The Yankees Are Coming!

Our locals go head to head with the Americans

While the American brands have taken over our domestic mega-beer market our craft brewers have not had much competition. Recently we have seen more craft beer migrating north. Could this be the end of our micro-sovereignty? This was the question posed in a blind tasting on Wednesday March 3, 2010, a mere three days after the Canadian hockey team defeated team USA for Olympic gold.

The contest was certainly a contrast of styles. The local squad relied on balance through all lines while the Americans were counting on an aggressive style packing enough bitterness to fuel a Town Hall meeting.

Once the cups were on King Pilsner scored early. Brooklyn Lager and Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA turned the tide in the Yankees favour in the middle stages. Late in the contest Barley Days Wind & Sail Dark Ale tied things up for the Ontarians. We were going to overtime. However, neither Rogue Hazelnut Nectar or Steve's Dreaded Chocolate Orange could gain advantage for their team. It was all tied up and going to a shoot-out. In head-to-head match-ups the Americans outscored our locals 122 to 100 and took the first Craft Beer Cup.

Canadian coach, George Milbrandt, summed things up saying, "I knew we were in tough. We lacked the depth that taking the full national squad would have given us. I'm proud of the class that our lads showed. Hopefully we can bolster our line-up with some of the great talent from Quebec next time and bring the Cup back to Canada."

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Std Dev

Median

8.2

25

9.2

28

9.2

28

6.5

36

5.9

37

8.9

33

7.5

37

8.1

35

11.4

36

13.1

36

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