The Canadian Embassy may soon provide your palate a welcome respite from the customary Korean quaffs of Cass, OB and Hite.

Canada’s foreign ministry is leveraging its diplomatic muscle behind something truly worthwhile: bringing quality beers to Korea.

Lovers of Canadian beer, and curious local and expatriate palates thirsting for something beyond the local grog, got a taste of what could soon be available at local bars at a beer and cider tasting event at the Palace Hotel in southern Seoul, Wednesday.

At the tasting, Troy Zitzelsberger of Reilly’s Taphouse in Itaewon played the role of “beer cicerone,” explaining interesting points about beer and guiding participants through Canadian ale, cider, lager and more, including culinary pairing dos and don’ts.

For example, Canada has a long tradition of beer-making, dating to the 18th century and the age of European settlement. One of the breweries represented at the tasting, Molson-Coors Canada Inc., was founded in 1786 and is the oldest brewery in North America.

“Moosehead, Big Rock and Alley Kat are already present in the Korean market, and may be familiar to you,” said Michael Danagher, senior trade commissioner at the Canadian Embassy. Danagher was also on hand to help with explaining the business of beer.

Moosehead, founded in 1867, is Canada’s oldest independent brewery and dates back to the establishment of Canada as a nation, Danagher said. “Canada’s brewing industry is competitive and open to innovation, and new flavors.”

In addition to Molsen and Moosehead, some not quite as well known Canadian brews were gulped, too, such as Mill St. Brewery’s Tankhouse Ale and Whistler Brewing Company’s Whiskey Jack Ale and Powder Mountain Lager.

“Of course, Canadian beer products are made from quality inputs grown in Canada, and our pure and abundant Canadian water,” Danagher said.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)