Craft breweries are popping up in cities across North America, but back in 2009, the idea of a locally brewed beer was a novel concept. One unsuccessful craft brewery closed in a century-old building on 104 Street owned by renowned Edmonton architect Gene Dub. He had the historic building, the equipment and a well-designed space for hosting events. All he needed was the right people to get it off the ground. Enter Ian McIntosh. “I don’t think people get into craft brewing for the money. You do it for the love of it,” says Ian, Yellowhead Brewing Company’s operations manager.
The building they are in was built in 1914, and features floor to roof windows showcasing the large fermentation tanks. The open concept space is now popular for corporate functions, weddings and special events. “It’s hard to start as a brewery and just be a brewery,” says Ian. “A lot of places brew beer and have a restaurant attached to help bring in revenue. For us, the events base did that and now both are thriving.” Thriving so much that, in the fall of 2016, Yellowhead Brewing Company expanded to include a tasting room. Now the brewery will be a six-days-a-week venture with delicious food and, of course, tasty pints.
