Canada Malting Co. Limited

Hidden within Montreal’s industrial heart lies a sleeping giant, the Canada Malting Co. Limited. This isn’t just another crumbling building. It’s a silent testament to Montreal’s brewing history. Imagine the Lachine Canal in 1905, bustling with ships carrying barley, the lifeblood of beer. This was the prime location chosen by Canada Malting Co. to build their malt house. Why? Because all ships bound for the Great Lakes had to pass through this canal. This made the location perfect for receiving barley and shipping out the processed malt. Canada Malting Co. became a key supplier for Montreal’s thriving breweries like Dow, Molson, and Labatt. The Canada Malting Co. complex wasn’t just a random collection of buildings. It was designed by architect David Jerome Spence, known for his arched windows and detailed cornices. The complex even boasted terracotta silos, a rarity in Canada. The process was fascinating. Barley, shipped from Saskatchewan and Alberta, arrived at the Old Port. It was loaded onto barges and transported up the Lachine Canal to the Canada Malting Co. There, the barley was meticulously sorted, cleaned, soaked for germination, and finally kiln-dried for 24 hours. Trucks then carried the finished malt to breweries across Montreal. In 1963, eighteen new silos joined the skyline, a testament to the company’s success. However, the closure of the Lachine Canal in 1970 dealt a heavy blow. Transportation costs skyrocketed. Grain had to be transported by train and truck, leading to damage and losses. By 1980, Canada Malting Co. had relocated to the City du Havre. The once-vital complex fell silent. For a brief period between 1980 and 1985, another company used the site for grain storage. But the Canada Malting Co. era was over. The building, no longer owned by the company, has been for sale since 2005. Years of neglect, water damage, rust, and vandalism have taken their toll. Sadly, restoration seems unlikely. The Canada Malting Co. Limited stands as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, a silent giant watching over the Lachine Canal’s quiet waters. It whispers stories of bustling industry, the scent of malted barley, and the golden age of Montreal’s brewing history.