Molson Canadian Lager - Molson Coors Canada

weizenbob

Michigan

3.3/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

When I was young and impressionable, a gentleman I knew who was trying to kick a keg of Molson Canadian poured me a glass. It was the smoothest beer I'd tasted to that point; and for years after, Molson Canadian was my corn lager of choice. It has been at least half a decade since I last drank Molson, and I'm scared to revisit it for fear that it will ruin my memories of good ol' Ca-Na-Da!

This 24 ounce can was purchased at the Meijer gas station in Ludington, MI for $1.69. There is a drink by date of April 1, 2012 printed on the bottom of the can. The can itself boasts "The best Canada has to offer," and from my memories of both Canada, and Molson Canadian, I would probably agree.

I cracked the top and poured into a pilsner glass. A pint sized pour yields a finger tall, slightly off-white head. Head retention is moderate. Lacing isn't happening. The brew is crystal clear and the color rests neatly between golden and copper. It is darker than I expected, and a steady stream of bubbles rises to the top of the glass. For the style it is very nice looking.

The aroma initially gives off a good amount of corn. There is also a strong malty backbone smelling sweet like wet straw. Unless I'm fooling myself I'm catching the faintest whiff of noble hop varieties behind the sweet corny maltiness. Thankfully it doesn't smell watery.

Ah, my fears can be put to rest. Though this glass of Molson is not as tasty as my memory serves, it is still one of the best beers of its style, and I still prefer it over its domestic counterparts, save for my beloved Schlitz. Following the nose closely, there is an aggressive straw-like maltiness that is paired with a solid amount of sweet corn. Hop bitterness is nowhere to be found; however there is a slight bitter attack from the high level of carbonation. Unfortunately it is slightly watery, but as a whole this is still near the top of the industrial lager pile.

The mouthfeel is on the heaviest end of light. It has a thicker viscosity than its domestic brethren, while still retaining its refreshing light-lager feel. The high carbonation level presents a small carbonic burn on the tongue. I'm not a fan of the sting. Even if the overall feel does stand in contrast with the watery norm of the style I don't feel that it is particularly strong on its own terms either.

Overall I'm finding Canadian to be a decent little beer that could easily become a summer standby. It is a good balance of flavor and refreshment; and though its import status makes it slightly pricier than a Bud, the superior flavor makes the added cost a non-burden. Best of all, my fond memories remain intact.

---

The Two-Schlitz Scale: (reference my profile for an explanation)
I give a Schlitz for Molson Canadian. And this time around it's an apples to apples comparison.

Serving type: can

02-01-2012 04:00:53 | More by weizenbob

CurtisD

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -21.3%

06-19-2013 12:48:06 | More by CurtisD

zmusselman

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev +4.9%

06-16-2013 19:14:11 | More by zmusselman

DbbC

Illinois

2.25/5  rDev -21.3%

06-15-2013 17:40:21 | More by DbbC

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -12.6%

06-15-2013 16:05:39 | More by TheBeeraholic

LifeByTheDrop

Texas

2.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-13-2013 04:09:08 | More by LifeByTheDrop

Tom_Servo

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2/5  rDev -30.1%

06-13-2013 01:22:30 | More by Tom_Servo

Brew33

Ohio

2/5  rDev -30.1%

06-12-2013 16:51:04 | More by Brew33

bsp77

Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Serving glass: Drank straight from the can. I really shouldn't review this, but I had it for a few days in a row while fishing and think that is good enough.

Appearance: Well, it is a fine looking can. But the beer inside looked a little richer than most Adjunct Lagers.

Smell: Not really sure. Next!

Taste: Tastes like a macro lager, but a relatively full flavored one. Some light hops at the finish, with an aftertaste that is both decent and distracting.

Feel: High carbonation, light to medium body. I wish the finish was dryer.

Overall: Good fishing beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 04:59:28 | More by bsp77

russwilliam

New York

1.5/5  rDev -47.6%

06-09-2013 23:58:32 | More by russwilliam

BKBassist

New York

2/5  rDev -30.1%

06-07-2013 05:25:58 | More by BKBassist

majorbase2

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev +13.6%

06-06-2013 02:08:46 | More by majorbase2

DuffmanSaysALotOfThings

New York

3/5  rDev +4.9%

06-05-2013 18:49:45 | More by DuffmanSaysALotOfThings

teraflx

Arizona

2.25/5  rDev -21.3%

06-05-2013 17:04:15 | More by teraflx

BigDaddyJohn

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +31.1%

06-01-2013 23:26:45 | More by BigDaddyJohn

Wexfordbeer

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev +13.6%

06-01-2013 22:08:00 | More by Wexfordbeer

MikeyJ777

New York

4/5  rDev +39.9%

06-01-2013 02:00:47 | More by MikeyJ777

paulytasker

New York

3.75/5  rDev +31.1%

05-31-2013 21:34:17 | More by paulytasker

ImpactDan

Maryland

3/5  rDev +4.9%

05-31-2013 15:29:09 | More by ImpactDan

Luiz0930

California

2.75/5  rDev -3.8%

05-31-2013 08:45:16 | More by Luiz0930

Johnnyv310

New York

3.5/5  rDev +22.4%

05-30-2013 04:55:18 | More by Johnnyv310

krl2112

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -3.8%

05-27-2013 04:13:41 | More by krl2112

Olek4374

Alberta (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

For any Americans reading this, believe it or not, this is not the most popular beer in Canada. At least in my locale: Bud and Coors Light are the top two. Even Kokanee is ahead of
Canadian, which battles for fourth spot with Bud Light probably.

Regardless, this was the first beer I had, and I am sure it is the first beer of many Canadians - the advertising really did its work here and now this beer is a national symbol, at least to some people.

But the beer itself is okay - it`s got a lot of corny taste but some nice wheat notes as well. The flavour is pretty potent for a beer of its type, but not terribly offensive either. At the end of the day, this is the typical swill that Canadians who are not desparate enough to buy Lucky Lager will get - if it`s on sale.

Serving type: can

05-27-2013 03:35:32 | More by Olek4374

leprechaunandfatman

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +31.1%

05-26-2013 21:00:55 | More by leprechaunandfatman

MadWolf

Ohio

2.75/5  rDev -3.8%

05-24-2013 20:03:08 | More by MadWolf