2024

BY TOM FIRTH, COMPETITION DIRECTOR, ALBERTA BEVERAGE AWARDS

Something that we often don’t talk about is why things get entered in the Alberta Beverage Awards.

We are always thrilled to see what is being made right here within the province and within Canada too, but we see quite a lot of international products entered, and it’s the importers for those brands who trust us with their products. We make great efforts to make sure it is the liquid that is being assessed, not that nice people make it, nor that the bottle is heavier than others, or that the label is really, really pretty, or that something is expensive – so it might be good…. right?

Over the course of the year, I always keep an eye out for the innumerable wineries, breweries, distilleries, along with other producers, importers and representatives, that use their awards from the Alberta Beverage Awards. It’s always great to see your hard work being appreciated, but it’s also heartwarming to see how these people value the competition and know that it means something, that our process is sound, our judges know their stuff, and that our good reputation is out there.

Alberta has hundreds of importer agencies constantly scouring the globe, in wine country, in dynamic parts of the world, at tradeshows, and in travels, finding great products. Ones that they hope will resonate with retail and restaurant partners, and yes, through competitions like ours.

This year was a bit of a struggle to undertake. Rising interest rates squeeze everyone, from the consumers to the producers, and a major, catastrophic watermain break in Calgary in June didn’t help either. Overall, consumers are drinking a little less (and hopefully a little better), and at the same time being a little more selective in where they drink and where their dollars are spent. Our undertaking the Alberta Beverage Awards seems more important than ever to help share the word about beautiful beverages.

Local producers are also struggling. From Okanagan wine producers facing a harsh future after a killing frost last winter, local brewers and distillers are finding it harder than ever to reach consumers experiencing inflation and fewer discretionary purchases, and even the importers of alcohol into Alberta have been facing punitive pricing and warehousing pressures, making it harder than ever to keep our diverse selection of alcoholic products varied and comparative with other provinces. Despite all of this, the trust we have from wineries, breweries, and distilleries, is truly heartwarming.

As every Alberta liquor store is different, in many cases we’ve included a rough range for the retail price – but it also never hurts to check the producer’s website to see about going right to the source. Each product also has a “CSPC” number, which can be used to help you find it at your local retailer or at liquorconnect.com.

Some products also have a symbol ,\ to identify products that not only did well this year, but also in previous years, so you know that this product is consistently good. Tastes change, and we love seeing these consistent award winners gracing these pages.

We’ve also split out the results into four broad sections. Wine, beer, spirits, and all the other wonderful, diverse products that encompass the world of beverages. Please take special note of categories you currently enjoy, but do take a look in the other sections – your new favourite tipple might be in there.

Thanks to our diligent and hardworking stewards and the rest of the team - Len Steinberg, Mairi, Paul, Grant, Patrick, Lana, Alita, Clarissa, and Quinn; our sponsors: Medium Rare Chef Apparel, The Import Vintners & Spirits Association, The Alberta Liquor Store Association, Rök Water, and Spirit Wares; to our venue: Calgary’s Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre, with their wonderful crew; our photographer Jason Dziver, and to our valued judges who are featured later in these pages.