This mashup certainly caught my eye – The Beer Hunter.
Unlike California, where you can buy alcohol just about anywhere until 2 am, parts of Canada have very restrictive alcohol laws – its hard to find a place to buy it, and the hours of operation are erratic. I know this because I lived in Ottawa a couple of years ago. I fondly remember the fascist-like Liquor Control Board of Ontario and it’s near-overwhelming control over alcohol in Ontario, Canada. 
Well, Janis Mussat is helping. She’s created a mashup of Google maps and local alcohol outlet hours of operation. If you live in Ontario, this just may become your home page.
Michael, just to be clear the LCBO manages liquor control in Ontario, not in all of Canada.
I’m from a small town near Ottawa originally and you might not have picked up on it when you where there, but the exodus across the river to Quebec to their more relaxed laws was a very common ritual for many.
The LCBO is exactly the same as the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) boards you have in 18 US states. If government controlled liquor distribution is fascist then pot = kettle = black.
Oh yeah Canada’s minimum drinking age is 2-3 years (depending on province) earlier than in the USA.
I clicked through off the RSS reader to tell you the same thing as Chris. Although Ontario is a shrine for Detroit-area and Buffalo-area college students aged 19 and 20 due to the lower drinking age.
I actually like the fact that the store where you buy beer is called “The Beer Store” – shades of Repo Man.
Liquor Control Board of Ontario = Ontario. Not all of Canada. Ontario is a single province in Canada.
Fascist like? Get a grip on yourself. Look in your own country-mirror first.
Who doesn’t love their beer!? This mashup will be very useful… Thanks!
Ah yes, Chris brings back memories of trips to the Quebec side — the Chaudiere Hotel in particular I remember doing “off sales” as they used to call it (selling cases of beer out the back door).
In fact, the LCBO is bad but the Beer Store may even be worse — controlled by the major brewers and just barely functional at the best of times. At least the LCBO has used our tax dollars to spruce up their stores a bit
Venture west to Alberta where alcohol sales have been completely privatized. They don’t sell it at the at the gas station yet, but one cannot travel very far without tripping over another ‘Beer Land’ or ‘Liquor World’, all bringing brand name intoxicants at low low warehouse prices. Sigh.
I apologize, Canada. I was just trying to promote one of your own, and reflected on my memories of living there.
I grew up in Ottawa and now call silicon valley home.
Don’t feel bad because a few hosers without a sense of humor chose to nitpick instead of smiling at your post.
Oh, and I second (third?) the memories of travelling to Hull/Quebec with friends for our weekly beverage fix.
You would have had no memories had you figured out how to cross the bridge to Hull. LCBO is really just a red herring for Americans living in Ottawa.
No, I knew there was beer over the bridge. But that’s in Quebec. There are French people there. Not worth the risk.
Canadians sure love beer and Americans sure love to click on two websites: cartoon network and Paris Hilton. For more information:
http://www.upi....19-100741-5398r
I don’t know why everyone is giving Micheal a hard time about this. He didn’t say Canada has restrictive liquor laws, he said “parts of Canada have very restrictive alcohol laws” and
“it’s near-overwhelming control over alcohol in Ontario, Canada. ”
Parts of Canada do, namely Ontario, Canada.
That being said I like the laws. They mean that the province shops for wine, they can buy it in bulk. They mean that small town Ontario can have great wines or spirits that they normally wouldn’t have the trade muscule to get. That and it is one of the few govn’t agencies that makes money.
Robot, Actually, I updated the post based on the comments, so they were not inaccurate (just mean).
You should check out the folks at the OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission). This is where I’m from. Seriously, these guys make Canada look like Vegas. Quick story…I once ordered a white russian in Whistler once (before it was Whistler) and they asked if I wanted an oZ. of kahlua or vodka. can’t have both. Jesus….
Geez what a defensive testy bunch those canadians are. realx. have a beer.
Hey all, We will be driving through Quebec at about 11:00 pm ….can someone tell me if the gas stations will be opened that late(to buy beer?)