25 years of beer on the wall: A behind-the-scenes look at Big Rock, from barley to brew.
A variety of Big Rock beers, ales and lagers. In addition to its regular standbys, Big Rock makes seasonal beers such as Winter Spice and has in the past made specific beers for fundraising, such as Canvasback, which raised money for Ducks Unlimited
Beer. It has become as synonymous with Canadian culture as hockey, Tim Hortons and cold weather.
An abundance of brands can be found in liquor-store fridges and in restaurants and pubs throughout the country, but all brews are not created equal. Of the many breweries in Canada, Calgary-owned and operated Big Rock stands out. Big Rock has major national clout and produces and sells an impressive volume of beer each year.
Visionary and entrepreneur Ed McNally started Big Rock in 1985. McNally was a local lawyer who saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the beer market by providing fresh, craft beer (beer brewed in small quantities) to Canadians. With the exception of seasonal beers, Big Rock beers adhere to the Bavarian Purity Law, which dictates only water, malt, yeast and hops can be used to make beer, and all of its beers are non-pasteurized.
Handcrafted by master brewers at its south-east Calgary brewing facility, Big Rock beer is a delicious source of pride for many Calgarians, and with unique brand names like Grasshopper and Jackrabbit, the company is decidedly Albertan.
Along with its 13 styles of beer and seasonal beers, Big Rock also has an interesting approach to advertising. The company hosts the Big Rock Eddies in various cities across Canada every year. Started in 1994, the Eddies are a promotional contest that lets Big Rock drinkers and fans design creative ads for the beer. A mock Oscars-style celebration is held at the end of the competition, making the Eddies event a huge hit every year.
Avenue Party Crasher: The 2009 Big Rock Eddies
Avenue Party Crasher: The 2008 Big Rock Eddies
Ticket sales also go to support local arts groups and help raise money for charitable causes in many Canadian cities.
This year, Big Rock will celebrate a quarter of a century in business.
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