Collaboration is at the heart of Calgary beer. We see it in the partnerships across breweries that craft new beers together and in the way brewers lean on one another.
“The collaboration amongst all breweries is spectacular,” says Jason Hoeve, the brewer at Inglewood’s Burn Block Social Club. “There’s a very strong culture of respect for each other.”
For Hoeve, this means caring for and respecting fellow brewers, whether through a friendly chat with helpful advice or lending neighbouring breweries ingredients during busy times.
Hoeve brings this same level of care to his own work. Inside Burn Block’s tiny but mighty basement brewery space, he hones his craft, serving Calgarians incrementally better beer with each pint — even if they’re already of award-winning quality.
“I’m never going to stop the pursuit of making my beer better every time, and that’s probably the most rewarding part of my work,” he says.
Quality classics
Hoeve describes himself as a brewer with quality as his main priority. He sets aside any other bells or whistles and lets the beer speak for itself.
“It is actually challenging to make a beer taste as it ought to. So I always focus on the classic styles,” he explains.
Beyond a rotating tap selection, Burn Block visitors can find five core beers at the brewery, including an easy-drinking German lager and its flagship IPA with juicy pineapple, mango, and lemon zest aromas. Hoeve also strikes a balance between classic and more familiar styles and unconventional flavours and spices, always ensuring the beers are enjoyable. For curious beer drinkers, Burn Block’s core beers also include a Lavender Haze sour and Blueberry Basil Ale.
A growing brand
With Hoeve’s high level of detail and dedication to creating his standout beer, Burn Block and its beers have gained recognition. The brewery’s God Speed Stout became one of the beers served on tap at the G7 conference last June after a Kananaskis resort staff member wandered in for a pint, loved it and quickly inquired about getting the stout in bulk for the summit.
The social club’s beers are decorated in awards: Homestead Helles Lager and Lavender Haze Sour won the Judge’s Selection Award at the 2025 Alberta Beverage Awards, and the Blueberry Basil Ale and God Speed Stout took home medals at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards. The IPA won silver in Canada’s Beer Cup.
Beyond good beer
Burn Block’s customer base has been growing, likely due to its welcoming, fun atmosphere. The taproom has been intentional about making it an environment for everyone, with a space designed to encourage mingling, games to share and various events for different interests.
Burn Block has taken on an emerging role in the 2SLGBQIA+ community, hosting drag shows and ensuring the space is always inclusive. Plus, it’s a family-friendly space.
“The experience of having good craft-brewed beer goes beyond the beer itself,” says Hoeve. “Beer is better with friends. That is why the whole space is so focused on social connection — it fosters those relationships with friends, family and strangers, and that is the last ingredient to making an exceptional beer.”
To learn more about Burn Block’s welcoming space and delicious beer, visit burnblocksocial.com
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.