Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Alley Kat releases Fresh Hop Full Moon

The latest in Edmonton's Alley Kat's Big Bottle series is Fresh Hop Full Moon Pale Ale. This special edition of the full moon staple is special as it is brewed with fresh hops, not the pellets.

Get the big bottle series at Alley Kat and at specialty stores through Alberta.


Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Village Brewery Opening Soon

Slated to open in late fall, The Village will be Calgary's newest microbrewery. Soon to open on 12A st SE, The Village will be the first micro to open in 15 years. (One could argue WURST)

There are not too many details floating around that I can see, but the soon to be brewery was recently highlighted in the Calgary Herald and Fast Forward.

One of the 6 owners, Jim Button (who had previously worked with Big Rock) explains the brewery's philosophy:

The seemingly improvised setup isn’t accidental. Rather, it fits perfectly into the philosophy of the brewery, which will open in late fall. Jim Button, one of six owners, explains that as many things as possible — including the brewing equipment, beer glasses and tap handles — will be either re-used or built by local businesses.

The concept of creating community is central to the existence of the brewery. After all, the adage “it takes a village to raise a child” has been revised to serve as the unofficial mission statement of the brewery: “It takes a village to raise a brewery.” Ten per cent of the business’s earnings will be donated to community projects, predominantly in the sphere of the arts. Art installations will also decorate a wall or two of the interior.
(from FFWD article)
Village Brewery

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Alley Kat Cask Night

Sept 22 will see Alley Kat's monthly cask beer nights open at Sugarbowl. The feature is a casked version of Full Moon.

Got to be the only time I'd rather be in Edmonton.


HomeBrew / Beer Clubs are up and running

As September hit, so did the first meetings of the homebrewers and beer enthusiast clubs around the prairies. If you've never been to one of these, seriously find the one in your area. You don't have to know anything about making beer, you just have to enjoy it and want to know something more about it than you already do.

Most memberships are cheap and the company enjoys beer so you know the people are good.

Here's a list:

Headhunters Beer Club of Saskatoon meets at Paddock Wood (first meeting was Sept 13)

Regina Ales of meets at Bushwakker (oktoberfest party Sept 24)

Edmonton Homebrewers Guild meet the first Monday of the month at Alley Kat

Calgary's Cowtown Yeast WRanglers meets the first Monday as well at Wild Rose (their the biggest in Canada - weird eh?)

Lethbridge Wert Hogs meet the third Sunday of the months

Banff Beer Club meets at Banff Ave. Brewing
Check 'em out

Paddock Wood Winter Ale a comin'

Saskatoon's Paddock Wood announced on Twitter that they have their Winter Ale "in the tank" now so we will be expecting that out in the months to come. In the past this slightly sweet ale has had the spiciness needed for all of us who like those winter/holiday beers.

We're not look forward to the snow, but now maybe at least the winter beers.

Paddock Wood Winter Ale (2008-2009) - Old Ale

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Wild Rose turns 15

The 15th Anniversady Celebration for Wild Rose will be on September 20th. They will have four ONE DAY ONLY beers available at the taproom.

Nectarine Saison with Ginger
Belgian IPA Dry Hopped with citra hops
Irish Red Ale with fresh hops from the WR garden
Dark Scottish Ale aged with oak and whisky

I'm going to be there. I hope your not so there'll be more for me.
cask_image


Paddock Wood drunk at Canadian Embassy

As tweeted today, Paddock Wood has sent its Melon Head Loelsch, 606 ale and Loki to Germany today for a "gathering" at the Canadian Embassy.

Very Cool. At least they'll be able to get some good beer in Germany now.


606Czech Mate

Congrats Prairie CBA Winners!!!!!

The results of this year's Canadian Brewing Awards were recently released and the Prairies were showed some love.

With Great Western Brewing Co, taking a silver and a bronze in the North American Premium Lager for their Great Western Pilsner and Brewhouse Pilsner respectively.

They also too silver in the Cream Ale category with their Original 16.

Big Rock, took silver in the Wheat Beer - North American Style, with their Grasshopper

and BUSHWAKKER TAKES GOLD in the Imperial Stout category with their Tartan Tsar Russian Imperial Stout.

Congrats everyone!!!



Half Pints Smoktoberfest announced

Yesterday, on twitter, Half Pints from Winnipeg announced it will release its Smoktoberfest brew October 11. Lucky Manitobans.

I don't think I've ever said that before.

Thank goodness you guys have Half Pints.

Half Pints Brewing

Also, in the Winnipeg Free Press, two Manitoba politicians, favour Half Pints St. James Ale. Neat.
One was a Fort Garry fan
One was an MGD fan - Iguess he just lost the election

Wild Rose Marzen now on tap

Launched with a cask conditioned version last Friday, the Wild Rose Marzen is a classic Bavavarian oktoberfest beer. It's copper, full bodied and delicious. Get to quonset!


Grizzly Paw label the pop competition

OK, it' s not beer, but the Grizzly Paw in Canmore is holding a competition to create the label for its new pop: Swamp Water. The winner of this Charity Pop label will win a case of the pop and cool hundgy! Get drawing.

swampWaterCompetition-1.jpg

Amber's Zombie Apocalypse Red Lager

I know this Vienna styled red lager has been out for a while, but I haven't come across it. The Amber's Brewing Co, always has interestingly named beers and this is no different. If you find it, let me know what you think.

Yellowhead Brewery Website finally up

Those of you, like me, who have been trying to access this website since it launched will be pleased to know that their website is up and running. Now you can read about the beers and find out where to find Yellowhead beers. To date, you still have to be in Edmonton or the area to get some, but I bet Calgary will get some soon.

Yellowhead Brewery

New Fruit Hog on Tap at Brewsters

The brewpub chain, Brewsters has released its latest in its fruit hog series: Fat Rabbit Raspberry Kristallweizen. This "crystal wheat" beer is a filtered German pale Weiss bier, or Hefeweizen wiht the sweetness and tart of fresh raspberries. A good late summer patio beer.

fruit_hog

Two New Beers from Alley Kat

Alley Kat in Edmonton has released its new fall seasonal as well as its newest of the big bottle series.

Ein Prosit! Oktoberfest is, of course, an oktoberfest styled beer using German malts and leaving a toasty, bready note.



The new Big Bottle brew is Red Dragon Double IPA. With lots of piny hop flavour this beer reads at an 100+ IBU. Here you go Hop Heads!


Both beers are available throughout Alberta.


Sherbrooke Release beer for the gods

OK, OK, I know we've been out of the loop for a while and have probably lost the two people who were following, but we're back, so tell your friends.

If you're up in Edmonton, see if Sherbrook liquor store still has any of the Ragutiene Baltic Porter left. Made for their new "Beer Gods" series, this porter was made by Paddock Wood and is named for Ragutiene, the Slavic goddess of beer.

Each Beer God release will fall on a seasonal solstice or equinox, so mark your calendars.