Despite slushy streets and towering snowbanks, Edmonton's craft beer scene is buzzing with creativity. The annual Wyrd Bier Adventure festival is in full swing, featuring 19 local breweries pouring their most inventive concoctions for adventurous patrons. The event, which began last week, continues to captivate taste buds across the city until February 1.
Pickles, Ice Cream, and Edible Scorpions
This year's festival themes read like a peculiar pregnancy craving: pickles and ice cream featured prominently in several brews. Attendees debated everything from the necessity of elaborate garnishes to the pure essence of a beer. Some purists argued a pint should stand alone, while others delighted in rims adorned with green beans or freeze-dried ice cream. One promised garnish, edible scorpions, was unfortunately in short supply.
The harshest critics were often the brewers themselves, scrutinizing whether a carrot flavour shone through or if a baklava-inspired beer had the right balance. Interestingly, one brew deemed a miss by its own creator proved a hit with the public, selling out all its takeaway cans.
A Passport to Pint Perfection
The festival operates as a scavenger hunt. Patrons collect stamps in a passport with each half-pint purchase, working towards a completist glass or medal. The final celebration for those who try them all is set for January 24 at noon at Analog. What follows is a brewery-by-brewery review of all 19 new beers sampled, listed alphabetically, complete with alcohol percentages and scores.
Ale Architect to Acadia: The First Tastings
Ale Architect (9918 76 Ave.) - Skull Island Lassi, 5%
While a fan of the brewery's pizzas and university district vibe, this tart mango ale was a letdown. The flavours of hops and sourness felt diluted and disjointed, evoking an unexpected craving for a Mike's Hard Lemonade. Points for great can design, but the beer itself scores a 2.5 out of 5.
Alley Kat (9929 60 Ave.) - Soju Bomb, 5%
This radioactive green melon yogurt ale is one of many lactose-influenced beers at this year's festival. It's remarkably fresh and delicious, with a deceptively healthy feel despite packing 450 calories per pint. For those with nut allergies, Alley Kat's velvety Nutty by Nature milk stout offers a safe and tasty peanut butter faux-nut experience. Soju Bomb earns a solid 4 out of 5.
Acadia (10712 120 St.) - Strange Case of the Pickled Butter, 5.3%
This peanut butter pickle stout was sweet, nutty, and well-crafted, though the pickle note was subtle. For a companion with a nut allergy, the alternative Back to Black Currant Sour Stout was sampled and found to be even more enjoyable than the Wyrd Bier offering. The pickle stout receives a 3.5 out of 5.
The festival showcases the playful and experimental spirit of Edmonton's brewing community, from Nathan Marculis of Irational Brewing serving tropical ice cream IPAs to the wide array of bold flavours challenging conventional beer norms. With over a week left, there's still time to embark on your own Wyrd Bier Adventure.
