Taverns, Drink, and Brewing Culture in the London Area and Early Upper Canada
Famously, modern brewing history in London began with the founding of Carling Brewing in 1840, and Labatt Brewing in 1847. But these brewing giants didn’t emerge out of nowhere. There is a rich history of brewing in the London area and across Upper Canada dating back to the 1700s. Brewing and drinking beer was an ingrained part of colonial life in this period. But before large-scale commercial brewing and modern pubs were established, early colonists gathered to drink, socialize, and conduct business in their local tavern or inn. In many new settlements, including London, the tavern was the first building constructed, and became the centre of colonial life. This presentation will discuss the role of taverns in colonial communities, early brewing practices, and the drinking habits of settlers.
Jesse Abbott really likes beer. He brews it, drinks it, sells it, reads about it, and, on occasion, gives public presentations about its history. Jesse received a PhD in Canadian History from the University of Waterloo in 2023, for his dissertation entitled “The Art of Getting Drunk:” Martial Masculinity, Alcohol, and the British Army in the Canadas in the War of 1812. Since then, he has gone on to work as a Sales Representative for his favourite craft brewery, Great Lakes Brewing in Etobicoke. This summer, while working in that role, Jesse completed his training to become a Certified Prud’homme Beer Sommelier. He has also recently taken up homebrewing in his spare time. His favourite beer: Devil’s Pale Ale by GLB.