Canada Day Shopping Cart

One of the perks working for TAPS The Beer Magazine is the amount of samples that arrive to our office from all parts of Canada. Beers from British Columbia to Nova Scotia make their way to my desk every now and then and it's always a pleasure trying something new, or something I haven't tasted in a while.

I received a box of beer the other day, beer with a strong emphasis on celebrating Canadiana, and it got me thinking about Canada Day what other people will be drinking, so I put together this little list of beers from different parts of the country that would make for a nice long weekend, and some reasons why.

Great Lakes Crazy Canuck Pale Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Company, Etobicoke, ON
*Winner of the gold medal for the North American Style Pale Ale category in the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards
*With a name like Crazy Canuck, and with images of the maple leaf on the can, why wouldn't you pick some up.

F & M Maple Red Ale
F & M Brewing Co., Guelph, ON
*Using local maple syrup in this limited release Red Ale - how more Canadian can you get.

Beau's Lug Tread Lagered Ale
Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. - Vankleek Hill, ON
*Winner of the gold medal for the Kolsch category at the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards
*Beau's will be celebrating their 5th anniversary tomorrow (July 1) A very proud Canadian brewery!
*And for reasons like this (celebrating their employees - new green initiatives - barrel aging program)

Dominus Vobiscum Blanche
MicroBrasserie Charlevoix, Baie-Saint-Paul, QC
*Winner of the Belgian Style Wit/White category at the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards
*Tasting Notes from summer issue of TAPS: There is no doubt about it - this Belgian Wit will have a regular spot in my beer fridge this summer. Stunning when poured into the right glass, the Blanche pours a pale yellow with a billowing white and creamy head. Lovely notes of freshly cut flowers (chamomile) and lemon zest on the nose that co-exist with a slight hint of smoke before leading into a smooth, nicely carbonated body that delivers a refreshing mix of citrus and soft pleasant spice. Charlevoix must be applauded on this 2010 CBA gold medal winner!

Red Racer IPA
Central City Brewing Co., Surrey, BC
*Winner of the gold medal for the American Style IPA category in the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards.
*Central City is the Canadian Brewery of the Year for 2010 (Canadian Brewing Awards)

Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale
Tree Brewing Co. - Kelowna, BC
*Packaged in 473ml cans, the Thirsty Beaver is good for camping excursions this long weekend, and goes great with bbq.

Sir John A's Honey Wheat Ale
Gahan Brewing Co. - Charlottetown, PEI
*Pays homage to the first Canadian Prime Minister and is a great patio beer on a hot day

IP'eh! (IPA)
Russell Brewery - Surrey, BC
*A play on our fondness for using the expression - eh!
*Solid IPA with a big hop bite

Honourary Canadian beer -  Innis & Gunn Canada Day 2011
Innis & Gunn Brewing Co., Edinburgh Scotland
*Brewed specifically for Canada!
*Deborah Colvin, a celebrated Canadian artist, supplied the artwork for the attractive box packaging

And for old times sake, 1 bottle of Molson Canadian...not 67, not Canadian Light or Molson 67 Sublime, just plain old Canadian - straight from the bottle.

What will be in your glass this long weekend? Happy Canada Day!