Back to Beer...and Hockey: The Story of Eric Molson

by Helen Antoniou

To most Canadians, the Molson name is part of the very fabric of Canada. Since 1786, when John Molson founded his first brewery in Montreal, it has become synonymous with beer, hockey, and philanthropy. Few realize, however, how close the family came in recent years to losing control of the enterprise. Back to Beer...and Hockey offers intimate details of the life and work of Eric Molson, who not only saved the company, but positioned it to thrive as a global brewery into the twenty-first century. With unprecedented access to the Molson family, Helen Antoniou traces Eric Molson's evolution from a young brewmaster captivated by the chemistry of beer-making to chairman of Molson. Quiet by nature, he had to confront big egos, navigate complex boardroom politics, and even battle a disruptive cousin who tried to push him out of the way. Antoniou's carefully researched account details how the introverted Eric overcame his aversion to conflict to take the company from a failing conglomerate back to its core business of beer, eventually turning it into one of the world's leading brewers. Today, he has passed the torch to his sons, the seventh generation, but his steadfast vision prevails. An absorbing account of one man's struggle at the helm of an international brewing giant, Back to Beer...and Hockey shows how Eric Molson's guiding principles influenced the future of Molson – both the enterprise and the family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada

464 pages, Hardcover

Published April 9, 2018

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The parts about the history of the brewery were interesting, but it was too business decision and internal politics heavy for my taste.

[Angelina Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Montreal told through the eyes of the Molson family. All about 7 generations of beer making, hockey, politics and corporate governance. Very good read.

[Geoffrey Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Antoniou has written an interesting and sympathetic biography of her father-in-law, Eric Molson. Although she has attempted to write the book as objectively as possible, her admiration for her father-in-law colours the portrait she has drawn. Her hero, Eric Molson, is seen as an unassuming individual, focused on his family and the legacy of the legendary brewery that carries the family name. Corporate manoeuvres , family intrigues are discussed in detail, and in the end Eric Molson perseveres and carries the day. And now his three sons, Andrew, Justin, and Geoffrey, carry the torch for Generation VII. The result is an engaging read, but one cannot help but wonder that some of the errors in judgment and direction over the years were, at least in part, Eric Molson's fault. He appears to float above all blame in this highly sympathetic biography.

[Baula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book randomly at a library in Quebec when I was on vacation, but it wasn't until coronavirus hit that I actually committed to reading it. It initially caught my eye because I thought a large portion of it was going to be about hockey, which I was really interested in at the time, so I definitely didn't expect what I got. I was confused at times by all the people to keep track of and the crazy business politics. There is a lot of info about beer, as the title suggests, but only a little hockey. Nonetheless, it was interesting enough for me to stick with it to the end. I don't even drink beer and I don't live in Canada, but I have a lot of respect for the Molson company and family now.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about beer, business and hockey... the ultimate trifecta! Loved this book, however by the end I was thinking that there must be another side to some of the stories. But this is a book about Eric and the contents are really from his perspective. Great read.

[Danny Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beer and business. A long read but informative

[Evan Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a business memoir than anything on beer and hockey, but still well done for what it is. Just know what you're getting in to before reading it.

[Nada Loughead · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at https://canadiancookbooks.ca/back-to-...

[Jim Risner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who is serving, or wants to serve, on a board.