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Calgary Alberta Craft Beer at Stampede 2019

Calgary Alberta Craft Beer at Stampede 2019

the good stuff

This year there will be 20 craft beers available at the Calgary Stampede

Jump to 'Win The Coin' Contest

Came a long way!

(video) Just three short years ago there was NO craft beer available!

If you look back to most of the two thousands and even as far back as most of us can remember, at Stampede you either had to sneak in pocket beers (which we did) or "try to" enjoy Budweiser. This didn't make for the greatest outdoor event on earth at all. People made due, but often grumbled about it, some louder than others.

In 2015 there were a few local and vocal people who really wanted to get some "drinkable" beer at Stampede, after all, it was Calgary made and delicious, it deserved to be shown off to the world visiting. I don't think anyone more so than Graham Sherman from ToolShed. Toolshed, Village, Last Best, Big Rock, WIld Rose and more breweries along with the ASBA pleaded with Stampede to let craft beer in. Stampede just couldn't let go of the jackpot that was AB InBev's cheque for exclusive rights to the event.




#RaiseYourHops

(tweet) The #RaiseYourHops Initiative is born!

After conceding defeat for another year, the craft beer drinkers of Calgary were a little peeved, and rightfully so. Neil, who at the time worked for Toolshed, took to twitter to voice his opinion directly, while also poking a little fun at the new slogan Budweiser had just come out with. (Raise your Buds).

It struck a cord, and took off, big time!

View #RaiseYourHops



Everybody wanted Craft Beer

(tweet) The #RaiseYourHops Contests!

So many people started using Neil's Hashtag "#RaiseYourHops". It was an online protest. Local brewers, restaurant owners, nonprofits and regular citizens just simply had enough of Budweiser being the only choice and wanted to vocalize it.

YYCBeer.ca founder Drew Riley also got in on it, after all he basically lived at Toolshed at the time (wink wink). "We have to get people using RaiseYourHops more than Budweiser's lame version". He got Neil's blessing to essentially hijack the hashtag and build a bot to help manage it. Then he started contacting breweries, and other local craft beer supporters, and even put in some of his own cash to start a contest to get people tweeting it. The contest featured a whole pile of swag, with several winners. In addition to some awesome brewery merch, and even some beer (shhhh), each winner also got a limited edition Calgary Stampede Two Dollar Coin that contained half an ounce of 99.99 per cent pure silver and was manufactured by the Canadian Mint.

Enter to win your own coin!

Step 1) Follow @YYCBeerca on twitter

Step 2) Tweet This Text




Did it work?

Well, kinda, Stampede sure noticed and started to think about their policy

Finally, over a year later and after some long talks between Stampede, the Alberta Small Brewers Associtaion, headed by Terry Rock (Awesome dude), and the breweries themselves, Stampede had to have the talk with Budweiser, they wanted to see other people.

For the first time in recent history, probably since A. E. Cross himself was selling craft beer, 2017 became the year you could go and find craft beer at Stampede.

We still have quite a way to go because there still is some pretty heavy craft beer segregation on the grounds. You can only buy it and drink it in one venue, while several, more popular spots on grounds, some embedded in the midway itself, still maintain the Budweiser exclusivity. Nope, you can't even buy your favorite beer then head over to join another party, it's forbidden.

The Brews at Stampede

Craft Beer

I hope you found the spot above to try to get your hands on a Pure Silver Stampede coin!

Here's what you came for, THE BEER!

Calgary Craft Beer At Calgary Stampede

Annex Ale Project

Forward Progress

Pale Ale - American

An aroma-forward Pale Ale, hopped with Citra and Mosaic varietals. It's our take on the classic North American Pale Ale, with a hoppy bouquet and a long, harmonious finish: progressive, sessionable, and full of flavour.

  • ABV: 5.2%
  • IBU: ?

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Banded Peak Brewing

Plainsbreaker

Wheat Beer - American Pale Wheat

An aromatic, style bending approach to the pale ale. The Plainsbreaker is bursting with late addition hops, boasting a huge tropical flavour and aroma. Well balanced, interesting and very approachable, this beer is for every adventure.

  • ABV: 5%
  • IBU: 24

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Big Rock Brewery

AGD

Lager - American

  • ABV: 5%
  • IBU: ?

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Bow River Brewing

Athabasca Wit

Witbier

Coriander along with orange Peel. Classic wit

  • ABV: 5%
  • IBU: 13

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Cabin Brewing Company

Super Saturation

Pale Ale - New England

Super juicy NEPA.

  • ABV: 6%
  • IBU: 40

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Caravel Craft Brewery

Captain's Log

Pilsner - German

Join the Captain and set sail in search of this golden treasure that is sure to brighten the dreariest of days. Note the balance between the sweetness of the malt and the aromatic hops as they explore your taste buds. The Captain is sure to log this adventure, detailing your drinking experience with precision. This full flavored and stable beer has an unassuming taste that appeals to the masses and is smooth sailing right to the end.

  • ABV: 6%
  • IBU: 22

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse Rotating July 4-9.

Cold Garden Beverage Company

White Hat

Wheat Ber

  • ABV: ?%
  • IBU: ?

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse Rotating July 4-9.

Coulee Brew Co.

Dry Island

Brut IPA

.

  • ABV: ?%
  • IBU: ?

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Last Best Brewing

Show Pony

Pale Ale - American

  • ABV: 5%
  • IBU: 22

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse Rotating July 4-9.

New Level Brewing

Berserker

Blonde Ale

A blonde so bad ass that we named it after the Viking warriors. We designed this beer to appeal to craft beer newbies and the hardcore elite. With a lighter IBU and medium malt profile, the Berserker can be sessioned like you wouldn't believe. Flavourful and complex for craft beer lovers and approachable for all palettes.

  • ABV: 5.5%
  • IBU: 20

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse Rotating July 10-14.

Outcast Brewing

Not Your Average Lime Beer

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

Light saison with lime zest and lime juice added. Exclusive to Calgary Stampede 2019, Punk in Drublic and the Collective anniversary weekend.

  • ABV: 4.5%
  • IBU: 10

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse Rotating July 4-9.

Rapid Ascent Brewing Company

Finnigan's Irish Pale Ale

Pale Ale - International

They created this beer to satisfy both casual and serious beer drinkers. A perfect blend of Light Munich & Belgian Biscuit Malts provide initial sweetnes with a lighter copper colour and balanced body.

  • ABV: 4.7%
  • IBU: ?

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company

Beavertail Raspberry Ale

Wheat Beer - American Pale Wheat

A light, unfiltered wheat ale with raspberries, this is a refreshing balanced beer. The combination of tartness and sweetness derived from the raspberries create a light, crisp, yet fruity palate. The rich golden colour is a combination of specialty malts and real raspberries added to the beer. The haze is a result of the yeast still lingering in suspension. An enduring favourite, this is a pleasant beer that is enjoyable either on the patio or after skiing. Available in bottles so you can take your fruity favourite home with you.

  • ABV: 5%
  • IBU: 10

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Tool Shed Brewing Co.

Passionfruit Blonde

Fruit Beer

This refreshing blonde ale perfectly ecapsulates the exotic flavours of passion fruit while not being overly sweet. A crushable patio beer that is sure to please.

  • ABV: 5.2%
  • IBU: 17

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Township 24 Brewery

Stolen Canoe

Pale Ale - American

  • ABV: 5.6%
  • IBU: 45

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse Rotating July 10-14.

Trolley 5 Restaurant and Brewery

First Crush

IPA - White

  • ABV: 6.2%
  • IBU: 36

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Village Brewery

Blonde

Blonde Ale

Village Blonde Ale has been brewed in conformance to the beer style characteristics and have a rich golden blonde colour. The beer has a crisp, dry palate, with a hint of, but not overpowering sweetness from the 2 Row malt. There is a definite hop aroma and a positive bitterness to balance the malt flavours. As with all good ales, there will be a hint of fruity esters to round out the finish. The higher end gravity will result in a beer with medium body, good mouth feel and the perception of a full strength beer, while remaining easy to drink to the most discriminating palates.

  • ABV: 4.5%
  • IBU: 15

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Zero Issue Brewing

Innsmouth

Sour - Mango/Passionfruit

My strength is not in IBU and ABV, that is what the parasites will never understand. A season for all things! A time for Mango and a time for Passionfruit, a time for clean....and a time for sour.

  • ABV: 4.8%
  • IBU: 0

Try This Craft Beer at Calgary Stampede in The Big Four Roadhouse July 4-14.

Other Alberta Craft beer at Stampede available july 10 - 14


Folding Mountain Brewing - Flash Flood IPA
Medicine Hat Brewing Co - Burnside Blood Orange Ale
Header Photo by Daniel

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