10712 120 St. NW | (825) 512-5164
You’ll find Arcadia in the corner of the new Manchester Square development. We’re totally in love with the Love Ire & Sour; pair a pint in the tasting room with a Zwick’s pretzel, and you’ll wish it was five o’clock all day long.
10257 105 St. NW | (587) 635-1952
If you’re downtown and looking for something a little out of the ordinary, this spot, just steps from Rogers Place, has a great selection of beers, plus the hefty MacDavid pizza that’s well, like a “Big” fast-food-franchise burger served pizza style. Campio beers won gold and silver at last year’s Alberta Beer Awards.
10643 124 St. #109 | (587) 523-8523
Irrational has well-executed beers that go perfectly with pretzels and meat pies. It is constantly adding new flavours to its seasonal menu. The brewery is located in a historic electrical substation, that used to help power Edmonton’s streetcars/
105, 12021 102 Ave. NW | (587) 590-9973
This spot has one of Edmonton’s best patios, located at Oliver Exchange. Fill your growler, have a pint on site and our readers voted the OCB Animal Burger as one of the best burgers in the city in 2021.
9926 78 Ave. NW | (780) 678-7890
The brewery just moved from its old location near Fort Road to its new digs in The Beer District. Look for a wide selection of styles, from easy-drinking Belgian-style wheat ales to its chocolatey 4:30 Stout.
9570 76 Ave. NW | (587) 525-8589
Launched by BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk, this has become a go-to spot in Ritchie, alongside its sister restaurant, Biera. From lagers to more esoteric styles (barrel-fermented beer, anyone?), these are available to take home or enjoy paired with a meal at the restaurant.
9916 72 Ave. NW | (780) 435-0158
Winner of the silver medal for Best New Brewery at the 2021 Alberta Beer Awards, Longroof has a rotating menu of brews made in small batches. In the taproom, you will find the same bar that was once a fixture in the Empress Ale House on Whyte Avenue.
10416 80 Ave. NW | +1 855-934-2337
Polar Park has a range of offerings, from pale ales to stouts, but, if you’re looking for a unique, beery spot to hold an event (or even get married!) check out the 5,000-sq.-ft. event space. Or, maybe you could just hold the world’s largest hockey draft. The pub also has a menu of favourites, from pasta to wings to burgers. We recommend trying the Pink Panther Raspberry Witbier.
10308 81 Ave. NW | (780) 705-1377
You’ll find this brewpub in Old Strathcona, just south of Whyte Avenue. You can take home cans, growlers or even kegs — but why not stay, share snacks and toast your friends?
9919 78 Ave. NW | 587-525-2337
An offshoot of Blind Enthusiasm, this is a spot dedicated to beer made from in-barrel fermentation. Look for complex varieties in the taproom.
6000 Buckingham Dr. #310, Sherwood Park | (587) 456-8381
Do you have 100 friends? If the answer is yes, then you know enough people to fill the 70 Acre taproom. Try one or some of the 10 varieties on tap, including a nitro ale, two sours and a German ale. Feeling snackish? Try the baked pretzel, Neapolitan style pizza or charcuterie.
9929 60 Ave. NW | (780) 436-8922
This is the OG of the Edmonton brewery scene. Alley Kat was making beer when most of us were still drinking the factory stuff and has won a slew of Alberta Beer Awards. A visit to Alley Kat is like going to the Edmonton beer version of Abbey Road.
8620 53 Ave. NW | (780) 966-1641
Dear video game, board game, and sci-fi enthusiasts, this is the brewery for you. Analog provides pop culture themed, easy-drinking year round and seasonal beers. Discover fun activities in the taproom from Thursday to Saturday.
Bay F, 3413 53 Ave., Lacombe | (403) 786-2337
From your lagers and ales, to barley wine and a beer that’s aged for more than 2,000 days, Lacombe’s Blindman has a complex variety of offerings. It’s worth the trip south, as the taproom also features a full-on taco menu. As well, Blindman uses carbon capture technology when making its brews, and has 180 solar panels on site to help power things. It brings a new meaning to the term, “green beer.”
212 Highway 854, Rosalind | (780) 781-8563
The Detention name is fitting, as this new brewery is located in what used to be a school in a rural hamlet. Enjoy your drinks in the science lab, and go see the brewing equipment from the gym’s stage. It’s like high school all over again, except drinking is allowed.
9942 67 Ave. NW | (780) 760-6636
This is a place for the dark-beer enthusiast. You won’t find any blonde drinks here. But, Omen’s goal is to make dark brews that are still approachable and easy to drink, so don’t think you’ll be getting a heavy meal in a pint glass.
4901 50 St., Leduc | (587) 274-2739
If there’s an award for naming beer, Rural Routes would win. Beer writer Jason van Rassel wrote about Wolfgang Amadeus Malzart in the past. “A lovely Vienna-style lager with toasty malt, mild floral hops and a clean finish.” Or maybe try the Elusive Trout Stout or the Neon Cowgirl Pina Colada Milkshake IPA? Check ahead, as the varieties are seasonal.
9850 62 Ave. NW | (780) 784-2996
Sea Change’s Prairie Fairy is a must-try beer, especially for non-beer drinkers. The blackberry and raspberry flavours are sweet without being tart. And, it’s made in collaboration with Fruit Loop Society, a YEG LGBTQ2+ community non-profit organization. Sea Change took home three medals from last year’s Alberta Beer Awards.
2919 Ellwood Dr. SW | (780) 244-0212
This award-winning small brewery with a cozy loft is a hidden gem in a busy strip mall. The craft beer pairs well with the fresh baked pizza selections. Don’t forget to appreciate the beer-can artwork.
#1951, 8882 170 St NW | (780) 623-0477
Fat Unicorn Brewery was established in Lac La Biche County back in the summer of 2014. Six regular beers and seasonal offerings are open at Fat Unicorn’s new location, in West Edmonton Mall. Look for wheat and amber ales and the Cossack stout-style IPA.
45C South Ave., Spruce Grove | (587) 601-5541
This Spruce Grove brewery has a fine range of varieties from which to choose, but what’s really intriguing is the beer cocktail menu, and it’s anything but a list of boilermakers. A cherry whiskey float, with cola and Oatmeal stout? Why the heck not?
11239 180 St. NW | (587) 388-1177
SYC Brewing is another brewery with award winners. Its Golden Hour Apricot Sour won silver at the 2021 Alberta Beer Awards. There are lots of interesting varieties on offer, and you can even custom-build your own flat of 24.
#216, 10 Westwind Dr., Spruce Grove | (780) 571-4220
The taproom is airy, with an industrial feel. While the beer selection rotates, expect to see a wide variety of styles, from black IPAs to amber ales. The “Big Dog,” made with local sausage, highlights the menu.
Suite 100, 17850 106A Ave. NW
Trial & Ale specializes in award-winning artisanal ales and sours. The secret to the delectable taste? Each ale is matured and undergoes a secondary fermentation in oak barrels from some of the most exclusive wineries in California.
4A 215 Carnegie Dr., St. Albert | (780) 752-3777
Our beer writer, Jason van Rassel, says that the Sudden Draft IPA and Skyline Pilsner, are “dialled-in and worth the drive.” This family-owned brewery doubles as a coffee roastery, and has a taproom that has tacos and quesadillas on the menu.
40 Airport Rd. NW | (587) 497-7714
We are all still waiting to see major development take place in the lands that once were home to the City Centre Airport. Beers have names like the Vega West Coast IPA, or the Turbo Prop New England IPA, which play on the character of launching a brewery in what used to be airport space. Look for beer cheese, pretzels and nachos in the taproom to go along with your brews.
9918 100 St. #101A, Morinville | (780) 939-4389
Located in a strip mall that’s a stone’s throw from the town’s main intersection, Sturgeon Brewing is worth the trip. Beers both dark and light are served in mason jars — they can be taken out, or enjoyed in the small tasting room. A great weekend excursion when paired with the Morinville Farmers’ Market.
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