It has been a while since I did up a news update, in part because it has actually been a bit quieter on the prairie front in the past few weeks. I am certain that is all about to change, however, as spring seasonals start to get unveiled, meaning this will likely be out-of-date hours after I post it.

I am also hot on the trail of an ever-growing number of rumours around new brewery start-ups around the prairies. So, if anyone has any leads of a brewery I haven’t mentioned in any of my recent profiles, let me know.

Now, with the usual caveats (no particular order, anything missing is because I didn’t hear about it, etc.), here is the latest news:

• Currently in planning stages, Two Sargeants Brewing (I did a profile of them here) have announced a short-term arrangement to contract their flagship Bangalore Torpedo IPA at Tool Shed in Calgary. This will permit them to have beer available for the upcoming Craft Beer Festivals in Edmonton and Calgary later in the spring and to allow for some initial profile while they complete construction of the brewery.

• Speaking of Tool Shed, both the brewery and tasting room are now open in northeast Calgary (801 30 St NE). The tasting room is Alberta’s first full-service location, meaning they can serve full pints of their beer. It  also means the beer you find on shelves and on tap around the province are now made in Calgary and the contract arrangement with Dead Frog has reached its end.

• Big Rock has announced that last year’s one-time release, Fowl Mouth ESB, has been added to their year-round Signature Series.

• Sticking around Calgary, Wildrose Brewery’s latest seasonal will be Switch Hitter India Pale Lager. It will be released on April 9.

• Yukon Brewing currently has two new beer on Alberta shelves, both part of their ongoing Bomber Series. First is the return of Yer Gallus (Gaelic for “your’re cheeky), their Scottish Export Ale which was first brewed back in 2012. They also have out a Roggenbock called Rapscallion’s Cousine. It is brewed like a weizenbock, but with rye rather than wheat. A third, tap-only release is also floating around selected locations. Buffalo Stance Robust Porter is as the name implies and, like the buffalo, is scarce. So when you spot one, snatch it up (the beer, not the buffalo – the latter would be unwise).

• Alley Kat will soon announce it next two seasonal releases. Next up in the Dragon Series is Argyle Dragon – a sister of last year’s Plaid Dragon. No word yet on the hops being used. Also slated for the summer is a keg-only release of Cloudy With a Chance of Lemon Hefeweizen. The decision to go with a tap-only offering is interesting

• The first contracted brews from Wildcraft Brewery in Lethbridge have hit the market. The beer is currently brewed at Big Surf in Kelowna while they construct their brewery/restaurant. There are three beer available at the moment: Wild Pilsner, Wild Amber and Wild Hops.

• Jumping over to Winnipeg, as usual Half Pints has a few things on the go. Particularly noteworthy is the return of the always popular Pothole Porter in late March. Also currently pouring on their brewery growler station is Chris’ As Yet UnNamed Wheat. Finally, in a rather cryptic message, Half Pints Dave says that another upcoming release is “Our Most Requested Retired Beer Makes a Comeback– Yep, it’s coming. Still not gonna tell you what it is tho. 😛 All will be revealed sometime in April-ish”. Let the guessing games begin now!

That’s what I got for the moment. As you all know, more news as events warrant.