T he Banff Craft Beer Festival is widely considered the World’s Most Beautiful Beer Festival and is an annual event held at the Birthplace of Canada’s National Parks, the Cave & Basin. The Cave and Basin have been a special place for Indigenous Peoples for over ten thousand years as human habitation in this area can be traced back to 10,700 years BC with the retreat of the last great glaciation. In 1883, three railway workers, Frank McCabe and brothers Tom and William McCardell, happened upon the thermal springs, sparking a series of events that led to the creation of the first national park in Canada. Today, the site is a gathering place for sharing stories about conservation and the connection between people and the land. Banff, Alberta is known for its pristine wilderness, glacier-fresh waters, and as one of the most beautiful towns in
the world. This festival is more than just great spirits, food, and beer, it’s a chance to dive into the past while tasting what is happening now in Alberta’s craft brewing and distilling industries. Most importantly, it allows craft beer and spirit enthusiasts to experience a mountain adventure at its best! This year’s event was broken up into 4 distinct areas of this historic landmark allowing festivalgoers the opportunity to sample amazing craft beers and spirits from 50 vendors from across Alberta while they share stories and talk shops with local brewmasters, distillers, and cideries like the Fox Hills Cidery from the heart of Strathcona County, Alberta. This quaint, family- owned and operated cidery prides itself on producing craft, non-carbonated small batch hard apple ciders using only the finest top-end ingredients. Each batch is carefully handcrafted, ensuring a premium and authentic
taste. By meticulously selecting top- quality fruits and following traditional production methods, what is left is a deliciously light and crisp craft cider that was a crowd-pleaser at this year’s event. Others crowed please from this year’s event were Banded Peak Brewing and their ever-expanding collection of beers that challenge the traditional styles brewed in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. Their Core, multiple seasonal beers, and dozens of one-off beers are crafted for adventure and adventurous people who embrace all that life throws at you. Central Alberta, in Canada’s west, is known for agriculture and oil. But more and more, it’s becoming known for its amazing craft beer. Leading the charge is Blindman Brewing, a craft brewery located in Lacombe, just a hop-and-a-skip north of Red Deer. This
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