Most of you will have heard the news last week that Edmonton’s Blind Enthusiasm is closing its highly regarded restaurant Biera and Market brewery, at the end of December (you can read their statement here). Many expressed surprise at the… Continue Reading →
The 2024 Alberta Beer Awards, the seventh edition, are now officially in the books with the release of the winners at a gala event last night. My biggest observation this year was how many breweries took home a medal. Of… Continue Reading →
Ontario is not my beat. But they seem to be making the most beer headlines recently with their breath-y announcements of allowing beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience stores. It seems like it has been Doug Ford’s biggest priority… Continue Reading →
There have been some fascinating developments in the craft beer industry in Alberta in the first eight months of 2024. In many ways it has been quieter than i initially expected, but what changes there have been have been both… Continue Reading →
In a way this is not my business. I am an Albertan living under a privatized liquor retail system who only visits Ontario once every year or two. Yet, I feel compelled to weigh in on the growing tire fire… Continue Reading →
The 2024 Canadian Brewing Award winners were announced this past weekend (find the full results here). I am here to offer up my usual analysis of what I think it all means. You can find posts on previous years’ results… Continue Reading →
A few weeks back, the Alberta government introduced the omnibus Bill 16: Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act. The UCP has introduced a few of these in recent years, so the reaction to it was muted, especially given the controversial… Continue Reading →
News reports came out a few days ago indicating that the Alberta government has quietly established a committee of UCP MLAs to examine the prospects of allowing beer, wine and RTDs to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. The… Continue Reading →
A series of announcements in recent days/weeks have highlighted something I have been saying for months – that the Alberta and Canadian craft beer industry is heading for a tumultuous period of change and instability. The recent news suggests this… Continue Reading →
This is a slightly awkward post to write. Earlier this week the Edmonton Homebrewers’ Guild (EHG), long my homebrewing home base, bestowed on me a lifetime membership. It, surprisingly, came with an etched glass award to commemorate the occasion. I… Continue Reading →
