The 2024 Alberta Beer Awards, the seventh edition, are now officially in the books with the release of the winners at a gala event last night. My biggest observation this year was how many breweries took home a medal. Of… Continue Reading →
Ontario is not my beat. But they seem to be making the most beer headlines recently with their breath-y announcements of allowing beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience stores. It seems like it has been Doug Ford’s biggest priority… Continue Reading →
There have been some fascinating developments in the craft beer industry in Alberta in the first eight months of 2024. In many ways it has been quieter than i initially expected, but what changes there have been have been both… Continue Reading →
In a way this is not my business. I am an Albertan living under a privatized liquor retail system who only visits Ontario once every year or two. Yet, I feel compelled to weigh in on the growing tire fire… Continue Reading →
The 2024 Canadian Brewing Award winners were announced this past weekend (find the full results here). I am here to offer up my usual analysis of what I think it all means. You can find posts on previous years’ results… Continue Reading →
A few weeks back, the Alberta government introduced the omnibus Bill 16: Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act. The UCP has introduced a few of these in recent years, so the reaction to it was muted, especially given the controversial… Continue Reading →
News reports came out a few days ago indicating that the Alberta government has quietly established a committee of UCP MLAs to examine the prospects of allowing beer, wine and RTDs to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. The… Continue Reading →
A series of announcements in recent days/weeks have highlighted something I have been saying for months – that the Alberta and Canadian craft beer industry is heading for a tumultuous period of change and instability. The recent news suggests this… Continue Reading →
This is a slightly awkward post to write. Earlier this week the Edmonton Homebrewers’ Guild (EHG), long my homebrewing home base, bestowed on me a lifetime membership. It, surprisingly, came with an etched glass award to commemorate the occasion. I… Continue Reading →