The Top 7 Canadian Beer

Beer has been brewed commercially in Canada since 1688, and has been brewing some of the best beer in the world ever since. Being a devout consumer of the golden goodness, I recently conducted a self-survey of the best beer that Canada has to offer. While some of these products are now owned by non-Canadian companies, they are still viewed as home-grown products by their Canadian consumers.

7. Pilsner: Pilsner—a product of Molson—is a Saskatchewan tradition and arguably the most popular beer in that province. Pilsner is a long-time sponsor of the best team in the CFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and for that reason alone belongs on this list. (Pilsner)
6. Great Western Pilsner: Brewed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, GW Pilsner is a golden pilsner and winner of the gold medal in the 2005 Monde Selection. Great beer for watching the game. (Pilsner)
5. Labatt Blue: The best thing that Labatt Blue Pilsner has going for it is the history of its name. In the late ‘50s, Labatt Pilsner was introduced to Manitoba. Due to its blue label Manitobans adopted the beer as their own, and called it Labatt Blue after their football team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The name stuck. (Pilsner)
4. Molson Canadian: Canadian is one of the most popular beers in Canada, most likely owing to its name. Offering an incredibly crisp taste, it is a great beer for any occasion. (Lager)
3. Kokanee: Kokanee has been a personal favorite for years. Possibly the best beer to have while lounging outside in sweltering summer heat. While it offers an excellent taste that is refreshing from the first sip, it still goes down like water. The best beer on the list if your goal is simply to get as drunk as possible. (Pilsner)
2. Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale: Keith’s is a favorite for many Canadians from coast-to-coast. Offering a rich tradition that dates to 1820, Keith’s is still brewed in Halifax. While it is a great beer to drink from a bottle or can, it’s claim to fame is from the tap. Easily the best draught beer on the list. (Ale)
1. Moosehead Lager: Moosehead, like Keith’s is an east-coast beer. My first discovery of Moosehead was on a snowboarding trip in western Manitoba. After grabbing a case at a small town beer store I was instantly in love. This was in 2001. Unfortunately for me, Moosehead wasn’t made available in Saskatchewan (my home province) until 2007—after I had since moved to an area that it was readily available (not a coincidence, by the way). I drink Moosehead almost (INSERT WORD) at home, and find it is excellent from the tap as well. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must. I happen to know that it is available across Canada (Saskatchewan was the last holdout) and through the United States. (Lager)

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to grab a bottle of Moosehead from the fridge and watch the hockey game.

Photo by Ben Harris-Roxas

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You’re currently reading “The Top 7 Canadian Beer.”

Published:: Mar 5 2007 / 7:22 AM

Author:: Stephen Glauser

Category:: Culture

Tags:: alexander keiths, beer, great western, kokanee, labatt, lists, molson, moosehead, pilsner

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Jaybird Mar 5 2007 / 11:56 AM

Self Survey? so this is just what you like not statistically what Canadians drink?

I think I would have Keith's as #1 and Western Pilsner as #2, and Kokanee as #3 on my list.... Moose Head isn't very big in Saskatchewan though, I will have to go see if I can find some. Sales seem to stop at the border..... do you get a ralph buck with every bottle?

My favorite beer is Guinness though..... but that's not Canadian.

Stephen Glauser Article Author Mar 5 2007 / 1:07 PM

Self Survey, correct. I could have done a statistical article but the results would be easy to predict. Moosehead just entered the Saskatchewan market officially last week. And, I wish I got a Ralph Buck for every bottle I bought... however, it is a New Brunswick product.

Ben Noto Too Real Writer Mar 5 2007 / 4:54 PM

And what about Boh??

Chad Too Real Writer Mar 5 2007 / 5:17 PM

I know many maybe all will disagree, but most common beers witha Canadian origin seem to taste remarkably similar, besides light beers, I have never been able to really tell the difference. They are cold, get me drunk, and taste like beer. Maybe I am not a very good judge since I never drink beer.

Stephen Glauser Article Author Mar 5 2007 / 5:41 PM

Ben: I'm not entirely sure Boh is available outside of Saskatchewan, so I decided not to include it.

Chad: If you don't drink much beer than you probably wouldn't be a good judge, hah. And most beer is cold, and will get you drunk, that's beside the point. These are what I consider the best of the best, and I can tell you with some certainty that they all taste very different from one another.

James Mar 5 2007 / 8:26 PM

Where to start? I gotta admit little fondness for much of the list. With commercial stuff I used to like Old Vienna waaaay back, but I don't think it's around now. Labatt 50 wasn't bad and the Calgary Brewery buffalo head label was pretty good, too.

I might be a snob, but I just think micro is usually far richer and better tasting. I'd have to say that Rickard's (owned by Molson now, but micro in spirit still), Granville Island, Sleeman's and Big Rock are all atop my list - they seem to be conspcuously absent from this list. For smoothness and head, I'll take Kilkenny with the widget any day, not a canuck brew though.

stefans Too Real Writer Mar 5 2007 / 11:31 PM

I have to agree with James. Microbrewed beer is by far the best. However, I prefer a good Bushwakkers beer more than any commercial microbrew I have come across.

Stephen Glauser Article Author Mar 5 2007 / 11:54 PM

James: I've never been much of a fan of Rickard's, and this is—after all—a personal preference list. I did consider both Sleeman's and Big Rock but decided that those on the list were better. While I agree that generally microbreweries offer up great beer, I was trying to go with beer that is available nation-wide, with only one possible exception that I know of (GW Pilsner).

Stefan: Bushwakkers. Yes. Mmm.

Chris Mar 6 2007 / 3:11 PM

Maybe you dopes should learn a thing or two about beers before you start dicussing them like you've got PHD's. Boh is the greatest Canadian beer; why: Boh-Gins, that's why. And yes it is only avalible in Saskatchewan unless you get a friend to take it with him on the plane ( I guess it won't work anymore since the no liquid on planes thing [arggh terrorists!]). Pill. and Labat 50 rank way up on the prarie skid beer scale. I know Moosehead was on tap at the black duck in Saskatoon in 2001 though it may have been an 'import' at the time. It's best in bottles and with a lime in any case. I don't belive there was no mention of any Big Rock beers. Grasshopper, Traditional and especially Warthog are beers worth mentioning. BC has a number of decent micro Brews but the standout is Granvilel Island, nothing super good but it'll pass as the choice draught in a pinch. Fort Garry Dark is what I drink in Winnepeg, -For the guy who said all Canadian beers taste the same: don't order the same kind of beer, I mean if you always get lagar you aren't drinking stouts or pale ales or wheat ales or creams, or nut browns... which should taste different. I'd drink 4 day old horse bile before a pint of Ricards. But bottom line, the local micro brews will always be more interesting than anything national, probaly cheaper and fresher which are the real signifyers of great beer, Quebec has a bunch of high percentage brews that are designed to knock you on your ass, and if you're on the east coast most of the local stuff is probably awsome but I'd recomend the Rum since you're there and all.

Ross Mar 6 2007 / 4:56 PM

i always thought that Boh was available in Alberta too, but I'm probably wrong. Old Vienna is still available, at least in Saskatchewan. I agree that Moosehead is the best Canuck beer out there, followed by Molson's Pilsner, then Boh, Keiths, and Canadian.

Stephen Glauser Article Author Mar 6 2007 / 5:12 PM

I've tried hard to find Boh in Calgary with zero success. I have people bring me a case or two whenever they come back from Saskatchewan. However, I still prefer Moosehead.... mmmmm.

Gordie Mar 6 2007 / 8:54 PM

KOKANEEEEEEE!!!!

spence Mar 6 2007 / 10:09 PM

Old Style Pilsner is not a Saskatchewan beer. It originated in Lethbridge, Alberta, and was brewed by Fritz Sick. The brewmaster of the Lethbridge Brewery. The bridge and brewery can both be seen on the label of every bottle of Old Style.

Probably shouldn't create a site about something you know little about.

Stephen Glauser Article Author Mar 6 2007 / 10:11 PM

Spence: I never said Pilsner is a Saskatchewan product, I said it was a Saskatchewan tradition. I don't know many people from that province that don't consider Pil a part of their culture, especially among Rider fans. Old Style Pilsner has been a long-time major sponsor of the Green & White, and as such has earned it's spot on this list as a Saskatchewan tradition.

spence Mar 6 2007 / 10:12 PM

I think its funny that some dude is trying to belittle other posters with his "knowledge" and love of beer, and then follows up by saying he likes lime in his beer!

lime doesnt belong in beer, if you need fruit in your beer, dont drink it. Go drink a margarita with a little umbrella in it, sport.

spence Mar 6 2007 / 10:18 PM

Stephen, I agree with the Moosehead rating. It is my favorite Canadian beer as well. Others that you guys must try is Big Rock Brewery's Grasshopper, Warthog, Traditional Ale, and last but not least, Black Amber. Black Amber is their tribute to Guiness (my favorite beer of all)

BC also has a beer you can find in the Nelson, Golden area called Kootenay. It has a rich flavor as well.

Anyone else have any Canadian beers that deserve mentioning?

Ben Noto Too Real Writer Mar 7 2007 / 1:15 AM

Did somebody say something about Boh?

Stefan Too Real Writer Mar 7 2007 / 12:34 PM

Although I am certain I will be chastised for this considering how many fans this beer has (though god knows why). But quite frankly if you want to drink coffee then drink coffee. If you wanna drink beer don't drink Guiness. I prefer that my beer not taste like burnt day old coffee. There I said it: Guiness sucks!

saskboy Mar 7 2007 / 2:00 PM

I don't like Guiness either. I prefer Sleemans, Corona, Rickards, and Great Western.

Jaybird Mar 7 2007 / 2:29 PM

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.... but I don't think you have actually tasted day old burnt coffee because Guiness doesn't taste anything like it..... Guiness is a dry stout. The distinctive feature in the flavour is the roasted barley which remains unfermented. (nope not burnt coffee). It isn't for everyone.... OK most people :)... it is an acquired taste. I think it is great but I don't drink it all the time, I tend to go for a lighter beer like Western Pilsner, I forgot about Sleemans last time I posted I like that beer too....

3tIeNnE Apr 12 2007 / 11:02 AM

Ok, i'll propably get flamed because of the reasons you all know, but i'm surprised to see no mention of any beer from the province of Quebec. I know distribution sucks (for some other reasons you know), but come on, "La Maudite" from Unibroue is a beer that has won many awards around the worls over the last 10 years. You should give it a try.

Stephen Glauser Article Author Apr 12 2007 / 6:47 PM

3tIeNnE: I've never heard of La Maudite, but I would have no problem trying it out. I'm an equal opportunity beerist. I have never seen it on the shelves out here though, unfortunately.

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The Top 7 Canadian Beer

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