Winnipeg beer lovers have anxiously watched as the craft beer industry has expanded across North America . Over the past decade Ontario , Quebec and B . C . have grown to host more than 100 breweries each , Alberta has added close to 40 , and even Saskatchewan has welcomed seven new breweries since 2013 . But Winnipeg — and Manitoba — has long offered just two choices for local suds .
The wait seems to be over : Five new breweries have opened in Winnipeg this year with several more in the works . The floodgates opened in 2014 when changes to provincial liquor legislation made it possible for breweries and liquor stores to fill growlers and allowed breweries to open taprooms . This was incentive enough for brewers ( and investors ) to look for locations and order brewing equipment .
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Many of these new brewers were inspired by two Manitoba pioneers : Fort Garry Brewing and Half Pints
Brewing . The former opened in 1995 , endured a mini boom-and-bust stretch , and was bought by Surrey , B . C .’ s Russell Brewing in 2007 , though it ’ s still managed locally .
Half Pints opened in 2006 and has led Winnipeg ’ s craft beer scene ever since . Brewmaster David Rudge ’ s mission is to educate by example : He produces a range of beers , including some complex , seasonal offerings — such as Old Red Barn , a sour Belgian red ale that was barrel-aged for two years prior to its release this past spring .
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The brewery ’ s name even speaks to the idea of drinking smaller glasses in order to enjoy more variety , rather than chugging pints of one bland beer . Half Pints recently spruced up its digs by adding a taproom with pinball machines and comfy seating — as well as delicious beer , naturally .
Ten years on from Half Pints ’ debut , its former CEO , Nicole Barry , opened the first of Winnipeg ’ s new wave of breweries , Peg Beer Co . The Exchange District brewery and
A Fort Garry porter
restaurant launched this spring , but delays in completing the brew house prevented them from serving their own suds right off the bat . But the taps are now working overtime to pour
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BARN HAMMER : SyMoN PtASHNick / PtASH FilM & PHotogRAPHy |