Molson Export Ale - 22 oz. "quart"

[old faithful]

When I lived in Montreal, this size of Molson was popular. I don't know why we called them quarts. Could it be a translation or misstranslation of the French term used to describe these bottles? I used to know the answer but can't recall it anymore. Anyway these were the "bombers" of their day and still are popular, in Quebec anyway.

I bought one at the Beer Store at Spadina and Bloor the other day. I hadn't had an Export in a long time, so just for the fun of it I thought I'd try it.

The taste I recalled from the 70's came right back, it is remarkable how the taste profile has stayed the same for so long. Even those who don't care for commercial beer would have to hand it to the technical people at the large breweries for this kind of quality control.

There was a mild but noticeable estery smell, very pleasant. The taste was lightly malty with some hop underpinning, it was the "Export" taste. It reminded me a bit of Cooper's Sparkling Ale, the latter is fuller-flavored but the overall approach seems similar and I think this is because they were devised at a time when sparkling ale (even if Cooper's, or the one we get, has some residual yeast, I know) was the new thing in many breweries (about 100 years ago).

In the past, I've had the occasional bottle of Export that seemed off-key, maybe a bit oxidised or not perfect in some way. The quart I had was almost perfect, not tasteless by any means, but well made and a good quencher. Like any good beer (like that Anchor I had not long before) it had a "mellow" quality I find hard to describe but characterises some beers that are just right regardless of their style. Very assertive beers can be like that (or not) and some commercial beers too.

The call was often for "une grosse Molson" (a large Molson) in the Montreal taverns "dans le temps", (in the day..) and still is for many. I was once told the quart size bottles are filled only at the brewery in Montreal, I don't know if that is still the case.

Gary

[Belgian]

Gary,

I believe if you compared the Molson Export made in Quebec to that made in Ontario, that you may find that Molson or Labatts can indeed brew a conrtrastingly more palatable brew.

It would seem our eastward neighbors have a higher general food-and-drink standard, which I feel explains the cleaner-tasting Macro brews, as well as there being a lot more Micro brewers and beers Per Capita in La Belle Province.

The standard of brewing is only lowered to what the market will beer.

[old faithful]

Thanks Belgian (and for your previous kind remarks re my Anchor Steam comments). These quarts, if indeed made in Montreal, prove what you are saying because this Export seemed heavier and more aromatic than the Export usually available (i.e. made) in Ontario.


Gary

[BeerMonger]

They sell quarts at the Rose and Thorne Pub on Browns Line...EX and Coor Delight for sure.