A beer made from recycled bread to support the community: the Gallicus craft brewery launches the second edition of La Pain Perdu

Sonia Roy

For the second time, the Gallicus craft brewery is producing its beer La Pain Perdu, made from recycled bread, in support of the Moisson Outaouais organization. Through Moisson Outaouais' supermarket recovery program (PRS), which has allowed the recovery of more than 395,000 kg of food from 30 grocery shops in the region during the year 2021-2022, the Gallicus craft brewery obtains the bread used in the making of La Pain Perdu beer. The second edition of this local beer (following its creation in 2019), includes a brew of 220 pounds of recovered bread for 1,200 litres of beer, or about 40% of its composition. It is categorized as an IPA type beer, contains an alcohol percentage of 5.5% and is amber in colour. Cans of La Pain Perdu are now available through the Gallicus distribution network, which includes Bistro l'Autre Oeil, Rapido convenience store, Broue Haha and Fine et Fûtés grocery shop. The beer will also be distributed in the form of tastings in several IGA and Métro grocery shops in the Outaouais.

During the sale of La Pain Perdu beers, $1 is automatically donated to Moisson Outaouais, which works in the community sector by ensuring food security for people living in precarious situations in the Outaouais. By supporting some 50 organizations in the region, Moisson Outaouais, a member of the Canada Food Bank and Quebec Food Bank networks, is recognized for its mandate: that everyone may eat their fill. The Executive Director of Moisson Outaouais, Armand Kayolo, praised La Pain Perdu's project and its execution: "The Gallicus initiative shows that the region's merchants truly care about their community. This project not only extends the life cycle of the food, but also helps the 19,500 people who rely on food aid each month.”

Jean-Philippe Roy, who is in charge of the project, explains its origin and points to the current economic situation as the main motivation behind the second edition of La Pain Perdu: "In 2019, [...] we had to set up a community project. With the help of Samy from Gallicus Craft Brewery, my team and I brewed a beer where 40% of the grain was replaced by unsold bread in the shops. In today's inflationary environment, the demand for food assistance is increasing and that's why we want to continue to support causes that are important to us." Samy Missaoui, owner and founder of Gallicus Craft Brewery, agreed: "The first campaign in 2019 had been a great success both technically in terms of making a beer from reclaimed bread and in terms of the public's enthusiasm." Finally, the owner notes that "with the current economic context, repeating this operation in 2022 [...] seemed an obvious choice and we are happy to be able to contribute in our own way to reducing food waste and helping people living in food insecurity in our region". 

Photo credit: Courtesy of Moisson Outaouais.

Photo caption: La Pain Perdu beer.