“It started off looking like it would be a normal year, then it turned into chaos and uncertainty. Eventually it kind of settled into a pattern that we’re still trying to make sense of,” said Charlie Bredo, owner of The Troubled Monk. “But it’s been amazing to see the community support local as much as they have and kind of band together. That’s been one of the cool things about this experience.”

One element that was crafted to help them through the pandemic was the production of their Hand sanitizer. “During that period I was worried we’d have to lay off staff or have salary rollbacks. But fortunately hand sanitizer kept is so we were able to do a lot better than how things could’ve gone.”

Craft lagers were some of the brewery’s top items last year with the future looking towards The Troubled Monk’s whiskey program, which Bredo is hoping to have available later this year.

“We’re going to have our first three-year-old whiskey in June. Whether we launch it right away or not, I’m not sure. But that’s what I’m really excited about,” he said. That’s not the only product The Troubled Monk is looking to launch, “We’re also really excited about getting Troubled tea, gin soda and vodka soda out there. Those have been popular and I think there are a ton of people who haven’t tried it yet.”

Jarod Giesbrecht, one of the owners of Red Hart Brewing, said the past year was a “tough” experience.

The one thing Red Deer brewers had in common, was the support of their local customers.

“People went crazy for our peach beer, said Jarod Giesbrecht, co-owner of microbrewery, Red Hart Brewing. “It was the highest-rated beer in Canada on WhatsApp for a couple of days. People were so excited for it, so we’re going to be having that again for our anniversary here in March,” said Giesbrecht.