Why Federalism is Superior to Confederation

Yesterday, over beers with some keen observers of Canadian politics, I learned something that altered how I viewed Canada's confederation vs. American federalism.  Apparently, one not supposed to sell beer across provincial lines, which explains why the appearance of Granville Island Beer is sporadic in Ontario and Quebec beers are not so accessible.  Still, beer does cross these boundaries, so I don't know how this works at all.  All I do know is that this is not an issue in the U.S.--the interstate commerce clause and all that. 

So, on the beer issue, it is pretty clear which system is better.  And isn't that all that really matters?*

*  Another reason federalism > confederation: approximately 112% of Canadian politics research is on federalism.  Yuck.