BREWERY TOUR: The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company – Canmore, AB
Follow Sondra Baker, A.K.A. The Beer Maven, off to Canmore, AB for a brewery tour. She dives into the beers, brewery and the back story of The Grizzly Paw Brewing!
By The Beer Maven Sondra Baker on Nov. 24, 2016
For me, Canmore, Alberta used to be the mountain town on my way to Banff. That quickly changed after my visit last month. I will now be making my weekend getaways there instead. The quiet, quaint streets are not overflowing with loud tourists. The local food and shops leave you wanting more. And Grizzly Paw Brewing Company is nestled into a large corner lot with millionaire dollar views, begging to be your number one Canmore destination.
Grizzly Paw Brewing Company Brewery Tour
After drooling over the location, the knowledgeable Rachelle greeted us and introduced us to our vibrant tour guide, Willie the New Zealander. Willie started the tour off with a fresh Grumpy Bear Honey Wheat then quickly put an Oktoberfest Marzen in my hand, followed even quicker with a beautifully spiced well balanced Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin Ale. Off we went (some of us already beer buzzed) into the brewery stopping by the Malting Room first.
Our large group consisted of myself, some of my family and a groom that was getting married later in the day with his entourage. I guess there’s no better way to shake off the wedding day jitters than with some craft beer! We were quickly whisked away into the elevator stepping out in what could very well be the most picturesque brewery setting in North America.
Sampling Grizzly Paw’s Beers
Willie spoke as quickly as he poured and there was never an empty glass in the group. We first tempted our tastebuds with a hoppy Rundle Stone Session Ale with a surprisingly low IBU of 30, which I knew immediately meant this was dry hopped to perfection. It was easy drinking with no lingering after taste. A very well done ISA.
Grizzly Paws Rutting Elk Red with crystal malts was the perfect companion to enjoy the balcony Rocky Mountain views on their upstairs patio. With a 5 star location like this they plan on offering an events space in the hopefully near future.
Back on the ground level surrounded by massive tanks there happened to be a batch of Raspberry Beaver Tail Ale ready to be taste tested. I jumped at the first pour and fell into my own little world as drinking a beer fresh from it’s tank is one of my favorite things.
The tart, vibrantly fresh raspberries gave the ale a full mouthfeel and is best enjoyed naked. Not naked as your bare arse but with no need to add berries to the serving glass. This beauty is now one of my top Raspberry Ales.
Getting ready to leave the brewery with some craft soda for the kidlets, I ran into Kristina, their Marketing Manager, who was grabbing some Grizzly Paw Root Beer and Beer Infused BBQ sauce for her pulled pork. I need to try this mix on my next batch of BBQ ribs!
There honestly is something for everyone at the brewery, even my non beer drinking sister-in-law had a fantastic time learning about beer and left with an arm full of goodies from their fully stocked retail space, including craft soda infused fudge, and beer infused BBQ sauce.
Brewery Tours at Grizzly Paw Brewing need to be booked ahead of time and I whole heartedly recommend bringing your favourite people with you, why not make a weekend out of it and enjoy the magic that is Canmore.
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