I think there maybe a similar thread for this elsewhere. If there is, I apologize.
This question has been bugging me for some time now. When I went to visit my GF in Canada (Toronto), she constantly bagged on Americans and their beer (and lack of healthcare, etc). I, a self proclaimed beer connoisseur, tended to agree with her. After all this said, we went out to a bar, where she proceeded to order a Budweiser (!?) With all the other great choices (Sleemans, Keiths), I asked her why she ordered an “American” beer, especially after the argument we just had. She told me that their Bud was brewed by LeBatts, or Molson (I forget), and was “better”. I tasted some. Tasted just like American Bud! I thought I had a refined palate, but like I said, I detected no difference. Do any Canadians agree with me, or is there something I’m missing?
I havent tried American Bud, but I can tell ya, there’s nothing like an ice cold Molson’s. Its really a personal taste I think, but I found that there was no difference between Coors Light I had here or in the states. The only American beer that I absolutely can’t stand is Miller… It tastes like water thats had a tea bag run through it.
We are, each of us angels with only one wing,and we can only fly by embracing one another
Canada–
Anheuser-Busch has had a local brewing agreement in Canada with Labatt Brewing Company, Ltd., since 1981. Labatt brews, distributes and markets Budweiser and Bud Light, and imports Michelob, Busch and Busch Light. O’Doul’s, Anheuser-Busch’s non-alcohol brew, is imported into Quebec by Labatt. Budweiser sold more than 1.63 million barrels (1.92 million hectoliters) in Canada in 1998 and holds nearly 10 percent of the Canadian beer mark. Budweiser is the third-largest-selling beer in the country and is one of the fastest-growing brands in Canada.
The above is a C&P from the Anheuser-Busch website. Still, it seems silly to me to drink what is essentially a lousy, bland American beer when you have all those great Canadian choices available.
And you can tell your girlfriend you got that directly from UncleBeer.
What do I believe in? Not much that isn’t explained by logic and scientific experiment. And, you better believe, I want to see the logic and the laboratory equipment.
–P.J. O’Rourke–
Whenever I visited Canada, I always drank Labatt’s, so I don’t know about the “good” Canadian beers. Labatt’s, however, doesn’t seem much better than the average American production beer. What I don’t understand is how anyone can criticize U.S. beers during this wonderful Microbrewery revolution we’re having! There are some awesome beers out right now. I don’t know the availability of these, but here are some of my more notable choices: Lagunitas IPA, Red Tail Ale, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Rogue Nut Brown Nectar. These are all excellent brews, so no more talkin’ smack about US beers OK?!?!
Ok I live in Seattle. 180 miles from the canadian border. Not too far right??
Well the only Molson I can get here is Molson ICE?? Which as far as im concerned isn’t even molson. I would kill for a canadian. Jeez its only 180 miles fer crissakes!
-Frankie
Lack of charisma can be fatal
Unoffically Godding the meathead community since 1/7/2000
OK, I’ve had enough! This is just sacriledge! How can you say that The Stout You Can Eat With a Fork is nasty/?! How dare you! Say ten Hail Marys, five Our Fathers and drink a case of Schlitz for your penance!
It wasn’t ME bad mouthing our homegrown product! I totally agree with the ‘microbrew revolution’, as you call it. I mostly drink SN Pale Ale, but gimme a Guinness from the tap any day!
Ahhh Dem baby… like the godless heathen I am, I keep telling you… I get down on my knees for only one man… I tell it like I taste it. It IS nasty tasting stuff!
I really try to be good but it just isn’t in my nature!
Labatt Blue is fantastic, but my beer-loving is as expansive as my beer-belly, and I’m willing to try new things.
I live about 90 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, and I have friends who typically will bring me back some ‘real’ Canadian beer when they are up that way, rather than the stuff that is imported into the U.S.
But what, exactly, is the difference? Is it alcohol content and nothing more?
Colorado Native here, and Coors is nasty I tell you NASTY!
Me, I drink Molson Ice exclusively. If I am out on the town I might have a Heineken or a Breckenridge Pale Ale or something else because Molson Ice is rarely served in restaurants and bars.
'Sides, you get more bang for your buck with a Molson Ice, I think it’s 5.4% alcohol.
Squee, where, if I may inquire, did you get your handle (and apologies for the off-topic post)?
I’ve got a hunch that goblins will be involved, but just wanted to check.
He weathered a firestorm of agony and did not break.
And while Yori raged against his unbending
courage, we took Kyuden Hiruma back.
His loss is great, but so is the gift his suffering brought.
-Yakamo’s Funeral
I’m Canadian and do not find a difference between American Bud and Canadian. The only differences that I do find is some beers that are “exclusive” to Canada are a little stronger tasting. Molson is definately the best though!!
I worked in the beer industry for 3 years here in Colorado and I have to say this: I toured the Coors Brewery and the tasting room. We tasted some experimental brews (no weird side effects to report) and regional test-market beers at the time. I’m not a fan of crisp, non-distinctive american pilsners, but the beers we tried were pretty good examples of the style. They didn’t taste like Coors, though. I asked where the hoses led that pumped the beers we tried out of the tanks in the tasting room. I was told, “those go to the diluting tanks where the beer is mixed 50/50 with water”. Mystery solved.
All over reviews of beers mentioned in this post: Labatt’s blue - great example of Canadian beer.
Molson Ice - Never tried it, but they sent me a t-shirt and a hockey puck. Good marketing!
Guiness - Now we’re talkin’! It’s the beer that eats like a meal! FYI - it’s a dry stout so those without a developed stout tongue might call it “nasty”. The Irish know more about drinking than all Americans put together (including Canada). Mustn’t second-guess the Irish!
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - a decent solid American (as in U.S. of) beer, affordable and consistent, lots of flavor.
Mendocino Red Tail Ale - also a great American beer. Drink lots!
Personally, I buy a lot of Red Hook IPA - it’s $10/12 pack in my local liquor store. Bonus!
Some mornings, it’s just not worth chewing through the leather straps.
– Emo Phillips
It has been my experience that people who hate Guinness have never had it served properly. It’s real beer, not that synthetic crap like Bud that has to be chilled down to Absolute Zero to be drinkable. If the damn bar is too cheap to use a proper draft system that cools it to 48 degrees where it belongs and insists on running it through the regular refigeration system, you need a new bar.
BTW…you can get a real Guinness on draft at DisneyWorld of all places. Hit the Rose & Crown at Epcot. Stay for lunch, their fish & chips ain’t bad either.
JB
A Three Time Veteran of the Epcot Beers of the World Tour.
Thanks to all that have replied. At least I’m not crazy thinking it was the same tasting crap up in Canada that it is here! Anyway, going off my own thread a bit… What kind of gas is used in a Guinness tap? I know that regular CO2 isn’t used. If I remember correctly, it’s some kind of nitrogen/helium mix or something. Does anybody know the name? If I never find out, I’ll still be able to sleep at night, but it’s nice to know these things! = )
According to the Guiness website http://www.guinness.ie/ they gas they use is a carbon dioxide/nitrogen blend.
What do I believe in? Not much that isn’t explained by logic and scientific experiment. And, you better believe, I want to see the logic and the laboratory equipment.
–P.J. O’Rourke–
