Vue Weekly’s annual Beer Issue is out, available at racks around town and online. The venerable alt-weekly in Edmonton has offered a corner of its magazine to my beer column for over a decade now, but I always get excited when they devote the cover and additional space for beer.

This year I contribute three pieces to the issue. Vue’s food writer Scott Lingley also offers up a review of Situation Brewing (read here).

Given the timing of the issue I lead with a story about some of the beer being released in honour of the Canada’s sesquicentennial which just passed on July 1 (read the story here). I highlight the interesting, the strange and the plain lame ideas breweries have had around the country to celebrate Canada 150. Yukon’s year-long series of Canada 150 beer make my most-interesting list, as does Central City’s Collaboration Across the Nation mixed pack, which includes a beer from every province and territory (except Nunavut). I was particularly pleased to get to try my first beer from Yellowknife’s NWT Brewing (albeit brewed at Central City). As for the plain crazy, check out Village Brewing’s box of 150 cans! I realize Canada Day is over, but I am pretty sure most of the beer I discuss will be available for a while.

My second piece shifts to education (read here), explaining the burgeoning popularity of the New England-style pale ales and IPAs. I don’t have to say much about New England IPAs to people who read this site, but feel free to check out some reviews here and here to learn more.

The last piece was supposed to be a report on my initial visit(s) to the newly opened Biera by Blind Enthusiasm. Alas, some last minute delays forced me to switch to a profile (read it here). However, fear not, Blind Enthusiasts, I am told it will be finally opening its doors within days (how many I can’t tell you). I know it remains the most anticipated opening of the 2017 beer year.

So there you have it, the 2017 Vue Weekly Beer Issue. Enjoy it online or analogue.