So, the Calgary Beerfest contest has closed and we have some winners! First, I apologize for not getting this up on Wednesday, but my day ran away on me and I had no time.

We got fewer entries than expected. I think in part due to the short notice and that it is a Calgary-based festival. Something for me to think about in the future should I ever do this again.

After reviewing the entries we did receive, I have made an executive decision to alter the prizes. Some of the entries simply did not reflect the spirit of the contest. They either made no attempt to justify their choice, or there was no connection to Calgary. Awarding that lack of effort seemed wrong to me. However, there were two absolutely fantastic entries. Creative and appropriate. Both clearly spent a lot of energy on their entry. The entries are re-posted below.

I wanted to reward the both of them equally, given how much effort they clearly put into their entries. I am eliminating third prize and awarding each of the two winning entries with pairs of VIP passes to the night of their choice.

Each winning entry took a very different approach to the topic. The first composed a poem evoking Calgary. The beer reference is implied and a bit vague, but the imagery clear. The second wrote it in the form of an advertisement for a fictional Calgary brewery. The risk there is someone might actually take his idea and run with it. Here are the winning entries:

Winning Entry #1

Winning Entry #2

At Bow River Brewing we’re proud to present our latest creation. A beer that celebrates the Spirit of the New West. A brew we can call uniquely Calgarian. From the purest local spring water combined with the finest barley that southern Alberta has to offer, we’ve crafted a brew unlike any other: Chinook Sunset Amber Ale. Calgary may be Cowtown to some, but here at Bow River we’ve always thought of ourselves as mavericks. When we set out to forge our brand, our goal was to produce an unforgettably original beer. Chinook Sunset Amber Ale embodies the pioneering spirit that sets Calgary apart. From that wintery crisp first taste to a stampede of complex flavours, you’ve opened an ale to be reckoned with. We’ve perfectly balanced the sweet toastiness of our malt with the zesty, spicy and earthy overtones of western Canadian hops to create a full-bodied brew that’s as smooth as a chinook breeze yet as bold as a prairie fire. It’s sunset amber hue and slightly smoky finish lets you know you’re enjoying a taste of the foothills. Break away from the herd! Open a Chinook Sunset Amber Ale and savour the taste of Calgary today!

I am not listing the names of the winners because they didn’t indicate their consent (they didn’t tell me one way or the other). I may amend the post if they tell me it is okay to give their names.