Top Five Canadian Beers

While it's true that both Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian are cheap and tinny - like a Canadian Pabst Blue Ribbon and 'Natty Ice' - their long cultural heritage and international fame among Canadian beers are worth mentioning. Both Labatt and Molson have enjoyed great popularity throughout Canada for decades, and have a decent taste for beers you're more likely to see being chugged at hockey games than served at serious beer tastings or fine-dining restaurants.

Labatt, founded in 1847 but purchased by Belgian brewers Anheuser-Busch in 1995, has a surprisingly pleasant, earthy flavor in its middle tones, but sadly falls flat with its chafing and slightly metallic-tasting finish.

Molson, the Canadian branch of the fifth largest brewery in the world (Molson Coors), founded in 1786, is the oldest brewery in all of North America. As for taste, Molson goes down pretty smooth and is easy to drink in large amounts, but like Labatt, it's very watery, and you'll probably be left with an aftertaste reminiscent of sucking on old pennies.

Bottom line: both Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian are cheap, easy to find, and get the job done, making either one a good choice for parties and social events on a budget. Don't expect an artisanal beer or microbrew, but anyone who can stomach Budweiser will probably like both of these Canadian beers just fine.

4) Moosehead

This Canadian lager from New Brunswick is light and bright, with slightly lemony citrus notes, and a mild finish with barely any aftertaste. It has a thick, foamy head, but a decent crispness when served chilled. Like Labatt and Molson, Moosehead Breweries has a long history, going back to 1867, and is both the oldest independent brewery in Canada and the largest 100% Canadian brewery left in the country.

Bottom line: Moosehead lager is a decent mid-range beer overall, but is also fairly bland for the price tag, which is definitely higher than many similar domestic macrobrews.

3) Blue Moon

A richer and more robust Molson Coors brew, Blue Moon is a delicious Belgian-style "witbier" (white beer) made from white wheat, malted barley and oats, and spiced with coriander and orange peel, giving it a distinct (and addictive) tangy orange flavor. Much younger than many of the other beers, the Blue Moon brand has only been around since 1995, but in that short time has won six gold and silver medals at the World Beer Championship. It was also police Sergeant James Crowley's beer of choice at the 2009 White House "Beer Summit" with President Barack Obama and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Bottom line: Blue Moon is definitely one of the world's finest mass-produced beers, especially for a newcomer, so grab a slice of orange or lemon, pour a tall one, and enjoy a refreshing reminder of why the calories sometimes really are worth it.

2) Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale

Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale (IPA) is not only internationally acclaimed and frequently name-dropped by beer snobs throughout Canadian craft brewing circles, it also happens to taste really good. Originally brewed with ingredients to preserve flavor for British troops in India, Alexander Keith's IPA today remains one of Nova Scotia's finest, and is the #1 "specialty beer" across Canada. Its flavors are clean and crisp from first sip to last, and finish with a subtle but pleasant hint of caramel. This light golden beer is also highly acidic, however, which may make it an acquired taste for some people, and most Alexander Keith's fans will tell you the taste gets purer the closer you get to their brewery in Halifax.

Bottom line: Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale might not be for everyone, and certainly isn't the cheapest brew on the shelves, but for Canadian beer lovers it is a unique, must-try treat, and definitely one of eastern Canada's best.

1) McAuslan St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

McAuslan Brewery's St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout is a truly remarkable Canadian beer. Only opened in 1989, this Montreal brewery has definitely made its mark on the Canadian beer world despite its youth. The dark, rich St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout is only one of many excellent beers they produce each year, but stands out for its thick, jet-black color, smooth, creamy head, and powerful hints of chocolate and espresso. The first sip starts with bittersweet, full-bodied flavors ranging from coffee and dark chocolate to dark malts and oats. In the middle, it gets sweeter and creamier, with slight but definite hints of raisin, and it finishes with a silky smooth and an intensely - but not overly - sweet coffee flavor, with just a bit of raisin and dark chocolate left lingering. The progression of flavors is very complex and almost startling to the palette at first, but immediately grows on you and leaves you wanting more.

Bottom line: McAuslen's St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout would be a strong contender in any contest for best Canadian beer on the market today. It isn't the cheapest or the easiest to find by any means, but well worth having whenever you get the chance.