There are a lot of beer events coming up in the next few weeks around the prairies. So I thought I would put them into one quick post to encourage all of you to attend one in your area. Some are free, others have a cost; some are for charity, others are promotional. All should be enjoyable. So here we go, check hyperlink for details:

April 17 Regina: Bushwakker Brewpub Brewers Dinner and release of Cyclone Barleywine. Bushwakker’s popular annual dinner is almost sold out, but tickets are still available. Plus this year it marks the release of Bushwakker’s first barley wine in many years. Cyclone Barleywine is designed to commemorate the infamous Regina cyclone of 1912 which devestated much of the city. If you are in Regina (or have family there) move VERY quickly if you want some, because only 50 six-packs are being sold.

April 23 Edmonton: Rachel Notley’s Birthday Beer Bash. A fundraiser for Edmonton Strathcona MLA Rachel Notley offering beer tasting and pairings from some of Western Canada’s best breweries. The theme of the tasting is “Western Canada’s Beer Gems”. I know this is the theme because I came up with it. I have agreed to lead part of the tasting for the evening. Alley Kat, Amber’s Brewing and Steam Whistle (yes, I know they are from Toronto) will be on hand, and I will be bringing other special beers from Half Pints, Paddock Wood, Wild Rose, Yukon and Tree.

April 24 Calgary: Dieu du Ciel comes to Town. Wine specialty store, Bin 905, is hosting a beer tasting with Stephane Ostiguy, co-founder of Quebec wunderbrauerei Dieu du Ciel. They will sample most of the DDC products available in Alberta. Trust me, once you try DDC you never look at beer the same way again. No charge.

April 24 Winnipeg: Bru Ha Ha Dinner featuring Half Pint’s new seasonal. Winnipeg’s private club for the hoity-toity is hosting a beer-themed dinner. Most of the beer pairings are ho-hum, but the highlight is the inclusion of Half Pint’s new seasonal, Weizen Heimer. Of course, if the rest of the event doesn’t appeal to you, you can always just stop by the brewery after April 15 to get some of what promises to be a flavourful hefeweizen.

May 15 Calgary: CAMRA Calgary Burn Unit Fundraiser. An evening of beer tasting to raise money for the Foothills Hospital Burn Unit. This annual event offers a low-cost entry fee for access to a wide range of Canadian and U.S. craft breweries. Word on the street is that it is quite fun and is all for a good cause.