It is a rare sad news day here at Onbeer. I have received confirmation that Calmar’s Roughneck Brewing is closing its doors. Rumours have been swirling for months that flagging sales and owner Terry Cameron’s need to earn income were putting the small brewery in doubt. Speculation took an uptick a few months back when Cameron was hired on as head brewer at Amber’s brewing (a relationship, I am told, that has now ended).

It was one of those classic pinches. With little money for staff, Cameron had to be a one-man show, brewing, selling, delivering, marketing, and bill collecting. He has tried valiantly for the past five years, but it appears he could never create enough momentum to pull out of that circle.

Roughneck had a couple of incarnations, starting with a modest, but attractive, canned ale aimed at a more rural and working class market. Two years ago, Cameron shifted gears, retired the canning line and launched “Brewmaster’s Choice” with two beer, an English-style IPA and a Brown Ale. At first sales seem to pick up, but they never reached the level needed to get Roughneck out of the danger zone – unfortunately.

I am told that Roughneck’s brewhouse has been sold to “financial interests” in Leduc. Not sure yet what that means. It might mean we can expect a new brewery to open up soon to replace the departed Roughneck, but it is too early to tell.

I am sorry about this news. I wished the best for Roughneck. Terry Cameron has brewing chops – his beer are always well made and reflect a deep knowledge of the brewing process. And it is important to have a variety of local breweries, each displaying their own personality. This is a sign that we still have a hill to climb in Alberta to develop a thriving beer culture.

I wish Terry the best and hope we find him back in the brewing business in some capacity one day soon.