as their first tap room manager. TheBandedPeakbrandwasgrownorganically in the taproom, allowing customers the opportunity to experience the ‘’creativity and fun that comes out in the beer.” A significant portion of revenue in their first year of business was income generated from the taproom, and it was that initial success that floated their business until the distribution network could catch up.
welcoming and are happy to provide samples – they are eager for customers, whether they are new to the taproom or regulars, to try their beers and enjoy their products. Being in the taproom is an experience in itself. There are no televisions as conversation is encouraged. It’s a space where you can sit down and catch up with friends, party, plan trips, or pick up a climbing book to plan a future adventure. There are also direct sight lines into the production process. Berard says that it is in this space that “regulars have become friends.”
of its kind in Canada and celebratesearlysnowand the start to an epic winter season on the slopes. Berard and his partners are “over the moon” for this opportunity and are well aware that these events are “paramount to growth and attracting new customers.” As the company celebrates its success, it is also committed to giving back to the community. Last August, Banded Peak participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters All Stars for Kids campaign. In collaboration with Natasha Peiskar, head brewer at Last Best Brewing and Distilling, a Big Brother and a Big Sister beer were created and one dollar per litre produced was donated back to the campaign. Banded Peak also supports many other community endeavors. The craft beer industry in Calgary is a strong and growing community. Brewers are finding synergies and
He is still excited when “someone’s eyebrows raise, and they look pleasantly surprised enjoying a new creation or a beer they thought they wouldn’t enjoy.” Not only is the taproom an experience in its own rite, but it is also located in Calgary’s popular Barley Belt district –anexpanding brick and mortar neighbourhood that is hometotenbreweries, two distilleries and a cidery. Banded Peak was one of the first
Banded Peak has enjoyed considerable growth over the past few years and now boasts five core beers and four seasonal beers, as well as collaborative and small batch varieties. They utilize a 10 hectolitre system, which produces 1,000 litres per batch and began with four 20 hectolitre tanks and one 20 litre brite. They have been pushing hard and recently added two more 20 hectolitre tanks and two 36 hectolitre tanks along with a couple brite tanks. They are producing 3,000 hectolitres of craft beer a year and Berard is happy to say that the company has plans for future expansion. If you are in Calgary and have a chance to visit their taproom, you will find an impressive 40-foot long bar with 14 taps. Staff are
breweries to occupy space in the district that has now become a destination, popular with locals and tourists alike. There is no better time to visit the Barley Belt than at the end of August when the Barley Belt hosts the party of the summer with the Barley Belt Tap Tour. Beer enthusiasts get the opportunity to listen to bands, ride the beer “Making some beer on the cheap, into the most expensive hobby of all time.”
bus and experience the best beers the west coast has to offer. Berard assures that “this is the one of the best days of the summer.” This is an exciting time for Banded Peak, as the company has been chosen as the official beer sponsor for the Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup to be held from November 29 – December 8, 2019. This event is the only one
collaborations that are creatingabuzz. Berard says that creating beer is “art as much as science, you have to be creative.” Consumers are always on the lookout for new trends and flavours. When Berard, McLean and Horner first entered the market, they were blown away by the support and encouragement of other brewers from Village Brewery, Tool Shed Brewing Company and the Dandy Brewing
“Crafted for Adventure: Adventurous Beers for Adventurous People.”
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DECEMBER 2019 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2019
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