SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan will soon be able to battle the heat of the southern Afghan desert with some beer from the largest Canadian-owned brewery.

Moosehead Breweries, based in Saint John, N.B., is sending more than 1,700 cans of its Moosehead Lager to Canadian troops stationed in Kandahar, after some of them specifically requested the suds.

Moosehead spokesman Joel Levesque said the beer would be shipped to Afghanistan from Canadian Forces Base Trenton in three rounds, with the first leaving in the next week. Another shipment will leave at the end of October, and a third will be sent in November.

The beer will be tapped on special occasions only - and soldiers will only be allowed to enjoy a cold one when they're off duty.

Levesque said military officials contacted Moosehead requesting to buy the beer, though the brewery is working out an arrangement to donate it.

"We're pretty proud of the fact that they're specifically asking for Moosehead," said Levesque.

"We'll do whatever we can to support our troops. We're going to be inquiring if we can donate the beer on a regular basis, and if that's possible we'll certainly do it."

The brewery's employees have also signed a giant poster with personal messages to the soldiers.

Moosehead won't be the first iconic Canadian brand to give Canadian troops a taste of home.

Tim Hortons has operated an outlet on the Kandahar base since late June, serving up coffee and donuts with the help of a team of civilian workers.