Canadian Business History: The Brewing Industry, 1670–2026

HIST 3205 / BUSI 4608:

Canadian Business History: The Brewing Industry, 1670–2026

Fall 2026

Instructor: Matthew J. Bellamy

Introduction: Why study business history?

Businesses do far more than sell products and generate profits. They shape how people work, consume, socialize, relax, and even imagine themselves. Corporations build brands, influence politics, transform landscapes, create consumer desires, and help define national identities. To study business history, therefore, is not simply to study firms or entrepreneurs; it is to examine the evolution of capitalism itself and its relationship to everyday life.

Business history asks big questions about capitalism, culture, and social change. Why do some firms succeed while others collapse? How do businesses adapt to technological change, globalization, regulation, and shifting consumer tastes? How are brands created and maintained? Why do certain products become cultural symbols? And how do corporations acquire legitimacy and public trust during moments of social change?

This course explores these larger themes through the prism of one of the oldest and most influential industries in Canada: brewing.

Beer provides an ideal lens through which to examine Canadian capitalism because brewing has long existed at the intersection of business, politics, technology, culture, and identity. Molson dates to 1786. Labatt was founded in 1847. These firms survived wars, depressions, prohibition, industrial consolidation, and globalization while helping shape patterns of consumption and leisure across the country. At the same time, beer is not merely a commodity. Brewing history opens onto larger questions about class, masculinity, nationalism, sport, advertising, morality, and consumer culture.

Over the course of the term, we will trace the evolution of the Canadian brewing industry from 1670 to the present while exploring major themes in business history including entrepreneurship, branding, globalization, regulation, technology, consumer culture, and corporate legitimacy

Class Format

We meet once per week in a three-hour block. Particular emphasis will be placed on interpreting advertising, branding campaigns, and archival evidence in order to understand the evolution of business and consumer culture.

Aims and Goals

By the end of the course, students will have gained both a substantive understanding of the Canadian brewing industry and a broader appreciation of the major themes and approaches of business history.

Topics explored throughout the course include:

• entrepreneurship and innovation
• branding and advertising
• technology and industrialization
• globalization and corporate consolidation
• regulation and state intervention
• consumer culture and identity
• sport and mass marketing
• corporate legitimacy and public relations
• craft brewing and authenticity

The course also emphasizes the development of critical thinking, research, analytical writing, and communication skills applicable across a wide range of professional and academic settings.

Assessment

Your mark in the course will be based on two short quizzes, an essay outline, an 8–10 page research essay, and a 2-hour final examination. The course is designed to encourage steady progress throughout the term and to provide students with multiple opportunities to develop and demonstrate their historical thinking, research, and writing skills.

Questions?

I very much look forward to exploring this subject with you over the term. If you have any questions about the course, the readings, assignments, or the study of business history more generally, please do not hesitate to contact me at Matthew_Bellamy@Carleton.ca. I am always happy to meet with students and discuss ideas, interests, or any aspect of the course material.