Beer is the preferred alcoholic beverage of North Americans.
The oldest North American brewery that is still operating was founded in 1786 in Montreal by John Molson, a British entrepreneur.
Up to the WWII, beer tasted like a properly brewed beverage, but during the war brew masters started interfering with traditional recipes, incorporating corn, and other cereals that have no place being in the brew. These changes occurred gradually, and beer drinkers accepted them as brewers claimed that they had no other choice due to shortages. After the war, life started to become “normal” but big brewery organizations decided to continue tinkering with recipes.
The young generation, unfamiliar with the true taste of beer, and under the influence of continued advertising, accepted diluted beer flavours as standard. Over time big brewers managed to change the taste of the majority.
Main stream North American beer in 1970’s tasted watery, was pale in colour, and contained several additives and preservatives that changed the true taste of the malt, hops, and water.
Appropriate water for brewing represents and important ingredient. After all more than 90 per cent of beer is water. Luckily, starting mid 1970’s young, better educated people started travelling to Europe and tasted properly brewed beers. Upon return they started looking for such brews, and switched to imported Dutch, German, Belgian, Czech, and Japanese beers. Soon home brewers, and entrepreneurs saw an opportunity and started small craft breweries to cater to the then small “true beer “ drinkers.
Ever since craft brewing in Ontario and elsewhere in the country burgeoned to an industry and now has been able to wring market share from big brewers. All craft brewers emphasis above all else, flavour and quality. Presently there are close to 250 craft breweries in Ontario, approximately 39 in British Columbia, 80 in Alberta, and close to 200 in Quebec. The numbers are increasing daily.
Toronto is a hotbed of craft brewers, and some brew exceptional beers. Generally, they are available at the brewery or in very large L C B O stores. Beer Stores carry very few of them, and charge more, due to the fact that the tree big brewery organizations of the county own it. If a small brewery wants to sell to the Beer Store, it must pay an inordinate amount for the privilege for each store listing.
Here are a few craft beers you can buy at the L C B O ‘s all brand stores and at the brewery. Buying craft beer at the brewery is highly recommended for freshness. Imperial IPA, Luis Cifer Brew Works
Kapow IPA, Rainhard Brewery
Sokol Pilsner Muddy York, Brewery, Toronto
Storm Glass IPA, Muddy York Brewery, Toronto
Brewery Karma Citra, Great Lakes Brewing
Three Minute To Midnight, Bellwoods Brewery, Toronto
The cost of beer, exclusive of overhead expenses (rent, Heat, Light, and Power, delivery and some taxes for a 355 ml., can lager in 2018, in Ontario – ingredients .18, labour .20, Provincial beer tax .14, HST . 12, environment fee .09, Federal excise .03, cleaning supplies .02, packaging, wrapping and label work .60 (appears too high). Note: wrapping, packaging, and label artwork depend on whether the brewery does everything in house, or contracts all or part of this cost.
Professor B Says 