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Alberta

Community & Sustainability with Alberta Original Alley Kat Brewing

Published

4 years ago

5 minute read

Alberta is home to more than 100 unique craft breweries, the majority of which are located in the city of Calgary and the provincial capital, Edmonton. The number of breweries has grown exponentially since 2013, when Alberta experienced a craft beer boom following legislative changes by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) that made owning and operating a microbrewery far more accessible. 

Founded in 1995, well before the boom, Alley Kat Brewing is an Alberta original. Having celebrated its 25th birthday in 2020, Alley Kat is the oldest microbrewery in Edmonton and the 4th oldest in all of Alberta.
Located on 60th Ave in NW Edmonton, this brewery was originally launched by local Edmontonians Neil and Lavonne Herbst. In February 2020 the brewery was purchased by Cam French and Zane Christensen, two childhood friends from St. Albert, Alberta. 

Accountants by trade, Cam and Zane had been looking for opportunities to transition into the craft brew industry, and found Alley Kat to be a good fit. According to original founder Neil Herbst, who has remained involved with the day-to-day at Alley Kat, keeping the brewery local

Photo Credit – St. Albert Today

was a key part of the decision. “At a time when we are seeing some craft breweries being absorbed by large multinationals, keeping Alley Kat in independent hands was extremely important to us,” said Neil in 2020. “This sale ensures Alley Kay continues to remain locally owned and operated” (Alley Kat Blog, February 2020). 

Since taking over the brewery, Cam and Zane have continued to focus on the foundations laid by the Herbst’s, including furthering sustainable, environmentally friendly practices wherever possible and keeping close ties with the community. In an effort to minimize their footprint as much as possible, Alley Kat looks for ways to recycle, repurpose and reduce waste throughout all stages of brewing and distribution. “From a social consciousness perspective, we know how important it is to do our part,” says Cam, “Alley Kat will always look out for the good of our customers and our environment.”
Alley Kat’s environmental practices include repurposing their spent grain, the product leftover once flavor and sugar has been extracted from their mash, by donating it to Edmonton’s Four Whistle Farm to be used as livestock feed. The brewery is also powered by Bullfrog Energy, which allows them to offset their electricity use with green energy, reducing their overall carbon footprint. Furthermore, everything that can be recycled is recycled throughout the process, and the owners continue to stress the importance of recycling the iconic Alley Kat can once it is empty. 

Alley Kat Brewery has and continues to be a dedicated member of the community in Edmonton and across Alberta. Most recently, the brewery announced a partnership with the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in support of local teams, including the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Olds Grizzlys, Whitecourt Wolverines, Drayton Valley Thunder and the Bonnyville Pontiacs. $1 from each 6-pack of Alley Kat Blonde Ale will go towards helping cover travel, meal and equipment expenses for the young athletes.
“I played hockey for Drayton Valley growing up,” says Cam, “so this is a great way to give back and help these players have the same experiences I did.” 

After an exciting – if not somewhat trying – first year at Alley Kat Brewing, Cam and Zane are excited for the remainder of 2021. Fans of Alley Kat and Canmore’s Grizzly Paw Brewing can look forward to a collaboration beer, coming soon in honor of 25 years for both breweries.
A new Alley Kat “Summer Fling” mixed pack, featuring 3 new beers will be coming out soon as well, just in time for patio season, and their annual summer seasonal beer will be released on April 1st!


For more information on Alley Kat Brewing, visit https://www.alleykatbeer.com

For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary.

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Alberta

Premier Danielle Smith In Washington for Trump Inauguration Promoting a New Era of Partnership with the U.S.

Published on January 19, 2025

By

Premier Smith at dinner with Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott.  Facebook  

Premier Danielle Smith will travel to Washington, D.C. to solidify Alberta as the answer to North American energy, food and data security during the week of President-elect Trump’s inauguration.

While in the U.S. capital from Jan. 18 to 23, Premier Smith will meet with key decision makers, governors, members of Congress and private sector leaders. Alberta’s on-the-ground presence will help build relationships and start critical conversations that will lay the groundwork for collaboration with the new U.S. administration and reap benefits for Albertans, Canadians and Americans.

Premier Smith will champion Alberta as the largest exporter of oil and gas to the U.S. and highlight the unprecedented opportunity that lies ahead for Alberta to work collaboratively with the new administration to develop secure supply chains and strengthen energy security for the U.S. and Canada. Alberta’s approximately USD $100 billion in energy exports to the U.S. are upgraded into USD $300 billion in value-added products by American workers at refineries in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and other states, and then sold by American companies all over the world.

“Given the serious threats of tariffs, it is imperative that we do everything we can to engage directly with the incoming administration, members of Congress and key officials to emphasize Alberta’s critical role in North American energy security and economic prosperity. In all my meetings and events in Washington, D.C. I will work to ensure Alberta is recognized as a partner of choice for establishing North American energy security, to reinforce our century-long friendship and to further solidify our trade relationship that greatly benefits both Americans and Canadians.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

This visit will build on the Premier’s previous discussions with the President-elect, key members of his cabinet and other elected officials. With the ongoing threat of tariffs on all Canadian products, including those from Alberta’s leading industries, meeting with officials face-to-face is crucial. This work is a continuation of the efforts that were discussed by all Premiers to do all they could to build bridges with the U.S.

Conversations will also focus on highlighting the deep economic ties that underpin our economies and how they contribute to creating jobs and prosperity on both sides of the border in industries like energy, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and technology.

Premier Smith will travel with five staff members. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Quick facts

  • The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner and Alberta is the second-largest provincial exporter to the U.S.
  • In 2023, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled USD $115.58 billion, accounting for about 90 per cent of total provincial exports in 2023.
    • Energy products accounted for about USD $94.4 billion, or 82 per cent, of the province’s exports to the U.S.
    • Other important export sectors included plastics, forestry, meat and machinery.
  • Alberta’s government has also launched the Alberta is the Answer campaign, a targeted advertisement campaign focused on reaching key decision makers in the U.S. and amplifying Alberta’s message on the energy partnership it has with the U.S. and how this partnership can grow.

Itinerary for Premier Smith*

Jan. 18
  • Travel to Washington, D.C.
  • Engage with key U.S. decision makers at an event hosted by Florida.
Jan. 19
  • Meet with energy sector leaders.
  • Engage with key U.S. decision makers at an event hosted by the Texas State Society.
Jan. 20
  • Attend the presidential inauguration on Capitol Hill.
  • Participate in the Inauguration Day event at the Canadian Embassy.
  • Engage with key U.S. decision makers and government officials at a Republican Governors’ Association event and evening reception.
Jan. 21
  • Meetings with U.S. governors and industry leaders.
  • Participate in a round table discussion with thought leaders.
Jan. 22
  • Meetings with key U.S. decision makers and elected officials.
  • Participate in a networking event focused on solutions for responsible energy development.
Jan. 23
  • Travel to Alberta.

Why Alberta?

Alberta is one of the most reliable and secure energy partners for the U.S.

Alberta and the U.S. share the same values – and a border. Alberta is the friendly, freedom-loving democracy right next door.

Alberta has the fourth largest oil reserves on earth, and significant natural gas resources. Alberta already accounts for 56% of all oil imports to the U.S. – twice as much as Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined – which is helping to drive job creation and prosperity on both sides of the border. The U.S. must import crude oil in order to refine it and produce light oil, which they export around the world, and Alberta believes that we are a far better trading partner than Iran, Iraq, or Venezuela.

Alberta is also the largest producer of natural gas in Canada and remains positioned to support the U.S. in filling their domestic supply gaps, currently accounting for nearly 60% of U.S. total annual natural gas imports. The reliability and security of those imports cannot be understated.

Furthermore, Alberta has a stronger environmental record, stronger democratic institutions and stronger human rights standards than other energy producers.

This is a win-win relationship. Alberta’s approximately U.S. $100 billion in energy exports to the U.S. is upgraded into U.S. $300 billion in value-added products by American workers at refineries in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and other states, and then sold by American companies all over the world.

More than 450,000 kilometres of pipelines already link Canada and the U.S. – enough to circle the Earth 11 times. The province also has ambitions to double its oil production by 2050, and increase its pipeline capacity significantly. Enabling Alberta to export even more crude oil to the U.S. This will help the U.S. achieve global energy dominance and increase energy affordability for Americans.

Alberta is a global leader in responsible oil and gas production

Alberta is the top foreign supplier of energy products to the United States. Alberta has been a global leader in responsible energy production for decades, leveraging cutting-edge technologies that allow the province to continue increasing production while protecting our air, water, and land for generations to come.

Alberta is unapologetic in its goal to increase oil and gas production to meet the world’s basic needs and maintain the quality of life we all enjoy in North America. The province is doing so responsibly and will continue to lead the way with new technologies that support this ambition.

Reliable Alberta energy will fuel the technologies of the future

As the world becomes increasingly electrified, the need for reliable energy is growing and Alberta has the resources to meet that demand.

The province is home to world-class energy industry leaders with the expertise developers are looking for to find innovative solutions to meet their energy needs. Coupled with Alberta’s competitive power market structure, natural incentives for cost-savings and a government committed to reducing red tape, Alberta is a premier destination for AI data centres.

Alberta’s AI data centre strategy arose from a pressing need for AI data centres in North America – a need that is in fact global. With the rapid growth of AI and machine learning, global demand for data centre capacity is expected to triple by 2031.

Alberta is a trusted and safe partner of the U.S. that has the capacity and resources to support these data centres and ensure that U.S. companies remain on the forefront of AI technology and that the U.S. maintains its technology dominance.

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Alberta

Jasper rebuilding delayed as province waits for federal and local government approvals

Published on January 18, 2025

By

From Jason Nixon, MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre and Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services on X

Alberta’s government immediately took action to support those who lost their homes in the Jasper wildfire. We were on track to deliver 250 homes, but Alberta cannot do this without land. It’s been radio silence from Ottawa since Premier Danielle Smith sent a letter to the Prime Minister nearly a month ago. Read my full statement

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