Riley Brandt

There must be something in the air this season, as I can’t remember the Alberta beer scene having so much winter activity. Many of our breweries and brewpubs have seasonal winter beers available while some of Calgary’s retail stores and restaurants are hosting beer education evenings. All this activity and nurturing of a beer community really warms my heart. There’s no excuse for the same old same old. Get out there and try some new brews or learn something unexpected about beer.

GREAT SEASONAL BEERS FROM ALBERTA BREWPUBS

• Brewster’s Espresso Brown Porter — I am not usually a fan of gimmicky coffee beers, but Brewster’s rendition really surprised me. The brewer, Rob Walsh, went to great lengths to brew the perfect coffee and beer beverage. The base beer is a Brown Porter that was first brewed then blended with cold water-steeped Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Most coffee beers just taste and smell like stale coffee, but this pint is as vibrant as a fresh-brewed pot. Brewster’s outdid the rest of the city’s brewers with two winter seasonals this year. Its other beer, Blue Monk Barley Wine, should not be missed. These two products are available in bottles or on tap at all Brewster’s locations.

• Wildwood’s Oatmeal Stout — This creamy concoction starts as smooth and silky as chocolate milk, but ends with a late tingling bitterness. This dark temptress of a pint is hard to put down once in your hand, and sadly it is only on tap at Wildwood.

SEASONAL BEERS FROM ALBERTA BREWERIES

• Alley Kat Fireside Mild — First of all, this beer is 3.5 per cent. Most North Americans can’t wrap their heads around the concept that a brew can taste like anything but water at this alcohol content. In England, beers of this alcohol volume are the norm and are packed full of flavour and body. This mild beer is full of dark malty flavour and an excellent interpretation of a style we rarely see in Alberta.

• Wild Rose Imperial IPA — Head brewer Dave Neilly brewed a solid expression of the mythical Double IPA using Bravo, my favourite new-school American hop. This beer is quite different out of the bottle than it is on tap. I prefer the draft version. This brew is big, floral and has strong, citrusy, woody taste. This is not for the faint of heart at eight per cent and with volumes of bitterness and malt.

Either of these products can be purchased in bottles or you can experience them on tap at the Hop In Brew, 213, 12 Ave. S.W. It goes without saying, start with the mild.

BEER EDUCATION NIGHTS

• Belgo Brasserie — Belgo’s Beer Society is experiencing a renaissance, with new beer manager Stephen Phipps focusing on beer education. The first scheduled event is January 28, featuring the beers of Belgian brewing great Petrus.

• Kensington Wine Market — Kensington does a great job with alcohol education, and most events there sell out quickly. Due to popularity, all three upcoming beer classes are already sold out. Please call the store or check its website for the next events.

• Willow Park Wines and Spirits — Several courses are scheduled for the first quarter of 2009, including Canadian beer on February 18, hops on March 18 and Belgian beer and its wonderful friend cheese on April 15.