Im from the states and for the last year I’ve changed to Labatt as my “protests purchase” because of the asshole is the Whitehouse. I probably could have done a better job of reaching things as it seems Labatt sold in the states is actually a US company and not Canadian. However, the product is branded very Canadian so at least is appears im purchasing Canadian. All that said, is there an actual Canadian brewed beer I can purchase in the states you’d recommend? (Looking for a simple lager or pilsner.)
Some of my information might be outdated, it’s been a while — I worked in a high end liquor store, brewing supply, and I’m a home brewer.
It might vary by state, but best bet is to go smaller. Molson, Kokanee, Sleeman, Alexander Keith’s, Coors and Moosehead are all made in Canada and they’ve all been pretty hostile to the craft beer industry. When I was living in Nova Scotia there were strict guidelines on minimum output to be considered a craft brewery that made it harder for small businesses to start up. And that was because of Keith’s. Personally, I can’t stand moosehead because they use some skunky fucking hops that overpower everything with pot stank.
Don’t even try molson, it’s the bud lite of Canada.
Unibroue for sure is sold is some states, and they’re owned and operated in Quebec. They do belgian, so they’ve probably got some lighter lager/pilsner style brews.
Big ones I think I’ve seen in the states are: Parallel 49, Granville Island Brewing (I love their winter ale,) and Fort Gary. Maybe Half Pints.
You might be surprised how much liquor store employees know if you ask someone who’s been there a while. We did product tests and talked to reps all the time where I worked. The Cariboo rep straight up gave everyone working a six pack whenever they delivered.
By the way, if you see Cariboo, they make the kind of light-but-friendly swill you’re looking for, and are extra-Canadian. I’m obviously biased because free beer, but hey, the marketing tactic worked.
Molson is owned by Coors. Coors is American. Sleeman is owned by Sapporo. Keith’s and Kokanee are both owned by Labatt’s, which is owned by InBev (Belgian). Granville Island is owned by Molson (Coors). Moosehead is actually Canadian though.
You really have to go smaller to find Canadian-owned breweries. P49 is fucking great if they can find it.
The rest isn’t surprising. I should have looked more into it other than saying *made in Canada, to clarify. Granville Island is disappointing. Still not touching moosehead.
P49 is awesome AND the couple times I did orders for their brewers they were just lovely. But man, the big breweries are really taking over.
Then again, Red Truck and Yaletown are owned by Mark James, and he’s a Canadian asshole. The brewer at Yaletown was a sweetheart, but he might have retired.
Stuff is complicated.
Unibroue are amazing, if you’ve never tried their beers you’re missing out. La Fin Du Monde, Trois Pistoles, and A Tout La Monde are all exceptional. Also if you can somehow get your hands on it their 30th Anniversary beer is worth every penny.
Unibroue is a brewery in Chambly, Quebec, Canada, that was started by Serge Racine and Quebec native André Dion. The company was purchased by Sleeman Breweries Ltd. in 2004, which was itself taken over by Sapporo in 2006.
Fuck it, Japanese sure beats American. And they still do all their production in Canada, as far as I’m aware.
And the beer is great. La Fin du Monde and Blanche de Chambly are staples for me. Edit: were, until I switched for 100% Canadian brews.
Pretty much any Quebec microbrew is going to be great (really, I have yet to try a bad one, and I’ve had a lot) but if OP likes macro lagers, it may not be to their taste…