puree to their “Hatfield Blonde Ale,” which is named after Charles Hatfield, the man that was hired by the Medicine Hat United Agricultural Association to be a “rain-making” wizard back in 1912. He built a 20-foot tower by a lake just 20 miles northeast of Medicine Hat, and he poured secret ingredients, like a witch’s brew, into the tower. People waited anxiously, to see if distant clouds would be drawn into the area, and three days later the rain began to fall. The farmers were no longer apprehensive of Hatfield’s skills, he definitely was a rainmaker. So, in honour of the man that showed this prairie town that sometimes you must have faith that something will turn out better than you could have dreamt. “Our intention to ‘Timeless Craft Beer’ is two-fold. Creating a craft beer flavour profile that will stand the test of time, much the same as history stands the test of time. To us, ‘timeless craft beer’ means great beer that you will still drink and enjoy years from now, and great history, that you never tire of hearing. The two truly go hand in hand for us here at Medicine Hat Brewery,” said Warren. Inaddition to theirmainbeers theMedicine Hat Brewery offers a Brewmaster Series, whicharetheirmoreclassic,older styletype beers such as hefeweizen, munich dunkel, or brown ale. Their newest Brewmaster series beer, which was just released on October 25th, is called “Woolfrey Milk Stout” and was named after one of the first Dairy Farms in Southeastern Alberta. They also offer a Patio Series, which is pretty self- explanatory as these beers are designed for the patio. Nice light, easy drinking and mostly fruit-forward beers. Medicine Hat gets really hot during the summer months, so these beers are the perfect thirst quencher on a hot day. This last summer they made a Creamsicle Ale and it was very popular so be on the lookout for that again to be available for the May Long Weekend, to kick off the summer. Then they have a Collab Series which is new
they just started doing collaborations this year with other breweries. “They are a lot of fun! It is great being able to work with other brewers and breweries,” says Kaiden. This past year they brewed the “Albertan” IPL with Origin Brewing and Malting out of Strathmore, AB. They also collaborated on a hopped-kettle sour with Rebellion Brewing, Regina, SK. Spoiler Alert, they have one exciting collaboration coming out this December, a collaboration with Oregon Fruit Products. Using cranberries from Bussman’s farm located just south of Oregon Fruit Products in Oregon, to create a “Holiday Cranberry Sour.” As of right now Medicine Hat Brewing Company products are available in Alberta and Saskatchewan and they are just starting to get into Manitoba with plans to expand into both the BC and Ontario markets. Plus, they have been researching opportunities overseas, as Canadian craft beer is becoming more popular in some Asian countries, making the possibilities endless for growth of both the business and the industry as more markets open up. However, back at home Medicine Hat Brewing offers visitors to their tap room more than just timeless craft beer. The detail of the restaurant and tap room design stay true to the brand, with an industrial-ish look that promotes the history of the area. Like the red brick walls (you’ll see lots of it there thanks to the I-XL brick plant that has been around since 1886). The tin ceiling with ornate detail and the rich woods invite you to sit back and relax with one of their timeless craft beers accompanied by an elevated cuisine in this casual environment. The menu at Medicine Hat Brewing Company is always changing to feature seasonal ingredients, and everything they offer is made in-house – from the buns, pasta, mayo and sauces, to the crackers we serve along side local meats on our Charcuterie Board, it is all made at the brewery fresh for you to enjoy.
“When we opened the brewery, we knew food would be an integral component of the community experience. With that in mind, we sourced ingredients grown and produced right around the Medicine Hat area. From fresh seasonal produce to meats fed with spent grain from the brewing process - we hope when you visit our Tap Room at Medicine Hat Brewing, you enjoy a taste of all the great things that Medicine Hat has to offer,” said Kaiden. Medicine Hat Brewing also believes in giving back to the community that they serve and proudly sponsors, partners and donates to a vast variety of organizations through-out the province. “Our team strongly respects the privilege to be a business in the community and allocate budget dollars to be able to help where possible,” said Warren. During 2019 alone, they proudly participated in 30 plus beer festivals and 30 Plus Golf Tournaments, plus they support and sponsor many local and provincial organizations and events. If you are in or around Medicine Hat for this coming December 7th stop by the brewery and taproom and join them in their 3-year anniversary celebrations. They will be releasing two newbeers – a Belgium Triple (Brewmaster Mitch’s 500th brew) and Holiday Cranberry Sour (the collaboration brew with Oregon Fruit Products mention earlier in the article), as well as having live music and other activities. If you can not make it for the anniversary then make sure the next time that you are in Medicine Hat to stop in for a pint and tell them that Spotlight on Business sent you, they will be happy to serve you.
credentials and crossover appeal as the industry continues to grow. Kaiden continues to say, “Our beer appeals to the ‘blue collar guys and gals’ who work hard and have a deep pride for Medicine Hat.” Medicine Hat Brewery currently has six main beers made up of ales, lagers, an IPA and a stout that can be purchased all year round. They say “timeless craft beer” because it isquitesimply that. Theyuse local stories and history from the 1912 era when the brewery first opened its doors and use them in their beer names. Such as their “Industrial Ave IPA,” when the first brewery opened its doors it was on Industrial Ave. The “Sin Bin Red Ale” is named after an old famous hotel and bar that’s been around since theearly1900’sandstill around today. Their most popular beer is the “Burnside Blood Orange Ale” named after A.P Burns who was a noted businessman, contractor builder and rancher in post 1900 Medicine Hat. “Boomtown Lager” name comes from the early 1900’s, when Medicine Hat was referred to as “Boomtown” because of the large industries that were created near the banks of the South Saskatchewan. The “Gentlemen’s Stout” was inspired by those early businessmen that enjoyed a few cool ones back in those days along with a pipe and scotch as well in one of the gentlemen’s clubs back in the 1900’s like the Cypress Club, which supplied a relaxed atmosphere for the lonely and for the not-so-lonely. Which leads us to their Patio Series “Tart Cherry Ale” which uses a generous addition of real red tart cherry
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DECEMBER 2019 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2019
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