13 Beers Worth Discovering on International Beer Day

Did you know that Friday, August 6th is International Beer Day?

Always on the first Friday of every August, IBD is not only a celebration of beers made beyond our borders but also those who make and serve them!

Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or have simply explorative taste buds, some must-stop locations for globally-made beers include Birreria Volo (Toronto, ON), Social Beer Haus (Calgary, AB) and Brewhouse (Vancouver, BC). Serving restaurants across Canada also include CRAFT Beer Market (Multiple Locations), Hudson’s Pub (Edmonton, AB), Smoke ‘N Barrel (Kingston, ON) and more.

Not sure what to try first? Here’s a to-drink list to get you started! Enjoy responsibly.

A beautiful rose pink colour accented with a fruity aroma and flavour.

The ancient red rice that goes into this Hitachino Nest brew makes it truly one of a kind.

Beautifully clear, Breakside IPA features the unique character of Citra and Chinook hops. This light copper beer has huge citrus and tropical aromas, with hints of perfume and pine. Flavours like apricot, guava, and orange hit the tongue with a mild evergreen note.

A caramel sweetness also exists to balance the hop flavours, but this is really a showcase for the beautiful varieties of hops grown in the Northwest.

Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager is vibrantly influenced by our neighbours to the south. From (car-)surfing our coasts to biking in the mountains, off-roading through deserted lands, or boating and fishing in our lakes and rivers, this Baja-inspired lager is the perfect companion.

Brewed with just the right amount of lime and sea salt, it’s everything a lager should be – crisp, refreshing and full of flavour. So raise a glass (or can) with us to the Buena Vida.

It’s one of your favourite pastries, in beer form! Tastes of banana bread, honey, cereal grain and baking spices combine in this copper-coloured refreshment, complete with a hoppy bitter finish.

Try it with your favourite roast or cream pie.

Soak up the soft golden rays of an inviting malt body as the lively hues of citrusy hops linger on the horizon of a cool, refreshing finish. Enjoy the hop aromas of mandarin orange, pineapple and light mango with a pillowy sweet, juicy mouthfeel. Available in Western Canada.

In Ontario? Try the Wowza! Pale Ale!

Samuel Adams Boston Lager helped lead the American beer revolution, reviving a passion for full-flavoured brews. An aroma of rich, toasty, bready malt with a touch of caramel and a kiss of subtle floral hops is met with a flavour of sharp, clean hop bitterness overlaying sweet, toasted malt cracker notes.

Every year, the team at Samuel Adams travels to Bavaria to hand-select Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops and the high American plains for the finest two-row summer barley.

Order it for takeout at Hudson’s Pub (Edmonton, AB, @hudsonspub), Smoke ‘N Barrel (Kingston, ON, @smokenbarrelkingston), Hey Lucy (Toronto, ON, @heylucys) and more.

Nicaragua’s best-selling beer, Tona Cerveza is described as rich, balanced and smooth.

It’s comprised of natural ingredients, mineral water and a light lager colour.

Throw on your Hawaiian shirt, your lederhosen and meet at the intersection of traditional German brewing and tropical relaxation. Cigar City has taken their German-style Gose, an ancient style of beer brewed with salt, and given it the coastal treatment by adding orange peel and lime essence to create the perfect warm-weather ale.

Aromas of ripe limes, lemon zest, and Valencia orange are matched perfectly on the palate with flavours of the same, complemented by a zesty, tart sourness and a soft salinity. Bright, tropical, and refreshing!

Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale was among the first to feature the bold, citrus, and pine-like flavours of whole-cone Cascade hops.

It is considered to be the truest, most classic example of an American pale ale produced in the world, and you need to try it.

A medium and malty style beer you just need to taste to believe.

Chimay Premiere features a soft bread-dough flavour, grassy scent and a smooth texture beer lovers truly adore.

New Grist™ is a one-of-a-kind beer brewed without wheat or barley. It is the first gluten-free beer granted label approval by the U.S. Government.

Sorghum, rice, hops, water, and gluten-free yeast combine to form a crisp, refreshing session beer brewed for those with celiac disease or anyone with an appreciation for great-tasting, handmade beer.

Coconut Hiwa Porter is a robust dark ale with hand-toasted coconut & hints of mocha. A dark deep brown appearance is accompanied by the aroma of sweet coconut and roast.

The flavour of real coconut comes through with a subdued complexity of sweet & spicy.

Order it for takeout at your local CRAFT Beer Market (@craftbeermarket)

Luponic Distortion is not a single beer, but rather an ongoing series of beers. While the base beer always remains the same, each release features a different hop blend built around new and experimental hops, designed to showcase the growing possibilities of pure hop aromas and flavours without any assist from fruit or other adjuncts.

No fruits. No flavourings. No shortcuts. Just the magic of 100 percent natural hops, expertly blended to offer mind‑bending flavours with each numbered release.

Order your Luponic Distortion experience for takeout from The Drake (Victoria, BC, @drakeeatery), Curious Cafe (Kelowna, BC, @thecuriouskelowna) and more.

For more information on International Beer Day, plus beer inspo, stories and more, visit www.craftbeer.com