Quick Overview: Best Strong Beers at the LCBO
Strong beer in Canada has evolved far beyond high alcohol content — it’s about craftsmanship, balance, and depth. From Scotch ales to imperial stouts, strong beers showcase a brewer’s ability to layer flavour and warmth in perfect harmony. At 7.5% ABV, MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale is one of Ontario’s most celebrated strong beers, brewed for comfort, character, and slow appreciation. Available at select retailers and the LCBO, it stands among the best strong beers in Ontario for those who prefer embracing the an old classic.
What Defines a Strong Beer
When Canadians talk about strong beer, they’re not just referring to alcohol percentage — they’re talking about flavour, craftsmanship, and intensity. In Canada, a strong beer typically sits above 6% ABV, but it’s the brewing process, not just the number, that truly sets these beers apart.
The best strong beers balance power with poise. They carry rich malt sweetness, warmth, and complexity, yet remain smooth and approachable. From Scotch ales to barleywines, Ontario craft brewers have perfected this art, creating beers that invite you to slow down and savour rather than rush.
At its heart, strong craft beer is about patience. More malt means more sugars, which take longer to ferment. The result? A deeper body, more rounded flavour, and a finish that lingers long after the glass is empty.
A Short History of Strong Beer
Strong beer has its roots deep in European brewing history. Before refrigeration, higher-alcohol beers were prized for their stability — they travelled better, aged gracefully, and provided nourishment through long winters.
In Scotland, brewers developed what we now call the Scotch Ale or Wee Heavy — a malt-forward beer with caramelised sweetness and subtle smokiness from long, slow boils. These ales became the blueprint for many modern strong beers, valued for their complexity and warmth.
As brewing traditions crossed the Atlantic, Canadian brewers adopted and adapted these recipes, blending Old World techniques with local ingredients. Today, Ontario’s strong craft beer scene reflects both heritage and innovation — and few beers embody that balance better than MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale.
Why People Love Strong Beer
There’s something timeless about strong beer. It’s not about chasing trends or extremes — it’s about comfort, character, and craftsmanship.
Here’s why strong beer has earned its place on so many LCBO shelves:
- Flavour complexity: Strong beers are packed with malt-derived notes — caramel, toffee, spice, and roasted grains that evolve as the beer warms.
- A sense of occasion: These aren’t beers you rush through. They’re made for fireplaces, gatherings, and quiet reflection.
- Balance and warmth: The best strong beers, like Armchair Scotch Ale, carry their strength gracefully, offering body and depth without harshness.
- Year-round appeal: While often associated with winter, strong ales and lagers can be enjoyed whenever you crave something substantial and rewarding.
For Ontario drinkers, strong beer at the LCBO has become a marker of craftsmanship — a sign that the brewery behind it values tradition, patience, and integrity.
The Hallmarks of a Great Strong Beer
What separates a good strong beer from the best strong beers in Canada? It’s all about harmony.
- Rich, layered flavour – Expect deep malt sweetness with hints of toast, toffee, or molasses.
- Full body, smooth texture – A well-crafted strong ale feels rounded, not heavy.
- Aromatic depth – Strong craft beers often reveal caramel, spice, or subtle smoke on the nose.
- A clean, lingering finish – The alcohol should feel warming, never harsh.
- Craftsmanship – Behind every great strong beer is a brewer who understands balance, not just strength.
These qualities define MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale — a beer that embodies the best of Ontario’s strong beer tradition.
Spotlight: MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale
One sip and you’ll stay awhile.
View on Our Beer Shop | Buy at LCBO
Type: Scotch Ale
- ABV: 7.5%
- Character: Rich, malty, and full-bodied with a profound depth of flavour
MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale is the epitome of comfort and depth — a beer designed for moments of leisure and reflection. With its rich malt character and smooth, full body, this ale invites you to stoke the fire, settle into your favourite chair, and take your time.
Each sip reveals caramel sweetness, roasted malt, and a faint whisper of smoke — the kind of flavour that unfolds slowly, rewarding patience. Despite its strength, it remains exceptionally balanced, a hallmark of the MacLean’s brewing philosophy.
At 7.5% ABV, it fits squarely among the best strong beers in Canada, yet it’s crafted with the restraint and polish that only experience can bring. Brewed in Hanover, Ontario, by one of the province’s original craft breweries, Armchair Scotch Ale carries the legacy of both local tradition and European mastery.
This strong ale isn’t about excess — it’s about excellence. It’s about the skill required to create power without losing finesse.
The Craftsmanship Behind the Strength
Creating a beer like Armchair Scotch Ale takes more than malt and yeast — it takes intention.
The brewing process starts with a generous grain bill to create natural sweetness and body. Long, slow boils caramelise the malt sugars, developing deep flavours reminiscent of toffee and dark fruit. Carefully controlled fermentation ensures a smooth alcohol profile, avoiding the sharp edges often found in less refined strong beers.
This attention to detail is what makes strong craft beers from Ontario so special. Brewers like Charles MacLean were among the first to champion small-batch quality over industrial scale, setting a precedent that continues to shape the province’s craft scene today.
Strong Beer and the Ontario Craft Movement
Ontario’s reputation for world-class craft beer didn’t happen overnight. Early pioneers — including MacLean’s — helped change laws, educate drinkers, and prove that independent breweries could produce beers to rival those of Europe.
Today, the LCBO carries a wide variety of strong craft beers, from imperial IPAs to dark Scotch ales. But among them, few have a story as deep or as enduring as MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale — a beer brewed not for hype, but for heritage.
For those seeking strong beer in Canada with genuine character, Armchair stands as both a nod to history and a testament to where Ontario brewing is headed.
How to Enjoy a Strong Beer
Strong beer rewards a bit of patience and care.
- Serve slightly warmer than lagers (around 10–13°C) to release full aroma and flavour.
- Use a tulip or snifter glass to concentrate the rich malt notes.
- Take your time. These beers evolve as they warm, revealing new nuances with each sip.
Armchair Scotch Ale, in particular, is best enjoyed slowly — the perfect companion for quiet nights, winter gatherings, or reflective moments that call for something deeper than ordinary.
Notable Strong Beers at the LCBO
If you’re looking to explore beyond Scotch ales, the LCBO offers a range of strong beers from Ontario worth sampling:
- MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale
- Muskoka East Coast IPA
- Wellington Imperial Stout
- Thornbury Craft Strong Apple Cider
But for those who prefer something balanced, timeless, and rooted in tradition, MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale remains in a class of its own.
The Strength of Craft, Not Just Alcohol
The best strong beers are more than just high-ABV brews — they’re expressions of craft. They remind us that great brewing is about patience, balance, and respect for tradition.
At MacLean’s Beer, that philosophy runs through everything we make. Armchair Scotch Ale isn’t brewed to be the strongest beer on the shelf — it’s brewed to be the most memorable. It’s a beer that invites you to slow down, savour the moment, and appreciate the craft that went into every drop.
Whether you discover it on tap, in our brewery shop, or through the LCBO, you’ll understand why we say:
Shop online for local delivery or find MacLean’s at your nearest LCBO, Beer Store, or Circle K using our MacLean’s Craft Beer Map.
