Drew Anderson
A new feature at Vine Arts means Calgary’s beer enthusiasts have six more ways to whet their whistle with unique craft brews.
Launched in mid-September after six months of development Vine Arts has a new beer room that features a six-tap growler bar — a step up from the store’s original two-tap offering. The regularly rotating taps will feature a number of local classical and “weird” beers says assistant manager Erik Mercier.
“We want to put on beers that are fun and interesting but drinkable” he adds.
Vine Arts accepts any growlers for refills at its new growler bar and selections will constantly be changing. Craft beer drinkers will also be able to nominate brews to put on tap through Twitter or in-person.
“It’s a cool way to try new and different beers” says Mercier. “Sometimes what you can get in kegs you can’t get in bottles.”
Growler fills can run from $13 to $40 depending on the beer which means you can often fill a growler for significantly less than the price of a bottle. The store recently started offering half-growlers (32 ounces) as well.
The new growler system features guns that purge the growler with C02 reducing the amount of oxygen that gets trapped in the beer. This lowers the risk of oxidation and can help preserve the beer’s taste says Mercier.
He’s particularly keen about the quasi-green aspect of reusing the same glass bottle over and over again. “It also forces you to come back and support local businesses since it’s mostly little guys doing this [kind of craft beer growler bar]” he adds.
But perhaps the biggest appeal of a growler is the social aspect with more and more people bringing a growler of beer to dinner rather than wine. A growler allows you to share a new or favourite brew with friends and family.
The idea is catching on — a new store in the works for 17th Avenue S.W. will soon be offering craft beer on tap joining the ranks of specialty stores Vine Arts and 5 Vines which has been pouring up to six craft different beers since it opened on 12th Avenue S.E. in December 2013 as well as three Liquor Depot locations. Scheduled to open in November 17th Avenue Liquor Boutique will feature a growler station with 12 taps and a steady rotation of brews — the system itself is on display in the storefront window. “Our whole focus is fresh craft beer on tap” says owner Rob Karam.
