Edmonton's craft beer scene is about to get wonderfully weird again. The Wyrd Bier Adventure: Wyrd Tales, Wyrd’r Bier festival is set to make its fourth annual return, running from January 7 to February 1. This year, a staggering 19 local breweries are participating, each concocting unique, limited-edition beers that push the boundaries of traditional brewing.
Monster Mash of Flavors and Ingredients
True to its "wyrd" name, the festival is a celebration of the bizarre and experimental in brewing. Past editions have featured beers infused with ingredients like absinthe, ice cream, and even Mexican crickets. This year's theme draws inspiration from classic monster movies from the 1920s to the 1970s, leading to creatively named offerings. Festival-goers can seek out creations such as Endeavour Brewing's The Mummy Returns… With Snacks or Polyrhythm's Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
A full list of this year's peculiar pints is available on the official festival website at wyrdbier.ca. For dedicated participants who collect stamps from all 19 breweries on a free passport, a special Wyrd Bier Chalice awaits as a prize. The first 100 completers will also receive an Amulet of the Survivor with a new skull design. Organizers note that prizes will not be available until January 24, a strategic move to encourage a leisurely, responsible pace of exploration rather than rapid binge-drinking.
Born from Community and Mental Health Support
The origins of Wyrd Bier are as unique as its beers. The festival was born from conversations between local brewers in the wake of the pandemic, specifically between Bryan Launier of Analog Brewing and Kevin Danard of The Growlery Beer Co. Their initial goal was to create a support network for brewery owners to discuss stressors and strategies in a challenging industry.
"We wanted to make a support group," explains Launier, who now acts as the custodian for the Wyrd Bier brand and hand-illustrates the festival's artwork. "Just a place where we could vent and talk about things that are stressing us out." This camaraderie led to the formation of the Northern Alberta Brewers Alliance (NABA), a cooperative that allows small breweries to save money through bulk purchasing. Wyrd Bier emerged as the alliance's flagship community event.
A Strategic Boost for a Quiet Season
The festival's timing in deep winter is intentional and provides a crucial economic and social lift for local businesses. January is typically a slow period for the hospitality and brewing industry, especially with the popularity of "Dry January" challenges.
"Wyrd Bier helps us in a time when normally it’s dead quiet for everybody in the industry," Launier notes. With a laugh, he adds, "I know it sounds evil to say we’re ruining dry January for you, but at the end of the day, we wanted to create something to help fill in that gap of when we’re hurting the most." The festival successfully draws crowds, fosters community, and showcases the inventive spirit of Edmonton's brewers during the city's coldest month.
With its combination of creative libations, community focus, and support for local business, the Wyrd Bier Adventure has cemented itself as a must-visit, offbeat highlight on Edmonton's winter calendar.
