Alberta Budget 2025 Takes Aim at Small Brewers Markup

The 2025/26 Alberta Provincial Government was tabled last Thursday. Most of the talk revolved around the proposed income tax cut, the size of the deficit and what responses might come as a result of Trump tariffs. The government (and the… Continue Reading →

A Deep Field Shares the Medal Love at the 2024 Alberta Beer Awards

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 →

Comings and Goings in Alberta Beer

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 →

Thoughts on the LCBO Strike

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 →

Flurry of News Highlights that Changes Are Coming to Alberta Beer

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 →

What Does a Brewery Do When the Water Runs Out?

This week Edmonton and area has been under a mandatory non-essential water ban due to a breakdown of the city’s largest water treatment plant. For most of us, it has only been slightly inconveniencing – I delayed laundry for a… Continue Reading →

The Party’s Over: The State of Canadian Craft Beer, 2023

Craft beer in Canada has been on a pretty good ride in the last decade or so. Across most of the country we have seen big increases in the number of breweries and the size of market share they earn…. Continue Reading →

Familiar Names, New Faces Among Alberta Beer Award Winners

Last night the winners of the 2023 Alberta Beer Awards were announced. The list of winners includes breweries who have become very accustomed to the medal podium and some impressive accomplishments by some newbies to the Alberta beer scene. The… Continue Reading →

A Tale of Two Beer Guys: A Pint-Sized Play about Unity Brew 2023

SCENE: Beerguy’s basement home office, a room with overfilled bookcases, scattered papers and commemorative beer glasses, bottles and other beer-related paraphernalia. Beerguy sits at his desk deleting Don Tse Tweet-puns and plotting revenge against JVR. A can of the 2023… Continue Reading →

Fitzsimmons Closing, Situation’s Future Unclear

I always prefer to announce the opening of new breweries on the prairies. Alas that has been a bit thin recently (although there are a handful in the final stages of preparation). But sometimes I have to announce closures. In… Continue Reading →

« Older posts

Book an Event

Looking for a new and original fundraising idea for your organization? Want to offer something a little different to your clients?