In an unprecedented show of camaraderie, four Alberta craft breweries have joined forces to create a seasonal beer celebrating one of Canada’s most beloved flavours: maple. The limited-edition maple ale, released this week, blends locally sourced barley and hops with pure maple syrup from a family-run sugar bush in Ontario. The result, brewers say, is a smooth, slightly sweet ale that balances rich malt flavours with a crisp finish.
The collaboration began last winter during a craft beer festival in Calgary, where head brewers from Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, and Lethbridge struck up a conversation about their shared love for maple. “It started as a joke,” laughed Evan Ross, head brewer at Prairie Gold Brewing in Edmonton. “We thought, why not make something that truly tastes like Canada — but with an Alberta twist?” That twist turned out to be a blend of prairie grains and the subtle smokiness from roasted malts.
Each participating brewery contributed its own expertise to the project. Edmonton’s Prairie Gold handled recipe development, while Calgary’s Foothill Brews provided their state-of-the-art fermentation tanks. Red Deer’s Riverbend Brewing managed distribution logistics, and Lethbridge’s Wild Prairie Ales took charge of branding and label design. The can features a stylized maple leaf superimposed on a silhouette of the Rocky Mountains, a nod to both the national ingredient and the Alberta landscape.
The ale’s debut was marked by simultaneous launch parties in all four cities, with live music, food trucks, and — in true Canadian fashion — a pancake breakfast. Attendees had the chance to sample the beer fresh from the keg while chatting with the brewers themselves. Early reviews from craft beer enthusiasts have been overwhelmingly positive, praising its balance of sweetness and drinkability.
Part of the proceeds from sales will go toward reforestation projects in Alberta’s boreal forest, reinforcing the brewers’ commitment to sustainability. “We wanted this to be about more than just a great beer,” said Ross. “It’s also about giving back to the environment that makes our industry possible.” The environmental angle has resonated strongly with customers, many of whom have posted about the beer on social media using the hashtag #MapleAleAB.
Local restaurants have also jumped on board, creating maple-infused dishes to pair with the beer. In Edmonton, chef Laura Martinez of The Copper Pot introduced a maple-glazed pork belly served alongside a pint of the ale, while Calgary’s Fork & Foam developed a dessert pairing of maple crème brûlée. These culinary tie-ins have helped broaden the beer’s appeal beyond the craft beer crowd.
Industry analysts note that collaborations like this can be a powerful marketing tool, particularly in a competitive market. “When breweries pool resources and audiences, they can make a much bigger splash than going it alone,” explained beer industry consultant James Porter. “It’s a win-win — the product gets exposure, and consumers get something unique.”
The limited-edition maple ale will be available until early October, after which the brewers will evaluate whether to bring it back next year. Given the overwhelmingly positive reception, fans are already campaigning for its return. “This is exactly what I want from a seasonal beer,” wrote one online reviewer. “It’s memorable, delicious, and feels like it could only come from here.”
For Alberta’s craft beer scene, the project has shown that collaboration can be as satisfying as competition — and just as rewarding in the glass.