New beer district brewing on Edmonton's south side
A new, walkable district dubbed Happy Beer Street is brewing along 99 Street on Edmonton's south side.
Seven craft breweries in the area of 99 Street south of Whyte Avenue have joined forces to create a new beer and a brewery district. The breweries behind the initiative include Alley Kat, Bent Stick, Blind Enthusiasm, Longroof, Omen, Sea Change and The Monolith, whose taproom is slated to open in the district this fall.
The area is surrounded by several breweries within close proximity as well as restaurants and coffee shops and is uniquely positioned to be a destination in the city, Blind Enthusiasm Brewing owner Greg Zeschuk said. The brewing companies decided to collaborate and celebrate the number of breweries and restaurants that have popped up in what was mainly an industrial area, he said.
“It's the perfect storm of city zoning and regulation clashing positively with the desire for people to enjoy unique beer and hospitality experiences.
Each brewery in the area has a taproom that reflects its individual character. Customers can come to Happy Beer Street knowing that they can sample multiple breweries in a small area and find a place that resonates with them,” Zeschuk said in a Thursday morning news release.
“We're just getting started and are well on our way of making this one of the top brewery districts in Canada.”
The group of breweries has named the area of 99 Street from 81 and 60 avenues Happy Beer Street and are proposing this new name be officially recognized by the City of Edmonton. This change would have to go through the city's naming committee.
To celebrate the new hub, the seven breweries collaborated on a new beer named after the district which is launching Friday. The new beer, a dry hopped sour, will be available at the participating breweries.