I can’t really keep up with all the beer happenings on the prairies these days. That must be a very, very good thing. But I will try as best I can to relay what news I hear. Here is some of the latest:

September 17: Autumn Harvest Tasting. Little Guy Liquor in Sherwood Park – the little store with big beer aspirations – is sponsoring a beer tasting charity fundraising event on Saturday. All proceeds will be going to the Sherwood Park A.C.T. to support the Sherwood Park Boys and Girls Club programming. Tickets are only $10, with tasting tickets 50 cents each. A good range of craft and import beer will be available. There will also be culinary delights from Bullseye Bar and Grill. It runs from 5-9 pm at the Log Cabin in Sherwood Park (50 Spruce Avenue). Tickets available from the store. Consider popping by for an hour or two and support a good local cause and an independent beer store.

September 20: Wild Rose 15th Anniversary Celebration. The kids at Wild Rose grew up fast, didn’t they? Age 15 and still growing like a weed. The Wild Rose taproom in Calgary will the site of a big full-day party. For the occasion they have produced four special Anniversary Ales, which will only be available on tap for ONE DAY ONLY! Got that? One day. So don’t think you can swing down at your leisure to try one. The first beer will be tapped at 11:00 with the remaining three served throughout the day. The four beer are Nectarine Saison with Ginger, Belgian I.P.A. Dry Hopped with Citra Hops, Irish Red Ale with Fresh Hops (from Wild Rose Brewery’s garden), Dark Scottish Ale Aged with Oak & Whisky. Those sound good enough to take a mental health day from work (Editor’s Note: Onbeer.org in no way endorses fraudulent behaviour against one’s employer).

September 24: Shabam And don’t forget the second annual Sherbrooke Liquor/Kidney Foundation beer festival is on at the Mayfield Inn. Drink beer for a good cause. Can’t think of an easier way to contribute to the community. Get all the info here.

October 1: Rachel Notley Beer Garden Party. Yes, a political event, but one featuring yours truly. I will be hosting a beer tasting and local breweries will also be on hand to offer samples of their fine wares. The theme of the tasting is Hidden Canadian Gems, and I plan on offering selections of some fine Canadian craft beer that patrons will likely have not tried. Oh yeah, and there will also be gourmet food to pair with the beer. And live music. Tickets are $125 (it is a fundraiser, after all), but everything else is free. Ritchie Hall in Edmonton. Tickets at rachelnotley.ca.

October 1: Alley Kat Beer and Food Pairing. The folks at Alley Kat are teaming up with Chef Andrew, a local personal chef, to create some gourmet food and beer pairings. At the moment I don’t have the ticket particulars, but call the brewery if you are interested.

October 15: Half Pints 5th Anniversary Party at Lo Pub. Wow, I am getting old. Half Pints is 5 years old?!? Great news. Details on the party in Winnipeg to come.

There are likely other events I have forgotten or haven’t been told about yet.