Despite the global pandemic, Saskatoon has seen an increase in demand for craft beer. There have been some delays in new brewery openings but owners are confident in the growing trend for the province:

“It’s been at the forefront of my mind for three years,” said Better Brothers Brewing Company co-owner Jeff Rushton. Jeff and his twin brother and co-owner Nathan, are excited to finally be opening their doors in early September.

“I feel that B.C.’s craft industry has been going pretty strong for the last 10 to 15 years,” said Rushton. “Then Alberta’s industry over the last five or six years, it’s just blown up from seven or eight craft breweries to now over 150. “That is slowly working its way east. So, it has just hit Saskatchewan basically this last couple of years, and I think we’re right at the forefront. I think in the next two years, you’ll see another 10 or 15 breweries come to Saskatchewan.”

According to The Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Authority, there are about 35 microbreweries, 16 micro-distilleries and 10 cottage wineries in the province.

In 2016, John Styles opened Outlaw Trails Spirits Distillery in Regina and has seen much growth and appreciation for the industry. He believes that the interest comes from people wanting to experiment with different tastes and experiences.

“That really is what drives it, it’s the individual’s experience, wherever it is that they’ve tried this new and interesting product,” said Styles. “It’s funny because a lot of industries kind of get scared of having competition, but it seems like with the craft industry the more the better, just because it is at the forefront of everybody’s mind.”