SAVOUR Manitoba

Manitoba Taprooms cont. 22 SAVOUR MANITOBA | SPRING 24 Once upon a time — before the summer of 2021, that is — there wasn't a brewery in Brandon. at changed in August 2021 when Black Wheat Brewing came to town. "ere wasn't a brewery here, so my partners wanted to start one," says Ted Birch, one of the co-owners of Black Wheat. "It will be four years this August. It's been quite the journey." Having weathered the pandemic, Birch and his partners at Black Wheat are now doing what they set out to do. "Our passion is to produce good, delicious beer for people who love craft beer," he says. "Right now, we have five beers on offer, as well as seasonal beers." at lovingly crafted beer can be experienced two ways: by acquiring it through a beer vendor or Liquor Marts in Winnipeg or rural Manitoba or at Black Wheat's taproom at 402-10th St. in Brandon. "It holds 75 people," Birch notes. "ey can come and try our beers, including new inventions, in a comfortable, cozy atmosphere." What people will find, he adds, is craft beers bursting with personality. "Our craft beer isn't mass produced. It's produced in small batches with subtle variations in taste, and every beer has a unique personality. at's a big attraction to our customers. ey can try something different, new, exciting and that isn't available anywhere else. And being poured in a taproom, it's different than getting it out of a can — it's fresh." B R A N D O N BLACK WHEAT BREWING BLACK WHEAT EMPIRE ALE A hop-forward ale with a clean fermentation profile, crisp finish, clean and supporting light malt notes allow a range of tropical aromas and flavours from hops to shine through. ALC 6.8% PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRAVEL MANITOBA

• Cover