Super, Local Beer

BY TOM FIRTH

One of the best things to do when travelling far from home, is to completely avoid the big name brewers, and to try what the locals drink. Sure, you might not get a “taste of home” but you sure will get a window into what the locals are all about – after work, before the big game, or how (and perhaps when) they might relax.

Local, craft brewing has been growing in leaps and bounds for more than a decade now, and more so than ever before, I am completely proud to share our Alberta-made beer with friends and visitors from around the globe – I often travel with some local beer to share on-site since doing so gives me a chance to trumpet the work of all these great producers. Then, of course we might be off to find some beer of the region.

This month, as we start to emerge from our down-filled jackets and toques, I wanted to share some love for locally made and excellent quality beers that are worth visiting, picking up at your nearest shop, or sharing with a friend. Mostly lighter ales, hazy IPAs, and a few oddballs, but I’m sure you’ll like them too. If you can, do try to visit the brewery or order directly – this helps greatly in their efforts to keep making great beer.

Find these beers by searching the CSPC code at Liquorconnect.com; your local liquor store can also use this code to order it for you. Prices are approximate.

Banff Ave Brewing

Ride or Dry Pilsner

A wonderfully refreshing lighter alcohol pilsner that honestly, is far more refreshing postactivity than a glass of water. As low-cal beer or “light” beer goes, Ride or Dry still has the right amount of flavour, balance and tastiness.

CSPC 827693 (6-pack) About $17-18

Banded Peak Microburst

Hazy IPA

A favourite of mine from Banded Peak as it’s so damn… macro! Totally, 100% bursting with tropical fruits but such an intense, clean hoppy character and a cereal finish. Kind of over the top, but doing it in style – and perfect after mowing the grass or crushing some trails.

CSPC 841941 (4-pack) $18-19 before, I am completely proud to share our Alberta-made beer with friends and visitors from around the globe – I often travel with some local beer to share on-site since doing so gives me a chance to trumpet the work of all these great producers. Then, of course we might be off to find some beer of the region.

This month, as we start to emerge from our down-filled jackets and toques, I wanted to share some love for locally made and excellent quality beers that

Apex Brewing Lager

I’ve had a few chances to enjoy Apex Brewing’s selections, but haven’t made it out there yet (but one day!). This is a lager that for me does everything right. Clean and crisp with a bright flavour and nice balance of hops and malts. Completely at home on the patio or deck.

CSPC 871146 (4-pack) $17-18

OT Brewing 5

Hundy Hazy IPA

Another, great, locally made hazy, that is brewed not too far from the house - so it’s as local as it can be for me. Layered tropical fruits with a little more intense IPA hoppiness tying it all together. Weighing in at 6.5 percent alcohol but still balanced even for a shorter session.

CSPC 820771 (4-pack) $17-18 are worth visiting, picking up at your nearest shop, or sharing with a friend. Mostly lighter ales, hazy IPAs, and a few oddballs, but I’m sure you’ll like them too. If you can, do try to visit the brewery or order directly – this helps greatly in their efforts to keep making great beer.

Find these wines by searching the CSPC code at Liquorconnect.com; your local liquor store can also use this code to order it for you. Prices are approximate.

Fahr Pils

One of the most consistently wellcrafted set of local brews, Jochen Fahr continually hits it out of the park with great offerings. Perhaps that is why the Fahr brewery is undertaking an expansion into a larger space. Fahr Pils is light, crisp, and carries a slightly chewy finish. Bring on summer!

CSPC 823888 (6-pack) About $17-18

Cabin Brewing Luminosity

German Pils

I’ve long had a love affair with some beers from Calgary’s Cabin, and the Luminosity just might… be tied with Retrospectrum for my favourite. Super crisp, easy, quaffable, and with a bit of a zesty finish, this should be a fine choice to share with a friend or two when the nice days really get here.

CSPC 853124 (4-pack) $17-18

Big Rock

Rhinestone

Cowboy Lagered Ale

Continuing the trend of local, summery beer, Big Rock’s Kolsch style ale is lagered and shows off a little hop and a nice malty character too. I found a little bit of honey, lemon, and toastiness in my glass too, but this was all about fine balance of flavour, weight, and ease of enjoyment. A modern classic.

CSPC 844063 (4-pack) $17-18

High River Blood in the Water

Fruited Wheat Beer

Showing off a coppery orange colour in the glass, what we have here is a rhubarb and hibiscus flavoured hefeweizen. Bright and not hazy to look at, with some finely balanced flavours, the citrus tones play well with the restrained hibiscus and it all comes together with the rhubarb too. A nice treat for a sunny day.

CSPC 837263 (4-pack) $17-18

Hell’s Basement

Midday Mariachi

Mexican Lager

While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a Mexican beer beachside or lakeside, it’s great to find a rock-solid locally made one too. Hailing from Medicine Hatwhich is pretty far away from the Mexican Riviera, the Midday Mariachi is full of clean cereal flavours and a bright little kick on the finish, serve nicely chilled, lime optional.

CSPC 866276 (6-pack) About $17-18

Good Mood

Session IPA

I’ve moved away from IPAs a little over the past few years, but Good Mood has made one that is very agreeable for the summer months. A session-friendly 4.3 percent alcohol with lively hop character showing off a little spruce and citrus on the palate, it’s never over the top, but just a cool, friendly beer that wants to be noticed.

CSPC 804437 (6-pack) About $17-18

Village Blonde Golden Ale

A beautiful ale that checks off all these boxes, full and robust, with citrus and malty flavours, but also a clean approach with easygoing flavours that are 100 percent the right choice for a hot day, or a day spent cleaning the garage or doing that yardwork. A beer that I’ll often buy when stocking up, as it’s a great crowd pleaser of an ale.

CSPC 863649 (6-pack) About $17-18

Brewster’s River City Raspberry Ale

One of my favourites from Brewster’s has to be the raspberry ale. Just the right combination for sitting on the patio and possibly having some pub-friendly snacks too. Whether or not you actually like putting pieces of fruit in your beer, you’ll appreciate the nuance of this blonde ale with all that perfume of fresh raspberry. A purely crushable number.

CSPC 804338 (6-pack) About $16-17