A bottle of Suds

Local is Better

BY TOM FIRTH

he sheer range and variety of beers these days being made in Wild Rose Country is simply staggering. There are everyday session beers, crisp and refreshing T pilsners and wits, beautiful ales, potent IPAs, and some seriously good stouts. Plus, we won’t even get started on the saisons or wild ferment beers that are really making people sit up and take notice.

In the spirit of our proud, local beer tradition, we have a few gems to share this month, but more importantly, if you haven’t been experiencing them for yourself already – you really should. Prices are approximate, and some retailers may or may not include bottle deposit in their prices.

Trolley 5 Turntable Lager, Alberta

Lagers are a great choice on those hot days, especially while working out in the yard, or working up a sweat getting some fresh air and healthy exercise – or sitting on a patio and having some laughs! Trolley 5 must be reading my mind since their Turntable lager checks off all the boxes for wetting that whistle. Nicely balanced and never straying into weird lager territory, it's crisp and clean, and damn good too. CSPC +837263 $16-18 (4-pack cans)

Alley Kat Fish Bone New England IPA, Alberta

Have to say, I am pretty pumped about these New England Style IPAs. Alley Kat, a long-time craft producer in Edmonton, created a real gem with a completely easy to drink IPA that has all those floral and citrus hoppy notes and less of the bitterness that a lot of IPAs are showing off these days. Best of all is the full and long finish, that just keeps you coming back till it’s done. CSPC +829281 $15-17 (6-pack cans)

XhAle Impeachable Hopped Peach Wheat Ale, Alberta

Love peaches almost as much as you love a good beer? This Impeachable is a little provocative in several ways, but we’ll keep focusing on the beer. It’s a fruit/foot forward, assertive ale that has no trouble crowing about what it thinks you should know. Namely bright, fresh peach notes, a flowery, expressive fruit, and still a pleasant creaminess through the finish. Very nice, and perfect for those hotter days. CSPC +840422 $17-19 (4-pack cans)

Annex Forward Progress Pale Ale, Alberta

Consistently one of the best pale ales year after year at the Alberta Beverage Awards, Forward Progress is a treat for a weary soul, and a thirsty one too. Expertly balanced between hop and malty dominance with a full and aromatic nose, but importantly a full and flavourful palate. A beer that tastes just as good on tap as it does at home in a can. But that finish… oh my, it’s good. CSPC +807102 $16-18 (4-pack cans)

Grizzly Paw Beavertail Raspberry Ale, Alberta

A good beer to have on hand at the old homestead when the weather is taking a turn for the better. I enjoy raspberry beers and my wife LOVES them, so it’s an easy choice to have around. Grizzly Paw’s is a very light example ale-wise, but what it has in abundance is plenty of ripe and tart raspberry notes that all come together in a well-balanced crusher. If you can handle a little bit of raspberry overload, pop a few fresh ones in your glass too. CSPC +803921 $15-17 (6-pack cans)

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