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HISTORY OF BEER IN CANADA
For more than three centuries, the image of Canadian beer has been one of cleanliness and freshness.
We have the early settlers and traders to thank for the well-deserved reputation because they were the country's first brewers.
After Jean Talon built Canada's first commercial brewery in 1668 in Quebec City, beer-making became a cottage industry for the next century.
In 1786 John Molson established his first brewery in Montreal. This marked the beginning of the industry's development period as small, independent breweries began to open across the country. In Nova Scotia, Alexander Keith founded a brewery in 1829 and 11 years later Thomas Carling opened his Brewing & Malting Company in London, Ontario.
In 1847, Labatt also entered the scene in London. By the 1870's brewing was becoming a modern industry with brewers scattered across the country, from the Maritimes to British Columbia.
Throughout the years, the Canadian brewing industry has survived adversity, including global depressions in the mid 1870's and 1930's, two World Wars and Prohibition.
At one time in Ontario, there were over 300 breweries in more than 130 cities, towns, and villages across the province, from Ayr (Ayr Brewery, 1857-1864) to Waterloo (Kuntz Park Brewery, 1844-1944).
According to beer historian and writer Ian Bowering, the brewing industry has been part of Ontario's heritage since the arrival of English settlers and the British army. Brewing in Ontario was an ideal pioneer industry, writes Bowering, in his book The Art and Mystery of Brewing in Ontario. Before artificial refrigeration, brewing and malting could only be conducted in the late fall, winter and early spring, allowing otherwise idle farmers an opportunity to spend the winter months profitably. Maltsters, in particular, were important businessmen in farm communities.
Ontario's brewing heritage was sharply divided by prohibition in 1916. Temperance closed the vast majority of small regional family operations. When prohibition was repealed, a number of syndicates tried to revive the fortunes of the small breweries but were unsuccessful. Restrictive distribution laws, the Great Depression, and organized, centralized adequately funded competition capable of delivering a good, well-advertised product soon led to consolidation.
Eventually, the industry developed and prospered due largely to efficient distribution systems, quality control, modern production methods, and dedicated workers. By 1990 there were 62 brewing plants operating in every province except Prince Edward Island and the brewing and marketing of beer was contributing more than $10 billion to the Canadian economy. Those early settlers and traders would be astonished to learn that the local employment impact of the country's beer industry is nearly 100,000 direct and related jobs.
From the beginning, the brewing industry in Canada has played a major role in the country's heritage, contributing greatly to our culture in arts and sports. There is an on-going commitment from the brewers to reduce alcohol misuse through the continuation of research and the expenditure of millions of dollars into the study of social issues affecting the lives of Canadians. This attitude allows Canada's brewers to maintain their status as responsible members of the community.
The ever-evolving history of the Canadian beer industry in Canada has played a major role in the country's heritage, contributing greatly to our culture in arts and sports. There is an on-going commitment from the brewers to reduce alcohol misuse through the continuation of research and the expenditure of the millions of dollars into the study of social issues affecting the lives of Canadians. This attitude allows Canada's brewers to maintain their status as responsible members of the community.
The ever-evolving history of the Canadian beer industry is undergoing dramatic changes in the 21st century. A number of factors - including the recessions, environmental issues, breakdown of provincial barriers, free trade, more beer in Canada, and decreased consumption - is changing the face of the brewing industry. The early beer pioneers overcame difficulties just as the present day industry will, through a process of change to retain its reputation as brewers of some of the best beers in the world.
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