Black Horse Beer is a top 5 bestselling local beer in Newfoundland, Canada. It is a macrobrew lager that was first brewed in 1826 in Lachine, Quebec, and is now exclusive to Newfoundland. It is unclear whether Black Horse Beer is available outside of Canada, but it can be purchased in Newfoundland and Toronto, Canada.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Where to buy | Newfoundland, Canada |
History | Brewed in Lachine, Quebec; since 1826; now exclusive to Newfoundland |
Marketing | Black Horse is marketed as part of Newfoundland history |
Availability outside Newfoundland | Not available outside Newfoundland, but memorabilia can be purchased online |
What You'll Learn
Black Horse beer is exclusive to Newfoundland, Canada
Black Horse beer started out as a small craft beer from a small town in Quebec. It was first brewed in 1826 in Lachine, and the Black Horse on its logo is the breed (Percheron noir) that was used to run deliveries around that Quebec city at the time. By the 1860s and 70s, Dawes Brewery, the original brewer of Black Horse, was a massive operation with one facility for roasting grains, two for fermenting the beers, a storehouse, and an icehouse. They even had their own cooperage to make kegs and barrels.
In the early 1900s, many Quebec breweries were spending a lot of money competing with each other, including Dawes, Dow, Boswell, and Molson. So, in 1909, over a dozen of them merged to become "National Breweries LTD." to save money by lowering marketing costs and reducing production costs. However, by 1952, National Breweries was bought out by Canadian Breweries, which began retiring many of National Breweries' brands in Canada, including Black Horse Ale.
Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Black Horse eventually ended up being produced by Carling O'Keefe, which bought Newfoundland-based brewing Bennett Brewing in 1962. Bennett Brewing began making and selling Black Horse Beer in Newfoundland, even as it was phased out of production in mainland Canada.
Today, Black Horse beer is produced by Molson Coors in Newfoundland and Labrador and is one of the top five bestselling local beers. It is a pale golden colour with a fluffy white head that dissipates quickly. The aroma and taste are biscuit and white bread, with a subtle graininess. It is a light-bodied lager with a crisp and dry finish.
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It was first brewed in Lachine, Quebec in 1811/1826
Black Horse Beer has a long history that dates back to the early 19th century. The beer was first brewed in Lachine, Quebec, a small town in Canada, with roots tracing back to 1811 or 1826. The exact date of its inception remains a bit unclear, with some sources citing 1811 and others 1826. However, what is clear is that Black Horse Beer has been a part of Quebec's brewing landscape for almost two centuries.
Lachine played a significant role in the early days of Black Horse Beer. The town was known for its Percheron noir horses, which were used to deliver the beer throughout Quebec. This breed of horse also inspired the name and logo of the beer, featuring a black horse. The beer's marketing campaigns were so successful that it became one of the most popular beers in Quebec for decades. The popularity of Black Horse Ale led to the expansion of the Dawes Brewery, which included facilities for roasting grains, fermenting beers, storage, and even their own cooperage to make kegs and barrels.
The success of Black Horse Beer in Quebec did not go unnoticed, and by the early 1900s, it became involved in a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 1909, Dawes Brewery joined forces with over a dozen other Quebec breweries to form "National Breweries LTD." to save costs and better compete with rivals like Molson. However, as the decades progressed, Black Horse Beer would undergo several changes in ownership and even a transformation from an ale to a lager to appeal to the changing tastes of North American consumers.
Today, Black Horse Beer continues to be a beloved beverage, especially in Newfoundland, where it has established itself as a local favourite. Despite the various changes in ownership and recipe adjustments, Black Horse Beer remains an iconic brand with a rich history that reflects the evolution of Quebec's and Canada's brewing industry.
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Black Horse was originally an ale, not a lager
Black Horse beer has a long history that dates back to 1826 when it was first brewed in Lachine, Quebec. The Black Horse on its logo is a reference to the Percheron noir breed that was used to deliver the beer in that region. Over the years, the brand has undergone several changes and mergers, but it was originally known as an ale, not a lager.
In the early 1900s, Dawes Brewery, the original brewer of Black Horse, merged with several other Quebec breweries, including Dow Breweries, to form National Breweries LTD. This consortium aimed to reduce marketing and production costs by banding together. In 1952, National Breweries was bought out by Canadian Breweries LTD, which later became known as Carling O'Keefe.
During this time, Black Horse Ale was a popular brand in Canada and the United States, with advertisements and labels clearly stating "Black Horse Ale". However, a strange transition occurred where the beer was rebranded as simply "Black Horse Beer", dropping the "ale" designation. Eventually, it transitioned further to become a premium lager, catering to the emerging trend of American-style lagers in North America.
Today, Black Horse Beer is exclusively available in Newfoundland, Canada, and is marketed as a "premium lager". While the brand has survived and adapted to changing tastes, its pedigree has shifted from a microbrew ale out of Quebec to a macrobrew lager out of Newfoundland. Nonetheless, it remains a top-selling local beer and a favourite among beer enthusiasts in the region.
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It is one of the top 5 bestselling local beers in Newfoundland
Black Horse Beer has a long and storied history in Canada. It is one of the top 5 bestselling local beers in Newfoundland, but it was first brewed in Quebec in 1826 (or 1811, according to another source). The Black Horse on its logo is the breed (Percheron noir) that was used to run deliveries in Quebec at the time.
The beer was originally brewed by Dawes Brewing in Lachine, Quebec. In 1909, Dawes merged with Dow to form National Breweries Limited. The brand changed hands several times over the years, eventually becoming a part of Molson Breweries Canada in 1989.
Despite its Quebec origins, Black Horse Beer has become a beloved part of Newfoundland culture. It is one of only five macrobrewery beers exclusive to the province, and it has survived national extinction by remaining popular in Newfoundland long after it was discontinued in the rest of Canada.
Molson has invested heavily in advertising Black Horse Beer as part of Newfoundland's history. The beer is still brewed in St. John's, and it continues to be a top-selling local beer.
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You can buy Black Horse beer bottle openers in Canada
If you're looking to get your hands on some Black Horse beer bottle openers in Canada, you're in luck! Etsy Canada offers a wide range of options to choose from, with various styles and designs available.
One option is the vintage Black Horse Ale bottle opener, made from pressed metal and featuring the iconic Black Horse logo. This particular bottle opener has excellent reviews, with customers praising its quality and unique design. Another option is the horseshoe bottle opener, which is a fun and functional choice for any horse lover. It also has a five-star rating from thousands of reviews, so you can be sure it's a good choice.
If you're looking for something a little more elegant, you might want to consider the silver-plated horse head bottle opener. This opener has a vintage look and feel to it and is sure to add a touch of class to your barware collection. For something truly unique, there's also a handmade horse bottle opener crafted from recycled steel. This option offers a modern take on the traditional bottle opener and is sure to impress your guests.
With so many options available, you're sure to find the perfect Black Horse beer bottle opener to suit your needs and style. So why not add a touch of equestrian charm to your home bar and enjoy a cold one in style?
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Frequently asked questions
Black Horse beer is available at the Black Horse brewery, which is located at the Black Horse Country Estate in Magaliesburg, South Africa. It is also available at selected craft beer stores.
Black Horse Brewery offers a range of beers, including lagers, ales, and IPAs. Some specific beers they offer are the Vanilla Cream Ale, Black Stallion Lager, and Dirty Blonde Ale.
Black Horse beer can be purchased at the Black Horse Pub & Brewery in Clarksville and Alcoa, as well as the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery in Knoxville, Tennessee.