Over the past few years, a surge of microbreweries has cropped up in Calgary, certainly mimicking the trend in cities across the continent, but also in part based on the city’s easy access to Alberta’s excellent malt barley.

Indeed, the province’s water, soil, and climate all work together to create ideal growing conditions for barley, which in turn makes for exceptional local beer.

And even with 40-plus microbreweries around town, the vibrant microbrewery scene shows no signs down any time soon, with a host of new and favourite establishment offering up western hospitality and beers as unique as their origin stories. Here are a few with an interesting tale to tell:

• Tool Shed Brewery had humble beginnings in a backyard tool shed on a basic five-gallon home-brew system.

• The newly opened Tailgunner Brewery also has an interesting backstory – the name was inspired by the co-founder’s grandfather, a tail gunner in WWII who was captured and imprisoned in Holland. The drink labels pay homage to him, his flight crew, and the women back home who kept the economy going in the 1940s.

• It’s not just through pub taps that one can get a taste of the craft beer boom – the trend has crossed over into innovative Calgary kitchens, too. With the leftover spent grain from brewing, The Mash creates uniquely flavourful pizza dough for their pies. The Heier/Kozloski family, who also own and operate Half Hitch Brewing, believed there was more potential for Brewer’s Spent Grain, which is packed with protein and nutrients that promote healthy digestion.

• At the Establishment Brewery – which won Canadian Brewery of the Year award in 2021 – Natasha Peiskar has been spearheading meaningful industry change. In addition to her role as Production Manager & Brewer, she is also President and Co-Founder of Pink Boots Society Canada, which was created to assist, inspire, encourage, and educate women and/or non-binary individuals in the industry.

• At Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co., staffer Adam Kieran has played a big role in advancing the company’s commitment to inclusivity and giving back to the community. Kieran, who is known for his drag persona Valerie Hunt, has performed at the brewery for pride patio parties, dressing up the cis-gendered hetero staff in drag.

For visitors, the best way to experience the city’s thriving craft brew scene this spring is with Tourism Calgary’s new “Beers & Cheers Pass.” Launched May 3 and running until the end of June, the Pass is a free “Craft Check-In Challenge” with prizes for users as they brewery hop around the town.

With glass purposefully in hand, we at Travel Industry Today continue our series on some of the planet’s best bars, patios and rooftop venues. For more articles in the series, click here:

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