2018 is officially here! It’s a new year full of promise, excitement, and at least a few failed New Year’s resolutions. It’s also a very exciting year for the Edmonton craft brewing industry, where a whole slew of new breweries are opening up around our city. Here’s a quick look at some of the new brewhouses to look forward to in the upcoming year.
Town Square Brewing Co.
So, this one doesn’t really count since it isn’t opening in 2018. In fact, it’s already open, which just means you don’t have to wait to try out their beers. Opened towards the end of 2017 in the south of Edmonton, Town Square Brewing is the newest brewery to join the ranks of Edmonton’s craft beer scene. Three young families – Brandon and Megan Boutin, Tyler and Katrina McNaughton, and Sterling and Mellissa Nordin – are the owners of the brewery and strive to bring the people of Edmonton good beer and artisanal pizza. They offer a variety of standard beer styles, from stouts to IPA’s, as well as some more adventurous flavours, like the Beets by Sinden beet sour, and the Prairie Fire Rauchbeir that packs a smoky bacon-like taste.
Sea Change Brewing Co.
Though the brewery and tasting room aren’t officially open yet, Sea Change has already been making itself known around the city. They’ve released their flagship blonde ale, which is available at places like Denizen Hall and The Beer Factory in St. Albert, and have been doing a great job promoting themselves in the local beer and music scene. For New Year’s Eve, they partnered with The Buckingham and hosted Chixdiggit, and in March they are presenting Joey Cape of Lagwagon – and this is all before their brewery is officially open. They hope to continue this trend of supporting music and venues around Edmonton when they open, which is set to be early this summer.
Polar Park Brewing
Last but not least is Polar Park Brewing. Founded by Robert Oeming, and co-owned by former Edmonton Oiler Andrew Ference, the brewery has been in the works for a couple of years. The name comes from Oeming’s grandfather Al, who owned the Polar Park hobby zoo outside of Sherwood Park. After his grandfather’s death in 2014, Robert decided to keep the name, but change the family business to brewing. They will be opening in 2018 at the site of the old Bee Bell Bakery, just off of Whyte Avenue.
2018 is setting up to be a year full of great beer, and I’m sure we’ll all be waiting in anticipation until the new breweries open. Here’s to a Happy New Year!
Alexander Sorochan