Molson Brewery
Historic Canadian brewery and beer brand founded in Montreal in 1786 and now associated with Molson Coors Beverage Company.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Molson Brewery is a historic Canadian brewing business and beer brand founded by John Molson in Montreal in 1786. It is among the oldest continuously associated brewing enterprises in North America and became closely identified with the development of commercial brewing, transportation, hospitality, finance, and sporting life in Canada. Although the original Montreal brewery ceased operations in 2021, the Molson name remains active through beer brands produced and marketed by Molson Coors Beverage Company. John Molson acquired the former Thomas Loyd brewery in the mid-1780s after recognizing the commercial opportunity created by Montreal's growing population and the rising cost of imported wine, rum, and port. He returned from England with brewing equipment and ingredients, encouraged nearby farmers to grow grain for malt, and produced his first beer in 1786. The brewery's early success allowed Molson to diversify into lending, lumber, steamship transportation, banking, and hospitality. In 1816, John Molson formalized a family partnership with his sons, establishing the basis of a multigenerational enterprise. Brewing remained the family's most durable business. The company later developed a broader national footprint, expanded its product range from ale into lager, and opened a Toronto brewery in 1955. Molson became a public company in 1945, allowing ownership to extend beyond the family and supporting further expansion. In 1958, it acquired several Western Canadian breweries, giving it a nationwide presence. Its 1989 combination with Carling O'Keefe strengthened its position in Quebec and made Molson one of Canada's largest brewing companies. The business also owned or invested in activities outside brewing, including Beaver Lumber, Aikenhead's Home Improvement Warehouse, Reno-Depot, and interests connected with the Montreal Canadiens. These assets were progressively sold or reorganized as the company concentrated more closely on brewing and beverages. In 2005, Molson merged with the Adolph Coors Company to create Molson Coors Brewing Company. The resulting group retained Molson as a major Canadian brand while operating a much larger portfolio across North America and Europe. Molson Coors subsequently expanded its portfolio and geographic rights, including its 2016 acquisition of SABMiller's interest in the MillerCoors joint venture in the United States and Puerto Rico. In 2020, the parent company adopted the name Molson Coors Beverage Company to reflect an increased focus on beverages beyond traditional beer. Canadian operations have included major facilities and affiliated breweries in locations such as Toronto, Longueuil, Moncton, St. John's, Chilliwack, Creemore, and Vancouver. Molson's best-known offerings include Molson Canadian, Molson Export, and Molson Dry, alongside other brands that have been part of the Canadian portfolio, including Molson M, Molson Exel, Old Style Pilsner, Rickard's, Creemore Springs, and Granville Island Brewing. The brand has also been connected with Canadian sports culture, particularly ice hockey and the Montreal Canadiens. The Montreal brewery site on the Saint Lawrence River remained historically important, but the facility closed in 2021 after more than two centuries of operation. The Molson name nevertheless continues as a commercial beer brand within Molson Coors.
History
John Molson arrived in Montreal in 1782 and soon became interested in the local brewing trade. After acquiring the former Thomas Loyd brewery in 1785, he travelled to England to obtain improved equipment and brewing materials. He also helped secure a local supply of malt by distributing seed to nearby farmers. In 1786, he produced his first ale, which sold successfully at an affordable price. Molson expanded beyond brewing into lending, lumber, steamship transportation, banking, and hospitality. In 1816, he entered a formal association with his sons John Jr., Thomas, and William, turning the enterprise into a family business. The family later founded Molson Bank, which eventually merged with the Bank of Montreal, and operated steamships serving routes between Quebec and Ontario. Molson family members also supported institutions including the Montreal General Hospital and McGill University and became involved in the arts and professional sports. The brewing business developed new products and production capacity over the following generations. Molson Export was introduced in 1903 by Herbert Molson and brewmaster John Hyde as an ale inspired by traditional imported styles. In 1945, the company became a public limited-liability enterprise. It expanded into lager and opened a Toronto brewery in 1955. The family acquired the Montreal Forum and Montreal Canadiens in 1957, while the company acquired six breweries in 1958, including five in Western Canada. Molson's 1989 merger with Carling O'Keefe consolidated its position in the Canadian market and added the former Carling brewery in Etobicoke. The company also owned non-brewing businesses for periods of time, including Beaver Lumber, Aikenhead's Home Improvement Warehouse, and Reno-Depot, but later sold these interests. In 2005, Molson merged with Adolph Coors to create Molson Coors Brewing Company. During the following years, Molson Coors expanded its Canadian production network, acquired additional brand rights through the MillerCoors transaction in 2016, and reorganized its global operations. In 2020, it adopted the Molson Coors Beverage Company name. The historic Montreal brewery ultimately closed in 2021, while the Molson brand continued through the parent company's Canadian and international brewing and marketing operations.
- 2021
Montreal brewery closes
[1]The original Montreal facility ended brewing operations after more than two centuries.
- 2016
MillerCoors ownership changes
[1]Molson Coors acquired SABMiller's interest in MillerCoors in the United States and Puerto Rico.
- 2005
Molson Coors is created
[1]Molson merged with Adolph Coors, forming Molson Coors Brewing Company.
- 1989
Molson merges with Carling O'Keefe
[1]The combination strengthened Molson's position in Quebec and made it one of Canada's largest brewing companies.
- 1958
Western Canadian breweries are acquired
[1]The acquisition of six breweries, including five in Western Canada, gave Molson a national operating presence.
- 1955
Toronto brewery opens
[1]Molson opened a Toronto brewery and expanded its capacity and product range, including lager production.
- 1945
The company becomes public
[1]Molson was reorganized as a public limited-liability company, broadening access to ownership beyond the Molson family.
- 1903
Molson Export is developed
[1]Herbert Molson and brewmaster John Hyde created Molson Export as an ale influenced by classic imported brewing styles.
- 1816
Molson family partnership is formed
[1]John Molson entered into an association with his sons, formalizing the family's role in the enterprise.
- 1786
First Molson beer is brewed
[1]Molson produced and sold his first ale, marking the beginning of the brewery's long-running commercial history.
Products and positioning
Traditional Canadian brewing heritage combined with broad mainstream beer distribution and strong associations with national identity and hockey culture.
Lager
Molson Canadian
Molson Canadian is the best-known contemporary beer associated with the Molson name. It is positioned as a mainstream Canadian lager and has served as a central brand in Molson Coors Canada's national portfolio and marketing activity.
Ale · 1903
Molson Export
Molson Export was developed in 1903 by Herbert Molson and brewmaster John Hyde. It was conceived as an ale drawing on the character of imported beers and remains one of the brewery's historically important named products.
Beer
Molson Dry
Molson Dry is a beer brand in the Molson portfolio. It represents the company's expansion beyond its core Molson Canadian and Molson Export offerings into additional mainstream beer styles and consumer occasions.
Dealcoholized beer
Molson Exel
Molson Exel is a dealcoholized beer associated with the Canadian Molson portfolio. Its inclusion reflects the company's participation in lower- or no-alcohol beverage segments alongside conventional beer.
Beer
Molson M
Molson M is one of the domestic labels identified with Molson Coors Canada's Canadian brand portfolio. Detailed product specifications and launch information are not established in the supplied reference material.
Pilsner
Old Style Pilsner
Old Style Pilsner has been included among the Canadian domestic labels marketed within the Molson Coors portfolio. It broadens the company's offering beyond the flagship Molson-branded products.
Beer
Rickard's
Rickard's is a Canadian beer brand marketed through Molson Coors Canada. The brand forms part of the company's broader domestic portfolio rather than being limited to the core Molson name.
Craft beer
Creemore Springs
Creemore Springs is a Canadian brewery and brand associated with Molson Coors Canada. Its presence gives the portfolio a craft-oriented component alongside large-scale mainstream lager and ale brands.
Craft beer
Granville Island Brewing
Granville Island Brewing is a British Columbia-based brewery and brand included in Molson Coors Canada's Canadian operations. It contributes regional and craft positioning to the wider portfolio.
Marketing campaigns
- Canadian hockey and sports association
Canada
Molson and Molson Coors have maintained a strong commercial association with Canadian hockey, including beverage rights and long-standing links to the Montreal Canadiens. The brand and its parent company have also held or pursued exclusive beverage rights at multiple professional hockey arenas.
Outcome. Strengthened the brand's connection with Canadian sporting culture.
Brand decisions
2021
Close the historic Montreal breweryStrategyBackground
Molson Coors maintained a wider Canadian production network while the original Montreal facility reached the end of its operating life.
Action taken
The Montreal brewery ceased production.
Aftermath
Brewing associated with the Molson name continued at other Canadian facilities, while the original site became a historical landmark of the business.
2019
Adopt a broader beverage strategyStrategyBackground
Molson Coors stated that its traditional beer focus was being supplemented by a broader beverage strategy.
Action taken
The company announced a name change to Molson Coors Beverage Company and a reorganization of global business units.
Aftermath
The reorganization created regional structures including Molson Coors North America and Molson Coors Europe.
2016
Acquire SABMiller's MillerCoors interestM&ABackground
SABMiller's ownership position in the MillerCoors joint venture became available following changes in the global brewing industry.
Action taken
Molson Coors acquired SABMiller's interest in MillerCoors in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Aftermath
Molson Coors obtained full ownership of the Miller portfolio outside the United States and Puerto Rico and retained relevant rights in those markets.
Transaction value. (2016)
2005
Merge with Adolph CoorsM&ABackground
Molson sought a larger international platform while retaining its Canadian brewing heritage and brand portfolio.
Action taken
The company merged with Adolph Coors to form Molson Coors Brewing Company.
Aftermath
Molson became part of a larger North American and international brewing group.
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