It has been an open secret in beer circles for some time, but Saturday’s Edmonton Journal reported, via a story about Amber’s impending move, that the Edmonton area is about to get a new brewery. Hog’s Head Brewing Company has been in the works for a number of months, but the owners wanted to keep their, uh, heads down until their launch. Hog’s Head plans to operate in St. Albert. This will be the fourth brewing company in the Edmonton-area.
Little is known about the brewery and its plans for the moment. Their website is a simple place holder for the moment.I have had a couple of brief conversations with the brewery’s lead partner, Brian Molloy, and he and I had already planned to meet more formally later this week. I will post more about the brewery and their initial beer following our visit.
According to a related story in the St. Albert Gazette this past weekend, Hog’s Head is awaiting the final approval of its Class E license (which is the manufacturing license) from the AGLC, and so should be brewing soon.
What prompted the early news of Hog’s Head was the public interest in the future of Amber’s Brewing. As I posted a few weeks back, a steep rent increase forced Amber’s to abandon its 99th street location. After a hasty search for an alternate location, a deal was struck between Amber’s and Hog’s Head. It is, as I understand it, an agreement that Amber’s beer will be contract brewed at Hog’s Head. The companies remain separate and Amber’s brands will remain. In a way Amber’s is returning to its roots – for the first two years of its existence, Amber’s beer was contract brewed at Alley Kat. It should be noted that because Hog’s Head does not yet have its brewing license (and there is some uncertainty about what applications Amber’s needs to file), the agreement between the two is in principle only. I say that to prevent anyone – them or me – getting into hot water with the AGLC.
As I say, more will be rolled out about Hog’s Head in the coming days and weeks. I will keep you updated and hopefully will be able to offer a full report on their planned line-up.
August 5, 2012 at 11:14 PM
No comments? Hmmm
August 6, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Hopefully there isn’t too much confusion between this new brewery and another one newly-opened in Denver.
http://www.hogsheadbrewery.com/
August 9, 2012 at 11:23 PM
As long as they don’t hold a trademark in Canada and they don’t decide to sell to the US, then I could assume things should be fine.
August 25, 2012 at 7:55 PM
It looks like the American Brewery is a pub not a real brewery?? anyway another microbrewery in Alberta we should all be happy!! More breweries fighting the big boys!!
October 7, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Jason there is product released in the Connect as of the today.
March 29, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Just bought a 6 pack of their hop slayer IPA. It’s horrible to say the least! Not even brewed within the standards of an IPA. I thought I was pouring a stout it was so dark. I’ve had better home brew.
July 28, 2013 at 9:19 PM
Back to the drawing board for Hop Slayer in bottles.
Can not get out of the bottle without terrific amount of foaming – doesn’t matter if cold or at room temperature is the same – all over the counter and floor. Haven’t been able to actually drink it just slurp the foam. Not impressed for sure !