It is official. After months of rumours, I have received confirmation that Granville Island is returning to Alberta. In fact three of their beer hit liquor store shelves last weekend or will sometime this week. This is actually pretty interesting news, even if you are not a fan of the beer.
Opened in 1984, Granville Island, generally promoted as Canada’s first microbrewery (there is some complexity to this question that muddify who earns the title, but I won’t go into it here), has an important historical place in Canada’s beer history. By the mid-1990s they had pushed into the prairie provinces, being some of the first craft-made beer available on the flatlands (along with Big Rock). They quickly developed a strong following among beer drinkers looking for something slightly different and original. I remember snagging six packs of the beer whenever I could find it in a liquor store because it beat most of the timid imports available at the time. However, in the early 2000s they retreated from the prairies due to growing demand in their home province and limits on production capacity.
The market in Alberta has changed markedly since their departure. There are now 10 B.C. craft brewers available in Alberta (all much smaller than Granville) plus dozens of other Canadian micros, so you have to imagine it miffs Granville like crazy to be missing out on the burgeoning market in Alberta.
Plus, last year they were bought out, officially by Creemore Springs in Ontario but ostensibly by Molson (who own Creemore). At the time on my CBC column (no link, sorry) I pontificated that the buy-out would lead to regional expansion, as the brewery gained distribution networks and access to production efficiencies. I predicted a return to the province in short order. Apparently I was right. Chock one up for me!
I am told three beer are in the first shipment: English Bay Pale Ale, Cypress Honey Lager and Maple Cream Ale. It does, I am told, seem to be a permanent re-entry, but I have not yet received confirmation on that fact. Also no word yet on when Saskatchewan and Manitoba might be on the list, or if other beer will be shipped as well.
I’ll admit it has been years since I drank Granville (save a trip to the Vancouver test brewery last year where I mostly consumed seasonals). I may have to try a couple six packs, just for nostalgia’s sake if nothing else.
August 19, 2010 at 12:41 PM
FYI some tap-only Granville Island beers have been available at the Cactus Club Cafe for a while now. They have two contract brewed beers there (the Cactus Ugly Hefeweizen is quite good, although the appearance does live up to the name), as well as the Brockton IPA. (They also have a couple on tap from Russell Brewing that aren’t available in bottles here).
I’m hoping this news means the return of their Lions Winter Ale this Christmas, as I remember really enjoying the spices in that one.
August 19, 2010 at 1:35 PM
You can also get Granville’s re-branded pale ale and lager at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and the maple cream ale at Original Joe’s, all on draft.
August 20, 2010 at 8:22 AM
Thanks Brad, Ernie and Jim,
Clearly I need to get out more! I haven’t been to Cactus Club or the Spaghetti Factory, so had no idea they were still available there. Guess that gives me an excuse to go sometime…
August 19, 2010 at 1:48 PM
I had some Brockton IPA in Van last summer and thought it pretty good, with some actual oomph to it that most of the rest of their stuff lacks. The IPA could be the Pale Ale that the English Bay Pale Ale wished it could be!
August 19, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Winter is supposed to be available soon.
They never technically left the Province. They kept draught, so that they would still have a presence when they returned.
November 8, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Which liquor stores in Calgary carry this??
November 8, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Hi Ty,
Lots. Your best bets are Willow Park, Kensington or the better Coop stores.
Or better, yet, to help teach a man to fish, go to alberta-liquor-guide.com and search for beer you like the most at the store closest to you. This is a handy online database that all good beer lovers should learn to use.
Happy searching.
Jason
November 23, 2010 at 1:03 PM
THANK YOU BEER GUY.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on some Lions Winter Ale cuz it’s one of my fav beers but they don’t have it out east where I am….going back to Cowtown for xmas and needed to get my hands on some. Been having troubles finding a database like this….thanks!
November 24, 2010 at 10:56 PM
Hey all,
anyone know where in Edmonton we can find some Granville island brew? I am also looking forward to the Lions Winter Ale as I moved from Vancouver in August and was disappointed to not see Granville Island brew on the shelves
November 25, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Hi Nadine,
I mentioned in a comment a little while back that the easiest way to find Granville Island near you is to go to alberta-liquor-guide.com and search their online database.
Or you could just head to Sherbrooke Liquor store on 118 Ave and St. Albert Trail, because they stock every beer in the province.
Jason