Celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday with Beer
Canada has a longstanding relationship with beer. The land of "Brew North Strong And Free" is known around the world for strong beer, hockey fights and using internationally incomprehensible words like touque and chesterfield. While those conceptions started with light and fizzy beer in hand, more recently flavourful craft beer that pushes the boundaries of style and tradition has emerged as a defining trait of Canadian Beer.
As we sit back and give the Trudeau salute to the south we also celebrate a remarkable moment in Canadian History. 2017 is Canada's 150th birthday, or, sesquicentennial anniversary of being founded way back in 1867. What better way to celebrate this occasion than with something that is truly Canadian: Craft Beer!
There are several #Canada150 craft beers that are making their way onto the shelves of BC liquor stores all year round and as July 1st approaches you need to keep a keen eye to ensure that you do not miss out!
Here are four craft beer releases that you should not miss out on!
Yukon Brewing 20th Anniversary #Canada150 Series
The Yukon Brewery, out of Whitehorse has doubled down with their celebration with a series of 12 beers that celebrate both the brewery's 20th birthday and Canada's 150th. The 12 beers are being released monthly and include past favourites and newly inspired brews. The 4th release in this series, hitting shelves of BC liquor stores in April was the Discovery Thornweed Honey ESB. You may still find a the Breakfast at the Brewery Mimosa Kolsch kicking around if you keep your ear to the ground.
Learn more about the Yukon Brewery Canada 150 Series
Photo From David Ort - Food Bloggers of Canada
Beau's Brewing - Ottawa 2017 Collaborative Beer Series
Beau's Brewing is a relative newcomer into BC but needs no introduction back in their home province of Ontario. Perhaps the most official #canada150 project of the mix Beau's is the official beer partner of the Ottawa 2017 celebration. As the official partner they are releasing 12 collaboration beers throughout 2017. We are in the 5th month of their collaboration project and have seen collaborations with a variety of businesses and organizations from across the country.
These beers may be difficult to find in BC but if you keep a keen eye you may just luck out into trying 12 very unique, Canadian inspired craft beers.
Learn more about the Beau's Ottawa 2017 Series
Mt. Begbie Brewing Confederation 150 Maple Cream Ale
If you were going to pick a few ingredients that are iconically Canadian, the list wouldn't be that long. There are only a few flavours that are unanimously a part of being a Canadian. Since Poutine wouldn't taste great in beer, Mt Begbie Brewing, from Revelstoke BC has used Maple Syrup in their #Canada150 release.
The Confederation 150 Maple Cream Ale is all that is Canadian and is a limited release beer available in 650ml bottles. This beer uses Quebec maple syrup and is available at both private and government liquor stores starting in early may.
Learn more about the Mt. Begbie Confederation 150 Maple Cream Ale
Red Racer Across The Nation Collaboration #Canada150 Mix Pack
The fourth and perhaps most ambitious Canada 150 craft beer project is the Red Racer Across The Nation Collaboration. This is a mixed 12 pack that has 12 different beers that represent 12 different provinces and 12 different breweries. Red Racer teamed up with a brewery from 10 provinces and 2 territories and brewed a beer that was designed to represent the province in which it came from.
The list of beers ranges from a BC IPA to a Nova Scotia Scottish Ale and a Northwest Territories Grissette. This mix 12 pack will be available in government and private liquor stores starting in May.
Learn more about the Red Racer Across the Nation Collaboration
