Canadian Brew Supplies

[triangulum33]

Looking at possibly moving to Calgary and wondering where people get supplies on internet and LHBS in the area.

 

[elproducto]

Just heard that Canada's largest homebrew shop Canadian Homebrew Supplies is opening a storefront there, not sure when.

 

[TacoGuthrie]

I know they have their own club website. I used it to track down home brew shops and beer stores when i visited last year.

Cowtown Yeast Wranglers > Home

 

[triangulum33]

Thanks!
I hear commercial brew is expensive. Can you guys get craft brew from US up there?
How much is a brew or a mixed drink at a bar?

 

[emjay]

Thanks!
I hear commercial brew is expensive. Can you guys get craft brew from US up there?
How much is a brew or a mixed drink at a bar?

Varies (WIDELY) from province to province.

BMC is quite expensive here in Ontario. A 24 of Coors Light costs around $35 (I think!). But a lot of craft and imported stuff is cheaper here than just about anywhere, mostly because the government-operated alcohol retailer here is the largest single purchaser of alcohol in the world.

 

[triangulum33]

emjay, are you able to get Sierra Nevada, Stone, European, etc.?

On a side note, thanks for your water advice on the forum emjay!

 

[elproducto]

I can't speak for Calgary, but in Ontario we get some USA craft beers like: Rogue, Dogfish Head, Southern Tier, Brooklyn. I wouldn't worry too much about USA beers, the craft beer scene in Canada is booming, with LOTS of great beers coming out of your neighbour British Columbia.

The alcohol retail system is different in every province. In Alberta it is private as opposed to government regulated as it is in Ontario.

 

[emjay]

Dogfish head? Haven't seen that at the LCBO for years... only at beer bars

But yeah, we definitely get a lot of Southern Tier brews. Quite a few different Rogue products as well, not to mention Anchor. And if course, Sam Adams.

To be honest though, we are definitely lacking when it comes to American craft brews. Part of the reason is because the red tape of dealing with the government-operated distributor is insane, and many of the American craft brewers don't feel it's worth the headache. And as much as I'd like to say our local (Ontario) craft beer is just as good, it really isn't. Not even close.

 

[triangulum33]

Are there laws on Homebrewing? Or can you brew as much as you want?

 

[TacoGuthrie]

I don't live in Alberta so I don't know how accurate this is but I do know that they have a central database for all their liquor stores. Here is the listing for US beer:

http://www.liquorconnect.com/Produc...r"&r=lcproductcountryoforigin="united states"

AFAIK there aren't any laws restricting homebrewing in Alberta. In general Alberta is a less regulated Province than most.

 

[triangulum33]

Here is the listing for US beer:

http://www.liquorconnect.com/Produc...r"&r=lcproductcountryoforigin="united states"

That's kinda disappointing.