From: steven@spxtech.qc.ca (Steven C. Potter)
Newsgroups: can.general,rec.crafts.brewing
Subject: Beer/Ale in Canada (Was Re: Labatt "Draft";Molson "Dry" etc)
Date: 24 Jul 92 14:43:44 GMT
Distribution: can
Organization: Securiplex Technologies Inc., Montreal, Canada
X-Bytes: 6200

From article <berthiau.711901456@iros1>, by berthiau@IRO.UMontreal.CA
 Andre Berthiaume writes:-

> steven@spxtech.qc.ca (Steven C. Potter) writes:
>>
>>    A brewery was once taken to court over the use of the phrase
>>    "Real Ale" on its labelling. The brewery lost.
> 
>>    "Real Ale" is defined in the Oxford English dictionary as an
>>    Ale made from nothing but Barley, Hops, Yeast and water, naturally 
>>    conditioned in the container from which it is served.
> 
>>    That is indeed "Real Ale" and nothing else - is!
> 
> [stuff deleted]
> 
> Not totally true!  Ever tried Samuel Adams???  It's claim is that it's 
> brewed in small quantities and in the traditional way and has exceeded
> the standards of German beers.  It's a good amber ale full of flavor.
> One must try it's Oktoberfest Brew which is only available during that 
> time of year.  There is a WIDE variety of beers and ales to taste.  One
> must not limit themselves to what is available locally.  I can hardly
> wait for the beer market to open up here in Canada (albeit it wont be 
> til 1993 [according to latest projection]).  

  I haven't tried Samuel Adams.

  I have some mixed feelings about opening up the market.

  On the one hand I would like to see the free movement of beers around
  the country.

  On the other hand, I don't want to see mega-breweries dumping crap
  "close to water" "Beer" at close to cost to keep local decent quality
  beers in a position of considerably higher cost.

  I think the mega breweries will do what they can for their big market
  shares. This includes marketing junk that is ever closer to water and
  less likely to offend fewer and fewer pallates.

  Discerning Ale and Beer lovers will be prepared to pay more for a 
  decent product. This will be limited by taxation, of course!

> 
> Anyways, I've been living here in Quebec since February and am mildly
> flabbergasted at the choice of beers available.  I had been in Pittsburgh
> just prior to arriving here and (being that liquor stores are state run
> in Pennsylvania) the beer places stocked an amazing variety of beers 
> from all over the world (including Canada) like Jamaica, Japan, Belgium
> and England (just to name a few).  COme on now!  Give these beer-drinkers/
> lovers a choice!
> 
> I will give credit to those establishments who try to carry everything that
> IS available to them.

  Liquor stores are "state run" in Quebec too. Though store managers are now
  getting a lot more autonomy in the way they run things.

  The sad thing is - the staff receive very little, if any, training to
  enable them to ensure that the products reach the consumer in anything
  but sub-standard, in many cases spoiled, condition.

  I have seen time and time again Belgian Trappist Ales, for example, left
  on normal room temperature shelving - sometimes exposed to sunlight for
  several hours a day.

  Once I got so upset I demanded to see the manager. 
  I asked, "Do you sell many of these?"
  "Some" he replied, eyeing me suspiciously.
  "Do people ever bring them back?" I querried.
  Now, smiling (I suppose he thought I was trying to be funny), he said
  "Well as a matter of fact they do."
  "Do you have any idea why? I said, frowning.
  Now he looked a little annoyed and perhaps a trifle embarrassed.
  "No", he said.

  "Come here, ... look at this". I showed him a sample bottle off his shelf -
  one I carefully scanned for with a clearly visible yeast content.

  "Do you know what that is?", I asked, pointing to the yeast.

  "Oh, it looks like its gone off, eh?". He was smiling again.

  At this point I was beginning to realise that I was wasting my time.

  I explained the basic difference between pasteurised and naturally
  conditioned beers. I explained the reason for proper storage and
  temperature control. I suggested that he would waste less, have fewer
  returns and sell more of these "special" beers if he looked after
  them properly.

  He said: "Well, I never had any trouble before".


  I am afraid that this is common throughout the province.

  It is another example of the "marketing for profit" philosophy in North
  America.

  It is another reason for considering a return to Europe too! :-)

> 
> BTW, if you're not happy with the beer that is available out there, then make
> your own! 8^)  Unless that just isn't legal in parts or all of Canada?  I know
> for a fact that it's quite legal to make your own brew in some states.
> 

  Until a few years ago, one was required to obtain a license to brew beer
  at home in Canada. This licensing process required registering one's
  brewing equipment on a possible penalty of confiscation of property and
  improsonment for failure to comply.

  No such license was required for making wine!

  What a strange country is Canada indeed :-)


  There are a few small breweries operating at local levels in Quebec now.

  The Quebec government is "experimenting" with the brewery licensing.


  A major obstacle for setting up a brewery in Canada was a requirement to
  be a member of the Brewers Association of Canada. Principal members were,
  of course, Labatt and Molson and O'Keefe. Membership fees were/are
  astronomical. 

  That requirement has been legislated away for small scale operations -
  and a damn good thing too!

  Bloody protectionists!



  Brewing your own is aliitle time consuming if you are active outside of
  office ours (Sports, politics, community service, church work etc.).

  It is, however, economical and well worth the effort.

  It is a fascinating hobby and extremely rewarding!

  There is nothing like watching a friend enjoy a pint of Ale drawn from
  your own "keg". (And remembering that there's no "alcohol tax" on it!).


  The federal government has tried, more than once, to introduce a tax on
  grain for brewing purposes. Watch out for that one, folks!


-- 
  ///==================================================================\\\
  ||| Steve Potter:         steven%spxtech@CAM.ORG                     |||
  ||| Expertise/Experience: Computer Systems Engineering / Real Ale /  |||
  |||                       Politics in Education in Quebec            |||
Newsgroups: can.general