Globalization, it's alive and well, sorry John!

Apologies to the consort to the Governor General, but his treatise on the demise of Globalization, in this month's Harper's magazine, may be a tad premature. At least, as far as the everyday beer drinking Canadian might be concerned. John Ralston Saul has put together a comprehensive look at globalization, one which says the trend is in decline. A theory not shared by many journalists and academics, who tend to see things in a different light. Indeed, many are throwing cold water on his hot ideas.

Saul put together his vision of the state of globalization and now takes to the lecture circuit to discuss and defend it. Perhaps a visit to a campus pub might be useful for the writer and occasional Rideau Hall greeter. If nothing else he'll get a terrific example of globalization at work and how it affects everyday Canadians.

The Canadian beer industry has been put through another shake up. Former Canadian legendary brewery Labatt, which was long ago tossed into Belgian hands, has now been transferred to the Brazilian Office. In a blockbuster takeover, the brewer of such Canadian stalwart brands as Blue, 50 and John Labatt Classic, will now find head office has a rather South American flavour. The North American Unit of Interbrew and it's Brazilian office will both have separate co-CEO's (for now), but more interconnection is planned. It's expected that more and more Brazilian brands will be finding their way onto Canadian beer store shelves and into our bars, nudging the local brands further and further down the shelf and to the back of the coolers.

Canadian brands may make the pilgrimage to Brazil as well, but the idea of sunny Rio beach bums following the Kokanee sasquatch, may take a bit of getting used to. The attraction of Brazil is simple for breweries, the population is young, they enjoy their beer, but just don't drink enough of it yet. The growth curve is expected to be a good one, only thing holding things back is a lack of income in Brazil, where the young don't make a lot of money these days. Perhaps that could be the next topic for Mr. Saul to tackle, the cause and effect of the decline of globalization, with the decline of beer sales.

Then again, the rarefied atmosphere at Rideau Hall probably doesn't find common cause with the beer crowd. Perhaps globalization is in decline, in the champagne and escargot world of the Queen's representatives. Here in the beer parlor's of the little people, it's harder and harder to find a good local brew. If ever anything cried out for a Royal Commission this is it. Either that or beer vouchers for all of us, to be used on Molson product's which are still brewed and owned by Canadians, for now................