Hair of the Leprechaun Beer Festival

So last week I received an invite to the Edmonton Rotary Clubs first (annual?) Hair of the Leprechaun Beer Festival. A small beer driven fund raiser supporting the Rotary Club Urban Spirits "at risk" Youth Projects. Held at a small Italian community hall near the Commonwealth Stadium, a few hundred eager beer drinkers descended to try out some local and newer brews.

Only sporting maybe nine or ten booths, mostly featuring familiar Alberta Breweries, they still managed to pack the room. A couple of the reps were looking a little green around the gills from the previous nights St. Patty's Day shenanigans, but they were still smiling and having a good time, happy to be showing off their products to the crowd of glowing patrons.

I was happy to see our friend Leon, from Yellowhead Brewing Company, pouring samples of their lager from a mini kegging system. I spent some time chatting him up while he poured tons of samples. Many people heading to his booth because they were told "you have to try it out!" That makes me happy to see such positive feedback for these guys. Their pretty new on the scene, not quite a year old yet, and I would imagine getting such positive reviews would be a good indication that the boys at the brewery are doing something right.

My buddy Gordon was their slinging samples of his Wild Rose Brewery products. We featured these guys at the Sugarbowl not too long ago and received good feedback.  I had tasted most of their brews while at the Bowl, but I hadn't yet tried the SOB Classic English Ale. A sweeter amber colored ale, mild earthy hops with a smooth finish. Drinkable and satisfying. The year round beers they produce I find to be a little on the inconsistent side of things, they make fine products. But the seasonal offerings are mighty tasty. I was given bottles of the Cherry Porter and the Imperial IPA. Both amazing beers in a reasonable bomber package. The porter was a blast of flavor: coffee, chocolate, heavily caramelized malts as well as the cherry. The Imperial IPA a fruity hop explosion, rich and delicious with a smooth finish. Make sure you try a seasonal while available. Their new Altbier hitting shelves in Edmonton soon I hope.

Yukon Brewing was feeling good, Dave and Jeff getting lots of great feedback about the product. The Yukon Red being one of the favorites of course, a divine Red Ale taking the #1 Amber in Canada Award for the fourth year in a row. I also saw plenty samples of the Espresso Stout leaving the booth, both fantastic beers. 

DeLancey Direct Importers came packing a variety of products from numerous breweries including Paddock Wood, Cannery, Garrison Brewing Company and Raasted Bryghus to name a few.  The Raasted Vinter is one of my favorites right now so I had to have a shot of that just because its awesome. A dark yet refreshingly crisp Schwarzbier from Denmark. You have to try Raasted products! I also recommend the Grillol.....so good!! Garrison had the Imperial IPA available for sample which is fantastic. I'm becoming a huge fan of Garrison's products. We are currently featuring the Hop Yard Pale Ale at the Sugarbowl. All of the beer I have tried from this brewery out of Halifax is top notch. Some good beer making it's way out from the East Coast of Canada! I had a sample of Cannery's Squire Scotch Ale which I found a little on the sweet side for me, still enjoyable with a good peaty malt base, but not sure if I could really enjoy an entire bottle of the stuff.

Roughneck Brewing Company, from Calmar Alberta, was also present slinging samples of their IPA and Brown Ale. Both very drinkable down to earth brews. Nothing too fancy, just tasty regular people friendly products. I prefer the IPA to the Brown, no surprise there.

Some other breweries representing were Edmonton's Alley Kat Brewing Company and Amber Brewing Company, Granville Island Brewing Company (along with Creemore Springs) and Samuel Adams. There were a few more around but nothing I found notable. 

All in all a complete success I think for a first time festival. Thank you to Chris Cogswell of the Edmonton Rotary Club for the generous invite. Nice work fellas! Cheers!

Yellowhead Brewing Company German Style Lager

The new kids on the Edmonton Craft Brewing scene, Yellowhead Brewing Company, have been up and running for a good three weeks now.  After reading that their lager was available in 500ml bottle directly from the brewery I decided it would be a good time to stop in and try the brew.

Yellowhead is situated downtown Edmonton in a gorgeous heritage building, with the brewhouse encased in a modern looking glass box built onto one side.  Short lived Maverick Brewing Company was the first to make a go at it with this location, but unfortunately were not able to stay afloat.  I've tried to find information about the demise of Maverick, but I haven't really settled on a definite conclusion as to why they were not able to make it.  I'm assuming because of the central location of the brewery, lease cost must be insane.  The brewery takes up most of the four story heritage warehouse style building, as well as a large space next door.  This area is prime real estate in Edmonton, and with the plans of building the new downtown Oilers Arena Mega-structure only a block or two away, it's only going to get more expensive.  Another theory that I've heard from a number of people is that they spent way to much money on marketing while the company was still establishing its roots, and basically drowning themselves in debt right from the get go.  Smooth move.  Maverick also produced only one beer, a lager. Very similar beginnings these two breweries seem to share, let us hope this one sticks around.

The Yellowhead Lager comes in a 500ml bottle, with an attractive retro prairie pride type label.  It pours a pale amber, the perky effervescence bringing to life a decent white foamy head to the top of the glass. It's sweet and grassy on the nose, with a mild hint of hops.  The flavor is quite enjoyable. Clean and fresh tasting, nice malty base, a round creamy texture with a well balanced subdued bitter.  The carbonation on the tongue is mild, but present.  A very easy beer to drink and a very good representation of the traditional German style lagers.  This beer has been sitting in the bottle for mabey a couple of weeks and it tastes great, I'm always amazed at how the flavor of the beer pops when you have the chance to get it so fresh.  I'm looking forward to trying it on tap, and hoping we can bring it in at The Sugarbowl even just for the summer months as this would be a great summer/patio drink.

I had the chance to meet one of the co-owners of the brewery,  who has been working like a dog trying to tie up loose ends with construction, cleaning, marketing (no website yet), production, bottling, as well as being available to host parties in the beautiful event room.  Despite being spread a little thin, tired, and probably feeling somewhat rough around the edges, Leon was a gracious host, and happy to talk about his new toy.  I asked if they had any plans to produce any other types of beer other than the lager, and at this point in the breweries young life, no plans have been made to expand their product line.  It sounds like they are going to focus on getting their first product out the door and into people's fridges, and become more established before going balls out.

Brewmaster Scott Harris has spent many years brewing in Germany, so I'm sure he's got his lager down, but he must have some tasty recipes gestating in that brain of his.  All I'm saying, Scott, is please don't keep them to yourself.
Show us what you've got.

Edmonton Welcomes New Craft Brewery - Yellowhead Brewing Company

May 19, 2010 marks the official opening of Edmonton's newest craft microbrewery, Yellowhead Brewing Company.  Expanding our short list of local craft breweries to three!

Named after a beer brewed by one of Edmonton's very first breweries, Edmonton Brewing and Malting, Yellowhead Brewing set up shop downtown in the now defunct Maverick Brewing space releasing their first brew to the public, a German style Lager.

Brewmaster, Scott Harris, originally from Edmonton but trained at Germany's prestigious Doemens Technicum has spent years working in German breweries before being accepted as Yellowheads main man.  I suspect having spent so many years brewing German beer, he`ll not disappoint with his lager.  Unfortunately I have yet to sample the product, but from what I hear the brew is available in 500ml bottles directly from the brewery and soon to be available on tap around the city.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, the brewery was blessed by Reverend Neil Gordon, of All Saints Cathedral.  For his service, the Reverend was paid in beer.  Four pints to be exact.  Stay tuned for more information and tasting notes on Yellowhead Brewing Company.

Photograph by: Ryan Jackson, edmontonjournal.com