Both YP ladies and gentlemen are embracing beer this year with craft and imports hitting the mainstream. What’s more satisfying than enjoying a cold one with friends on a patio on a hot afternoon? Many places in Calgary have stepped up and are providing great selections – the following are our choices of places in Calgary with the best beer menus:
Craft Beer Market
A common stomping ground for many of the city’s corporate YPs, Craft Beer Market (345 10th Avenue SW) has one of the largest draft beer selections in the city – they have over 100 beers on tap. The space is large and airy with tons of seating, and their large oval bar in the centre of the room where each of the 100+ draft beers are on display really takes the stage.
Considering they import beer from all over the world, we suggest stepping out of your comfort zone and going for something you haven’t tried before.
National
This contemporary North American beer hall recently opened its doors on 17 Avenue (550 17 Ave SW). Focused on craft beers, micro-brews and small-batch brewing, they have 72 beers on tap, including Village Brewery (Calgary’s newest brewery) Blonde and Blacksmith. The room is bright, open and, in typical beer hall fashion, has long communal tables where you can sit and make friends with your neighbours as you sip your pint. They also feature a great outdoor patio that is bound to be jammed with YPs throughout the summer months. Open seven days a week from 11:00am to close, National is ideal for lunch, after-work drinks or a full evening of fun.
Beer Revolution
Located in the city’s Beltine (1080 8 st SW), they’re unique in that they have 24 taps that change on a regular basis, as in several times per day. In fact it changes so frequently that they utilize real-time, dynamic, digital boards that convey the current list and applicable information related to each beer. They’re beer selection is anything but mainstream, and with an ever-changing menu it’s guaranteed that you can always try something new.
Be sure to check out their website to see what is on tap daily.
Bottlescrew Bill’s
As one of the longest standing pubs in the city to have a great selection, Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub (140, 10 Ave SW) has been bringing a unique selection of beer to Calgarians for over 30 years. They may possibly have one of the best beer selections in the city, if not Western Canada. Spread over three distinct rooms, they pride themselves on their extensive beer selection with over 275 kinds of beer from more than 35 different countries.
Photo courtesy Bottlescrew Bill’s