In the midst of a trade war with our neighbours to the south, there’s never been a better time to buy Canadian. These days, people are becoming more conscious about where they’re spending their hard- earned money, and who they’d prefer to support. Beer is no exception to this trend. The good news is that there’s plenty of amazing beer made right here in our backyard.
This article highlights some delicious Canadian beers that are actually made in Canada and available at a liquor store near you.
Big Name Canadian Beer Brands
The beer industry is made up of a confusing web of companies, subsidiaries and brands. Some companies produce different beer brands in different parts of the world, while others may seem Canadian but are in fact not. Ownership and production are often based in different locations.
Here’s a selection of big-name beers that are actually made in Canada:
Molson Canadian
Molson Canadian is a Canadian classic that’s been around since 1959 and made in Canada with Canadian ingredients. The company started using hops from Chilliwack in 2018, and they currently have production facilities in St. John’s, Moncton, Montreal and Toronto.
However, Molson is a subsidiary owned by the multinational conglomerate, Molson Coors Beverage Company, which is headquartered in Chicago and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Labatt Blue
Labatt Blue is a Canadian beer brand that has been brewing since 1847, over 175 years ago. Their main production facility is located in London, Ontario, which churns out roughly 30% of their entire product. Additionally, there are facilities in Creston, BC and St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Labatt Blue is the Canadian subsidiary of the conglomerate Anheuser-Busch-InBev, which is headquartered in Belgium. Being a multinational brand, Labatt is also brewed in Rochester, New York, although they say the facility only feeds the US market.
Moosehead
Moosehead is a Canadian lager easily recognized by its green box and the yellow moose. Their classic lager is green in the bottle and can, but the company has branched out to produce Cheladas, Radlers, and Ultra Light beer that looks a little different in the packaging.
Owned by the Oland family since 1867, they self-describe themselves as the last major brewery in Canada that’s still owned by Canadians. All Moosehead Lager is proudly brewed in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Coors Light
Coors Light is a lighter beer at 4% ABV that is enjoyed across North America. Like Molson Canadian, Coors Light is owned by the multinational Molson Coors Beverage Company, and is technically an American brand.
Coors Light does have a production facility in Moncton, New Brunswick, but it’s also brewed in Colorado, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, California, and Wisconsin. Theoretically, the Coors Light on Canadian shelves should be the Coors Light that was brewed in Canada, but that isn’t always the case.
Kokanee
Kokanee is a Canadian lager that comes in the blue boxes with the snow-capped mountains. It was first brewed in 1959 by Columbia Brewing Company in Creston, BC, before being purchased by Labatt Breweries in 1974. To this day, all Kokanee beer is still brewed in Creston.
Because Kokanee is owned by Labatt, that means it’s also part of the conglomerate Anheuser-Busch-InBev. But Kokanee is still a Canadian brand brewed exclusively in Canada.
Sleeman Honey Brown
Sleeman Honey Brown is a lager with a copper colour and an off-white foam. It’s rich, creamy, and slightly sweetened with the taste of natural honey from Ontario.
Sleeman Honey Brown is made by Sleeman Breweries, which has been around since 1988. But in 2006, the company was bought by Sapporo Breweries, a Japanese conglomerate famous for Sapporo beer. Nevertheless, 100% of Sleeman Honey Brown Lager is brewed in Guelph, Ontario.
Alexander Keith’s
Alexander Keith’s is a Canadian beer brand that is well-known for their India Pale Ale (IPA) sold in the green cans. The company is part of deep Canadian history, which got started in Nova Scotia in 1820. To this day, all Alexander Keith’s is produced in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Canadian Oland family purchased the brewery in 1928, before Labatt Breweries purchased the company in 1971. As mentioned prior, Labatt is a subsidiary of the Belgian conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Beer from Local Craft Breweries
The easiest way to ensure you’re purchasing beer that’s Canadian made and Canadian owned is by visiting local breweries or navigating to the craft beer section of your local liquor store.
BC is filled to the brim with incredible craft breweries that produce high-quality beer made right here at home. There are hundreds of options to choose from, although some breweries are better distributed.
From the Mainland, watch for local beers from 33 Acres Brewing, Parallel 49 Brewing, Superflux Beer Company, Yellow Dog Brewing Co and Central City Brewing. Over on Vancouver Island there’s also a wealth of well-distributed craft breweries, including Driftwood Brewing, Phillips Brewing, and Hoyne Brewing.
If you’re looking to keep your beer drinking Canadian, visit one of Springs Group 15 liquor stores from the Fraser Valley to Vancouver Island. We’ve got all the big name brands, plus an excellent selection of locally-made craft beer.
