Photograph by Laughing Dog Photography
Joe Parrell, 32
Amber’s Brewing Co., Edmonton
In a stroke of luck, Parrell walked away from his quality control job at the century-old Molson’s brewery in Edmonton in the summer of 2007 just hours before it shut its doors permanently. He rolled into this new upstart microbrewery, where he and Jim Gibbon run the small operation.
“At Molson’s I never had the chance to do the creative side of brewing. Now I do everything. Instead of going to meetings and talking about what needs to be done, here you just do it.”
Australian Mountain Pepper Berry Ale is one of the most unique beers in Canada. Made with a small, spicy blueberry-like fruit from Down Under, it is a pale golden beer with a grainy, peppery aroma. The flavour is subtle with a touch of fruit and spice and a sharp, dry finish. A beer that grows on you over time.
Brett Ireland, 26
Jasper Brewing Company, Jasper
What’s a young, ambitious engineering grad to do with his life? Open Canada’s first brewpub inside a national park, of course. Successfully raising $1 million to finance his vision, Ireland opened the doors to his restaurant/pub three years ago, complete with a secondhand brewing system in the basement.
“I had never brewed a batch of beer in my life. But I liked beer and thought a brewpub was exactly what Jasper needed. There are a lot of restaurants in Jasper. To make a go of it, I needed something to help me stand apart. That’s where the beer came in.”
Honey Bear Ale is a yellow honey blonde beer that tastes remarkably fresh and soft, with a hint of earthiness. Its secret is a touch of coriander in the boil, which lightens the body and accentuates fruitiness. A deftly brewed beer for a wide variety of palates.
Michele Lowney, 40
Grizzly Paw Brewing Company, Canmore
It’s a long way from working as a wildlife biologist in Colorado to becoming a brewmaster in Alberta. Lowney stumbled across brewing by accident eight years ago at a friend’s brewpub and was instantly hooked. Then in early 2008, Canmore beckoned with its perfect combo of lifestyle and work for this self-proclaimed snowboarding nut.
“Beer isn’t just for trailer parks anymore. With all the high end and craft beers out there now, there is something for everyone. Being a brewer is like being an artist in a way. It is about creativity. I love putting things together in new ways and saying, ‘that is good beer.’”
Indra Island IPA is a real India Pale Ale. It invites you in with a grassy hop aroma, then welcomes you with balanced flavour – crystal sweetness plays with a noted hoppiness. Leaves behind a pleasant lingering bitterness. Kinda like when the Molson’s brewery shut down. U
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