Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission news

As of this week, the AGLC passed a new policy that will once again see the selling of high alcohol beers allowed. Recently this had been decided against but with many concerned beer lovers writing in and expressing their views, among other reasons we're sure, the decision has been changed.

The policy now is around new mark-up rates. Best broken down on Canadian Beer News, the rates will include costs surrounding "the amount that the provincial agency adds and collects on top of the supplier’s price, customs and excise taxes and duties, and recycling and deposit fees"

"For beers under 11.9%, the mark-up rates remain at $0.20 to $0.98 per litre depending on the size of the brewery. Over 11.9%, the new rates are as follows:

Greater than 11.9% and less than or equal to 16% – $4.05 per litre
Greater than 16% and less than or equal to 22% – $9.90 per litre
Greater than 22% and less than or equal to 60% – $13.30 per litre"

This new mark-up went into effect December 17th

http://aglc.ca/pdf/quickfacts/markup_rates_schedule.pdf

Grizzly Paw Seasonals - Many, so get out there

The Grizzly Paw in Canmore has three great seasonals on tap right now that shouldn't be missed.

They have their brown ale that has been infused with raspberries - very nice treat. Also on tap is their barley wine. What's special here is that this version has been aged for two years, so really this is the only time you can taste this version.

Finally, and most exciting for us is their Christmas Spice ale. This one's great and very Christmasy as it's made with spruce tree buds. Smells and tastes like the season. Great job, Michelle.

Brewsters Seasonal - Spiced Ale

Brewsters Christmas Spice Amber Ale is out across the prairies as their December seasonal. Flavoured with honey, ginger and cranberries, this seasonal is a great compliment to the meals we enjoy this time of year - full of flavour. Best thing about a Brewsters seasonal is it can be enjoyed in two provinces anyway.

http://brewsters.ca/

New Bushwakker Beer Named

As reported earlier, Bushwakker was holding a contest to name their newest beer contest. Winners for both contests have be released. The new beer, a Russian Imperial Stout that will be aged in scotch barrels, will be 'Tartan Tsar'. Aaron Madsen, the winner, has named Bushwakker's special 20th anniversary brew.

Special Alley Kat Cask Night

The December 7th cask night at the Next Act Pub in Edmonton was a great success. Alley Kat has many cask nights, but this one was a cask of the final 15th Anniversary beer the cascadian dark, known as the Black IPA. Again, great work, Niel, and everyone at Alley Kat

Jasper's Backside Organic Red

Jasper Brewing Co. has its seasonal out and it's an organic red. Tough to find unless you're up in Jasper, but this beer hinges on the backside tours outdoor playing idea of the area. If you're up there skiing, stop in and try one.

Half Pints Burlywine and open house

On the first Saturday in December, Half Pints in Winnipeg opens their doors to the public and they line up for food and tastings. This year's Bourbon Burleywine uses oak spirals soaked in bourbon. Also showed off was Half Pints new labels. Looks good David, and wow, does Winnipeg love you guys.

New CEO at Great Western

Great Western out of Saskatoon announced this week that Ron Waldman is stepping down and COO Michael Micovcin will take over. Micovicin has been with Great Western for the past two years as president and COO. Things should stay on course with the move as Great Western is recognized as one of Canada's 50 best managed companies for six years in a row now. the beer's good too, having medaled at the CBA's the past few years.

Alley Kat's Coffee Porter back again - Thank God

This coffee porter is my favourite coffee porter out. I know we don't make bold statements like that often and there are other coffee flavoured beers we like too, but this one is oh so very great. It's one of those beers we drink sparingly and never give out to guest. This porter is infused with Guatemalan estate grown coffee roasted right in Edmonton at Java Jive.

We love this beer.

Last of the Alley Kat Anniversary Brews

Cascadian Ale - according to Alley Kat's website this brew pays homage not only to the Cascadian Dark Ales, but this Black IPA known to the Pacific Northwest, truly highlights Cascadia which had a hand in the Alley Kat idea those 15 years ago. This is the fifth of five special brews in the anniversary series for the Edmonton brewery. Congrats on the five brews and Congrats on a great 15 years.

Special Seasonal from Paddock Wood

To add to their Winter Ale, Paddock Wood in Saskatoon has released Winter Ale Grande Reserve in 750 ml bottles. Done in "authentic Belgian fashion" this beer is a special reserve of the Belgian Dubbel released earlier. Only problem is that it's only available at the brewery. No out of province release. I got to find me a friend in Saskatoon.

Brewsters Seasonal - Big Bulge Saison

Brewsters Big Bulge Saison is on tap across the prairies. Inspired by the style first brewed in Belgium in the region where the Battle of the Bulge was fought, this beer has hints of lemon and pepper. A good saison.

Bushwakker Contest

Bushwakker is currently holding two contests via their facebook page. The first is for you to tell your story behind "Why I Love Blackberry Mead" and the second is to have someone name their upcoming 20th Anniversary Ale. Very cool opportunity. 20 years of Bushwakker - wow. Congrats guys.

Contest links follow: http://tinyurl.com/Bushwakkerfacebook

Sherbrooke Specialty Beers

Edmonton's premier liquor store has put out another couple of specialty brews. Earlier last month their Glenn Sherbrooke Barrel # 1 was introduced. Brewed for by Alley Kat this beer is a strong cask ale aged in barrels from the Glenora distillary in Cape Breton having previously housed their Glen Breton Rare. This truly is a kicked up version of Alley Kat's Amber London Style Brown Ale

Most recently released is Sherbrooke's Heartstopper Hot Chocolate Stout brewed for them by Paddock Wood. This new stout is made with chocolate, vanilla and cayenne pepper.

Can only get these specialty brews at Sherbrooke and their on short supply.

sherbrooke liquor

Great! Winter's here!

Paddock Wood's Winter Ale, that is. The Saskatoon brewery's winter seasonal is a Belgian Dubbel with spicy and fruity flavours. This 8%'er will warm you on those cold nights that are coming.

www.paddockwood.com

Half Pints Oktoberfest

October 30 saw Half Pints rock out Winnipeg again this year. Punk N Fest is an event they hold where three different punk bands play and the brewery taps their pie spiced Oktoberfest lager.

A great event. Below is a link to the Angry Dragons rockin' out Half Pints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XMg7mBiItY

http://www.halfpintsbrewing.com/

Bushwakker Great Pumpkin Spiced Brown Ale

According to the Weekly Wakker, October 30th will see the Great Pumpkin Spiced Brown Ale on tap. The pub is having a Halloween party and what great excuse to have one of Mitch's creations.

With pumpkin and nutmeg aromas it smells great and you can only get it on tap in Regina. What else you doing that night in Regina?

Big Rock - Getting Cool

In what broke on Twitter this week - very cool that this happens, I think - it was thought that Big Rock was bringing back Magpie Rye Ale. A cool endeavour. Clarified on Canadian Beer News (though still unofficially, I guess) Tevor Naish explains that:

"at Big Rock. They are using the new Kaspar Shulz system to make small batch beers available only in draft. They have a catelogue of 10-12 draft only beers and are looking for 10 Calgary draft accounts to choose 3-4 to rotate as a regular Big Rock tap. Beers include Magpie, Alpha Dog, Dunklewiesen and Scotch. These beers have been added to Ratebeer.com. Also there is a new recipe for the Pale Ale to make it an IPA again."

Thanks Trevor, we'll have to wait and see. http://twitter.com/BigRockBrewery/status/27357427789

Unity Brew - finally

The Alberta Unity Brew is finally available in bottles. You can get it at most breweries (Big Rock, Alley Kat, Wild Rose, Brewsters). The money goes to the kidney foundation - as if you needed a reason to try a cool beer.

Fall issue of TAPS is out west - finally

I know it always takes a while for TAPS - Canada's Beer Magazine to get to the west, but the fall issue is here. The newer look TAPS is very professional looking and is full of great articles. It's interesting to read about the beer culture from coast to coast and from such great Canadian beer writers as Troy Burtch, Craig Pinhey, Mirella Amato, and Stephen Beaumont. I personally love the wester section from James Burla and this issue is highlighting the Big Rock Eddies and beers of Montana.

There's even a cool interview with Rick Mercer! Pick one up.

http://www.tapsmedia.ca/

Brew Brothers Amber Ale Cask

Brew Brothers is now offering cask conditioned brews at the District on Thursday's. The week just got a lot better. This Thursday, enjoy their Ambush Pale Ale, dry hopped with Cascades.

District's a great beer place, a great Canadian beer place and the only place to Brew Bother's casks.

http://www.brewbrothers.com/

http://enjoydistrict.com/about-2/our-beer-2/

Wild Rose Cherry Porter

The WR holiday seasonal has once again been tapped at the Quonset. Wild Rose's Cherry Porter, according to the press release is: "rich and sensual, the flavour of this local brew is reminiscent of Black Forest cake with sweet chocolate notes and a slightly smoky character from roasted malts.

Released this Friday - October 29

http://www.wildrosebrewery.com/

Hop N Brew now has Tree

Hop N Brew - Calgary's great craft beer stop has just put on TREE's hefeweizen. According TREE's twitter account (we're such beer geeks, I know) this is only one of two kegs of the stuff even getting into Alberta. Head to Alberta, head to Calgary and head to the Hop N Brew (unless you're coming from BC - then that's just a waste of gas.

http://hopinbrew.com/beer/

Brew Brothers new website

After many months of waiting, BrewBros, in Calgary has re-launched its website. That's good news on many fronts. What that means to me is that they are brewing at a higher rate again and according to the website you can find their beer at a few places around Calgary.

Definitely worth the search, but with the new site, your search won't be difficult

http://www.brewbrothers.com/

Brewsters Barley Wine

As if we didn't already give you enough reason to hit a Brewsters, they've given you another one. Their Blue Monk Barley Wine is in season again:

It’s Barley Wine season again! October is the time of year when the temperature gets colder, the leaves change colour and Blue Monk Barley Wine returns to the Brewsters craft beer lineup. Our legendary Blue Monk Barley Wine is a strong winter favourite.

Brewster's Seasonal

According to their website, Brewsters' Oktoberfest is out an about. You need to get to one of the restaurants to enjoy this reddish gold, malty lager, but what a great excuse to go out and eat. There's a lot of Oktoberfests out there right now, why not try this one?

SHA-BAM

The SHA-BAM Alberta beer and art festival is on this weekend in Edmonton. There is live music (Kevin Hearn - very cool) as well as cool beer. In fact this year, in support of the kidney foundation, the festival is where the Alberta Unity brew will be launched. A great opportunity for cool music and cool beers.

Mayfield Inn convention centre

Rocky Mountain food and wine on

This weekend the Rocky mountain food and wine festival is in Calgary and many breweries and beers will be represented. Among these from the Prairies include: Wild Rose, Big Rock, Grizzly Paw, Half Pints and Yukon - well not totally prairie but very cool.

There will be many other B.C, Ontario and U.S beers - might be worth a look

The festival will be in Edmonton in November and later this year in Banff.

Big Rock Winter Spice Back

Do we ever love this time of year. The leaves change (or fall off in Calgary), the air gets a little crisper (until a Chinook) and the beer industry really takes off with tasty seasonals. Big Rock is no different and according to their blog site ... Winter spice is back.

Winter Spice Strong Ale is a beautifully balanced strong amber ale. Brewed with both pale and caramel malts, it gives off a warm amber glow and upon first sip the depth of flavour is revealed: notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and a hint of ginger. This seasonal brew has an alcohol content of 6% and is sure to warm your heart – and cheeks!

This is a spicy and delicious beer. A favourite of ours this time of year.

Alley Kat Anniversary Apple Wit

Alley Kat's newest seasonal celebrating it's 15 years is an apple wit.

The fourth in Alley Kat's 15th anniversary series of beers is a celebration of fall and the apple harvest. Wit beers are traditionally brewed by adding orange peel and other spices to the boil and fermenting with a special yeast. Our version omits the spices and orange peel, adding ridiculous amounts of Granny Smith apples to the fermenter and conditioning tanks instead. We fermented it using a traditional wit yeast. The result is a crisp, refreshing, bottle conditioned wit with overtones of cider. We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we enjoyed brewing it.

Wild Rose Royal 100

WR is helping to celebrate Mount Royal University's 100 year anniversary with a special brew - Royal 100.

Royal 100 - Now Available!

Royal 100 is a celebratory beer that was brewed by Wild Rose specifically for the Mount Royal University Centennial. With a reddish hue and a well balanced flavour, this beer is sure to be a highlight of the celebrations. Brewed with Canadian malted barley and wheat, Royal 100 has been perfectly dry hopped with … you guessed it, Centennial hops! Now available in 1L bottles at Calgary Co-op Liquor stores.

Wild Rose seasonal

Welcome Oktoberfest!

WR launched their Oktoberfest seasonal October 1. Taken from the press release ...

OKTOBERFEST: Roll out the barrel!

Made using the best Canadian barley malts available – Superior Pils, Superior Pale, Vienna and Munich – Wild Rose Oktoberfest has a rich malt flavour. The complex sweetness from these specialty malts is well balanced with two Noble hop varieties – Tettnanger for bittering and Saaz for aroma and flavour.

Along with this, the taproom has announced an Oktoberfest night. It's October 19 and tickets are available at the taproom for $30. Get out the lederhosen

Beer Pairing Nights

Crowfoot Liquor store held their first Belgian Beer and Food pairing last night. I was in attendance and I think they did a bag up job. We had five courses with five different beers and the pairings matched perfectly.

If you're thinking about doing something like this, at any of liquor store or wine markets, I highly recommend it. Great Night.

http://www.crowfootliquor.com/

Another Unity Brew!!!

The Alberta Craft brewers have once again joined their creative minds in a combined recipe. Last year they launched the idea through the efforts of Michelle Lowney at the Grizzly Paw and created a rye beer. This year was hosted by Neil Herbst of Alley Kat and the collaboration occurred on the 25th and the new amber ale will be released at the SHA-BAM beer festival in Edmonton October 15 and 16th.

Unity Brew 2010 was created with efforts from the brewers from: Wild Rose, Big Rock, Brew Brothers, Brewsters, Grizzly Paw, Roughneck, Jasper Brewing Co., Drummond, Yellowhead, Amber's and Alley Kat.

All the sales of the 650ml bottles will happen at select places in Alberta with the Kidney Foundation getting a lot of the proceeds.

Well done, again brewers!

Congrats Great Western and Bushwakker

The 2010 Canadian brewing awards have come and the winners were announced and there were a lot of great beers that won, but two Prairie boys took home some prizes.

Great Western out of Saskatoon took GOLD AND SILVER in the light lager (calorie reduced). Brewhouse Light took gold followed by Great Western Light in the silver position.

Regina boys, Bushwakker, took bronze in the German hefeweizen, wheat beer category for their summer wheat. This is a tasty wheat beer!

For a list of all the winners go to http://www.canadianbrewingawards.com/?p=60

http://www.greatwesternbrewing.com/ http://www.bushwakker.com/

Half Pints Seasonals

Half Pints in Winnipeg launched two seasonals on September 15th. Humulus Ludicrous is a double IPA playing on the Latin for hops (humulus lupulis) and using "a stupid amount of Centennial and Cascade hops". The second is their Oktoberfest. Using Munich malts and German hops, this lager is sure to put some "oomp" in your "oomp-pah-pah"

Half Pints on the Road

Half Pints brewery out of Winnipeg has decided to hit the prairie road in order to get their beer and name out there. The tour will start in Edmonton and is called "Dr. Half Pints and the Medicine Show. As stated on Half Pints website brewer's blog:

"After being in business for 4 years, we thought it was about time we took the show on the road. We get emails every day saying "we discovered your beer in X town" (not Winnipeg) "and we really wish we'd drank more then or brought more home". Fear not Half Pints lover's, cause we're bringing the Medicine Show to you!"

The tour dates are as follows: September 28 - Edmonton - Cask night at The Sugar Bowl

September 29 - Calgary at Kawa Espresso Bar

September 30 - Lethbridge at Andrew Hilton store

October 1 - Medicine Hat at Medicine Hat Beer Fest

October 2 - Regina at Brewer's Dinner at Beer Bros.

Alley Kat Pumpkin Pie

Edmonton's Alley Kat brewery will be launching its seasonal Pumpkin Pie ale next Friday, September 17th. The launch will be at the brewery and this beer has been released before and if it's the same recipe - it's a gooder. Goes well with Thanksgiving dessert, Halloween parties, walks in the autumn changing foliage, Fridays, Monday lunch breaks ....

http://www.alleykatbeer.com/

Brewster's Seasonal Dunkel

Brewster's Brew Pub chain has a dunkel seasonal out now - but not for very long. The Black Dog Dunkel is a dark brown lager with an aroma of caramel and toasted chocolate. Sounds great and tastes awesome. A great excuse to go out for dinner.

http://brewsters.ca/Beers/seasonal-brews/

Amber's New Website

Anber's Brewing of Edmonton has launched a new website and it looks great. Complete with ads for new coolers and a cinnamon and cardamon beer we have yet to try; it has it all. There's even a section where you can purchase your beer online! Cool.

http://www.ambersbrewing.com/

A Labour Day Classic?

Celebrate 25 years of Big Rock this weekend. As Big Rock turns the big 2 , 5 share in this celebration with one of their beers. They are marking the anniversary by highlighting their Traditional - a brown ale. "trad", as you would order it in Calgary, really is a great beer - one of my "go to's" at the pubs. Have one while you watch the Stamps beat the Eski's (or the Argos beat the cats for that matter)
http://www.bigrockbeer.com/index.php#/beer/traditional

New Light Beer from Great Western

A press release from Great Western:

Great Western launches new Pilsner Light –
a beer made just for Saskatchewan!


Saskatoon, SK; August 3rd, 2010 – Great Western Brewing Company has added a refreshing new beer to its Great Western line up this summer with the launch of Great Western Pilsner Light. The first new varietal in years to the Great Western family, Great Western Pilsner Light is delivering exactly what plenty of Saskatchewan beer drinkers have been asking for in a beer – smoother, more refreshing taste.

Viv Jones, Brewmaster at Great Western Brewing adds, “Like every Great Western beer we brew, we can take the time to extra-age our beers, making them smoother, more refreshing, and ultimately more drinkable than anyone imagined possible.” Jones adds, “What makes the new Great Western Pilsner Light so special is that it offers the light and crisp taste that light beer drinkers seek, with the added plus that this beer also has a true pilsner character.”