MBC Chamonix Microbrewery — Restaurant in Bonneville

Micro-Brasserie de Chamonix is a brewpub that occupies the ground level of a 4-story building in the ski resort town of Chamonix. There is limited free parking across the traffic roundabout. Site of the original 1924 Winter Olympics, Chamonix is nestled at the base of the looming Aiguille Du Midi and it’s nearby sister Mont Blanc, the largest mountain in Western Europe. The town is a mecca for mountain tourists and ski enthusiasts, and has a fantastic variety of shops and restaurants for evening entertainment. The brewpub opened in 2001 and has steadily grown. It has an international culture, a sports bar with varied pub fare food menu, and a diverse global-inspired offering of house-brewed craft beers. Outside the pub has a streetcorner entrance with the green Canadian maple leaf logo. (The founder is from Toronto.) On both sides of the building is outdoor seating of several tables and a bench. Inside in the center is a row of large high top tables, and on the right is a 12-stool wooden bar. The thick timber bar overlooks a set of 6 stainless steel fermenters with wood jackets. The jackets also double as curved shelves for liquor bottles. On the left are two squat wood-jacketed brewing vessels, and there are serving tanks in the basement. The place has a concrete floor and the dark ceiling is decorated with various sports equipment. They have 5 house beers on tap, which are available by glass or sampler flight, and the quality of these beers is very good. For the international beer enthusiast, this is a must-visit location. The staff is welcoming, prompt and attentive, noticeably better than the typical other small breweries in this region. This place is the total package, for a truly enjoyable...

3 year update: A pleasant return to MBC after being away from Chamonix a couple of years. They've nicely refreshed the menu - from memory, they've significantly increased the vegetarian options - and I enjoyed a nice burger again.

Most excitingly they seem to have brought back brewing new beers and I thoroughly enjoyed the porter that was on. Also, they've added a cider to the tap menu, which is great.

I would have stayed longer (and had another pint) but for the one unpleasant surprise - they've stopped offering wifi for some reason. I would go back more often and hangout longer there now that I'm back, if only there was wifi.

Update: Brilliant decision to sound insulate the ceiling. Seems to have made big difference. Great job. Very pleased to enjoy the place again.

Now the bad. My circle of dining friends is convinced the burgers have changed (not for the better) and recommended new place in town for burgers.

Wish the brewer would go back to experimenting and doing a monthly new brew. Really enjoyed that.

Old review: Great ales brewed in pub. Great burgers. Wifi. Friendly staff. Should be 5 star rating. Unfortunately, it's always too loud. Have had to look elsewhere of late as a result. I enjoy being able too talk to my friends rather than sit mute being deafened and assaulted by noise. Please turn the music...

How do you know you are in a bar run by (French) Canadians? They don't let the band start until the hockey game has ended. Oh yeah, and you are eating poutine while you watch said game (what makes it French Canadians rather than just Canadians).

The food: My husband and I split the "solo" Canadien Classique -- a bacon cheddar burger. Overall a good burger with perhaps the best hamburger bun that I've had in Europe. Oh, did I mention poutine already? I LOVE poutine. It's too bad that I missed out on this glorious food for the first quarter century of my life. The chicken wings were tasty but a far cry from "Buffalo wings" (they aren't advertised as such, just be aware). The sauce reminded me of a spicy sweet & sour sauce. For dessert, we had an Oreo cheesecake. It was very good, but FYI, it was not a New-York-style cheesecake. Rather it was creamier, something between mouse and a New-York-style cheesecake.

The beer: Overall alright. I was expecting stout brewed by Canadians to have a bit more of a punch. The same thing goes for...