Upper Canada Lager

When I visit the United States, I'm always blown away by the availability of cheap suds in supermarkets and convenience stores. In Canada, the days of the sub-$10 six pack are nearing extinction.  However, in Ontario at least, there remain a handful of value brands that are reasonably-priced and acceptably made.

Guelph, Ontario is home to the Upper Canada Brewing Co., makers of the Upper Canada Lager. U.C.L. is one of the last bastions cheap beer in the province, retailing at around $9 for six 341mL bottles. It clocks in at the standard 5% alcohol, pours a clear straw colour, and features lots of carbonation and a froth of brilliant white head. The aroma is grassy and grainy, as one expects from a pale lager. It has a flavour that is grainy and quite malty. A wisp of bitterness and ever-so-slight citrus notes make this a value brew worth considering.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.