Molson Canadian
A Canadian lager introduced in 1959, brewed by Molson.
Molson Canadian is a North American lager with a 5% alcohol by volume, brewed by the Molson Brewery—the Canadian arm of Molson Coors. The beer first hit the market in 1959. It has collected several industry honors: a Gold Medal in the North American Style Lager category at the 2006 Canadian Brewing Awards, a Silver Medal at the 2002 World Beer Cup, and six Gold Medal Distinctions from Monde Selection (in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1997, 2001, and 2002).
In September 2008, the company unveiled the "Molson Canadian Mega Keg," a monument billed as the world's largest tribute to a keg of the beer. Built by Kubik of Mississauga, Ontario, the structure measures 11 metres (36.5 feet) tall and five metres (16.5 feet) wide—roughly the height of a three-story building. If it were a real keg, it would hold the equivalent of more than 500,000 cans of Molson Canadian. The monument was revealed to winners of a contest themed around the Mega Keg.
Molson Canadian also offers a variant called Sub-Zero, which is the beer served at temperatures below freezing (0°C or 32°F). In 2011, the brand launched the Red Leaf Project, an environmental initiative that planted 100,000 trees across Canada and organized park clean-ups in ten cities.
In February 2011, Molson struck a seven-year, $375-million partnership with the National Hockey League. The deal included roughly $100 million for rights, $100 million in guaranteed advertising buys, and another $100 million for activation costs—covering events and promotions tied to the sponsorship. A series of court rulings delayed the partnership’s start until the opening night of the 2011–12 season on October 6.
Quick Facts
- Abv
- 5% (4% in Ireland)
- Manufacturer
- Molson
- Variants
- Molson Canadian Light; Molson Canadian 67; Molson Canadian 67 Sublime; Molson Canadian 6.0 Coldshots
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Molson Canadian was first introduced in 1959. It is a 5% abv North American lager produced by the Molson Brewery, the Canadian division of Molson Coors. The brand has won several industry awards, including a Gold Medal at the Canadian Brewing Awards in 2006 for 'North American Style Lager', a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup in 2002, and six Gold Medal Distinctions from Monde Selection (1989, 1990, 1991, 1997, 2001, and 2002).
In 2008, Molson Canadian unveiled the 'Molson Canadian Mega Keg', the world's largest monument to a keg of the beer. The monument measures 11 metres (36.5 feet) by five metres (16.5 feet), roughly the height of a three-story building. It was revealed to winners of a contest themed around the Mega Keg in September 2008. Were it a real keg, it would hold the equivalent volume of over 500,000 cans of Molson Canadian. The monument was designed and constructed by Mississauga, Ontario-based Kubik.
The brand also introduced Molson Canadian Sub Zero, which is Molson Canadian served at temperatures below freezing (0°C or 32°F). In 2011, the Molson Canadian Red Leaf Project was launched as an environmental platform, planting 100,000 trees across Canada and organizing park clean-up efforts in ten cities.
Reader's Guide
Molson Canadian's significance lies in its long-standing presence as a Canadian lager since 1959 and its notable marketing and environmental initiatives. The brand's awards, including multiple Monde Selection gold medals and a Canadian Brewing Awards gold, reflect its recognition within the beer industry. The Mega Keg monument, built by Kubik, stands as a large-scale promotional artifact, symbolizing the brand's reach. The Molson Canadian Red Leaf Project, introduced in 2011, represents a corporate environmental effort involving tree planting and park clean-ups. In February 2011, Molson entered a partnership with the National Hockey League, though court rulings delayed its start until the opening night of the 2011–12 season on October 6. The $375-million, seven-year deal reportedly included approximately $100-million for rights, $100-million in guaranteed advertising buys, and $100-million in activation costs for events and promotions. This partnership underscores the brand's alignment with Canadian hockey culture. The brand's legacy is also tied to its sub-zero serving variant and its consistent presence in the Canadian beer market.
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