Savouring a pint at GP Brewing
Stay Crafty
visit many of these small alberta towns and save 10 % or more at best western : AMARewards . ca / Bestwestern
loCAl geTAwAy
The “ Albeerta ” Advantage acolytes of ale can get crafty across the province by Scott meSSenger
In December 2013 , the Alberta government made a decision that was akin to giving a beer bottle a good shake before opening . Until then , if you couldn ’ t produce at least 500,000 litres of lager and ale annually , you couldn ’ t sell even one . With the regulation removed , local brewers have been as busy as yeast in fresh wort , fostering a craft beer explosion that ’ s seen the industry spill into every corner of the province . Today , more than 40 brewers have become destinations for unique beer , artisanal snacks and fun , informative tours .
Calgary ’ s Tool Shed Brewing , for instance , produced about one million litres last year , making it one of the scene ’ s biggest newcomers . Co-founder Graham Sherman attributes the size of the operation to his and business partner Jeff Orr ’ s tendency to take hobbies like homebrewing to extremes . “ We ’ re just beer nerds ,” says the former IT professional , who ’ s now also a proud advocate for the local farmers who make the malted barley used in Tool Shed ’ s flavourful , accessible beers . Try a crisp cream ale , satisfying stout and more in the Alberta barn board – clad tasting room .
That local focus is equally evident at Banff Ave . Brewing . Predating the beer boom ( it opened in 2010 ), the brewpub is still a main-street hot spot . In summer patio season , “ You have to be here by 1 p . m . or you ’ re not getting a seat ,” says head brewer Kent Paterson . Patron favourite Lower Bankhead black pilsner pairs well with anything on a dining menu
A Bench Creek growler
peppered with Alberta produce . Or see what ’ s available from the “ community tap ”: $ 1 from every pint and bottle supports a local cause .
Not far from Jasper National Park , Edson ’ s Bench Creek Brewing embraces the surrounding wilderness , which owner Andrew Kulynych refers to as “ a solitude of black spruce and poplar ,” with four approachable but robust beers : White Raven IPA
( one of Alberta ’ s best India pale ales ), Black Spruce porter , Flint & Steel session IPA and Naked Woodsman pale ale . Chance a sighting of the latter from the taproom ’ s seasonal patio or be undisturbed at a table indoors beside the brew works .
Bench Creek isn ’ t alone in
GP brewinG : Dave Deibert / Deibert DesiGn ; Growler : bench creek brewinG
56 spring 2017 AMA insider