Hey guys and gals, I'm going to Canada for a week. I've read where you can only take a case (per person?) across the border. What happens if I take a case of good domestic brew, along with a couple of growlers from Dark Horse? Any idea what the additional tariff might be? Any ideas on good Canadian craft beer? We'll be in the Hamilton and Toronto areas? Cheers, Steve
Good luck with finding "good craft beer" in Canada, unless you're in the Motreal area. I lived in Toronto for a couple months 5 years ago and their craft beer scene was almost non-existent. Keep in mind that the industry has changed a lot in the past 5 years, but that was just my experience. Also if things are still the same the government controls alcohol distribution, so the only place the buy beer are goverent owned stores called " The Beer Store". It's rather unique because you don't actually see beer on shelves, rather you order it from a menu and pay for it, then they bring it up from a back room for you. It was pretty expensive too again not sure if my experience is still applicable, hopefully a Canadian BA can chime in. Or try posting in the Canadian forum. On a side note Miller Lite was considered an import and they charged $35 a case
Might be a little late but: www.lcbo.com www.thebeerstore.ca Not every store carries everything so use the search to see whats available at what store. Maybe there is some British ales or German we have that you dont. Look for Beau's, Muskoka, Grand River (Cambridge), Camerons (Oakville) maybe Nickelbrook in Burlington www.grandriverbrewing.com www.nickelbrook.com www.cameronsbrewing.com I heard Camerons does up a Rye IPA that is available at the brewery that is quite good. Grand River Brewing is about 30 minutes west of Hamilton. I believe most of our local beers are all in the BA review area. The locals may hate me for this but there is a canned Red Racer IPA from British Columbia that the LCBO brought in that is excellant and sells quite fast also Tree Brewery from BC has been brought in and is also top notch. Welcome to our area and if you need any more info dont hesitate.... There are many others but this will get you started
Forgot to mention about bringing beer in: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifvc-rpvc-eng.html
It's improved quite a bit since 5 years ago, when it was a veritable wasteland. The LCBO selection will seem lean compared to the vast aisles of options you're used to at places like Crown Liquors, but the pricing for European beers is actually quite good and there are a few exclusive offerings from breweries like Norrebro and Fuller's. You can also find Cantillon offerings at Beer Bistro, and plenty of interesting Canadian microbrews at Volo if you're willing to spend. The local beer has also improved, with some solid American-style hoppy offerings from Flying Monkeys and Black Oak as well as some tasteful and well-executed English and German-style beers. Ontario breweries haven't really figured out stouts, barleywines, or wild beers though...
I have confidence in Ian (Amsterdam). Almost everything he's done has been extremely limited to this point (in terms of barrel-aging/blending/sour stuff), but definitely someone to look out for. Guy knows his stuff.
Agreed on the increased selection. I was up there last spring and hit up a few craft beer bars in the downtown Toronto area. Some Ciel beers made it down on tap (although we went on to Montreal, so I didn't have any in Toronto), and I did enjoy the Flying Monkeys stout I ordered. Really liked hitting up the wineries in Niagara for some icewine too. Be prepared to spend a bit more than normal with all of the alcohol taxes and such.
Just be honest with the border guards. I've exceded the case limit a couple times and haven't had to pay extra. They're more worried about those bringing excessive amounts, than tourists with an extra gallon of beer.
Well, the best places to get Beer in Hamilton are the Dundurn St. LCBO and the Stoney Creek mountain one on Centennial for selection. The Barton St LCBO at Centre mall has a beer cooler, so it's always stored right, but the selection often leaves something to be desired. I'm going to suggest picking up the Mill St Sampler pack that just came out, The Legendary Muskoka Spring Oddity and of course a can of Denisson's Weiss.
For Hamilton bars I recommend Augusta's Winking Judge and The Ship, which are located right beside each other. Many of their taps are more interesting than anything that you can find at the LCBO. Also, The Brain gets rare Beau's bottles from time to time, most of which can't be purchased in stores. All beers have to be consumed on premises though, as Ontario doesn't allow beer-to-go. MasterSki's Toronto recos are spot on.
