Multistep activation of a Canadian oilsands petroleum coke that yields an acidified mesoporous carbon catalyst is reported. Microporous-activated carbon (APC; ∼2000 m2/g), obtained by thermochemical activation of petroleum coke using KOH, was impregnated with ammonium heptamolybdate and activated by carbothermal hydrogen reduction (CHR). The resulting Mo2C, supported on high-mesopore volume (V meso ∼0.4 cm3/g) carbon, yields the desired mesoporous carbon catalyst (V meso ∼0.7 cm3/g) following acid washing. The effect of CHR temperature and the benefit of Mo2C loading on mesopore development is reported, and pore development models are discussed. The mesoporous carbons are active for the esterification of acetic acid and 1-butanol at 77 °C, and the butanol conversion correlates with the catalyst acidity, as measured by NH3-TPD.