150 Years of Canadian Beer Labels - by Lawrence C Sherk (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Shortlisted for the 2017 Taste Canada Food Writing Awards

Foreword by Ian Coutts, author of The Perfect Keg and Brew North

What's more Canadian than beer? Craft brewing has exploded across Canada, reinvigorating the country's love and appreciation for its favorite beverage. But Canadians have always treasured beer--a fact evidenced by these 150 vintage labels that showcase both stunning skills in typography and a true passion for the brewski.

In addition to the earliest vintage labels from iconic breweries like Dow and Molson, discover an eye-opening cross-section of the country's beer-brewing history through the artwork of ales, porters, lagers, and malts from brewers east to west, many of which are long forgotten.

Review Quotes

"A great addition to any home library or coffee table. Beer historians will reminisce over the old breweries, long closed. Graphic design fans will appreciate the transition over the years from simple to elaborate art. Non-beer-lovers will love the kitsch pictures and slices of life from Canada past."

-- (11/18/2016)

"Craft [beer] fans will certainly find many of their modern-day heroes represented in the book . . . [it] will appeal to those who have a keen eye for historic commercial art, Canadiana, or who just love to collect coffee table books with impressively-laid-out imagery . . . As the author says, "The story of beer is the story of Canada", and we have to agree that along with books on hockey and politics, a history of Canadian brewing is a great way to get a sense of how our country has evolved."

-- (12/17/2016)

"Searching for the perfect gift for the beer fan on your list? Art, beer, and history intersect in a new tome from a guy who was likely the first to see and appreciate the artistic merit of Canadian beer labels . . . a fascinating celebration of beer and art published to mark Canada's 150th birthday."

-- (12/07/2016)

"The perfect gift for brew lovers . . . Beer historians will appreciate the labels dating back to the late 1870s, and the history of breweries east to west--many of which have been forgotten. Anyone who is excited to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday will be pleased to have this beautiful book to add to their collection."

-- (11/01/2016)

This book is amazing. 150 Years of Canadian Beer Labels . . . is an art book, with its art being beer bottle labels . . . Just in time for Canada's 150th birthday, you can see its history. In beer labels.

-- (12/31/2016)

About the Author

A lifelong collector of beer memorabilia, Lawrence C. Sherk has amassed the second-largest private collection of beer labels in Canada. In 2011, he donated nearly 3000 of his labels to the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library at the University of Toronto, where they can be viewed as part of the library's paper-ephemera collection. Before retiring in 2000, Sherk was a renowned horticulturist, though history is his first love.