Your favourite Canadian "big beer"

It's chilly out, which means many of us are turning to the high ABV dark beers to keep us warm.

I got to thinking about what some of my favourites have been over the last couple of years. I can think of a dozen or more great American big beers from across their country, but thanks to trade barriers in Canada, I don't know much beyond ON and QC.

I'll start:

I recently had Bandit's Longwave 23.1, a bourbon barrel aged Quad. The barrel and the dark fruits from the base melded really well. I was disappointed that when I looked for it this week it was sold out.

Dominion City is known for its hazy beers, but Between Two Evils is a gem. Big barrel added to a smooth stout base does not disappoint.

Across the river from DC, 5e Baron is turning out solid beers of all sorts. Their take on Black is Beautiful is fantastic, and now they have a limited run of BiB double barrel. While not a true big beer, Peaky Porter may be the best porter I've had from a Canadian brewery. I also have heard many good things about the Dames de Pique series, though I have not been lucky enough to get one.

Brasserie de Bas Canada turns out solid big beers, I've had guerre et paix barrel aged, and the Papillon de Nuit - 3 am, which is a barleywine.

I won't even bother talking about Bellwoods, everyone knows their stuff is rock solid.

Third Moon's Dead Don't Die series is a good one too. Though not among my top five, they are solid.

These are the ones that come to mind for me, and I know there are many, many more across the country. Pipe up, let us know your favourites.

 

I always think of Peche as the standard in Canada, as it has a long history. The barrel versions are excellent, nice kick in the pants sippers.

I know barleywine is a tricky beer to get right, but I'd love to see more available. I prefer English to American, but really, I'll grab any barleywine I come across.