Community Awards
The Alberta beer awards are not just about the best breweries or the best glass of beer. Community Awards are about recognizing and acknowledging the changemakers, advocates, mentors, and partners that make Alberta Beer an amazing industry to work in. This is your chance!
Nominate Your Peers Today!
Barley Bob Award
Named in honor of its first recipient Bob Sutton (Barely Bob), this award is so exclusive it's not even awarded every year! The award is reserved for individuals or groups with that special distilled Barley Bob essence. Nominees should:
Be a champion of Alberta's small breweries
Be actively involved with Alberta's small breweries
Have risen so far above and beyond, the Community Awards do not fully acknowledge their contributions
If you know someone who brings an incredible energy, effort and passion to the industry, Nominate them today!
Previous winners: 2022 - Bob Sutton, 2025—Cilantro & Chive.
Jim Button Community Builder of the Year
In honor of the late Jim Button, of Village brewery in Calgary, this award is given to an individual or group within the craft brewing community who has made significant, tangible contributions to the industry.
If you know someone who has been a mentor, an innovator, or an advocate akin to the legacy of Jim Button, Nominate them today!
Previous winners: 2018 - Jim Button, Village Brewery, 2019 - Blindman Brewing, 2022 - Annex Ale Works, 2023 - Born Brewing; Blindman Brewing, 2024— Analog Brewing 2025—Beer revolution; Polyrhythm Brewing.
Community Builder of the Year - Partner
Our industry thrives thanks to the incredible partners who work alongside our brewers.
This award celebrates individuals, teams, businesses, programs or other industry related partners that made a massive impact this year.
If you have an industry partner who has gone above and beyond to support the Alberta beer community, nominate them today!
Previous Winners: 2018 - Bob Sutton, Rahr Malting; Stephen Bezan, Sherbrooke Liquor, 2019 - Red Shed Malting, 2022 - Red Shed Malting, 2023 - Red Shed Malting, 2024— Hop Forward Society; Red Shed Malting, 2025—Patrick Ryan and Jennifer Keizer (Gallagher Insurance).
Pub/Bar/Restaurant of the Year - Partner
Our local bars, pubs, and restaurants put in serious heavy lifting to showcase our brews.
The nominee should be a Pub, Bar or Restaurant partner who goes above and beyond to support Alberta small brewers and bring awareness to local beer.
If you know a spot with an amazing selection on tap and passionate informed staff, nominate them today!
Previous Winners: 2018 - Cilantro & Chive, 2019 - Cilantro & Chive, 2022 - Bo’s Bar and Stage, 2023 - Rain Dog Bar; Cilantro and Chive; Bo’s Bar and Stage, 2024— Bo’s Bar and Stage, Beer Revolution, the Gutter 2025—Slow Pour Beer Bar, The Winking Owl Pub & Kitchen, Concord Entertainment Group.
Retailer of the Year
The Retailer of the Year award celebrates the liquor stores and retail partners who actively promote our local brews to the public.
We are looking for nominees who demonstrate exceptional leadership and go the extra mile to support Alberta's small brewing community.
We want to acknowledge the retailers with informed staff who always shelve our beers at the front of the store, nominate them today!