Beer Thread V2?3?4?

[GreenLantern]

Semi-New brewery opened up in Swift Current (of all places) called Black Bridge Brewery. I've tried their Rye Ale, IPA, Common (after the California Common or Anchor Steam style beer) and Milk Stout, all of which were good to great (rated in order above).

I don't think they have made it across the border yet in keg form, but the cans might be available at some liquor depots, keep your eyes peeled.

Spoiler!

[TomLeeMC]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Anyone know where you can buy Guinness Blonde in Calgary? They had a booth at Oktoberfest last weekend and damn was it ever tasty. That and Something Brewing from Red Deer were my highlights, which I'm also having trouble finding

Something Brewing brew's out of the Drummond brewery(heard they don't like to be associated with the Drummond. Supposedly?) and I've seen some liquor stores around Red Deer carry them(I think they're 4packs) but don't know about Calgary.

Also, Red Deer's TroubledMonk Brewery is very tasty. I noticed that Last Best was serving the brown ale as a guest tap a couple weeks ago. Not a big fan of the brown but they have a great White IPA and a decent Pale Ale called Pesky Pig.

If you have a chance to check out the liquor depot in Marda Loop I'd check it out. I've only been a handful of times but they've got a great selection of beers and a growler fill station, I was surprised for a liquor depot. Wildrose is by far the best beer around though, IMO.

[Mark]

I spent 2 weeks in Scotland this summer keeping my eyes open for anything from one of the highest rated Scottish breweries: Traquair House. Didn't find a thing (didn't head to the borderlands though), but actually found a couple at Willow Park. I had the basic house ale and it was a phenomenal Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy and I can't wait to try the Jacobite.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24/36/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24/652/

[TheSutterDynasty]

Anyone know if the Costco advent calendar beers are available anywhere in Calgary? Some damn good beers in there...

(Liquor connect doesn't seem that helpful)

[calumniate]

Deschutes fresh squeezed, a new favourite
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/deschut...ed-ipa/119596/

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

Anyone know if the Costco advent calendar beers are available anywhere in Calgary? Some damn good beers in there...

(Liquor connect doesn't seem that helpful)

I dunno, when I looked it up it said the Sarcee Costco and the Heritage Gate Costco had them

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

I dunno, when I looked it up it said the Sarcee Costco and the Heritage Gate Costco had them

I meant the individual beers. Or did you too?

May have to check it out regardless, as I'm sure if anywhere in Calgary would have them it'd be Costco since they sold the calendars.

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

I meant the individual beers. Or did you too?

May have to check it out regardless, as I'm sure if anywhere in Calgary would have them it'd be Costco since they sold the calendars.

From this calendar you mean?

Spoiler!

It is put together by these guys http://www.craftbeerimports.ca/craft/

Unfortunately my guess would be that most are imported specifically for the calendar and not on a regular basis. As well, most are seasonal so are a lot of times limited production which also makes them difficult to find.

I did find this in their FAQ section

Q: If I love one of the beers, what do I do about it?

A: Look up the Craft BeerAdvent® Calendar on Facebook. Everyday, there is a tasting note for that beer and you can add your own comments. If a beer is very popular, we can try to bring it in for sale on a regular basis.

So your best bet would be to contact them about beers you like and see if they have plans to bring it in.

[Bean]

Saw the majority of them for sale as singles at coop liquor store. They are in the cooler and grouped all together


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Deschutes fresh squeezed, a new favourite
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/deschut...ed-ipa/119596/

If you like Freshly Squeezed, you may also like Superfuzz: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/700/90993/

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by Hanni

From this calendar you mean?

Spoiler!

It is put together by these guys http://www.craftbeerimports.ca/craft/

Unfortunately my guess would be that most are imported specifically for the calendar and not on a regular basis. As well, most are seasonal so are a lot of times limited production which also makes them difficult to find.

I did find this in their FAQ section



So your best bet would be to contact them about beers you like and see if they have plans to bring it in.

It's actually a different one and made by a "kalea" group but their website is exclusively German. May be hooped unless Costco brings in the beers specifically. Thanks for the info though.

[Fuzz]

Got a couple batches on the brew, excited to have some of my own beer again. Well, gluten free beer, but it beats the stuff I can buy. One is an IPA, the other a golden ale. Have enough supplies to do 3 more batches this winter. mmmmmmm One will definitely be a dark.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Got a couple batches on the brew, excited to have some of my own beer again. Well, gluten free beer, but it beats the stuff I can buy. One is an IPA, the other a golden ale. Have enough supplies to do 3 more batches this winter. mmmmmmm One will definitely be a dark.

Have you tried Clarity Ferm yet? My sister in law is gluten intolerant and it makes her able to drink most of our beers. Amazing stuff.

[Fuzz]

No, I'm still a bit suspicious of the stuff, and don't feel comfortable having that much gluten containing ingredients mingling with my equipment. I'm celiac, so a bit more susceptible. The consequences are... unpleasant.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Atodaso

I appreciate the review and I will gladly take you up on your offer of bringing some up next time you are around!

I love the dark beers and so far my favorite Stouts/Porters I have tried are Oskar Blues Ten Fidy (4 pack of cans runs $22 at my local store in Red Deer, though), Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, and La Vache Folle Milk Stout.

Tonight I went with an IPA.

I've had a few more of the Founder's breakfast stout since then, and I enjoyed the next few a lot more than the first. Just the right amount of coffee. I'm looking at coming up around late June, and if I have room, I'll throw a 4 pack in my suitcase. If you are interested, I'll try to grab some KBS's too.

Question for this thread: who all distributes to Calgary? I see mention of Deschutes and Oskar Blues, which surprised me. Anyone else? Do you get beers like the Abyss to Calgary?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I've had a few more of the Founder's breakfast stout since then, and I enjoyed the next few a lot more than the first. Just the right amount of coffee. I'm looking at coming up around late June, and if I have room, I'll throw a 4 pack in my suitcase. If you are interested, I'll try to grab some KBS's too.

Question for this thread: who all distributes to Calgary? I see mention of Deschutes and Oskar Blues, which surprised me. Anyone else? Do you get beers like the Abyss to Calgary?

We get a little bit of everything now. Stone, Redhook, Brooklyn, Elysian, Anchor etc. You can find The Abyss at Willow Park. Haven't seen Dogfish Head yet though.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Barnes

We get a little bit of everything now. Stone, Redhook, Brooklyn, Elysian, Anchor etc. You can find The Abyss at Willow Park. Haven't seen Dogfish Head yet though.

Mostly west coast breweries, it sounds like. No Russian River I assume? How much would something like the The Abyss cost there? Do they have the variants by chance?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Mostly west coast breweries, it sounds like. No Russian River I assume? How much would something like the The Abyss cost there? Do they have the variants by chance?

Mostly west coast US breweries, yes. No Pliny the Elder. Expensive is their price. No idea what a bomber like The Abyss would be but a 6 pack of something from Stone would be like $18.50. Definitely a treat rather then a session beer for a Saturday afternoon BBQ. Hard to sample all this new stuff.

Thankfully, we are also in the midst of an exploding local scene. There was once only Big Rock then Wildrose in 1996. Village in 2012 and the rules changed and the nano and gypsy brewers now have a shot to actually start and grow a business. There are even startups in surrounding areas like Okotoks and Cochrane, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, and a number of new brewpubs under construction.

[Max Cow Disease]

I've been a big Alley Kat fan for quite some time now. As much as it sucks to say about an Edmonton brewery as a Calgarian, I prefer their stuff to Wild Rose. Full Moon Pale Ale and Scona Gold are very regular buys for me.

[CofR]

Two of the newcomers from Calgary that I've really enjoyed are Tool Shed and Dandy. Haven't had a bad beer from either so far.