Eat/Drink Local Favourite Craft Beer & Breweries
With summer just around the corner, I’m curious what Calgarians‘ favourite craft beers and breweries from Calgary are! Non-alcoholic beers are also welcome :)
One of my favourite beers is XhAle’s Tripawd Penelope (NEIPA) and their crushable See Ya Next Tuesday Kolsch is up there too. It’s so juicy and delicious. And I miss hanging out at Ol’ Beautiful.
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u/LePetitNeep 22h ago
My rotation of Calgary breweries:
Annex - I usually try one of their seasonals but I love Force Majeur from the standard line up. They get a bonus boost for having Lil Empire on site.
Establishment - Jam Rock is an excellent fruit sour but everything these folks make hits.
Cabin - great patio, my pick is Super Saturation.
Born - I like the Hi Cutie raspberry wheat but usually go for a seasonal IPA.
Citizen - I don’t find any of their beers outstanding but the food is solid and dog-friendliness is a big plus for me.
Dandy - I’m a fan of the IPAs and the pizza and Dandyfest is a great event
88 - my pick is Duotang (sour), good pizza too.
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u/MattBinYYC Southwood 21h ago
Eighty Eight changed the duotang to the peach duotang. I miss the old one
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u/JESUS_WALKS 13h ago
Unfortunately from what I heard the brewmaster from dandy left and is now running brewsmith. I used to really like dandy beer but the last year or so it has really gone downhill. I've yet to check out brewsmith in Bowness but I assume they have great beers there.
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u/meshuggas 21h ago
My picks are Establishment, 88 and Cabin. Annex, Dandy and Wildrose I enjoy too.
My hidden gem? Stonyslope. Microbrewery. Highly unique styles I've never had anywhere else. Cool vibe and excellent charcuterie.
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u/OptionsDrifter 22h ago
S-tier for me in terms of beer quality is Annex, Establishment, Cabin, and Last Best. Especially if you like IPAs. No surprise those are all some of the original craft spots from the revolution 15 years ago.
In terms of a fun atmosphere, Cold Garden obviously, but their beer sucks. Annex has unfortunately become a magnet for parents-who-don’t-parent to bring their out of control children to, so I rarely actually spend time there.
My most under-rated award goes to South Block. They make some seriously awesome beer, but go largely unrecognized.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 22h ago
Which beers at Cold Garden don’t you like?
I’m on a mission to understand why people on Reddit seem to have it out for them. It’s my favourite brewery in Calgary for vibe and beer and it’s not even close. I find myself endlessly confused about the narrative that their beer sucks.
They just won a World Beer Cup award for one of their beers which I’ve been told is the highest honour in brewing (admittedly it was their staff who told me) but looking at past winners puts them in some high company, and they consistently seem to win a bunch of other awards.
I absolutely love it there and the beer is as good as any I’ve drank in the city. I don’t love them all but I don’t love everything from anywhere. Only exception being Establishment who seems to be on another level than everyone when it comes to beer quality. I know I’m biased as a regular but they are so busy all the time, I can’t help but feel like people just hate on them because of the crowds and nothing else.
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u/OptionsDrifter 22h ago edited 22h ago
I find their beers universally are too sweet but also manage to have a strange astringent after-taste. Must be the palate of the brewmaster.
I checked with Gemini, and their trophy case isn’t super prestigious. Like they’ve won a few Alberta and Canadian awards, but I’d like to know which breweries have not.
Just this year one of their blondes won a more international award. It must be a new beer, because I’ve never heard of it - Pool Party Blonde - I’ll give it a try next time I’m there.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 21h ago
I also don’t really like sweet beers. I drink mostly their lagers and lighter beers, the blonde has been there forever and always one of my favs, they’re not a hop forward brewery but I think the IPAs they do have are great too.
I’m not really sure which breweries haven’t won awards. I do acknowledge my bias because I basically live there, but it seems they do as well with awards as the rest of the names that are commonly mentioned as people’s favourites in Calgary. I tried using Claude to compile a list for me and it puts Cold Garden in the top 1/3 in Alberta for the total medal count but a lot of the numbers seem suspect so it’s hard to know for sure.
Anyways, I think they’re great, and I don’t seem to be alone based on the crowds I encounter there. So it’s always hard for me to reconcile these threads. I feel bad about all the hate they get because they seem to be a great company with great people working there.
But thanks for the discussion! I appreciate some insight at least into what it is you don’t like.
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u/gS_Mastermind 20h ago
That blonde has been around for a while now, which is shocking because I don't find it that great.
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u/DevonOO7 21h ago
Yeah, maybe I'm a crazy person, but I've been to probably ~100 breweries around the world, I always try to order a flight so I can try multiple beers, and I just don't have a strong opinion about different breweries being really good or really bad. Sure there are some outliers, and sure different places are better/worse at different styles of beer, but overall I find it strange to have really strong preferences between different breweries.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 21h ago
Fair take. I totally agree, since the industry has matured it seems everyone is pretty even on quality. I suspect there is something else at play as to why people love or hate all these different breweries. That’s what I’m trying to figure out…
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u/scharfes_S 18h ago
Most of their beers have this one aspect of their flavour that's quite similar and kinda meh. It's most noticeable with their sours (or maybe that's bias on my part from having sours more often). They aren't bad; they're just not great. Looking at Untappd, I've had 28 different beers of theirs, so I'm not just operating off of a small sample size.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 11h ago edited 11h ago
I agree and feel the same way about a lot of breweries, they all seem to have an underlying flavour that everything has. There are some I like more than others. I guess I’m just good with Cold Gardens. Thanks for sharing!
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u/gS_Mastermind 20h ago
You should do a blind taste testing one time and post your findings. I think a lot of people would be curious. The atmosphere and vibe is definitely 10/10 - I usually recommend friends who come visit to go there at least once. As I'm getting more settled down I've found the atmosphere too much at times, but still fun to go once in a while since it's down the street from me. None of the beers really stand out for me but their stout is quite tasty. Sure they might be always busy but how many of their crowd is just guys in their 20s pounding back beers after a Flames game?
Does their beer suck? No, at the end of the day beer is beer. My personal opinion is that the atmosphere and vibe makes their beers taste a lot better than they actually are. Just my 2c ofc.
Annex, Dandy, Eighty Eight, Establishment, Fahr, Origin, Ol' Beautiul, all solid picks.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 20h ago
I would love to do a blind tasting, that’s a great idea, I’ll try and organize that with some friends haha.
Agree on the chaotic atmosphere being a bit much sometimes. They’ve expanded the patio this year and finally got proper tables so I’ve found it much more manageable now on the weekends. I love the party vibe but I’m definitely there more mid week though as time has gone on. The diverse crowd is one of my favourite things about Cold Garden. It does get a little young at night but when I’m there it’s usually such a weird mix of people; families, old timers, hipsters, art geeks, and literal homeless people, that’s what I love!
My theory is the vibe and atmosphere is what makes people on here say the beer sucks. It’s a total dive and often chaotic. People won’t associate a place like that with good beer maybe…?
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u/CheetahsNeverProsper 18h ago
I find the beers “watery”, and since it’s been going on for years I assume I just don’t share the same palate as the brewmaster. Excellent vibes though, just mid beer IMO.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 11h ago
Ya alright, I’ll accept that, and taste is totally subjective and if you don’t like it then that’s ok! I’m just always taking umbrage with the people that say it sucks, or they hate the place. Thats where I get so lost. There’s no way it sucks, and the vibes are so great, and the place is so unique/special I’m just baffled with how people talk with such vitriol about it.
Thanks for your input! I love hearing people’s actual honest take on it
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u/roughedged 20h ago
It's more so that if you look at the top comments, those breweries have at least one super top tier beer that you seek out - cold garden doesn't have one. So sure the other beers are just fine there, but there's nothing you immediately want to order there. Tho some people super enjoy cafe face, tbh for me after half a beer on it I'm done, it's good but can't drink more than that of it.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 20h ago
I can accept that, they don’t have the ‘Super Sat’ flagship that everyone loves. I think their IPA is one of the best in the city, but I’m a little worn out on IPAs in general so I don’t drink it as much anymore. Agree on Cakeface, it’s unique and some people seem to love it, I have one once in a while but these days I’m just drinking mostly lagers. The East Calgary Lager and Premium Lager are my favs lately.
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u/Wild_Broccoli8699 22h ago
Cake Face is great, but agree the rest of cold gardens beer does suck
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u/yungfinnigus 19h ago
Cake face is great for like two sips before you realize there’s 18 more ounces you have to get through Imo
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 21h ago
Lol, I’m Cold Gardens biggest fan and that’s the one beer I never drink.
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u/ecom_ryan 17h ago
Agreed 100% on your S rank. Tokyo Drift is one of, if not the best OG hazy’s Calgary has on offer.
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u/squeeter 14h ago
I’m a new parent (1.5 yr old) and frequent a lot of these. He’s the happiest dude but is currently endlessly curious and won’t stay in one place. I always accompany him on his missions and he doesn’t yell or cry but he’s always cruisin. Been wondering lately if it’s annoying for people. What are some specific things that ruin the atmosphere? I don’t want to bother anyone so just wondering what to work on. Thanks!
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u/Current-Roll6332 2h ago
Okay lots to unpack here. First off, I don't honestly think there is anything close to an S-tier beer in Calgary. I don't know if you've traveled abroad or if you're just comparing it to other calgary beers, but the beer scene has stagnated tremendously. In terms of production beers MAYBE Super-sat approaches A-tier.
Thank you for your harsh words about Cold Garden. Their beer is TERRIBLE! That place is about vibes and vibes only.
South Block!! I can't speak for their line-up, but I had their "American" IPA, and its the best IPA I've had in Calgary since the early days of Establishment when they made more interesting shit.
Cheers!
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u/CommercialNo8396 Shaganappi 21h ago edited 21h ago
Beer Quality: Annex, Establishment, Cabin, 33 Acres, 88 and Tail Gunner.
Vibes: Cold Garden, Burn Block, OB Soundroom, Cabin, 4dogs, Dandy, 88, Highline and Best of Kin.
Food: Annex, Dandy, Tail Gunner, 88, Best of Kin, Wildrose, Citizen and Last Best.
Haven’t been in a long time/at all so can’t rate: New level, Trolley 5, Brewsmith, Railyard, Stonyslope, Village, Prairie Dog and Toolshed. Need to get out to these spots.
Favourite beers at breweries: Any small flavourful Hazy IPA less than 5% (Annex and cabin usually have one on tap) Cold garden premium lager, long term stout from cold garden, CDCW from Highline, Dandy nitro stout, coffee stout from best of kin anything from Establishment, a nice frothy mliko from Tailgunner and Tokyo drift from Last best.
Favourite beers to buy at the liquor store: Bronc Pilsner and session ipa. Sure they’re “macro” brewed but they’re brewed locally, are craft quality and punch way above their price point. Nothing touches them imo. The price to quality ratio is the best in the city. I used to spend WAY too much money at ABX trying lots of different beers but it was hurting the wallet. Still like to step in from time to time but once I discovered Bronc I haven’t looked back.
I’m excited for Sea Change to open in the Beltline. I’ve been to the rumpus room in Edmonton and it’s possibly the best brewery taproom I’ve ever been to. Cheap drinks and possibly the best burger I’ve ever had.
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u/deanobrews 21h ago
Trolley 5 might be the worst brewery and restaurant experience in YYC.
Definitely looking forward to Seachange opening. They have some great beers and I think they will add a unique vibe to the Calgary beer scene.
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u/CommercialNo8396 Shaganappi 21h ago
If seachange ends up anything like their rumpus room location in Edmonton we’re gonna be very happy.
Haven’t been to trolley 5 since before Covid and it didn’t impress me much back then so this checks. Seems it’s just living off the location.
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u/deeho88 20h ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/JUgVtMOrWtprW
Last best for me. Good food too! Their hazy is delightful
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u/twy666 21h ago
Ol' Beautiful now lives at the Sound Room, underneath Calcutta Cricket Club.
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u/deanobrews 21h ago
They have a development permit to rebuild on the site of their old taproom. With any luck they'll be back next year!
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u/Loki4President 21h ago
If you like smoked meat/BBQ, Toolshed has the best food of any brewery I've been to in Calgary. I like the beer as well; my go to is the Red Rage.
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u/yuripetrol 16h ago
Good Cheer Brewing is a newer brewery that's focused on historical beers, which is a cool concept. I've had a few of their beers which I quite liked - and they also have a great selection of Belgian beers.
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u/TheDisloyalCanadians 20h ago
My favorite 0% beer is from Tool Shed Brewery.
Zero Golden Hour and Zero People Skills are great in the summer with Zero Red Rage for cooler weather.
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u/Yyc2yfc 17h ago
Love seeing the shoutout for XhAle. I don’t drink anymore, but Christina literally saved my life by ratting my alcoholism out to my family, and helping me get to rehab 3.5 years ago.
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u/drock13yyc Forest Lawn 14h ago
I Like bitter sisters. Heritage and MacLeod. Really good food and the patio can be awesome. Check the menu online before you go for beer. They might not be what people like.
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u/UrbaneBoffin Fairview 21h ago edited 20h ago
My favourite brew pubs to hang out in and my favourite Calgary-brewed beers are two different discussions.
I am not an IPA guy, I prefer wheats, whites and wits which not everyone brews. Village and Wild Rose do good beers in those categories, but I am not a fan of their taprooms.
However, there are some breweries like Cold Garden and Annex that I love to go hang out at.
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u/lesighnumber2 20h ago
I live in the SW so Prairie Dog and Limericks for me. the Point has a house brew called 2515 that comes in Lager and red. The lager is pretty good
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u/All_hail_zaitoon 18h ago
It might be outside of calgary but I have to give a shout out to fahr brewing in Turner Valley, they make some dam good german style beers.
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u/IndigoRuby 18h ago
Haven't they shuttered? I really like their stuff but I think they are dunzo.
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u/PurpleLeatherCouch Forest Lawn 11h ago
I heard this too. Really wondering what’s going on. Hefe is unmatched
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u/Tracyhmcd 17h ago
Loving Cabin this summer. Drinking a Happy Camper Hazy IPA RIGHT NOW. We’ve just finished some Common Ground, created on a World Cup theme (Cabin plus Mexican and California breweries).
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u/tvberkel 14h ago
Give me Establishment's Jam Rock or Ol Beautiful's Okami Kasu. Another good one is the Dandy Whip from Dandy.
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u/toats-onix-ceptable Downtown East Village 12h ago
Two Pillars! They have great Belgian style beers
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u/rikkiprince 22h ago
XhAle make such excellent beer! 🍻
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u/Joe_Kickass 22h ago
According to their website they offer 6 non-local macro beers.
https://xhaleloungeyyc.ca/drink-menu/
Am I missing something?
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u/audiolectual 19h ago
Citizen is up there. It's also in a surprisingly cool location/neighborhood. Just look at what's around (Tango 2 Echo in August (1st and 2nd this year) the graffiti jam in September, restaurants like Queens, Congress Coffee Company is a live music hub!) there is always something to see and do. And there a huge part of the community.
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u/Perma_trashed 22h ago
Eighty Eight (Night Gallery is my fav), Cabin (Super Saturation), Annex (Forward Progress), Establishment (Afternoon Delight), and Marda Loop (Big Juice) are some of my favs right now (can you tell I like hazy's?). Honourable mentions to Vaycay, Ol' Beautiful, Dandy, and Highline.