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Craft brewers eye Bragg Creek for restaurant

Bragg Creek could become a fixture on Alberta’s growing craft beer scene as backers of a planned brew pub in the hamlet are set to bring their vision to life.
Kirk Bodnar, left, and Baruch Laskin raise a glass to their plans to build a craft brewery and restaurant in Bragg Creek along with fellow business partner Adam McLane (not
Kirk Bodnar, left, and Baruch Laskin raise a glass to their plans to build a craft brewery and restaurant in Bragg Creek along with fellow business partner Adam McLane (not pictured).

Bragg Creek could become a fixture on Alberta’s growing craft beer scene as backers of a planned brew pub in the hamlet are set to bring their vision to life.

With land secured next to the Elbow River near the hamlet’s commercial core, business partners Baruch Laskin, Adam McLane and Kirk Bodnar hope to be serving up pints, pizza, fresh roasted coffee and more at the Bragg Creek Brewing Company in 18 months.

Bodnar said they envision a destination brewery restaurant.

“We’re setting ourselves up to be a place that is outside of the city as essentially a destination,” said Bodnar, who is also a certified beer judge and cicerone, the equivalent of a wine sommelier for beer.

They have purchased a site at the corner of Balsam Avenue and River Drive, backing onto the Elbow River.

Laskin lives in Redwood Meadows and said Bragg Creek, with its natural setting on the doorstep to Kananaskis and its unique business and restaurant scene, is a great place to do business.

The hamlet was a popular restaurant destination, he said, but three restaurants were forced to close after the 2013 flood, which devastated much of the community.

Laskin said the brewery fits in with plans to rebuild and revitalize the hamlet after the flood. He said a map of proposed ideas and concepts for Bragg Creek included a brew pub located just on the other side of the road, across from their location.

“What better place to have a brew pub, especially if it’s in line with their vision,” said Laskin. “I think it’s great and we can be a catalyst for getting people to stop in Bragg Creek, while still maintain the great culture of Bragg Creek.”

There is currently a house on the property.

The trio plans to redevelop the property to build a brewery and restaurant. Their plans include a forno pizza oven as well as a coffee roaster and a café.

Laskin said they also envision a space outside behind the building where people can relax and enjoy being outdoors.

“We’re creating a space for people to come and have an experience,” he said. “In our vision, there may be a roof top patio and outdoor space or outdoor fire pits and places for people to gather and have great conversation, an authentic conversation.”

Laskin said they also want to be a net zero brewery for both energy and water.

Plans for the brewery are in the early stages.

Laskin said they will need to get the land rezoned from residential and obtain a development permit from Rockyview County. He hopes to start brewing on site in the new year, though he said they won’t yet be able to sell anything at the location at that point.

Once they have the necessary permits from the County and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, Laskin said they hope to turn the existing home into a tap house.

“Eighteen months from now if everything goes smoothly working with the county, the community and building wise you can stop in here for an actual beer,” he said.

Laskin said it’s important to him to work with his neighbours and get to know them throughout this process.

Once open, they will serve up artisanal, handcrafted beers.

“Not solely the standard blonde ale, brown ale and stout, though not to say we won’t have those,” said Bodnar. “My real interest is getting into something a little more artisanal, a little more interesting.”

They are currently working with a brewery in Calgary to test brew a few varieties for their facility.

They plan to sell up to 90 per cent of the beer they make on site in the restaurant and in growlers. He said they hope the rest will be available at local restaurants and on tap at select bars in Calgary.

The Bragg Creek Brewing Company is part of a growing craft brewery scene in Alberta, and in communities around Calgary, including Okotoks, Turner Valley and Cochrane.

Bodnar said Alberta has a great potential as a centre of craft brewing and this could open the door to potential beer and beverage tours, similar to winery tours in the Okanagan.

“I think that’s part of this vision of being part of this rural ring of communities around Calgary that are doing this thing,” he said.

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