Medalta and local craft breweries teaming up for early St. Patrick’s Day event
Medicine Hat’s two local craft breweries will get the spotlight for a St. Patrick’s Day event at Medalta Thursday night.
The free-to-attend event will take place in Medalta’s Shed placemaking exhibition from 6-8 p.m., with Hell’s Basement and the Medicine Hat Brewing Company showing off four types of craft beer apiece, with fourounce tasting cups for $2 and cans for $6. Medalta curator of exhibitions Jenna Stanton says she and everyone else at Medalta are looking forward to the night.
“We’re really excited to have two cohosts celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at our Shed exhibit,” she said. “Having both of the breweries here, showing off four of their best beers will be really cool and we’re looking forward to filling this space up with a bunch of people.”
The night will be the first time both breweries will be the centerpiece to one event, and Hell’s Basement brewmaster Mike Gripp says he is excited to work with other local craft brewers.
“It’s exciting to be teaming up with the Medicine Hat Brewing company,” said Gripp. “Craft is a brotherhood and we’re not competition in any way — we’re happy to support them, and they’re happy to support us.”
The night will feature live music from local artist Dean Smeal, with snacks provided by Medalta.
Medicine Hat Brewing Company representative Deanna Haysom says she cannot wait to attend the event, and has been taken aback by the support the brewery has received since opening its doors in December.
“The community has really embraced the brewery,” she said. “Hell’s Basement opened up a bit before us, so we got to see a bit of how the community would react, and it’s been amazing to see the community support the brewery.”
Though St. Patrick’s Day is Friday, Stanton says she wanted to hold the event on the same night as Medalta’s market, as well as not trying to be competition for local pubs.
“We decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day one day early, and it’s mainly because we wanted to incorporate the Market at Medalta with this night,” she said. “Everyone can come down to the Market and grab a nice bite to eat, then head to the Shed for some entertainment and to try some local beer.”