Over the past couple weeks a huge amount of beer news has piled, not even counting the ongoing debate about Alberta’s mark-up policy (read here if you have missed it). So here is the latest rundown of what is happening around the prairies. The usual caveats and proclamations apply.

• I might as well start with something that has more than a bit of relevance to the Alberta mark-up debate. Manitoba announced last week that it is launching a $5 million loan program for Manitoba-based craft brewers (read here). Manitoba brewers are eligible for up to $250,000 in loans, repayable over five years, for initial capital spending or upgrades to existing operations. This announcement is the latest in a series of policies designed to kickstart the province’s craft beer industry.

• In what may be a surprise to many (but not to those paying attention) Regina’s landmark brewpub, Bushwakker, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Its big celebration bash is this coming Saturday (23rd). I totally suspect it is sold out by now, but if you happen to be in Regina that night, drop by and see if you can sweet talk your way in. The night will be marked by the release of Revenge of The Tartan Tzar, a Russian Imperial Stout that has been infused with Macallan 12-Year-Old single malt whisky and aged for over a year. It is pretty fun to think that good, old Bushwakker is 25 years old. How time flies!

• Shifting to the North, NWT Brewing (originally profiled here) is now officially up and running with four beer, mostly available at the associated pub, The Woodyard. Don’t expect NWT beer south of 60 anytime soon, but craft beer fans now have a local option when heading up to Yellowknife this winter (take VERY warm socks!).

• Sticking with north of 60, Yukon Brewing is as busy as ever. Their most recent Bomber release was Grizzly Wheat Ale, an American-style wheat. Rumour has it the beer is the base recipe for their Deadman’s Creek Cranberry Wheat. Next week we will begin to see bottles of their next Bomber release, I’m Leaving Today APA. There is also whiskey news on the Yukon front, but I will save that for another day.

• Alberta is a busy place this month. Likely the most headline grabbing is Yellowhead’s impending release of a new beer, and an ale to boot. Yellowhead is known for producing a single beer, a German-style Helles lager. However, since new brewmaster Bruce Sample took charge of the brewhouse, he has been experimenting with small scale batches of different takes on their single beer, including various infused casks and a growler fill-only dark lager. In early February they take the next step and release their first ale – a Honey Porter. No word on whether it will be a one-time only beer or a regular addition but either way it is a big shift for the Edmonton brewery. Details on the launch to come.

• Staying in Edmonton, Alley Kat has news on a couple of fronts. First, they have released their latest Dragon Series, a return of Blue Dragon. Also the much anticipated return of their barley wine, Old Deuteronomy, for its 2016 version. Old Deut is a local favourite among craft beer fans, which has been brewed almost every year since 1995. Their final news is of a different character. Earlier this month they announced a partnership with Bullfrog Power, a leading green energy provider. From this point forward Alley Kat will be powered by energy supplied from wind, , micro-hydro and biogas.

• Sticking with Northern Alberta, one of the province’s newest breweries, Fat Unicorn Brewing up in Plamondon (read here for a profile), has released its first seasonal beer. Dirty Blonde is a Saison and is currently available in 650ml bombers at the brewery and in selected stores in northern Alberta.

• Shifting 300 km south, Wild Rose Brewing has a brand new seasonal on the shelves this week. Belgian-Style Pale Ale is as the name infers, a Belgian Pale Ale. Amber-coloured with a balance between earthy hop and a light yeast spiciness, it is the latest in their bomber-focussed seasonal series.

• Finally, before Xmas Big Rock quietly slipped back onto the market their annual Winter Spiced Ale (either that or I totally missed the press release!). A popular seasonal, Winter Spiced Ale offers a warming beer with accents of ginger, clove and cinnamon.

There is your latest run-down on beer-related beer news. As I promised earlier, stay tuned for more developments in the politics-related beer news happening near you.