Canadian Micros irritate me

[tmacinc]

You can't really take a stance against Canadian micros and follow it up with hate towards the LCBO.. Sure the LCBO is the main common source for micro brews in Ontario but the Ontario government is to blame for that. The LCBO has volume minimums as they are suppose to be able to have all of there products available province wide (at least to some degree). This limits both market entry and quality. Market entry, as micro brews need to commit to brewing a large volume to be stocked. This doesn't let them to play with many styles until they hit a scale where this makes sense (typically greater than most micros) and they are forced to only put forward their most "non-craft friendly" beer as it is most likely to sell in quantity. Quality, as many LCBO's do not turn over all of their craft beer in enough quantity to always keep things fresh. I have had old beer from one LCBO and great beer consistently from another.

If you are willing to venture to the micros and buy fresh you will certainly be impressed. Most carry many more styles than are available at the LCBO and you will know it's fresh. I have never been disappointed with this approach in Ontario. An example of this is Beau's, sure the always stocked lugtread at the LCBO (their most non-craft drinker friendly brew) but they brew many more styles of beer. Their Octoberfest is one of the best around with many styles that are all very good. Not to mention the support they have for the home brewing community. The guys at forked river actually said they had won a Beaus competition before they decided to open a micro. Whenever I travel to a different area I always make a point to hit a microbrew and sample/buy what the have.

I think what you are getting is in Quebec you can get something very close to this in corner stores as they can stock a wide selection in small quantities which cant be done in Ontario.

Anyways, that's my plug. You can't take the OP too seriously since he is a fan of Quebec beers..

 

[calebgk]

I am a fan of many Ontario beers. There are many, yet, that I do not care for, either. Trafalgar? Gods!! But Beau's has some that are quite nice. Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale is very enjoyable and unique. Their Nightmarzen is unreal! They push the unique a bit much with alot of their product, and it doesn't always work for me. Double Trouble makes some great beer that, while not amazing, has become a reliable choice. Flying Monkeys, Amsterdam, Mill St, Nicklebrook, Muskoka. You've definitely got your opinions, but these breweries are producing solid, reliable beers that I know I can enjoy. The LCBO is a completely other issue, and one that I try not to argue, because until the day the government wants to give up billions in tax revenue from alcohol sales, it's not going anywhere soon. The Beer Store can suck mustard.

Further, the majority of the rant seemed to be focused on Ontario beers, while the thread was about Canadian beers. BC has some amazing stuff that (thanks LCBO) we can't get much of. Howe Sound, Tree Brewing, and Parallel 49 are awesome. And Quebec is just a different monster. They seem to have a more traditional view of their beers. Their ideas concerning IPAs are unappealing. But Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout is incredible.

I think what I'm trying to say is I like what I like, region and politics be damned.

 

[seanybubbles]

Living in Quebec I'm not a fan of too many local beers. We have a huge quality problem with brewers. I've almost given up on local brewers due to freshness or quality issues. Very often I get stale or contaminated beers. It's really a shame. I still drink mcauslan and dieu du ceil though....


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[Near-Beer-Engineer]

Kombat hit the nail on the head...Ontario has not been a craft-beer-entrepreneur friendly place due to it's tax scheme and alcohol laws. Ontario, therefore, has traditionally not churned out much innovation in my opinion.

That being said, I just went to the Toronto Beer Festival a few days ago, and there was some really good stuff. Left Field Brewery, Descendants, Muskoka Brewery among others are all making some pretty cool stuff in Ontario now and I'm looking forward to seeing them grow.

I recently moved to Calgary however and the beer scene is much different there. Huge selection in my opinion, and easier to access, however still expensive. There's some great beers coming out of the west coast which I never had access to living in Ontario before. And as others have mentioned, Quebec has some great stuff too.

I'll always support the Canadian breweries! I've got a feeling things are slowly changing for the better here!


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[Tutsbrew]

This rant has come from a long time of having idiotic microbreweries come forth and get guaranteed product placement from the government so that they continue to survive when they should have died long ago.

Yet another reason to limit government in our lives. It's not the idiotic micro's fault, IMHO, it's the lack of free markets as evidenced by the OP's own words.

 

[fredthecat]

Yet another reason to limit government in our lives. It's not the idiotic micro's fault, IMHO, it's the lack of free markets as evidenced by the OP's own words.

i recently went back to canada and the LCBO is STILL selling trafalgar products, it seems more than ever. what the hell is going on?

they've got a new "ginger mead" for $9.95. here's one of many reviews along this line

"Ceramic bottle - 500ml. Pale blond body with heavy carbonation and no head at all. Looks like Apfelschorle! Bland, light fruity (apple, citrus) aroma woth some herbal hints. Taste is aciditic and dominated by fruity flavors. Some ginger notes are noticeable. Ends with a harsh sour finish. Never again. "