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What should it mean to be a Canadian beer drinker?
By Roger Mittag
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I think most of us assume that beer is a rite of passage for Canadians. We are after all the consummate beer drinker, aren’t we? Well, are we really? Recent statistics rank us as 16th globally from a per capita consumption rate. At roughly 66 litres per person, we are almost 1/3 of the Czech Republic’s per capita drink rate 162 litres. A little sobering isn’t it. But that’s not the reason for this article.
Like my co-contributor Bill White, I found myself in Germany recently, if not for a totally different reason. I returned after a 17-year absence to reacquaint myself with my family, all of whom reside near Stuttgart. I did plan a quick trip to Brau Beviale in Nürmburg for a meeting regarding a beer program but that is for another issue. What I found blew my mind and cleared up a whole bunch of questions. My stay was in Esslingen am Neckar, a small town of 40,000. The town was founded in 700 AD and boasts two major achievements; the second oldest stone bridge in Germany and one of the most popular Christmas celebrations in Europe.
Having found myself in the heart of one the greatest brewing nations in the world, I meandered the area looking for beer and what did I find? Let me tell you, I was somewhat astonished. Before I get to that, I want to give you my impressions of the German beer drinker.
- Germans are very proud and nationalistic
- They are firm believers (still) that the Rheinheitsgebot of 1516 is still the most important law in brewing history. In fact, it is quite simply what separates them from the rest of the world
- There are relatively few imports available and a higher propensity to drink local beers, even though this segment is shrinking.
- They are totally bewildered about “beer tastings” and “beer dinners.” Why you may ask – simply put, beer is the major drink here but they still hang on to the outdated principles of having wine with a meal.
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So, here’s why I came home with an epiphany. If the German people are so nationalistic to believe their beers are actually the best in the world, why on earth do Canadians believe that Canadian beer needs to take a back seat to our neighbours abroad?
Folks, a little history if you will. Canada was founded by immigrants from Europe – England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and so on. These people when they came brought along with them their beliefs, traditions and customs. One of those beliefs was that only the best products came from their homeland. The influx of hard-working, skilled people continued into the ’50s and beyond. I clearly remember my own mother telling people that the best underwear actually came from Germany. Tell that to the Stanfields people.
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So here we sit in 2010 and what has happened? Well, in the 10 years in the beer industry, I firmly believe that many people believe that somehow beer from Europe and afar is by far and away better than Canadian beer. Better ingredients, better process and better brewers. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, they have history on their side – they did in fact create most of the beer styles that currently exist in the world – but it doesn’t mean that they are better. In fact, the judgement of quality lies with the drinker. It is us individually that decides whether a beer has merit.
Canadian brewers from large nationals to the local brewpub are outstanding craftsmen and women. They have passion and creativity and furthermore produce well-balanced beers that are consistently good. On top of all of that, our Canadian beers are fresher by a long shot than any import. In essence, your local beer could be in your hands hours after it comes off the line while your favourite green bottled import lies in wait in the hold of a cargo ship for several months.
As a proud, nationalistic Canadian beer drinker, I am urging you to explore the world of Canadian beers. There is a lot to choose from! Having said all that, I still love many different imported beers and would never advocate abandoning them … just open the fridge door a little wider and add some Canadian content.
P.S. German beer consumption is dropping and they are losing small breweries each year. In Canada, the brewing industry is expanding and our consumption is holding its own and slightly increasing.
Roger Mittag is the Professor of Beer and can be found at www.thirstforknowledge.ca.
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