Is the Alberta craft beer glass half full or half empty? Let’s peer into the glass.
It’s been tough sledding for Alberta craft brewers of late. Post-pandemic challenges continue, including rising costs for labour, materials and premises. Closing beer temple Biera in 2024, owner Greg Zeschuk noted that Covid has changed drinking habits, with patrons not returning in pre-pandemic numbers, especially during the workweek, and staying home with takeout and delivery. Add in younger people drinking less (or not at all) or choosing wine, ciders, coolers or other RTDs (ready-to-drink beverages). Let’s not even talk about Trump, tariffs and taxes.
But there are many signs that the craft beer glass is actually half full. Most Alberta craft breweries continue to thrive. When the going gets tough, the tough get brewing. And innovating. And collaborating. Wafa Veljee of Edmonton’s Irrational Brewing points to the success of Wyrdstock, a month-long festival of weird and unusual beers held in January at 19 Edmonton and area breweries. Organized by Analog Brewing’s Adam Corsaut and Bryan Launier, weird beer month not only piques people’s interest in local craft beer (pickle beer? donut beer?), but gets people into taprooms during an especially slow month. Matt Atkins, co-owner of St. Albert’s Endeavour Brewing, talked about the power of events to get people through the door. Endeavour hosted their first-ever Oktoberfest event this year, which Matt declares “was a blast.”
More bright spots: new breweries opened in 2025, including Brewsmith in Calgary (New Brewery of the Year at the Alberta Beer Awards), Nodding Donkey in Drayton Valley, and the big (11,000 square feet) Old Yale Brewing location in Beaumont. Campio opened a branch in the former Biera space in Ritchie, adding to the buzzy awesomeness that is Happy Beer Street. While entries were down a bit for the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards, the quality of the beers entered was outstanding, according to awards co-founder Jason Foster. Calgary’s Ol’ Beautiful Brewing bounced back from a devastating taproom fire in 2024 to win Brewery of the Year alongside industry veteran Cabin Brewing. Cabin, Ol’ Beautiful and Blindman all won five brewing medals each.
Blindman is now Canada’s most-awarded brewery, with their Dwarf Sour Cherry the most-awarded beer in Canada.
This year is a special year for Blindman, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. Looking back over those ten years, co-founder Kirk Zembal takes great pride in their people and community: “There’s a truly kickass team of people at Blindman—and in the community-—and that’s such a gift.” That team includes co-founders Hans Doef, Shane Groendahl and Dave Vander Plaat. Kirk says that being in Lacombe gives them freedom to innovate and places them close to suppliers: “We’ve been able to make friends with malt, hops and fruit growers, which has led to some of our favourite and best beers.” What’s on the hop for Blindman over the next ten years? Kirk hopes “we continue doing what we want and rack up some more ‘firsts’ whether it’s with beer, or community or sustainability and, really, continue having just a ton of fun making beer.”
Because, what’s the point of being a beer maker if you aren’t having fun? From Blindman on out, the Alberta craft beer glass is half full. Who’s ready for another pint?
Six award-winning and fantastic Alberta beers from 2025.
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Blindman 10 Year Belgian Golden Strong Ale, Lacombe
Blindman’s annual big boozy Belgian was first brewed as an anniversary present in 2016. Blindman’s Kirk Zembal describes the beer as “light in colour with golden hues of an early summer sunrise with a slightly floral aroma complemented with light spice and hints of banana. Finishes with a little warmth and a smooth but present bitterness.
Cabin Sunshine Rain IPA, Calgary
Cabin’s take on the classic west coast American IPA dials down the caramel and resin notes in favour of something more balanced. Lively, fresh and dry, but with a substantial dank and tropical hop punch from Simcoe, Mosaic and Citra hops. IPA gold medal at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards.
Ol’ Beautiful Eternal Twilight Dark Lager, Calgary
Lagers were having a moment in 2025, from crisp golden Czech Pilsners to rounded and roasted dark lagers like this beauty from Ol’ Beautiful. A refreshing dark lager with subtle notes of dark chocolate and toasted caramel, boasting a roasted aroma with a clean lager crispness. Amber/Dark Lager, gold medal at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards.
Polyrhythm Art Pop Oat Cream IPA, Edmonton
Polyrhythm’s head brewer, Chelsea Tessier, describes Art Pop as heavily weighted on malted and flaked oats, with a touch of lactose for body and sweetness. Dry hopped with Citra, Citra Cryo, Nelson and Nelson Quantum hops. It’s juicy, tropical and dank! Hazy IPA silver medal at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards.
Irrational Hyperbolic 2025 Hazy DIPA (Double IPA), Edmonton
A hazy hop-saturated juice bomb. The hop combination is some of Irrational’s favourite hops of 2025: Peacharine, Citra, Citra Cryo, and Motueka Amplifire. Big notes of tropical fruit salad. Double/Imperial IPA gold medal at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards.
Endeavour 7th Birthday ISA, St. Albert
Endeavour’s Matt Atkins describes their seventh birthday India Session Ale as a refreshingly crisp, easy-drinking ale that punches above its weight in flavour. Bright citrus and lemon zest lead the way, balanced by a subtle herbal note. At just 3.8 per cent ABV, it’s light and sessionable. Low Alcohol Beer gold medal at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards.
Find at the breweries and better beer shops.
