Touche, Canada

Dieu du Ciel

 

Unibroue is one of if not my favorite brewery. Trois Pistoles is my favorite from them, and to me it is absolutely stellar.

Just recently had a Grand Reserve 17 from them....just so fantastic.

I am not sure if there is anything else out of Canada of that caliber.

 

Charlevoix and DDC, both very skilled brewers - along with Unibroue - get some distribution in the states, I've seen them in Chicago, but don't know if they get farther west.

 

There is a lot more to Canada than Unibroue
We don't really consider them as Canadian since they're owned by Sleeman/Sapporo. And while i do like there beers for the most part, there is so much more! The ones that i know of that are distributed in certain parts of the U.S. are: Charlevoix (excellent Belgian-style ales), Trois Mousquetaires (German ales. Their doppelbock is delicious), Brasseur Illimites (mostly northeast) and of course, one of my favorites, Dieu du Ciel. And that's just Quebec!

 

Trust me, if you like Unibroue, you'd love Charlevoix's Dominus Vobisucm line.

 

How is their distribution?

 

I've seen them in Florida & i think PA might have some but not entirely sure.

 

Wait a second...Unibroue is owned by Sleemans??? Since when??? I am headed to my basement to smash every bottle of Unibroue I have now.

Dieu du Ciel is decent...we have some distribution here in Buffalo, full distribution of Unibroue, and some Trois Mousquetaires. I guess its easier to get their stuff when you are a border city.

Maudite FTW

 

If you want great Beer come out to Vancouver Island ! We Have Driftwood ..!

 

Western Canada has plenty of gems that I'm sure you'd enjoy... Driftwood, Howe Sound and Central City are some of my fav's from BC; though distribution is limited, unfortunately.

 

Don't get me wrong. I still like many Unibroue beers but having grown up with them, there has definitely been a shift in flavor quality-wise in the last years.

 

To get things straight they are owned by Sapporo, who owns Sleemans, In the scheme of things Sleemans brought Unibroue first, then Inbev tried to buy Sleemans and Sapporo stepped in according to John Sleeman to save the day. Insiders will tell you it is not so rosie, surprisingly the product that is brewed the most in Chambly is Old Milwaukee.

 

Lakes of Muskoka, Black Oak, Wellington and Creemore Springs I would say are the cream of the crop of Ontario.

 

And sadly don't even hold a candle to what Colorado breweries have to offer.

Edit: And as a note while I love Half Pints (the only true microbrewery in Manitoba), I would also lump them into that statement, save their special releases.

 

No, Unibroue was owned by Sleeman. Then Sapporo bought Sleeman, and now Unibroue and Sleeman are both owned by Sapporo.

 

Why do people never include King Brewery in their best of Ontario lists?

Also, Muskoka Summer Weisse is an awesome beer. I was skeptical about their changing it to a seasonal item, larger format bottle, and (much) higher price, but that retooling they did on the hefe recipe justifies it. Harvest Ale is very good beer as well. I also think their cream ale is very good for the style.

 

Give or take preferences, i'd take off wellington black oak and creemore and add beaus and flying monkeys.

 

From my point of view it is because they only have one beer that I could buy regularly (Pilsner) and they tend to make "safe" beers. I would love to see them try their hands at something a little more interesting. In my opinion, they don't even come close to the likes of Muskoka, Great Lakes, Flying Monkeys, Amsterdam and Black Oak. In fact, I don't even think they come close to what I would consider the second tier of Ontario breweries (Grand River, Beau's, Mill Street).

What about them makes you think they should be in the discussion?