Canada

Molson
The largest brewer in Canada, also brewing the brands of Carling O'Keefe, which it bought in the 80's. Best known domestically for Canadian *, its mainstream lager, and the fuller Export **. More common in the US than in Canada, Molson Golden * is light-bodied, with a fainty malt accent, sweetish character and little to no finish. The company has experimented with all malt specialties, such as Doppelbock ** (6%) was on the thin side, more of a single bock; a similar, perhaps slightly lighter in colour and fuller in body Spring Bock **; Signature Cream Ale **1/2, with an aromatic softness; and a grainy version of Charrington Toby *1/2.

Other products include O'Keefe Extra Old Stock *, to be avoided at all costs; the sweet, light, and corn flavoured malt liquor Brador *; Special Dry *; and Old Style Pilsner * is malt-accented, rather sweet, with a faintly fruity flavour. Rickard's Red * may be good for the uninitiated, but is hard to drink in any quantity without getting sick. Rickard's Gold*1/2 is more palatable, cleaner and fresher tasting. Rickard's Pale * underwhelms you with its 14IBUs and lack of body. Carling Strong * is a typically bland malt liquor. In the BC market, under the Capilano name (the brewery that used to be on the site of the Molson brewery before it was bought out), they have a disappointingly bland Pale Ale *. Old Style Pilsner * is one of the cheapest, nastiest beers on Earth. Rickard's Honey Brown *1/2 looks like beer with its golden-brown colour and moderate carbonation, but unfortunately it has no aroma nor flavour, finishing quick and sweet. The best you can hope for is a little DMS, otherwise it's pretty water.

Labatt
Labatt The second of the "Big Two", owned by Interbrew. They own regional breweries that have been entered individually in Nova Scotia (Oland/Keith's) and BC (Columbia). There are also a variety of regional brands in places like Quebec and Newfoundland. Their best brew is John Labatt Classic **, an all-malt lager. They contract brew Guinness Extra Stout **, to a rather grainy and brackish result.

Mainstream brands include Blue *; Blue Light * (which I find is better than Blue due to less of the harsh grainy notes and more hop nuances); Genuine Draft *; Ice * (5.6%); and the even more insipid Maximum Ice * (7.1%), both of which broke onto the scene with much fanfare only to disappear quietly a few years later. Blue Dry *1/2 is better, with a touch of fruity hop towards the not-particularly dry finish. Ales include Labatt 50 *, a light Canadian ale, with a grassy and malty palate and a bitter corn finish. Old Mick's Red *1/2 is light and essentially tasteless. It apparently comes from a Labatt's brewery in England, or so I was told. Its non-alcoholic brew, .5 *, which is almost worth creating a new, eponymous, rating for. The discount brew Wildcat * is quite tasteless, but does refresh. Lucky Lager * promised little and delivered less. The fruity Crystal * is another of their mainstream products. The low-calorie Select * is so light you don't even notice you're drinking it - a good thing in some circles but not in mine. You won't find Carlsberg Red *1/2 in Denmark, just Ontario. It's basically regular Carlsberg with some added brewer's caramel for colour. Lucky Lager Force 10 * is ass juice.

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