global Craft Beer Award in Berlin

• 2013 – La Blanche du Mont Blanc voted Best White Beer in the World at the World Beer Awards

• 2011 – La Rousse du Mont Blanc crowned Best Amber Beer in the World at the World Beer Awards (USA)

These accolades underline the brewery’s ability to combine tradition, craftsmanship and innovation.

 

From glacier-fed water to award-winning recipes, Brasserie du Mont Blanc represents alpine brewing at its purest. Every Mont Blanc beer reflects its origins: crisp, characterful and shaped by the mountains that surround it.

If you’re looking for brasserie beer with a strong sense of place, Mont Blanc is a brewery well worth exploring.