Beer in Canada: history, traditions and breweries
Canada has a long brewing tradition: Molson in Montreal is the country’s oldest brewery still in operation.
History
In 1668 Jean Talon, the intendant of New France, founded Canada’s first commercial brewery in Québec, but it only lasted a few years.
In 1786 John Molson founded his brewery in Montreal. Labatt in London, Ontario (1847), and Moosehead in Saint John, New Brunswick (1867), today Canada’s oldest independent brewery, followed among others.
During Prohibition in the USA (1920–1933) a lot of Canadian beer and whisky crossed the border – often smuggled.
Canada had prohibition too; most provinces lifted it again by the mid-1920s. In 1982 Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver opened as one of the country’s first craft breweries.
Since the 1980s hundreds of small breweries have opened, especially in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Today Canada has over 1,000 breweries.
Traditions and drinking culture
In Québec the Belgian influence is strong: breweries such as Unibroue in Chambly brew strong, bottle-conditioned beers. A case of 24 bottles is called a “two-four” in Canada.
Ice beer, for which beer is chilled until ice crystals form, comes from Canada and became popular in the 1990s.
Fun facts
- On Prince Edward Island prohibition lasted from 1901 to 1948 – longer than anywhere else in Canada.
- Despite its name, cream ale contains neither cream nor lactose; the name comes from its creamy head.
- Molson in Montreal is considered the oldest brewery still operating in North America.
- From 1962 into the 1980s Canadian beer came almost only in the short, squat “stubby” bottle.
- In Ontario the chain “The Beer Store”, formerly Brewers’ Retail, has sold a large share of the beer since 1927.
Typical beer styles
Beer cities and their stories
Montreal
John Molson founded his brewery here on the St. Lawrence River in 1786. Molson is Canada’s oldest brewery still in operation.
Québec City
Jean Talon set up Canada’s first commercial brewery here in 1668.
London (Ontario)
John Kinder Labatt founded his brewery here in 1847. Labatt Blue became one of Canada’s best-known beer brands.
Saint John (New Brunswick)
Moosehead has been brewing here since 1867 and still belongs to the Oland family – Canada’s oldest independent brewery.
Chambly
Unibroue brews Belgian-style beers here, such as “La Fin du Monde” (“The End of the World”).
Victoria
Spinnakers opened here in 1984 and is considered one of Canada’s first brewpubs.
Halifax
In this port city in Nova Scotia the Scotsman Alexander Keith founded his brewery in 1820. His India Pale Ale is still sold today.
Breweries and their stories
Molson
John Molson, an immigrant from England, founded the brewery on the St. Lawrence River. Today it belongs to Molson Coors.
Known for: Molson Canadian, Molson Export
Labatt
Founded by John Kinder Labatt; since 1995 Labatt has belonged to Interbrew, today AB InBev.
Known for: Labatt Blue
Moosehead
Canada’s oldest independent brewery, owned by the Oland family.
Known for: Moosehead Lager
Sleeman
Family brewery from the 19th century, known for its cream ale; it has belonged to Sapporo since 2006.
Known for: Sleeman Cream Ale
Unibroue
Known for bottle-conditioned beers in the Belgian style.
Known for: La Fin du Monde, Maudite, Blanche de Chambly
Horseshoe Bay Brewing
One of Canada’s first craft breweries.
Alexander Keith’s
One of the oldest breweries in North America. Today visitors can take tours of the old brewery by the harbour.
Known for: India Pale Ale
Timeline
- 1668Québec City
Jean Talon, Intendant of New France, sets up Canada’s first commercial brewery in Quebec City.
- 1786Montreal
John Molson founds his brewery on the St. Lawrence River – today Canada’s oldest.
- 1820Halifax
The Scotsman Alexander Keith founds his brewery in Halifax.
- 1847London (Ontario)
John Kinder Labatt founds his brewery in London, Ontario.
- 1867Dartmouth
Susannah Oland starts brewing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – the origin of Moosehead.
- 1901whole country
Prohibition begins on Prince Edward Island. It lasts until 1948 – longer than anywhere else in Canada.
- 1982West Vancouver
Horseshoe Bay Brewing opens, one of Canada’s first craft breweries.
- 1984Victoria
Spinnakers opens in Victoria, one of Canada’s first brewpubs.
- 1990sChambly
In Chambly, Unibroue brews strong Belgian-style beers such as “La Fin du Monde”, “The End of the World”.
- todaySaint John (New Brunswick)
Moosehead brews in Saint John and still belongs to the Oland family – Canada’s oldest independent brewery.