Spotlight on Business recently sat down with Matthew Berard, one of the co-owners of Banded Peak Brewing, to learn more about how he and a couple of childhood buddies, Colin McLean and Alex Horner, had been having fun brewing at home for a few years. After sharing their creations with friends and getting the thumbs up on their skills starting a craft brewery and entering into the Alberta market just seemed like a natural progression for this beer trio.
Proudly crafted for adventure in Calgary, Banded Peak is a craft brewery born from three long-time friends’ shared love of the mountains, adventure and beer, combined with their shared entrepreneurial spirit.
All born and raised in Calgary, Matthew Berard, Colin McLean and Alex Horner turned “making some beer on the cheap, into the most expensive hobby of all time” and subsequently, their full-time careers. Each brought varied skills and educational backgrounds together to build a company that was “a labour of love” and the three men literally “dug the trenches” to build the successful brand they have created.
Banded Peak is named after a mountain that is visible from Calgary with a sheer rock face that doesn’t collect snow. It literally has a band around it. The brands’ tagline, “Crafted for Adventure: Adventurous Beers for Adventurous People” personifies the owners’ lives growing up with the Rockies in their backyard. Backcountry skiing, snowboarding, hiking and climbing are all favourite activities for these outdoor enthusiasts. Even the names of the beers are inspired by west coast adventure, and include monikers such as Summit Seeker, Mount Crushmore, Plainsbreaker and Chinook Saison.
Berard shares that despite its current success, startup for the company was not without challenges. Prior to December 2013, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission had a minimum production capacity requirement set at 5,000 hectolitres per year, required brewers to raise a significant amount of capital and sign a long-term lease for a mid-level brewery before obtaining a license. The three founders had a list of investors and a well-developed business plan, however the three were thrilled when Alberta’s minimum production legislation was removed as they were able to access the market quickly and without any outside investors. They could have decided to take the easier or softer route by entering the market using a contract brewer, but the friends knew they wanted to “dive in headfirst.”
In December 2015, construction began on their taproom. General contractor, Paul Hutt of Hutt Construction, helped them build their vision and doors opened at the end of May 2016. Berard speaks with passion about what it meant to open the taproom, saying, “It is our blood, sweat, tears and souls in this place.” Berard, McLean and Horner ran every aspect of the business themselves until October of the same year, when they hired Erin Schultz as their first tap room manager.
The Banded Peak brand was grown organically in the taproom, allowing customers the opportunity to experience the ‘’creativity and fun that comes out in the beer.” A significant portion of revenue in their first year of business was income generated from the taproom, and it was that initial success that floated their business until the distribution network could catch up.
Banded Peak has enjoyed considerable growth over the past few years and now boasts five core beers and four seasonal beers, as well as collaborative and small batch varieties. They utilize a 10 hectolitre system, which produces 1,000 litres per batch and began with four 20 hectolitre tanks and one 20 litre brite. They have been pushing hard and recently added two more 20 hectolitre tanks and two 36 hectolitre tanks along with a couple brite tanks. They are producing 3,000 hectolitres of craft beer a year and Berard is happy to say that the company has plans for future expansion.
If you are in Calgary and have a chance to visit their taproom, you will find an impressive 40-foot long bar with 14 taps. Staff are welcoming and are happy to provide samples – they are eager for customers, whether they are new to the taproom or regulars, to try their beers and enjoy their products. Being in the taproom is an experience in itself. There are no televisions as conversation is encouraged. It’s a space where you can sit down and catch up with friends, party, plan trips, or pick up a climbing book to plan a future adventure. There are also direct sight lines into the production process. Berard says that it is in this space that “regulars have become friends.” He is still excited when “someone’s eyebrows raise, and they look pleasantly surprised enjoying a new creation or a beer they thought they wouldn’t enjoy.”
Not only is the taproom an experience in its own rite, but it is also located in Calgary’s popular Barley Belt district – an expanding brick and mortar neighbourhood that is home to ten breweries, two distilleries and a cidery. Banded Peak was one of the first breweries to occupy space in the district that has now become a destination, popular with locals and tourists alike.
There is no better time to visit the Barley Belt than at the end of August when the Barley Belt hosts the party of the summer with the Barley Belt Tap Tour. Beer enthusiasts get the opportunity to listen to bands, ride the beer bus and experience the best beers the west coast has to offer. Berard assures that “this is the one of the best days of the summer.”
This is an exciting time for Banded Peak, as the company has been chosen as the official beer sponsor for the Lake Louise Audi FIS Ski World Cup to be held from November 29 – December 8, 2019. This event is the only one of its kind in Canada and celebrates early snow and the start to an epic winter season on the slopes. Berard and his partners are “over the moon” for this opportunity and are well aware that these events are “paramount to growth and attracting new customers.”
As the company celebrates its success, it is also committed to giving back to the community. Last August, Banded Peak participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters All Stars for Kids campaign. In collaboration with Natasha Peiskar, head brewer at Last Best Brewing and Distilling, a Big Brother and a Big Sister beer were created and one dollar per litre produced was donated back to the campaign. Banded Peak also supports many other community endeavors.
The craft beer industry in Calgary is a strong and growing community. Brewers are finding synergies and collaborations that are creating a buzz. Berard says that creating beer is “art as much as science, you have to be creative.” Consumers are always on the lookout for new trends and flavours. When Berard, McLean and Horner first entered the market, they were blown away by the support and encouragement of other brewers from Village Brewery, Tool Shed Brewing Company and the Dandy Brewing Company. It is a tight knit group of people who share a passion for doing what they love. Not only do the brewers share ideas, but often will also share equipment and other resources as well.
Berard, McLean and Horner are thrilled to be doing what they love and look forward to continuing to develop new beers. From the vision of three Calgary adventurists to the palates of beer connoisseurs across Canada, this is a true entrepreneurial success story. If you are a so-called “beer nerd,” as Berard self-identifies, Banded Peak is an adventure that awaits.
For more information about Banded Peak Brewery visit https://bandedpeakbrewing.com/ or check out the brewery located at 519 34 Ave SE #119 in Calgary, Alberta.
by Christi Rideout