August 6th, 2010
CALGARY, AB – Big Rock Brewery and WestJet Airlines have announced that Big Rock Grasshöpper wheat ale is now available on all WestJet flights that offer bar service.
WestJet has supported local food businesses for some time, offering sandwiches and wraps from popular local delis and restaurants across the country as part of their buy on board menu. This partnership marks the first time that a regional brewery is represented in their beverage selection.
Grasshöpper is available for $6 a can on all WestJet flights of 2 hours or greater, with Molson Canadian and Coors Light being the other two beer options.
Categories:Alberta· Brewery News· National
July 30th, 2010
CALGARY, AB – Wild Rose Saison, the newest seasonal release from Wild Rose Brewery, is being launched today, with a special cask of the beer set to be tapped at the brewery Taproom at 4:00 PM.
The beer is described as follows:
The Wild Rose Saison has a hazy orange hue and expresses the crisp, citrus character and classic dryness of the style. With an unexpectedly smooth mouthfeel, the earthy, yet fruity aromatics are influenced by the addition of Belgian yeast as well as Saaz and East Kent Goldings hops. This Saison is further spiced with the addition of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and grains of Paradise (peppery seeds from the Aframomum melegueta plant).
Wild Rose Saison will be available only on draught at select restaurants and bars in Alberta, as well as at the Wild Rose Taproom.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases· Seasonal Beers
July 27th, 2010
EDMONTON, AB – Sherbrooke Liquor, one of Canada’s best beer shops, has released the latest in a series of limited edition house brand beers, Neapolean Stout, which has been brewed for them by Alley Kat Brewing.
Here’s the description from the Sherbrooke website:
Picture taking a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream, mixing it up, then smelling and tasting the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors. Now picture smelling and tasting those flavors in a stout. Can’t decide between a rich stout or an ice cream for dessert? Why not do both? Neapolitan ice cream = awesome. Beer = awesome. Neapolitan ice cream + beer = awesome squared.
Neapolean Stout is 6.7% alc/vol, and is available now in six packs of 341 ml bottles for $17.99.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases· Seasonal Beers
July 12th, 2010
CALGARY, AB – Wild Rose Brewery is preparing two limited edition brews for the coming months.
In August, they’ll be releasing the draught-only Wild Rose Saison as part of their regular seasonal beer program:
Reflect as the hazy orange hue catches the sun while the refreshing, crisp citrus character and a classic Saison dryness offer an unexpectedly smooth mouthfeel. Inhale the earthy, yet fruity aromatics influenced by the addition of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and grains of paradise (peppery seeds from the Aframomum melegueta plant). Linger over the dry, slightly tannic finish enhanced by the Belgian yeast and the spicy, citrusy character of Saaz and East Kent Goldings hops. A perfect summer ale.
Also coming is Royal 100, a beer being brewed to mark the 100th anniversary of Calgary’s Mount Royal University. More information on this beer will be announced soon.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases· Seasonal Beers
July 12th, 2010
EDMONTON, AB – Alley Kat Brewing has released a Ginger Beer as the third in their series of limited edition 15th Anniversary beers.
The beer is described as follows:
The third in Alley Kat’s 15th anniversary series of beers is a celebration of old style ginger beer. We’ve added root to both the kettle and the conditioning tank to produce this pleasing ginger-laced dry sparkling ale.
Alley Kat Ginger Beer was launched with a tasting event at the brewery last Thursday. Only 220 cases of the beer will be produced.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases· Seasonal Beers
June 25th, 2010
BANFF, AB – As first mentioned back in April, the owner of Jasper Brewing, Brett Ireland, has expanded into a second brewpub.
Banff Avenue Brewing opened on June 11th, with a line-up of beers that includes the Kölsch-style Banff Ave Blonde Ale, Czuggers Pilsner, and their flagship Head Smashed IPA, along with several other selections.
The pub also features an extensive food menu including salads, burgers and other entrees, and a number of gluten-free options for celiacs.
Categories:Alberta· Brewpub News
June 4th, 2010
EDMONTON, AB – After several months of planning and taste testing, Kohler Brewing has officially launched with their first beer, Kohler Lager.
The family-run company is contracting an American brewery to produce the beer, which is described as “a smooth honeyed German style lager” with “a very unique taste”.
Kohler Lager is available now at select liquor stores throughout Alberta, with plans to expand into Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the future.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases
June 2nd, 2010
CALGARY, AB – As first reported in April, Big Rock Brewery has added a new beer to their line-up: Gopher Lager.
Officially launched last weekend at the Calgary International Beer Fest, it is described by the brewery as follows:
You’ll find Gopher to have a bit more character than the average lager found on the prairies. We made it with Alberta two-row barley, choice imported saaz hops and special lager yeast. Just like all our other beers, it contains no preservatives, additives, or adjuncts. The result is a clean, crisp flavour with a nice hoppy flavour and aroma but with no bitter aftertaste.
Big Rock Gopher Lager is available now at bars and restaurants throughout Alberta, and will be on retail store shelves around June 14th.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases
May 22nd, 2010
EDMONTON, AB – Edmonton’s newest microbrewery, Yellowhead Brewing, was officially opened this past Wednesday May 19th, and in honour of an ancient brewing tradition, Reverend Neil Gordon of All Saints Cathedral was brought in to bless the brewery in exchange for the traditional payment of four pints.
Owned by Leon Hunter and located in the space that once held the now defunct Maverick Brewing, Yellowhead shares the name of Edmonton’s first brewery which was founded in 1894 and named for the Yellowhead Pass, a mountain pass used by early settlers to travel from Alberta to the BC interior.
The first Yellowhead brew is Yellowhead Premium Lager, a Helles-style beer inspired by the training taken by brewmaster Scott Harris at Doemens Technicum in Munich, Germany. The beer is currently available exclusively on draught, but should be available in bottles later in the summer.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases· Brewery News
April 22nd, 2010
CALGARY, AB – Big Rock Brewery has announced the impending release of a new beer, Gopher Lager.
In a press release, the beer is described as an “all malt lager made with Alberta two-row barley, choice imported hops and a special lager yeast, leading to its clean, crisp flavour”. Quoted in the Calgary Sun, Big Rock spokeswoman Tara Nychkalo adds that Gopher will be “a lager with lighter flavour and will complement our products”.
Big Rock Gopher Lager will be released in June.
Categories:Alberta· Beer Releases
