Category Archives: Black Horse

February 18, 2012 · 8:13 pm

More Black Horse Labels

The goal of this project is to consolidate as much Newfoundland beer/brewery history into one place as possible. The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, at the University of Toronto, has a large collection of old beer labels donated by Lawrence C. Sherk which have been scanned in very high quality. Since they are creative commons licensed for sharing, remixing, or commercializing with the condition that “[y]ou must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work),” here are a few of the older Black Horse ones:

: Dawes Black Horse Ale label circa 1888-1926.

: Dawes Black Horse Extra Fine label circa 1910-1939.

: Dawes Black Horse Porter label circa 1921-1939.

: Dawes Black Horse Porter Top label circa 1910-1939.

: Dawes Export Ale label circa 1921-1939.

: Dawes top label, undated.

: Dawes Cream Porter label circa 1910-1952

: Dawes Cream Porter top label circa 1910-1939.

: Dawes Black Horse Ale label circa 1927-1928.

: Dawes Black Horse Ale label circa 1939-1952.

: Dawes Black Horse Export Ale label circa 1939-1952.

: Dawes Black Horse Ale label circa 1939-1952.

: Dawes Black Horse Ale circa 1937.

: Dawes top labels circa 1939-1952.

: Dawes Black Horse Porter label circa 1940.

: Dow label, 1952-1967. The Dow Brewery was a partner with Dawes in the early 20th century, but the Dow name took over Black Horse in the later half (until Molson).

United Nations of Beer (Black Horse)

Emily Urquhart has an article on the United Nations of Beer website (check it out here) which discusses the longing many Newfoundlanders (including myself) feel for Black Horse when living away. It’s a great piece which, unlike many of the more critical taste/aroma/colour/mouthfeel reviews (Beer Advocate or Rate Beer) really brings out the sentimental connection many people share with the brand.

Black Horse in Newfoundland

Black Horse is not, technically, a Newfoundland beer, but since it’s only brewed there now and it’s a big part of the culture it counts! It actually dates back to around 1811. Black Horse was first owned by Dawes Brewing in Lachine, Quebec, who merged with Dow (a bigger brewer, bigger than Molson at the time) to form National Breweries Limited (1909). This was bought by Canadian Breweries Limited in 1952, which changed the name back to Dow’s Brewing (as seen on this bottle). Carling O’Keefe bought them out in the 1960s and Carling O’Keefe was bought by Molson in the 1980s. The brand was national throughout Canada in the 1980s under the name Dow brewing, but as of 1997 the name Dow was dropped.