Just returned from Calgary. While there visited a small brwery in Revelstoke BC. Mt. Begbie. Of note their Alpine Amber I think is their best offering. They served up a dark wheat beer that was very interesting, not for the faint of heart however this is a solid full bodied wheat beer.
Also visited a small brewery in Canmore. Grizzly Paw brewpub and brewery (on same premises and can buy beer while you eat). Their beers are good with lots of hop. Of note are the Rutting Elk Red, better is the Big Head Nut Brown, and better still is the Mooseknuckle Winter Oatmeal Stout. The stout is a very good rival to St Amboise.
I also had the opportunity to run with the local chapter of the Hash House Harriers in Calgary. Afterwards we toasted the fine (-20C) weather with Big Rock Traditional Ale very fine on tap with a thirst on.
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We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
beers from the west
Didn't get around to writing my annual Calgary review this year, but not too much new.
Three things I remember:
1. Hop N Brew (12th Ave SW). 2-story house converted into pub (pool tables and foosball upstairs). Decent local tap selection.
2. Wild Rose Brewery (wildrosebrewery.com).
Had the "Industrial Park Ale", seemed decent enough (sort of similar to St. Ambroise PA).
Upon recommendation from a friend, also tried the "Velvet Fog" wheat -- reminded me of a really hoppy weissbier. Very nice.
There was also a seasonal ("Cherry Christmas Porter") I found at the local liquor store that was ok.
3. Brew Brothers. Local micro, apparently they just opened a restaurant on the old Electric Avenue strip.
Tried the "Prairie Berry Ale", which contained saskatoon berries. Much too sweet for my taste.
One unrelated note: the "Bring Your Own Wine" experiment in Alberta resturants is not doing too well, due to lack of publicity. Many establishments have waived their corkage fees to drum up interest.
Three things I remember:
1. Hop N Brew (12th Ave SW). 2-story house converted into pub (pool tables and foosball upstairs). Decent local tap selection.
2. Wild Rose Brewery (wildrosebrewery.com).
Had the "Industrial Park Ale", seemed decent enough (sort of similar to St. Ambroise PA).
Upon recommendation from a friend, also tried the "Velvet Fog" wheat -- reminded me of a really hoppy weissbier. Very nice.
There was also a seasonal ("Cherry Christmas Porter") I found at the local liquor store that was ok.
3. Brew Brothers. Local micro, apparently they just opened a restaurant on the old Electric Avenue strip.
Tried the "Prairie Berry Ale", which contained saskatoon berries. Much too sweet for my taste.
One unrelated note: the "Bring Your Own Wine" experiment in Alberta resturants is not doing too well, due to lack of publicity. Many establishments have waived their corkage fees to drum up interest.