Alberta craft beer industry dismayed over being excluded again by Calgary Stampede
Posted Jul 5, 2016 10:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
They’re disappointed but certainly not surprised to be finding themselves on the outside looking in, again this year, when it comes to the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”
Local craft beers have once again been excluded from the Calgary Stampede line-up, the Stampede instead choosing to stick with its long-time partnership with Labatt.
Only Labatt brands will be sold on the property, mainly Budweiser, and that’s not sitting well with some.
There was at least one social media comment from a Calgary man threatening to boycott the Stampede for not supporting local brews.
“Two years ago Alberta had 19 breweries and brew pubs and at 2016 now we’re at 40, and I know of at least ten more that are starting up,” said Terry Rock, Executive Director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association. “Over time I think what’s happened this year is the consumer has started to realize we have this new, exploding beer scene and they hope in the future they’ll be able to get it at the Calgary Stampede.”
This year the Calgary Stampede is hosting a Brewmaster’s Dinner featuring craft beer from Ontario and British Columbia, but none from Alberta.
“The beers that are available at this Stampede this year will all be under the Labatt’s name, we think of craft beer as small, independent and traditional and these are not independent breweries, they are part of a corporate chain. I think overall consumers will catch onto this and say we want local beer.”
“There’s a real potential for brewing to be a signature industry for Alberta and to get there we’re going to need leadership from the likes of the Calgary Stampede. They carry the flag for agriculture and all that Alberta stands for.”
Calgary Stampede officials are making no apologies and are standing their ground for the exclusivity included within the Labatt sponsorship.
“We’re aware of the feedback we’ve had from a few folks,” said spokesperson Kurt Kaddatz. “I can say the folks who are down at Stampede Park and those who are drinking beer seem to be enjoying themselves. I think it’s also important for me to point out that Calgary, the Stampede is really Calgary’s Stampede and it’s the whole sum of the city in those ten days not just what happens at Stampede Park. People can get all this amazing food and Calgary around the city.”
Kaddatz says they still have a wide variety of selection and 85 per cent of the beer they sell at Stampede Park is brewed up the road in Edmonton, using Alberta workers. The grain and barley also comes from Alberta farmers.
In terms of that Brewmaster’s Dinner, the brands being featured are brands that have been amalgamated into the Labatt fold.
He says the exclusivity in their relationship with Labatt isn’t strange, they also have one with GMC.
“Certainly if you come down to Stampede Park in 2016, I can’t speak for the future (if they’ll consider craft down the road) but we have a great relationship with Labatt that’s done things like bring the Clydesdales to the grounds. Sponsors help keep things affordable.”
“Stampede is really the sum of all Calgary has to offer.”
