2-2. Why is beer stronger in Canada than the U.S.?

     This is just folklore that results from the way alcoholic strength is
     measured. The alcohol content of mainstream U.S. beers is measured as
     a percent of weight (abw). Canadian beers (and most other countries)
     measure percent alcohol by volume (abv). A typical Canadian beer of
     5% (abv) will be about the same strength as a typical U.S. beer at 4%
     (abw).