For the next eight months, the strike dragged on as domestic beer supplies dwindled. Pubs and taverns were running low on their beer supplies by May and it was expected by the middle of the month they would be out of beer.
🧵 4/9
I hope you enjoyed that look at the Newfoundland Brewery Strike.
If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇
www.buymeacoffee.com/craigu
*sources*
🧵 9/9
In order to get alcohol into the province, the importation of American beer began.
Brands such as Old Milwaukee and Lone Star started to appear in Newfoundland.
Many Newfoundlanders called the imported beer "American froth".
🧵 5/9
The use of cans allowed for breweries to have greater ability to centralize and streamline their production because cans could be shipped longer distances than bottles. Strikers wore badges that said "Glass is class. Ban the can."
🧵 3/9
The American beer was so disliked that beer sales in the province dropped by 20 per cent during the first half of the strike.
Some people simply began brewing their own beer in their homes rather than drink the American beer.
The strike finally ended in November.
🧵 6/9
On April 1, 1985, workers at the Labatt Brewery went on strike, protesting the introduction of aluminum cans. The next day, O'Keefe and Molson workers went on strike.
Workers worried that cans could lead to a centralized brewing process, which could cost jobs.
📸 CBC
🧵 2/9
By this point, beer sales were down 15%.
There was also still a lot of American beer in the province. To sell it, it was discounted by as much as 95%.
Even with that discount, barely any American beer sold in Newfoundland.
🧵 7/9
*sources*
PNI Atlantic News: A new year, an old strike
CBC: Remember the beer strike of 1985?
Newfoundland Beer: buff.ly/JnYbgpz
From April to November 1985, the workers at Newfoundland's major breweries went on strike.
When American beer was imported to the island, most residents refused to drink it.
Many just brewed their own beer.
This is the story.
📸 NewfoundlandBeer.org
🧵 1/9
The strike was immortalized in poem by Newfoundland poet Ben J. Ploughman. It reads in part:
They brought in 'Old Milwaukee'
The best one of the lot,
Another American import
Another can of froth.
It was also featured in an episode of Son of a Critch.
🧵 8/9
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
Canadian History Ehx
buff.ly
Hello!Bringing Canadian history to people is my full-time job through my podcast Canadian History Ehx, and on social media.I love Canadian history and I share my passion with my listeners and viewers.
