Thursday, May 28, 2009

Roadtrippin'

The boys were off to Calgary this morning to rock the Calgary Beer Fest with our tasty libations. If you're in Cowtown and reading this, make sure you say Hi to Chris, Jarrod, Kevin and Zach. They'll be right beside the Big Rock booth, and you can drink Big Rock anytime... the choice is pretty obvious.

They'll be driving there in our schnazzy, newly decaled vehicle. Special thanks goes out the the folks at ATD Graphics on Dugald Rd. (right down the street from the maltsters!). You can see our truck and car from a mile away now, which helps for a prairie brewery.

On the way back from ATD last week we passed Mountain Equipment Co-Op and caught a few of you staring! I never was a head turner, so thanks for making me blush.

New merch now in!

We just received a top up order of new merch for the summer:

Hoodies are back in stock (A.K.A. Bunny hugs if you're from Saskatchewan).

All sizes of t's are refilled.

New green t's with no slogan on the back are in for the less militant Half Pints lovers. This begs the question: is there really a less militant Half Pints lover?

T-shirt prices are still dirt cheap at $10 plus taxes, so you can afford to look like you know what the hell you're talking about when you scold your frienemies like idiots for actually trading down because they want to wear the free shirts that come in the cases of crap beer from multi-national brewing conglomerates.

Photo Contest in Full Swing

The "Show Us Your Half Pints" photo contest is up and running over on our Facebook fan page. Send us a photo of you, your friends, your horse, whatever, enjoying Half Pints and at the end of the Summer we'll pick a winner from the bunch to receive glorious prizes.

W.E.C.C. Celebration Ale

This week's Winnipeg Free Press ran a story about the re-vamped West End Cultural Center and there was a few lines about how we brewed up a special beer for their opening. The first night, it was a Hibiscus Pale Ale we (brewer Chris Young) did as a special cask for them, so if you weren't there, sorry, it was real good (so says Mr. Mathers).

Since we're the exclusive beer on tap at the WECC, we also did up 4 kegs of a dryhopped and oaked Bulldog Amber. You'll find this on tap there until it runs out. Which after tonight's show with the Farrell Bros. and the SubCity Dwellers, I doubt you'll see again. Enjoy it while you can and we'll have to whip up something in the near future for the folks at the WECC.

Running Back to Saskatoon...

We know our friends and fans in Saskatchewan will be proud of this one... Half Pints will soon be a regularly available listing at the SLGA stores throughout Saskatchewan. After seeing the line-ups at our Festiv Ale booth and trying our beers at the Beer Bros. in Regina, the powers that be in their infinite wisdom have decided to give our Bulldog Amber Ale and our Stir Stick Stout a spot on the shelves at their stores.

To that end, we'll be supporting the beer with a Saskatchewan sales team, "the army of one" also known as Jarrod Schoenau. When Jarrod's wife Marietta is finished her Occupational Therapy program here in the province, they'll be moving home to SK. We'll still be heading out for fun beer events and to visit friends so lets all raise a glass to SK.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We can now stand on the roof of the brewery and see all the places where Half Pints is available (if it wasn't for those pesky Rocky Mountains). Not too shabby for the tiny brewery from Winnipeg.

None of this would be possible without support in the form of "hey try this beer" from our accounts across western Canada or from people like you. Thank you. We look forward to giving you your next beery permasmile.

Labels: Alberta, Calgary, Saskatchewan

Monday, March 9, 2009

"When are we going to be in Cowgary?"

Ahh, the infinite question: "Dad, when are we going to be there?" Except for one distinct difference: Ethan thought we were going to "Cowgary". After a short explanation and small pronunciation lesson, he's got it straight.

So, we set out in the family vehicle before dawn for Calgary - Nicole, the kids and myself. I'll spare you the details of the drive. It's long. Very long. The kids were angels, though.

On Thursday, we got the chance to meet with some accounts. Thanks to the crew at Kensington Wine Market who Ethan entertained with stories of the "Cars" movie while I shopped for tasty beers I can't get at home. Next time we're out I'll have to do a tasting there for everyone. So many good beers, so little time.

On Friday, we skipped over to Banff and when we asked the boys if they'd like an adventure, the word was yes. It's not very often the boys feel up to new things, but they were excited and open on this trip, so we took the gondola to the top of Canada and peered out across the Rockies for a decidedly fresh perspective on life.

In the afternoon, I stopped in to Willow Park Wines & Spirits for a sampling of our fine brews. It's interesting to note that in a mature market such as Alberta just how little time I need to spend educating people about good beer. The questions are so different than at home.

For example:

"How many IBU's in your IPA?" not "What the hell is an IBU?"

You can see the private market has given beer lovers the choice, and while I was there, maybe 3 x 24's of mediocre beer (Kokanee, MGD, Corona) went out the door, while multiple customers were shopping from the ridiculous selection to be had on the local, Canadian small brewery, and import side of things. It's also good to see so many people who work in the business and are passionate about it in one place.

Suffice to say I was impressed.

After the tasting, I was starving and we mapped out a trail to a southern BBQ joint just up the Crowchild Trail called Big T's. It was funny because the drive there was a little weird and when we arrived, I said to Nicole "hey, this area looks familiar" and she says "no wonder, that's the back of our hotel." Ha Ha! You think I'd have been able to sniff it out from our hotel.

Word to the BBQ savvy amongst us. If your brisket doesn't melt under the slightest pressure from a fork, you haven't smoked it right. This brisket was tasty, and fork tender as it should be. Good food, but the kids were tired and caused a ruckus (as my mom used to say) so we promptly got the bill and headed back to the hotel for a snooze.

On Saturday we hit the Bottlescrew Bill's 15th Annual Beer Festival like nobody's business. Special thanks to Brad (from Steam Whistle) and a wandering customer who helped us move our beer from under the crazy hot patio heater. Wow, I almost had a tan on my head from the heat. Thankfully, we moved across the porch, and managed to squeeze in between our buddies at Wild Rose and Tree Brewing. We drained the better part of a Sweet Nikki Brown and Little Scrapper IPA in freshKEGS, as well as our not so secret behind the booth stash of 08 Burlywine. Thanks to all who enjoyed and began to spread the word of Half Pints.

Labels: Alberta, Bottlescrew Bill's, Calgary, Kensington, Ramblings, Willow Park

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	Home What’s Brewing Brewing Process On Tap Keg Order Recipes Merchandise Brewer’s Blog Links Contact Info Thursday, May 28, 2009 Roadtrippin' The boys were off to Calgary this morning to rock the Calgary Beer Fest with our tasty libations. If you're in Cowtown and reading this, make sure you say Hi to Chris, Jarrod, Kevin and Zach. They'll be right beside the Big Rock booth, and you can drink Big Rock anytime... the choice is pretty obvious. They'll be driving there in our schnazzy, newly decaled vehicle. Special thanks goes out the the folks at ATD Graphics on Dugald Rd. (right down the street from the maltsters!). You can see our truck and car from a mile away now, which helps for a prairie brewery. On the way back from ATD last week we passed Mountain Equipment Co-Op and caught a few of you staring! I never was a head turner, so thanks for making me blush. New merch now in! We just received a top up order of new merch for the summer: Hoodies are back in stock (A.K.A. Bunny hugs if you're from Saskatchewan). All sizes of t's are refilled. New green t's with no slogan on the back are in for the less militant Half Pints lovers. This begs the question: is there really a less militant Half Pints lover? T-shirt prices are still dirt cheap at $10 plus taxes, so you can afford to look like you know what the hell you're talking about when you scold your frienemies like idiots for actually trading down because they want to wear the free shirts that come in the cases of crap beer from multi-national brewing conglomerates. Photo Contest in Full Swing The "Show Us Your Half Pints" photo contest is up and running over on our Facebook fan page. Send us a photo of you, your friends, your horse, whatever, enjoying Half Pints and at the end of the Summer we'll pick a winner from the bunch to receive glorious prizes. W.E.C.C. Celebration Ale This week's Winnipeg Free Press ran a story about the re-vamped West End Cultural Center and there was a few lines about how we brewed up a special beer for their opening. The first night, it was a Hibiscus Pale Ale we (brewer Chris Young) did as a special cask for them, so if you weren't there, sorry, it was real good (so says Mr. Mathers). Since we're the exclusive beer on tap at the WECC, we also did up 4 kegs of a dryhopped and oaked Bulldog Amber. You'll find this on tap there until it runs out. Which after tonight's show with the Farrell Bros. and the SubCity Dwellers, I doubt you'll see again. Enjoy it while you can and we'll have to whip up something in the near future for the folks at the WECC. Running Back to Saskatoon... We know our friends and fans in Saskatchewan will be proud of this one... Half Pints will soon be a regularly available listing at the SLGA stores throughout Saskatchewan. After seeing the line-ups at our Festiv Ale booth and trying our beers at the Beer Bros. in Regina, the powers that be in their infinite wisdom have decided to give our Bulldog Amber Ale and our Stir Stick Stout a spot on the shelves at their stores. To that end, we'll be supporting the beer with a Saskatchewan sales team, "the army of one" also known as Jarrod Schoenau. When Jarrod's wife Marietta is finished her Occupational Therapy program here in the province, they'll be moving home to SK. We'll still be heading out for fun beer events and to visit friends so lets all raise a glass to SK. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We can now stand on the roof of the brewery and see all the places where Half Pints is available (if it wasn't for those pesky Rocky Mountains). Not too shabby for the tiny brewery from Winnipeg. None of this would be possible without support in the form of "hey try this beer" from our accounts across western Canada or from people like you. Thank you. We look forward to giving you your next beery permasmile. Labels: Alberta, Calgary, Saskatchewan posted by Brewmaster Dave @ 11:08 AM ( 3 Comments ) Monday, March 9, 2009 "When are we going to be in Cowgary?" Ahh, the infinite question: "Dad, when are we going to be there?" Except for one distinct difference: Ethan thought we were going to "Cowgary". After a short explanation and small pronunciation lesson, he's got it straight. So, we set out in the family vehicle before dawn for Calgary - Nicole, the kids and myself. I'll spare you the details of the drive. It's long. Very long. The kids were angels, though. On Thursday, we got the chance to meet with some accounts. Thanks to the crew at Kensington Wine Market who Ethan entertained with stories of the "Cars" movie while I shopped for tasty beers I can't get at home. Next time we're out I'll have to do a tasting there for everyone. So many good beers, so little time. On Friday, we skipped over to Banff and when we asked the boys if they'd like an adventure, the word was yes. It's not very often the boys feel up to new things, but they were excited and open on this trip, so we took the gondola to the top of Canada and peered out across the Rockies for a decidedly fresh perspective on life. In the afternoon, I stopped in to Willow Park Wines & Spirits for a sampling of our fine brews. It's interesting to note that in a mature market such as Alberta just how little time I need to spend educating people about good beer. The questions are so different than at home. For example: "How many IBU's in your IPA?" not "What the hell is an IBU?" You can see the private market has given beer lovers the choice, and while I was there, maybe 3 x 24's of mediocre beer (Kokanee, MGD, Corona) went out the door, while multiple customers were shopping from the ridiculous selection to be had on the local, Canadian small brewery, and import side of things. It's also good to see so many people who work in the business and are passionate about it in one place. Suffice to say I was impressed. After the tasting, I was starving and we mapped out a trail to a southern BBQ joint just up the Crowchild Trail called Big T's. It was funny because the drive there was a little weird and when we arrived, I said to Nicole "hey, this area looks familiar" and she says "no wonder, that's the back of our hotel." Ha Ha! You think I'd have been able to sniff it out from our hotel. Word to the BBQ savvy amongst us. If your brisket doesn't melt under the slightest pressure from a fork, you haven't smoked it right. This brisket was tasty, and fork tender as it should be. Good food, but the kids were tired and caused a ruckus (as my mom used to say) so we promptly got the bill and headed back to the hotel for a snooze. On Saturday we hit the Bottlescrew Bill's 15th Annual Beer Festival like nobody's business. Special thanks to Brad (from Steam Whistle) and a wandering customer who helped us move our beer from under the crazy hot patio heater. Wow, I almost had a tan on my head from the heat. Thankfully, we moved across the porch, and managed to squeeze in between our buddies at Wild Rose and Tree Brewing. We drained the better part of a Sweet Nikki Brown and Little Scrapper IPA in freshKEGS, as well as our not so secret behind the booth stash of 08 Burlywine. Thanks to all who enjoyed and began to spread the word of Half Pints. Labels: Alberta, Bottlescrew Bill's, Calgary, Kensington, Ramblings, Willow Park posted by Brewmaster Dave @ 9:53 AM ( 3 Comments ) Archives: January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 July 2008 September 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010
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