Results: The History of Beer in Canada ** Beer was introduced to Canada by European settlers in the seventeenth century.

In the early days, brewing was a domestic art, practiced by people in their own homes for personal enjoyment and special occasions. Canada's first recorded brewer was Jesuit Brother Ambroise, who began making beer in 1646 after the foundation of New France. A few years later, the Great Intendant Jean Talon, founded Canada's first commercial brewery in Québec City, to reduce his colony's dependence on imported brandy. His brewery, which opened in 1688, was so successful that its brews were sold to the West Indies, making it the first Canadian beer ever exported. The Talon brewery only operated for five years, but its remains — known as the Talon Vaults — can still be seen in the lower city of old Québec. Today Quebec City is home to many Microbreweries. Have you ever visited Quebec City?

By 1786, John Molson established his first brewery in Montréal, which is today the oldest brewery in North America. Thomas Carling opened the doors to his new Brewing & Malting Company in London in 1840. The Labatt name entered the scene in London, in 1847 and in 1867 the stage was set for both the Oland and Moosehead breweries by the Oland family. Have you ever enjoyed....

Alexander Keith & Son founded their brewery in Nova Scotia in 1829. A "jewel in the crown" of Halifax, Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery first opened its doors almost 200 years ago. Today, the same brewery serves as a popular destination for visitors and beer fans alike. One of the oldest working breweries in North America, the brewery is dedicated to crafting small batch brews, inspired by local Nova Scotian culture and Keith's heritage. Have you ever visited The Alexander Keith's Brewery?

John H. Sleeman established his first brewery in St. David's, Ontario, in 1834. By 1851, he started the first Sleeman Brewery to be located in Guelph, Ontario, brewing small 100-barrel batches. Shut down in 1933 for involvement in bootlegging during prohibition, the brewery was reopened in 1988, 50 years later by John Sleeman with his family's original recipe book. They have an incredible portfolio of beer brands in Canada; great Canadian brands such as Sleeman, Okanagan Spring, Unibroue and Wild Rose, combined with world-class beers such as Sapporo, Old Milwaukee and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Have you ever enjoyed...

By the 1870s, brewing had come into its own with brewers as far west as Victoria, British Columbia and as far east as Saint John, New Brunswick. Despite occasional economic setbacks, sales grew up until the First World War. With the outbreak of war, beer prices increased due to a "doubling" of the excise duty on malt, and many provinces decided to go "dry" as a war measure. In 1918, the federal cabinet decreed that no intoxicating liquor of any kind could be manufactured or imported until 12 months after peace was restored. Canada's experiment with prohibition lasted into the 1920s (and as late as 1948 for Prince Edward Island), when consumer demand and common sense reasserted itself. Have you ever lived in a ""Dry" State or a region that prohibits alcoholic beverages?

Beer Trivia: 1) One of the most popular Canadian brands in the US is Molson. If you're looking for a pale lager, try Molson Canadian 67. The oldest of Molson beers is Molson Export, which has been around since 1903. Molson offers a variety of flavors and beer styles to suit your mood. More is sold in New York State (19 million population) than all of Canada (40 Million). 2) 85% of all beers produced in Canada are consumed in Canada, this is due to the rise of interest in Microbreweries and Brewhouses. 3) The Number One Beer in Canada is Budweiser! 4) A Scuba Diver discovered Ancient Alexander Keith's Beer Bottles on the Ocean floor off the Coast of Nova Scotia. Would you drink ancient beer found in the bottom of the ocean?