Observations on the First Alberta Beer Awards

Judging has wrapped up for the first annual Alberta Beer Awards. Over two weekends some of Alberta’s most experienced judges and industry representatives judged over 300 Alberta craft beer from 57 breweries. I couldn’t participate every day due to life,… Continue Reading →

Beer Tent Blues and How to Cure Them

Having completed my post-Edmonton Folk Festival recovery 2017 edition, I have had some time to contemplate the state of beer at one of Canada’s largest and most successful folk festivals. I appreciate the Folk Fest is mostly about the music,… Continue Reading →

Vue Weekly’s Beer Issue is Out!

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… Continue Reading →

The Value of Blind Tasting and Other Lessons

This past weekend I served as the Head Judge for the Northern Lands Festival beer competition. For those who don’t know Northern Lands, it is a premiere beverage and food event profiled, exclusively, Canadian wine, craft beer and craft spirits… Continue Reading →

Cask-Aid Raised Glasses & Dollars for Fort Mac

Yesterday afternoon at Yellowhead Brewing in Edmonton dozens of thirsty patrons sipped on one-of-a-kind cask ales and raised money for the Red Cross Fort McMurray Relief fund at the same time. Dubbed Cask-Aid (Cascasde – get it?), it was the… Continue Reading →

Aleberta: Alberta Beer Then and Today

Last night I got my first view of the new beer history documentary series Aleberta at a screening at Yellowhead Brewery. As of this morning, the three-part series is available online and it will soon begin showing on Telus Optik… Continue Reading →

Stately But Mainstream

Last night I attended a media “Menu Tasting” event for the opening of the Jasper Avenue location of State & Main, the growing chain of casual restaurants owned by Franworks, a culinary company that also operates Original Joe’s. I rarely… Continue Reading →

The Beer Keeps Flowing

It has only been a couple of weeks since my last news round up (read here), but the news has been flowing fast and furious so I felt I should put out another news roundup before I drown in all… Continue Reading →

Alberta Beer Week in Review

Alberta’s first official craft beer week is now over. I imagine exhausted brewery salespeople and brewers are looking forward to a return to a normal work week after the frenetic activities of last week. Not to mention giving beer fan’s… Continue Reading →

Wanna Learn about Edmonton’s Beer History?

I mentioned the other day (read here) that this coming Saturday (October 3) I am being tour guide for a bus of enthusiastic beer and history fans. It is the second installment of the Edmonton Heritage Council’s Beer History Tour…. Continue Reading →

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YEG Hidden Gems Beer Pairing Dinner

November 7. The craft beer scene in Edmonton has been exploding in recent years with many new breweries and interesting beer being created. Come try a few of the city’s hidden beer gems, curated by beer writer and educator Jason Foster. Each beer will be paired with a dish specifically designed for the beer by Underground’s executive chef. It will be an evening of exploration, education and enjoyment!

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