And I think that's probably the longest I've gone without a beer or three since I was about 18 years old!
I like beer.
Anybody who's been reading this blog for any length of time knows that.
So for me to go three months? That's quite a feat.
But, here in overtaxed Canada, a case of 24 bottles of overpriced beer costs between $40 and $50. So despite the fact that I like beer...I don't like it at any cost.
We know from our travels what a beer costs in other countries, so we simply can't justify it here in Canada. And I refuse to buy the cheap beer. Bud Light? Keystone? After all, it's not really beer.
The best beer in the world is to be had in the Czech Republic. I sure enjoyed that trip. Over 400 different breweries in that tiny country.
Perspective is everything, isn't it? Yep, over 400 breweries.
Almost all Czech beers come in 500 ml (half a litre) bottles. Your typical 12 oz beer bottle here is 341 ml.
How much does this delicious oversized beer cost? About 60 cents.
Kevin, having a beer in Prague, Czech Republic.
Beer is so popular and inexpensive in Czech Republic that they even give it away. I'll never forget the day that we were sitting in the central plaza in this little town just watching the world go by when a van drove up, started setting up a display and then proceeded to give away free beer!
Giving away free beer in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic.
Of course one of the good things about Mexico is that you can enjoy some of the best beer in North America and at a reasonable price. My two favorite Mexican beers are Victoria and Pacifico. I can still buy a box of 24 bottles for around 250 pesos ($20.50 CAD or $15.50 USD).
Enjoying a cold Victoria in Mexico.
I love trying the different beers in countries that we visit. Lesotho had a really nice one called Maluti...
Kevin, with a cold Maluti beer in Lesotho.
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Mexican beer (Corona, Sol, Dos Equis) is $28.99 + tax & deposit for 24 at my favorite shop in Quebec. Too expensive in Ontario. I know of people in Newmarket that make the trip to Gatineau every few months to stock up.
ReplyDeleteYes!...Quebec is the cheapest place in Canada to buy beer. Also, the only place where it's freely available in grocery stores and corner stores.
DeleteSo including the sales tax, but not including the deposit, what does that 24 cost...?
You need to go to Belgium, you might never leave! Canadian beer and wine is terribly overtaxed, this is why I have been making my own wine for nearly 25 years. I now make it with as few chemicals as possible, my favorite blend is Cabernet Merlot.
ReplyDeleteWe will make it there one day Peter! :-)
DeleteWhen we had our house back in Ottawa, Kevin always made our own wine and he had made beer too but ended up finding it to finicky that he stopped making the beer. Never had a problem with the wine though, they always turned out well. Being on the road, it just isn't so easy to do that now, so instead we squirrel away the money saved by not buying it here so that we can enjoy in more in the winter, wherever we happen to travel. :-)
As a keen and seasoned beer drinker like yourself I really enjoyed your post. While in the UK in my 20's I became quite partial to bitters such as London Pride and ESB. I enjoy European beers such as Stella, Heineken and Peroni. Must make sure I include the Czech Republic if I get back to Europe. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed the post Paul. Highly recommend that you go and visit Czech Republic, not only do they have great beer but there is also a huge network of bicycle trails and hiking trails all over the country that you would love!
DeleteMy favorite Mexican beer is Pacifico as well. I drink pear cider in Canada by the 2 litre bottle but it is still $11 per bottle.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, we haven't checked out the pricing on ciders here but I have no doubt that they are pretty expensive too, although $11 doesn't sound too bad for 2 litres.
DeleteMaybe you will have to start drinking wine while in Canada! Oh yah, also overpriced. I buy my wine in the States, MUCH cheaper and same brands! Overtaxed Canada.
ReplyDeleteYep, it is overpriced too! We could probably make a batch at one of those Make It Yourself places, if Swift Current has one but with being on called 24/7 it is probably better to just continue on without any alcohol until we finish work here at the end of September and head south of the border.
DeleteIt's one of the big things I miss about no longer living in Austria, and that was the selection of beer. And yes, Czech beer is probably the best I've ever had as well.
ReplyDeleteThat and the fact that the selection of beer there is really good beer!
DeletePaul would line to join you in the Czech Republic. Y'all could have a great beer feast.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know beer was so expensive in Canada. Wonder why?
If Paul loves beer then, yes he would love the beer in Czech Republic and the price! :-)
DeleteIt isn't just the beer that is expensive here in Canada but ALL alcohol! It is expensive because of the taxes and some of those taxes go toward our healthcare system, they are know as "sin" taxes.
Beer is our lifeline,. For the last year we drink 2 beer a day, then NA beer only $11.99 for 24 cans at the grocery store. Works for us and some of them taste pretty good too. Beer taste but no buzz, less calories too, doe the trick.
ReplyDeleteCan save a lots of money here in Canada that way and does the trick.
I don't think Kevin would enjoy drinking non-alcoholic beer! He would rather not spend that money and just have a glass of water but that's just him. Glad that you enjoy it and find it a good substitute.
DeleteGreat post and very true. It was hard to buy liquor in Canada, it hurt :)
ReplyDeleteYep, it hurts the pocketbook for sure!
Deletewell sorry that I got you to thinking about beer... I simply love it too much to go three months without one...
ReplyDeleteTry five months! That will be the total of months before he has his next beer but he will make up for it over the winter months!
DeletePacifico, my Mexico favourite, but fell in love with Guinness as well. You think it's expensive in Sask., try Manitoba. Most expensive booze in Canada.
ReplyDeleteKevin isn't fond of Guinness, he actually doesn't really care much for the dark beers.
DeleteAnd, we though it was expensive here in Saskatchewan, I don't think we even want to know what the prices are in Manitoba then!