Raise Your Glass to Canadian Beer Day
by David Klemt
This is an AI-generated image, but I still want to visit and drink those beers.
Operators and their guests will raise their glasses and celebrate Canadian beer on October 9, also known as Canadian Beer Day.
This year represents the sixth-annual Canadian Beer Day. Beer Canada created the holiday, with first event launching in 2019.
Not only does this beer-centric holiday honor one of the world’s most-popular drinks, it’s a day to observe its impact on Canada. According to the Beer Canada website, which is an excellent resource that I recommend everyone visit, brewers in the country employ 21,000 Canadians directly.
Zoom out and that number jumps to nearly 150,000 Canadians overall. There are farmers, bartenders, retailers, truckers, designers, and many other people whose employment relies on beer production. Further, almost 90 percent of beer purchased in Canada is brewed locally.
Each year, Beer Canada crafts a theme to go along with Canadian Beer Day. This year, that theme celebrates the cultural significance of the nation’s beer culture.
As an American, I think I’m qualified to say that people have seemed more divided over the past decade than in recent memory. At least, that’s what we’re often being told in the US, Canada, and other countries.
But think about how powerful gathering in pubs and bars has been for breaking down barriers. Having a beer with a stranger and finding middle ground can lower temperatures, and go a long way toward healing communities.
We should all strive to get back to that simple, comforting practice.
“Local” Impact
I may date myself a bit here but I remember the first Canadian beer I ever tried. Growing up in the Midwest in America, it was common to have friends who visited or had family and friends in Canada.
One day in the Nineties, some friends of mine and I got into a lighthearted debate about beer. One of our friends, who had just come back from a trip to Canada, scoffed at our light American pilsners and lagers, stating that we were essentially drinking water.
Then, he opened a cooler and pulled out bottles of Moose Drool Brown Ale. Not long after that moment, I’d be introduced to Moosehead and Labatt.
I still think about that first sip of Moose Drool, particularly when a beer debate heats up. I’m just one person but Canadian beer has had an impact on little old American me.
Canadian Beer
Head to Montréal, Québec, and you can visit the Talon Vaults, the archaeological remains of Canada’s first commercial brewery.
This important bit of beer-brewing history dates back to the late 1660s, when La Brasseries du Roy was opened by Jean Talon in Québec City. However, beer brewing in Canada dates back to at least the 1620s.
In 1786, the legendary John Molson established the Molson Brewery, also in Québec City. I think we all know how significant the Molson story is to Canadian beer.
Today, there are more than 1,300 breweries operating and employing people across Canada. Most are located in Ontario, Québec, British Columbia, and Alberta. Although, there at least a single brewery in every province. For example, there’s one brewery in the Northwest Territories, and one in Nunavut.
Per Statista data, the Canadian beer industry generated $18.43 billion (US $13.6 billion) in 2023, with $7.8 billion (US $5.8 billion) coming from restaurants and bars.
Those are big numbers being put up by just 1,300 breweries.
Celebrate in Style
Along with having a beer and getting to know someone, a great beer and food pairing can improve your day.
So, I asked Nathen Dubé, our chef consultant at KRG Hospitality, for some of his favorite beer pairings. And, wow, did he deliver.
Check out his recommendations below, and consider using them for a Canadian Beer Day limited-time-offer menu.
Let’s start with his favorite personal pairing.
“One of my favorite beer and food pairings is a robust, malty, Canadian brown ale with a perfectly grilled bison burger topped with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and a touch of maple bacon,” says Nathen. “The rich malt character of the brown ale complements the hearty, gamey flavor of the bison, while the subtle sweetness from the caramelized onions and bacon plays beautifully with the ale’s caramel notes. The cheddar adds a creamy, sharp contrast, making each bite and sip a delightfully balanced experience.”
Now, let’s jump into Nathen’s LTO suggestions. This Canadian Beer Day, he recommends crafting unique, gourmet poutines.
Traditional Poutine
Beer Pairing: Local Pale Ale
Description: Hand-cut fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and a rich beef gravy. The pale ale’s mild bitterness cuts through the gravy’s richness, while its effervescence balances the cheese’s creaminess.
Butter Chicken Poutine
Beer Pairing: Indian Pale Ale (IPA)
Description: Fries smothered in creamy, spiced butter chicken sauce, topped with fresh cilantro and a dollop of yogurt. The hoppy and citrusy notes of the IPA enhance the spices in the butter chicken, creating a vibrant and aromatic pairing.
Pulled Pork BBQ Poutine
Beer Pairing: Smoked Porter
Description: Crispy fries loaded with slow-cooked pulled pork, tangy BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese. The smoked porter’s roasted malt flavors complement the smoky pork, while its subtle sweetness balances the BBQ sauce’s tang. This poutine can be—or rather should be—prepared and served individually. As a general, Nathen always thinks the darker the beer, the stronger the cheese. On the other flavor profile side, the lighter/fruitier beer, the lighter the cheese.
Be sure to add these tempting poutines to your LTO menu, and visit the Canadian Beer Day website to download their digital and social media assets. Cheers!
Image: Microsoft Designer
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