One of the more interesting trends in recent years is the willingness of cafes to start exploring the beer market as well. In Edmonton The Sugar Bowl, of course, has been a pioneer of this trend, and Calgary has Kawa Espresso Bar. This kind of coffee-beer cafe hybrid is very European in its feel, and I like where it takes the world of beer.

Lately another Edmonton cafe has been building its beer chops. Transcend Coffee on 109 Street hosted a beer tasting a few months ago, and has now launched a new menu, with a small but high density beer list and revamped food dishes. The beer list includes some local mainstays (Roughneck IPA, Alley Kat Full Moon), a couple of solid regional craft (Half Pints Stir Stick Stout, Red Racer IPA) and a small selection of Quebec and import beer. While fairly short, the list covers a wide range of beer styles.

As for food, it has a dual character. One half is inspired by Latin American street food – pupusa, coxinha and other dishes you will find in South America. The other half tries to offer unique. local-inspired dishes, like an indoor picnic for two.

The beer plan is to rotate the menu, add in seasonals and other specials to try to keep it fresh. I haven’t been by yet to try the food, but the menu looks appetizing.

I mention this not simply to offer a plug (which I realize this is, of sorts), but because I want to encourage more of this kind of thing. In North America we have too rigidly segregated morning beverages and evening beverages. I love the feel of a place that is buzzing all day and evening, that I can go and ask for a latte or a Full Moon and both are equally acceptable (well, maybe not the Full Moon at 8 am). Beer becomes a beverage like any other, to be consumed responsibly and – more importantly – just as an ordinary part of life. These new coffee/beer cafe hybrids are a nice way to encourage such an easy-going attitude. I hope more pop up.