It looks like things are picking up in the local beer scene. We’ve already talked about the Wildrose expansion the fact that Big Rock is producing interesting beer again and Calgary’s (still) newest brewer Village. But there’s more coming.
This Friday May 10 Vagabond Brewery will officially open its doors just in time to grab a lunchtime pint and a bite to eat. The new brewpub is located in the old Olives space just outside Stampede Park. It will open with eight beers on tap plus a big seletion of bottles. For the moment only Vagabond’s Czech Pilsner will be available but the pub will eventually be pouring its own IPA Pale Ale Irish Red Hefeweizen and a fruit-tinged brew.
The large space can seat 250 but that number gets up to 330 when the patio is open. Get down there for lunch on Friday and enjoy the sunshine. This place will be impossible to get into come Stampede time.
In the canned beer world Tool Shed Brewing is getting ready to deliver its products to thirsty Calgarians. You can read an interview with co-founder Graham Sherman in Thursday’s issue.
Sherman and his partner Jeff Orr will be the newest brewers on the block when their beer hits shelves and tap lines in July. The company is about eight months from finishing its own brewhouse but have a contract with Dead Frog Brewery in B.C. to brew their beer in the meantime.
Look for a red ale called Red Rage an IPA called Star Cheek (see our interview for the story behind that name) and a cream ale called People Skills (because it’s supposedly easy to get along with).
There are rumours of other operations popping up soon (including breweries and brewpubs). We’ll keep you posted when rumour becomes fact. If you know of any local beer ventures popping up in the near future let me know .
In the meantime check out Big Rock’s latest weirdo beer Rosmarinus (brewed with Rosemary) or check out any of the local brews from Village Wildrose (might I suggest the Natural Born Keller?) Brewsters or Brew Brothers . Drink local ya bastards.
