Blindman Sign , artwork : lauren VoiSin PhotograPhy ; tour : emilia Schmidt |
being a slightly out-of-the-way place for a pint . GP Brewing opened in Grande Prairie last March , and serves the likes of Harvest Hefeweizen and Blowout Stout in homage to the region ’ s primary industries : oil and gas , and agriculture . Or try Fort Saskatchewan ’ s Two Sergeants Brewing for a taste of the U . K .: The outfit produces full-bodied ales using English malt . “ You can ’ t beat the flavour and the mouthfeel ,” explains co-founder and brewmaster Kevin Moore . The British pub atmosphere is bolstered by the fact that Two Sergeants is one of the few Alberta breweries that offers live entertainment ; cover bands , East Coast folk ensembles and more have been known to take the stage . The indoor street-food cart serves up hot dogs and pretzels to complement your ale .
In contrast to Two Sergeants ’ penchant for overseas malt , Blindman
Brewing in Lacombe brings it all back home . Like the brewery ’ s base malt , taproom snacks come from mere minutes away : Sylvan Star cheese and Canadian Rangeland Bison and Elk pepperoni are among the options . Co-owner Shane Groendahl points out that the brewery takes its name from a nearby river , which also graces the label of the flagship offering , a hoppy , low-alcohol ale . Blindman ’ s beers can also be sampled at nearby eatery Cilantro and Chive , which takes pride in pouring dozens of brews from throughout the province .
Charlie Bredo , co-owner at Troubled
Monk , also has cause to be proud . In May 2016 , the Red Deer brewery ’ s Open Road American brown ale earned a silver medal in the prestigious World Beer Cup . Bredo takes the achievement seriously , but his brewery keeps things light . “ Craft beer should be quirky and fun ,” he says , which explains the Berliner weiss recently served in the taproom :
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Touring the brew house at Banff Ave . |
Local artists brighten Blindman Brewing ’ s taproom
The sour beer came with a surprise shot of sweet syrup . “ We want to come up with things that challenge people and grow their palates .”
Bredo might as well be speaking for much of this burgeoning industry . Albertans seeking out great craft breweries no longer need to travel far . Something fun , flavourful — and maybe even a little unusual — awaits in one of the province ’ s many local taprooms .
Always drink responsibly Bring a designated driver when touring alberta ’ s breweries
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New Rewards Partner
no time to visit alberta ’ s brewers individually ? CRAFT Beer Market makes it easy to sample homegrown ales in one place . Founded in 2011 by calgary beer lover PJ l ’ heureux , the restaurant and bar now also boasts locations in edmonton and Vancouver , plus ottawa and a soon-toopen site in toronto — to help you indulge when travelling east . the recipe for success ? one of canada ’ s largest selections of draught beers , including offerings from troubled monk , tool Shed and other alberta brewers .
ama members can now save at alberta locations of craFt Beer market . Show your card to get a free appetizer when you order two or more entrees from the house Favourites , Burgers and Sandwiches sections of craFt ’ s menu .
AMARewards . ca / CraftBeerMarket
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