Quick answer: The average size of a Canadian beer bottle or can is 341 ml. A Canadian pint of beer contains 568 ml. A Canadian beer bottle typically contains between 341 ml to 500 ml of beer.
In Canada, beer is sold in a variety of container sizes, the most common being 341 ml bottles or cans, 473 ml cans, 500 ml bottles or cans, and 568 ml pints. Understanding Canadian beer sizes is important for calculating alcohol consumption and comparing to beer sizes in other countries.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the typical beer container sizes used in Canada. We will cover the volumes of common beer bottles, cans, and pints. Standard bottle and can sizes from major Canadian breweries will be examined. We will also compare Canadian beer sizes to those used in other major beer-drinking countries.
Standard Canadian Beer Bottle and Can Sizes
The most ubiquitous size for Canadian beer bottles and cans is 341 ml. This size contains 11.5 ounces of beer. Major Canadian breweries such as Molson, Labatt, and Sleeman all offer many of their beer brands in 341 ml bottles or cans.
Some key facts about the standard 341 ml Canadian beer container:
- Contains 11.5 oz (341 ml) of beer
- Shortened to “tallboy” – originally referring to the tall, slim cans
- 341 ml cans are often referred to as “pounders” in western Canada
- The same size as an American “pony” beer bottle
While not as common as the 341 ml size, many Canadian beers are also sold in 473 ml cans. These are sometimes known as “tall cans” and contain 16 oz of beer. Popular brands like Moosehead and Steam Whistle offer 473 ml cans.
In recent years, some craft breweries have moved to using 500 ml cans and bottles. This size holds 16.9 oz of beer. Brands such as Amsterdam Brewery, Collective Arts, and Ace Hill provide some or all of their selections in 500 ml formats.
Breakdown of Standard Canadian Beer Container Sizes
| Container Size | Milliliters | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bottle/can | 341 ml | 11.5 oz |
| “Tall can” | 473 ml | 16 oz |
| Craft can/bottle | 500 ml | 16.9 oz |
Canadian Beer Bottle Sizes
While 341 ml is the most popular size, Canadian beer is also sold in larger bottle formats, typically ranging from 500 ml up to 750 ml. Here are some of the key beer bottle sizes used by Canadian breweries:
- 500 ml – As mentioned, some craft breweries like Collective Arts have adopted this size. It contains 16.9 oz of beer.
- 640 ml – Known as a “stubby”, this bottle size was mandated for use by all Canadian breweries in the 1970s. It has since declined in popularity but is still used for some brands.
- 650 ml – A few major breweries like Moosehead use this unique size, which holds 22 oz.
- 750 ml – Used for many imported and specialty beers. Holds 25.4 oz.
In addition to these common sizes, some novelty or collectable beer bottles may be sold in non-standard volumes.
Canadian Beer Bottle Sizes
| Bottle Size | Milliliters | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Craft bottle | 500 ml | 16.9 oz |
| Stubby | 640 ml | 21.4 oz |
| Moosehead | 650 ml | 22 oz |
| Import/Specialty | 750 ml | 25.4 oz |
Canadian Beer Pint Sizes
In Canada, a pint of beer actually contains 20 imperial fluid ounces, which equals 568 ml. This is notably different from a US pint at 16 US fluid ounces (473 ml). The 568 ml Canadian pint is often referred to as an “Imperial Pint”.
Some key facts about Canadian beer pints:
- Contains 20 imperial fluid ounces of beer
- Equivalent to 568 ml
- Larger than an American pint at 16 US fl oz (473 ml)
- Pint glasses in Canada are usually branded with a 20 oz fill line
Beer drinkers should be aware that some bars may try to pass off American 16 oz pints as full pints. Always check that a “pint” is 20 imperial ounces when ordering draught beer in Canada.
Comparison of Beer Pint Sizes
| Pint Type | Milliliters | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| American pint | 473 ml | 16 US fl oz |
| Imperial (Canadian) pint | 568 ml | 20 imp fl oz |
How Canadian Beer Sizes Compare to Other Countries
Compared to many other major beer-drinking countries, Canada tends to use larger beer container sizes. Here is an overview of how standard Canadian beer sizes compare:
- United States – The US uses smaller bottles (12 oz vs. 11.5 oz) and cans (16 oz vs. 16.9 oz). US pints are 16 oz vs. 20 oz in Canada.
- Britain – British pints match the 20 oz Canadian size. But British bottles (330 ml) and cans (500 ml) are smaller than the common Canadian 341 ml and 473 ml.
- Germany – German beer bottles (330 ml or 500 ml) and cans (500 ml) are smaller than Canadian standards. But the German beer pint (500 ml) is of similar size.
- Australia – Like Canada, Australia has 341 ml standard bottles and 473 ml cans. But Australia has a smaller beer pint at 425 ml.
Overall, Canada tends to use some of the largest standard beer package and draught sizes of major beer-drinking nations.
Comparison of International Beer Container Sizes
| Country | Standard Bottle | Standard Can | Pint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 341 ml | 473 ml | 568 ml |
| United States | 355 ml | 473 ml | 473 ml |
| Britain | 330 ml | 500 ml | 568 ml |
| Germany | 330 or 500 ml | 500 ml | 500 ml |
| Australia | 341 ml | 473 ml | 425 ml |
Beer Sizes Offered by Major Canadian Breweries
Here is a more detailed look at some of the most common beer formats offered by Canada’s largest brewing companies:
Molson
- Bottles – 341 ml, 500 ml
- Cans – 341 ml, 355 ml, 473 ml
- Kegs (draught) – 30 L, 50 L
Molson’s main brands like Molson Canadian, Molson Export, and Coors Light are mostly sold in 341 ml bottles/cans. But some products like Molson Stock Ale come in 500 ml bottles.
Labatt
- Bottles – 341 ml, 500 ml, 640 ml
- Cans – 355 ml, 473 ml
- Kegs (draught) – 30 L, 50 L
Like Molson, Labatt’s mass market beers primarily come in 341 ml bottles/cans. But Labatt 50 is available in 640 ml bottles and some limited releases come in 500 ml bottles.
Sleeman
- Bottles – 341 ml, 500 ml, 640 ml
- Cans – 473 ml
- Kegs (draught) – 30 L, 58.6 L
Sleeman offers a range of bottle sizes, from the standard 341 ml up to 640 ml stubbies. Most of their canned beer comes in 473 ml tall cans.
The Rising Popularity of Craft Beer in 473 ml and 500 ml Formats
In recent years, many Canadian craft breweries have moved to canning and bottling beer in larger 473 ml and 500 ml sizes:
- More craft brands now offer these large format cans and bottles alongside or instead of 341 ml.
- Helps craft stand out on shelves next to common 341 ml domestic beers.
- Caters to craft beer drinkers who want to buy less packages.
- Lets craft offer competitively priced single servings.
For example, popular Ontario craft brewery Collective Arts sells almost all of their canned products exclusively in 500 ml cans. Other leading craft breweries distributing 473 ml or 500 ml cans include Amsterdam Brewery, Ace Hill Beer, and Left Field Brewery.
The growth of these larger can and bottle sizes reflects the increasing consumer demand for craft beer and alternatives to standard 341 ml cans that dominate most store shelves.
Factors Influencing Beer Container Sizes in Canada
A few key factors have shaped the common beer package sizes used in Canada today:
- Government mandates – In the 1970s, Canadian provinces required use of the 640 ml stubby bottle to try to standardize beer packaging.
- Consumer preferences – Over time, consumers shifted away from stubby bottles back to 341 ml and 500 ml industry standards.
- Cost considerations – Breweries gravitate toward the most cost-effective bottle and can formats for production.
- Drinkability – 341 ml provides a convenient single serving size Canadians seem to prefer.
- Competition – Craft brewers adopt larger 473 ml and 500 ml sizes to differentiate from typical 341 ml bottles and cans.
While consumer choice now drives most decisions, government regulation and policies of the past played a role in establishing common beer sizes in Canada.
Packaging Trends and the Potential for New Beer Sizes
Some packaging shifts that could introduce new beer container sizes in Canada going forward include:
- Canning growth – More craft breweries adopting 473 ml or 500 ml cans instead of bottles.
- Eco-friendly focus – Possible use of smaller or reusable glass bottles by some breweries.
- RTD expansion – Introduction of unique 355 ml single-serve cans for ready-to-drink beverages.
- Craft innovation – More limited run specialty beers in unique bottle sizes.
However, 341 ml bottles and cans will likely remain the standard package size for most big brewers. And the 341 ml, 473 ml, and 500 ml sizes will continue to dominate overall as consumers have come to know and trust these volumes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the typical Canadian beer bottle or can contains 341 ml of beer. This size is ubiquitous across most large breweries’ products. Other common sizes are 500 ml bottles for specialty beers, 640 ml stubby bottles in some brands, 473 ml tall cans, and the 568 ml Canadian pint.
Compared to the US and many other beer-producing countries, Canada tends to make use of generously sized bottles, cans, and draught beer servings. While notexcessive, this perhaps helps explain Canadians’ global reputation as avid beer drinkers!
Standard beer container sizes arise from a mix of consumer expectations, cost considerations, regulation, and competitive factors. Craft breweries have more flexibility to experiment with larger or smaller formats. But overall, the 341 ml, 473 ml, and 500 ml sizes will likely remain preferred by both producers and consumers for the foreseeable future.
