Canada's Craft Brewery Map

Monday, September 16, 2024

Southbound Brewing is a cozy space with welcoming staff & friendly neighbourhood vibes. Located on 69 Ave (nice!) just west of 99st, this is the heart of Edmonton's brewery region nicknamed "Happy Beer Street." Choose between an IPA, a wheat ale, & a blonde as the brewery is quite new. Additional beer will be available as the business progresses. Sue, former operator of The Empress Ale House, is an absolute beauty. This space already has the feeling of a long term community pub. And the patio out back is adorable. This brewery means an extra stop between Omen Brewing & Longroof Brewing. Hell yea! Cheers!

Monday, October 28, 2024

Killer decor, hilarious staff, reliable experimentation with new brews the phoenix-risen Empress has the great Edmontonisn address at 69 and 99, and name me a bathroom with a better paint job in town.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

What a fantastic spot! The beer selection is outstanding, and the staff truly shine. They're not only attentive but also incredibly knowledgeable about their offerings. Customer service is top notch-when I left a tip, my server looked me in the eye and sincerely thanked me, explaining that while tips aren't expected, they're genuinely appreciated. The beer itself is excellent, with a diverse range that caters to every palate. Highly recommend!

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Popped in for my first visit recently as part of the Wyrd Bier event. Only picked up some cans so can't speak too much about the taproom experience, but it seemed cozy enough. The IPAs I picked up were pretty solid, but the same can't be said for the service I received. I spent a minute or so examining the beer cooler before grabbing my 4-pack, only to be scolded by the bartender for opening the cooler myself. Totally my fault for missing the handmade "Ask for Assistance" sign on the cooler, but I don't know why she couldn't have warned me BEFORE I opened the door, given she was well aware of my presence there. Almost seemed as though she was waiting for me to open the cooler door so she could let loose on someone. Bob Singh sounds about right in his review. You either "belong" here or you don't, and I guess I'm the latter. Oh well. Plenty of other fantastic breweries in the area.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Do first impressions count? Does experience of previous establishments run by same owners count? I had visited Empress Ale House enough to know that I should go in warily. Empress had a very loyal BUT small crowd of regulars. And I never really understood the wide variance in service behind the bar. So good, aaaaaaand, so bad; so cool. So warm and so cold. Today is my first visit to Southbound. Give a place a chance. But I am not interested in coming back. Naaaaaaa. I don't need to! Bent Stick & Ale Architects is good enough. And Architects is south facing; one of the few places on ' Beer Street' you can bathe in sunshine while sipping your brew. And an occasional visit to The Monolith is worth it for the that excellent taproom. Dress up for The Monolith's taproom: it's worth it!! Southbound's taproom is a high ceiling establishment, just south of a wholesale store, it's not south-facing, but it has a patio that WILL get some sun. I sat on some low couches near the entrance to the patio. The patio door is a garage-style roll-up/down door so on warm days the vibe might really shimmer, hop and pop!!!! Empress woz great sometimes but also not. I loved all the wood paneling and the antlers and its, sometimes, cave-like ambience. But it woz also ' do you belong????' And sometimes we don't!! So we find our own spots. Right? The service today was a miss. And it was too reminiscent of The Empress. I'll stick to my favorites. But, good luck Sue.