I'm straying a bit off-theme today. I usually limit myself to Europe. If I didn't, things would get just too crazy. But I couldn't resist these analyses of beer on sale in Canada.Why ere these analyses made? To check for adulteration. The book covers a variety of other products such as milk and butter. The beer came out very well. Only one of the 76 samples showed signs of adulteration. The other foods had a much poorer showing.
Anyway, here are the numbers.
You've doubtless noticed the interesting combination of beers Canadian brewers were making: Ale, IPA, Porter, Stout and Lager Beer. One beer, an Ale brewed by McDonagh & Shea of Winnipeg, has a shockingly low OG of just under 1030. That's very unusual for this period.The last table does have a few relevant entires: beers from Bass, Guinness and McEwan. I was taken aback to see samples of Guinness below 1070. I thought it was always 1074.
So many Pabst entries was a shock. I hadn't expected it to have been so widely available in Canada so early. Life's full of surprises.
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6 comments:
Fabulous! Have a slug of maple syrup in honour of your efforts Canuckian. I will have to have a proper look at these tonight.
Ron, interesting data. Sleeman Brewing is still making beer in its historical location of Guelph, Ontario. The company ceased operations in the 1930's but recommenced brewing over 20 years ago. It was revived by a descendant of the Sleeman family who inherited a book of the brewing recipes used by the founder in the 1800's. This book really exists, I examined it with Michael Jackson upon the latter's visit to Sleeman Brewery in the early 1990's. Not only that, but the labels of some of the Sleeman beers state the page of the book they are taken from and some of the brewing details. The current IPA and Porter are excellent, flavourful beers. Here are descriptions of each, taken from the company's website:
"The first in the John Sleeman Presents series, Sleeman Fine Porter is straight from page 68 of the family recipe book. The original Porters were the drink of the working class in 1700’s England where they were seen to be more nutritious. Take a sip of history today and experience this brew just as George Sleeman presented it back in the 1800’s.
5.5% alcohol by volume
Tasting Notes
Fine Porter’s rich, deep mahogany is topped by a rich tan foam. You will appreciate the presence of dark chocolate, coffee and licorice aromas. Fine Porter boasts fully rounded roast malt flavours and its long finish is true to the original style.
India Pale Ale
Sleeman India Pale Ale is the second in our John Sleeman Presents series. This ale reaches back all the way to 18th century England, where it was first brewed to export to thirsty English troops during colonial India. The Sleeman family personalized the recipe back in the 1800’s with a brewmaster’s special attention to detail, and now presents it to you one more time for your continued enjoyment.
5.3% alcohol by volume
Tasting Notes
India Pale Ale’s distinctive amber colour is a perfect partner to its bold, spicy hop nose and slightly fruity aroma. This ale is characterized by a malty sweetness at the beginning that finishes up with an authentic IPA hoppy bitterness that’s not too overpowering at the end."
I know these beers well and the company's notes are accurate.
Gary
Ron, I have found similar reports published in the USA. The 1906 New Hampshire Board of Health report was so good I had to put it in a table. Hopefully I can concentrate and write up a blog post for it. It shows a similar variety in style and strength. I hope you take a look.
http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/beer-documented/Content?oid=1557947
Have you ever run across any info about early brewing in Vancouver, British Columbia? There is an area known as Brewery Creek which had breweries in the late 1800's until prohibition. Aside from the names Doering & Marstrand and Red Cross plus a few antique bottles for sale, I haven't been able to find many details. Any idea on what they would have brewed, or where is a good place to start looking for this information?
Edward, from what I've sen of Canadian brewing, they probably made a mix of British styles and Lager.
If you want to find out more, good places to look are:
Archives. There may well me material from local breweries in provincial or city archives.
Newspaper archives. If you're lucky, they may be available online. I paid 80 quid for a year's access to the British Newspaper Archive.
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