One could say this brewery is the anchor of the Brewmuda Triangle, a troika of breweries in Calgary’s northeast landscape of undistinguished low-rise warehouses. Owners Jeff Orr and Graham Sherman met in IT and began home brewing in a backyard tool shed (hence the name). They honed their craft 5 gallons at a time until they decided to “go pro”. Originally, they had their recipes contract brewed in B.C., but while it racked up air miles and highway kilometers, it is an excruciating way to brew. However, when the Alberta government announced the removal of the minimum brewery size requirement in December 2013, they were one of the first to get the new license to brew in Alberta.
The bar has 10 taps of their beers including a kombucha. They don’t have a kitchen but offer a selection of food prepared by local restaurants. Otherwise, light snacks are available. For special events, there are often food trucks parked outside.
They have had packaged product (cans) since 2012 and maintain a core of 4 beers; Red Rage Red Ale, Star Cheek IPA, People Skills Cream Ale, and Flat Cap Stout. In addition, they produce seasonals, limited editions, and even barrel aged beers.
Their search for a home led them to their current location in Franklin Park. The brewery is split into two parts; a simple front tasting room with a small bar, and the brewery in the back combined with a large rustic open space, complete with a stage and pinball machines, which is used for overflow crowds and private events; more than one wedding has taken place here. This space is cordoned off from the brewery side, but you can still see all the brewing equipment and watch them make the beer. There is also a small patio outside the front entrance, one that took seemingly forever to get approved by the city.
And the fate of their “original” brewery? You’ll be happy to know the tool shed is still in Graham’s backyard, while their old brewing equipment has made it into the brewery as their pilot system.
They are open Sunday noon-4:00 p.m., Monday-Wednesday 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., and Thursday-Saturday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Tasters, flights, pints, growler fills, and package product are all available. They also have tours on Saturdays at noon for $15.
801 30 St. N.E. T2A 5L7
