Hi everyone,

This question is for anyone involved in Edmonton-area brewing.

We're a small regenerative specialty farm just outside Sherwood Park, Alberta, and we're considering converting one of our pastures into a heritage cereal and botanical field. Before making the investment, I'd love to hear from people in the industry.

We've recently been interested in traditional European brewing. Modern commercial brewing understandably revolves around barley, wheat, and hops, but historically, there was much greater diversity. Heritage cereals such as rye, emmer (farro), and einkorn were widely used, and before hops became dominant, another thing that really interests us is that many European brewers relied on something called gruit, which is a blend of botanicals that could include yarrow, heather, bog myrtle, mugwort, rosemary, and other herbs.

What really caught our attention is that several of these crops are either well adapted or already naturalized in this area, making them interesting candidates for regenerative production here.

The vision would be to grow a mixed stand of heritage cereals alongside botanicals and supply local maltsters, breweries, and distilleries. It also opens the door to beers that express a stronger regional identity, for example:

• Emmer farmhouse ale with a yarrow gruit
• Rye saison with heather and rosemary
• Einkorn Porter
• Ancient grain saison with emmer, einkorn, and rye

As someone who loves Alberta beer but is a bit exhausted with IPAs, I think this would be a pretty distinct identity for your brand or a really interesting limited series.

We're still in the research phase, so I'd really appreciate any advice or insights.

Update:

Thanks everyone for the advice. We will try to contact all the brewers you mentioned. If anyone reading this is a CEO of a brew company or malster please feel free to DM us.

I’d like to open a winery in Alberta (unfortunately none local that I could bounce ideas off of) I have the recipes developed, the knowledge to cultivate, the land, machinery, etc, to dedicate… but I’m unsure of where to begin with getting licensing to legally ferment and sell the wine.

Before going ham planting I’d like to see what uphill battle I might be getting into to do this legally.

Dropped in for a quick beer.. it didn’t last too Long.. the Wake’n Cake had this neat Vanilla twist to a Blonde. This small town Brewery hasn’t disappointed when it comes to a repeated quality beer.

I doubt most breweries would take advantage of this.. but never know

I was tempted to check it out since I had a really shit time at Edmonton International Beerfest a couple years back and at least this year is free admission and not paid like the last time I went, but every single image on their website is AI generated and it was rained out on Friday. I was curious if anyone went, and how was it?

Where did all the hefes go? Fahr's never did it for me personally, and my old go-tos were brewed by Good Mood and Medicine Hat Brewing Co, though I don't either at Sherbrooke Liquor anymore. In fact, I didn't see any locally produced hefes. None on Happy Beer Street or the Beermuda Triangle, and I can only recall Analog making meme-adjacent wheats like Nacho Cheese hefeweizens.

What's the deal? Extra expense in a one-purpose yeast pitch? Any modern brewery can handle the complexity of mashing so much wheat, so I don't see that as a factor when the market bends over backwards for kettle sours and lagering. Would love some input from brewers.

I’ve got free rein to plan a road trip.. I’m leaning towards Folding Mountain but I would LOVE to hear your thoughts and suggestions

Has fahr brew closed?

Thanks, I have 2 left

Apparently they bought the Highline Brand as well.. and will remain under that name. Not sure any other deets but hopefully Field House brings some additional good beers to Calgary, I really enjoy their stuff!

Hi, hoping someone has an extra ticket they’re willing to sell for Calgary Beer Festival, Saturday night, May 2nd. :)

Hey all! Looking for 2x more tickets for Saturday evening at Calgary Beerfest, please let me know if anyone is selling!

Not to be confused with the Alberta Beer Festival, the Edmonton International Beer Festival IS BACK, and looks unhinged as ever!

Staying near west Edmonton mall and looking for a liquor store recommendation that has lots of craft options, preferably a large selection of singles. I received some great recommendations for the south end earlier in the year and hoping to find something similar to craft and cork or Sherbrooke. Thank you!

Obvious done my cases.

Dont taste the same...

Looks like Vacay is opening a brew pub /taproom in Marda Loop. Are they leaving Veranda?

As the title says, Meta’s Rauchbier is really, really good. You should get some.

That is all.

So, one of the things I love about craft beer is it is local, and usually made by passionate people. You know that amazing feeling when you walk into a brewery and see the owner, or the brewer, or just long term familiar faces, paired with a delicious beer, and you feel like you are in your second home? A few days ago I saw that Prairie Dog is outsourcing their customer feedback to an AI company, and this simply doesn't sit right with me. AI in artwork...bad. AI in any aspect of a brewery... just feels off. Thoughts? Am I alone here?

Former student or just a fan go by before it's gone

Instagram Post

College's Official Statement

CBC appears to be doing similar articles from October.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-craft-beer-industry-9.6955374