Head brewer Alan Yule is helping Brew Brothers get back on its feet.

Most readers know two of Calgary’s local breweries, Big Rock and Wild Rose, but they may be less familiar with a third brewery that happens to be 15 years old this year.

Brew Brothers is just working its way back from having one foot in the grave, almost going bankrupt in 2006. Fifteen years ago, Brew Brothers started out as a beer-marketing company — its beers were contract-brewed at other breweries. For years, Brew Brothers out-sourced to various breweries including Great Western of Saskatoon, Alley Kat of Edmonton (twice), Grizzly Paw, and Bear Brewing in Kamloops (until Big Rock bought that brewery and didn’t renew Brew Brothers’ contract). There was even a failed experiment with Wild Rose.

In 2002, after Big Rock bought Bear Brewing, Brew Brothers decided to take control of its own destiny and developed an audacious plan to open its own brewery, restaurant and taproom on the old Electric Avenue strip (11th Ave. S.W.). This project was doomed from the get-go, however, with construction delays and the group’s inexperience in managing a restaurant. It was one hell of a live music venue for a couple of years, however, and the brewery is still at the same location.

After several attempts to lease out the restaurant services, the brewery was near bankruptcy and the landlord locked it out of its own space. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission then stepped in and pointed out to the landlord that the beer in the tanks did not belong to Brew Brothers or the landlord; it belonged to the government. Brew Brothers was let back into the brewery.

Realizing how close it was to losing it all, the brewery rebounded with a new business plan and hired brewing consultant Alan Yule — co-founder of Wild Rose and instructor for Big Rock’s Heritage project — as part of the long road back to recovery. Brew Brothers is on the long track back, but the brews are in great shape and of consistently high quality.

Currently, Brew Brothers is a draft-only brewery. For those interested in finding its beers, 60 per cent of sales are on location at The District and Amsterdam Rhino (see Burger Hunt this week). You can also find Brew Brothers beers at Vern’s Tavern, Fergus and Bix and The Hop in Brew. For additional locations, contact the brewery.

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The Brew Brothers lineup:

• Tumblewheat (5 per cent) — This crystal wheat pilsner is a unique take on wheat beer — it’s a lager, whereas most wheat beers are ales. The best description I have read is: “Picture the prairies liquefied and put it in your glass.”

• Ambush IPA (6 per cent) — If you’re looking for a hop-forward North American IPA, this is not the beer for you. This is a British version of the style, balanced and easy-drinking, and a refreshing change from brash, North American IPA hop bombs.

• Black Pilsner (5 per cent) — This is my favourite of all the Brew Brothers beers. Don’t be afraid of the dark — this light-bodied, Czech style dark lager is easy-drinking.

• Prairie Steamer (6.5 per cent) — This cream ale finishes sweet and hides the alcohol well. Imagine a Kilkenny with a subdued nuttiness. This is a solid expression of the cream ale style.