Alberta's brewers sport a "helping the community" kind of smile

How many Albertabrewers does it take to stir a mash tun? Well one day a couple weekends ago it was 12: one to stir and 11 to hold glasses of beer and offer suggestions.

Well, not really. But it is true that a couple weeks ago all of Alberta’s independent breweries got together at Alley Kat Brewing in Edmonton to collaborate on the creation of a single beer. The only missing brewery were Labatt, who declined to share in the spirit of brewing solidarity.

The reason for such cooperation? They were raising money for charity. Unity Brew – as they have called it – is the brainchild of Michele Lowney, head brewer at Grizzly Paw brewpub and brewery in Canmore. The idea is for brewers to share their knowledge and passion for beer and use the resulting product for a good cause.

This year Unity Brew will be used to raise funds for the Kidney Foundation and local food banks. The beer will be released next Friday (October 15) at Sha-Bam Beer and Music Festival and will then be available at select liquor stores in the province.

The beer will be a moderately hopped amber ale with a dose of Amarillo hops for character.

I provide more details about the brew day, the beer and the cause on my CBC Radio column, as Unity Brew was its topic last Friday, to which you can listen here.