Canada holds a unique place in the craft brewery movement in North America. The maple leaf country proudly belongs to a brewing tradition of more than three centuries and eagerly followed the United States in its brewing revolution in the 1980s. Since then, over 1200 craft breweries have emerged in the country.

In the commercial brewing leagues, some Classics are still very much dominating the scene across the country. Molson Canadian remains the best-selling beer in Canada, followed by Labatt Blue and Kokanee, brewed in the mountains of British Columbia.

Canada has earned quite a few prizes for its brews, reaping several international medals for best beers. In 2023 alone, the world witnessed the triumphs of beers like Amsterdam Brewing’s Downtown Brown, hailed as the World’s Best English Style Brown Ale, and Indie Alehouse’s High Horse, crowned the World’s Best Flavoured Stout & Porter. Banded Peak Brewing’s Summit Seeker was recognized as the World’s Best English Style IPA, showcasing the diversity and craft excellence that Canadian breweries offer.

The craft beer movement has brought forward new champions that have quickly risen through the ranks. SNO Microbrasserie’s Nordik SNOlynx captured the title of World’s Best Dark Lager, while the electrically named Stanley Park Brewing Electro Lager shone as the World’s Best Light Lager. The innovation continues with La Voie Maltee’s Malt-Avenante, which claimed the top spot in the Session IPA category, and Village Brewery’s Best Run, which dashed to the forefront as the World’s Best Amber/Dark Kellerbier.

Top Ten Best Beers in Canada

We cross-referenced the top ten ratings from RateBeer, Beer Advocate and Untapped for 2023 for you. The top three best-rated beer styles from the analysis of the attached Excel file are Stout – Imperial Flavored / Pastry, Apple Cider – Ice / Fire / Fortified, and Porter – Baltic, with average rankings of 4.10, 4.10, and 4.09, respectively on all three rating sites. The province of Quebec was the undeniable winner of the popular vote across all three rating sites, with B.C. and Ontario at close seconds.

Among the standout beers, « Péché Mortel – Bourbon » by Dieu du Ciel! and « Invictus » by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery win the highest recognition for their exceptional quality across different platforms, indicating a strong consensus on their excellence. Similarly, the prominence of ice ciders like « Neige Première » by Domaine Neige in these rankings highlights the unique contributions of Canadian cideries to the global beverage scene, leveraging the country’s cold climate to produce world-class ice ciders.

On BeerAdvocate, Driftwood Brewery and Bellwoods Brewery had two Imperial Stouts in their top ten, while Les Trois-Mousquetaires and Dieu du Ciel! were the favorites on RateBeer.

Most notably, Brasserie du Bas-Canada stood out for its dominance in the rankings on Untapped, arguably the most prominent beer rating platform, securing an impressive seven out of the top ten positions. Brasserie du Bas-Canada is undeniably among the top three craft breweries in Quebec, and potentially across the entire country. The brewery is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality, demonstrating remarkable consistency across its entire beer range. Initially known for specializing in hazy and double IPAs, the brewery has since expanded its expertise to include a variety of delicious stouts and other beer styles.

Top Ten Craft Beers in Canada

1. Péché Mortel – Bourbon by Dieu du Ciel!
   This Imperial Stout flavored with bourbon consistently ranks highly across beer rating platforms, showcasing its rich, complex character and the brewery’s expertise in creating bold, flavorful stouts.
2. Invictus by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
   Earning top spots for its intensity and depth, this Russian Imperial Stout stands out for its robust profile and innovative brewing technique, making it a favorite among stout lovers.
3. Nectarous by Four Winds Brewing Co.
   A Wild Ale that intrigues with its complexity, Nectarous offers a harmonious blend of sourness and fruitiness, representing the creativity of Canadian craft brewing.
4. Connexion by Brasserie du Bas-Canada
   A standout Imperial Double Milk Stout, Connexion highlights the brewery’s skill in crafting rich, creamy stouts with deep flavors and a smooth finish.
5. Sartori Harvest IPA by Driftwood Brewery
   Celebrated for its fresh hop character, this American IPA delivers a perfect balance of hop bitterness and aromatic complexity, making it a must-try for IPA enthusiasts.
6. Grande Cuvée Déjeuner Impérial de Les Trois Mousquetaires
   This imperial stout has a velvety texture, boasting deep, roasted coffee notes and a hint of smoky chocolate, seamlessly blended with the warmth of maple syrup. Its aroma is a captivating bouquet of dark malts, espresso, and a whisper of vanilla.
7. Signature Réserve Spéciale by Pinnacle
   Another exquisite ice cider, its craftsmanship shines through its delicate balance of sweetness and acidity, showcasing the potential of Canadian apples.
8. Nathan de Brasserie du Bas-Canada
   A beer with complex aromas, skillfully blending fruity and hoppy notes. It offers a rich taste experience with a perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness, leaving a refreshing sensation in the mouth.
9. Substance de Brasserie du Bas-Canada
   Its intensely hoppy profile. This beer emits powerful aromas of tropical fruits and citrus, with a pronounced but pleasant bitterness, and a medium body that supports these flavors well.
10. Nordet IPA de Auval
    This superb beer features a distinct fruity character with pronounced notes of passion fruit and mango. Its flavor is nicely balanced by moderate bitterness and a slight malty sweetness, making it a refreshing and easy-to-drink IPA.

What About All The Other Good Ones !?

Every list has its subjective element, so it’s wise to approach these recommendations with an open mind. While the quintessential craft beer enthusiast may not default to a rich Russian stout, there’s undeniable allure in the velvety, robust flavors of these exceptional stouts. Canada’s craft beer landscape is a testament to the creativity and innovation thriving within hundreds of breweries across the nation.

As the market matured, Canadian craft beers have diversified, ensuring there’s a flavor for every palate. Spanning from the expansive prairies of Saskatchewan to the rugged coastlines of Newfoundland, Canada’s beer scene weaves a tapestry of quality, innovation, and national pride, with each brew narrating a chapter of Canadian excellence in brewing.

Pierre-Olivier Bussières is the Editor-in-Chief of Hoppy History and Uber Optimized. He is Sales Director at Uberflix Studio. He writes about travel, geopolitics, and alcohol markets, and has published articles in The Diplomat, Reflets, The Main, Go Nomad, Global Risk Insights, and Diplomatie.

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