Alberta’s brewery, distillery, and winery industry is a growing industry in Alberta.
From 7 in 2016 to 47 in 2021, the license for liquor has grown. Alongside the craft scene which in the last five years has seen a growth from 33 E licensed breweries and this year there are 133 in the province.
You can experience the variety of Alberta’s brewing and distilling industry during Open Farm Days with participating hosts, many of whom use exclusively Alberta ingredients.
Brewers
Blindman Brewing – Lacombe
Tours taking place every 2 hours on the hour beginning at noon. “We love telling the story of our farmers growing this amazing barley, malted just down the road, and brewed here…local like.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/blindman-brewing-3/
Cold Garden Beverage Company – Calgary
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of our brewing facilities. You will learn the steps in brewing beer including what ingredients and equipment are used in the process. Following your tour, enjoy a sample of one our products. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available for underaged guests.
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/cold-garden-beverage-company/
Lakeland Brewing Company – St. Paul
“Free brewery tours with the brewer, beer tasting, information regarding locally sourced barley/hops.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/lakeland-brewing-company-2/
Troubled Monk Brewery – Red Deer
“We will be providing info sessions on brewing and what goes into the production of making a beer, with one of our brewers.
Sampling a few brews, then a Q&A to follow”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/troubled-monk-2/
Wineries
Barr Estate Winery
Located near Sherwood Park, you can enjoy a winery tours as well as take a self guided tour around the garden and farm.
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/barr-estate-winery-2/
DNA Gardens – Delidais Estate Winery – Elnora
“Delidais Estate Winery is the first winery in Red Deer County. Vintners on staff have been developing craft wines & spirits, with full prairie fruit flavors. The labels and themes of the wines and spirits have come from “Our Roots” the history of the Delidais Family and the land settled in the area.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/d-and-a-gardens/
Spirit Hills Winery – Turner Valley
“Guests will get a free tour and wine tasting at the winery. Our Cathedral Trail will be open. It is about a one-hour walk through an enchanted forest.
Games and picnic tables”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/spirit-hills-winery-2/
Distilleries
Eau Claire Distillery – Turner Valley
“Our speakeasy experience opens the doors to the sights, sounds, and tastes of the 1920s, where you will learn about Alberta’s place in Prohibition history, Turner Valley whisky trading and, how Eau Claire Distillery came to be. A guided tasting of our award-winning spirits and an unmistakably delicious craft cocktail are included in the experience.
Tour times are Saturday and Sunday at 11am”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/eau-claire-distillery-2/
Pivot Spirits Craft Distillery – Rolling Hills
“Free Farm/Distillery tours will be available on Saturday, August 14th featuring: crops are grown for distillation, irrigation in action, feeding spent mash to cattle, the solar panel covered patio and the energy-efficient distillation equipment that transforms crops into spirits.
Tours taking place at 2pm & 4 pm!”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/pivot-spirits-craft-distillery/
Rig Hand Distillery – Nisku
“Rig Hand Craft Distillery is in the unique position of being the first craft distillery in the greater Edmonton area. Our family business makes Vodka, Rum, Whisky, Gin, Double Double cream liquor, and Beer that is locally sourced, produced and distributed. Our products are packaged in a distinctive trademarked bottle that is a replica of the Leduc #1 drilling rig, paying tribute to our rich history of both agriculture and resource development in Alberta.
Tour of our Facility showing how we use the local farmers grains, vegetables, and fruits to produce our Spirits/Beer
Tours will be on the hour: Noon, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/rig-hand-distillery/
Meaderies
Fallentimber Meadery – Water Valley
“Join us for a tasting will give you a great perspective on mead in general, and the diversity that it holds. Couple that with a tour and you will leave with lots of knowledge around bees, honey production, and fermentation.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/fallentimber-meadery-2/
Grey Owl Meadery – Alder Flats
“Family-owned and operated. Award-winning meadery. Complimentary honey wine tasting, Walk through wine facility with a brief talk on how the mead is made.”
Malt and Hops
Hogarth Malt – Olds
“Learn how the core ingredient in beer becomes what it is. See a malt house in action and what it takes to go from raw grain to ready for beer production. Steeping, germination, and kilning are the steps required, and add on top, roasting, and the full gamut of possibilities awaits.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/hogarth-malt/
Sydewynder Hops – Gladys (Foothills County)
“Tours and info sessions in the hop yard. We will also have samples from a local craft brewery.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/sydewynder-hops/
Water Valley Hops – Water Valley
“We will begin with a quick introduction to hops and hop farming in Alberta before walking to the hopyard to see the hops in action. We will spend the duration of the tour standing or walking. We will not go far, the yard is only 1000sqft! Please bring your friends, your questions and sturdy shoes. Kids are welcome, dogs must be leashed! We do have a public washroom. We will also have a selection of hop plants available for sale.”
https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/water-valley-hops/