Rush and Toronto's Henderson Brewing Company recently teamed up to launch the new Rush Canadian Golden Ale. And now the brew is available to commuters using Toronto's Pearson International Airport (Airport Code YYZ). And quite fitting as "YYZ" is the band's famous instrumental from their legendary Moving Pictures album! 

This photo, sent to BraveWords by Rodrigo Altaf, was shot at the entrance to Fionn MacCool's restaurant/pub inside YYZ.

It started during the R40 tour when, after a gig, someone handed frontman Geddy Lee a bottle of Robinson’s “Iron Maiden -Trooper” beer. Geddy took one look at it and jokingly asked where the Rush beer was. That quip stayed in the mind of the band, and recognizing the growing craft beer movement, particularly in their hometown of Toronto, the band decided to look into it seriously.

Beer has always been an import part of the touring experience for the band. That first after-show beer helping to draw a line between the focus of performing and the wind-down that follows. After hundreds of shows in so many countries around the world, the band really began to see how different beer could be.

Photo - Julia Dowel

“When I get off stage, I really, really enjoy an ice-cold beer, it’s like a little reward,” commented Geddy Lee on a visit to Henderson Brewery.

The band chose Henderson as they are one of the fastest growing micro-breweries in Canada and have won many gold medals for their beer. As is true with all of Rush ethos, quality is key. It didn’t hurt that the hometown brewery also had a love for the band given Henderson had previously released a “Put Your Scarf On Geddy” limited edition Canadian Imperial Stout in 2016.

In the summer of 2020 Rush and Henderson began taste testing many prototype brews and early in 2021 the band and the brewery both felt they had come up with a brew they could stand behind.  Subtlety complex, refreshing and satisfying and uniquely Canadian, as the beer gets its taste from Canadian ingredients, including Rye.

“Rush Canadian Golden Ale is golden in colour with a dense ivory head. It has an earthy aroma with hints of orange-peel, pine and spicy rye. While the emphasis is on refreshment, there are elements of pine, rye spice and a citric hop flavour that add to the subtle complexity of the beer,” remarked Alex Lifeson, the band-proclaimed Beer Scientist.

In honour of the 40th anniversary of Rush's eighth studio album, Moving Pictures, Henderson Brewing and Rush teamed up once again. This time, for a very special limited edition ale - with only 1,600 cases are being.

A Belgian Dark, strong ale with Riesling Must, this ale pours a gorgeous deep, ruby colour with a fine, tan head. The taste is complex, with notes of dark fruit pudding, toffee, dates, cherries, honey, bread crusts and a slight booziness.

Perfect for aging, this 14% limited edition ale makes a great holiday gift.

Purchase Moving Pictures Ale here. Available only in Canada.