Olds College Barley Trail Lager

Reviewed on July 24, 2020

On the label of this Olds College Barley Trail Lager can is a QR code that reveals its complete story from field to glass! This is a fully traceable and transparent beer. The entire process of growing the barley, malting it at Red Shed, to brewing and packaging at Olds College Brewery was tracked and recorded by Blockchain technology. All you need is the camera on your smart phone. Aim it on the QR code and a weblink will appear. Click on the link to see the journey of the beer. It started with the planting of the CDC Copeland barley seed at the Olds College Smart Farm in May 2019 and ends with brewing and packaging at the Olds College on campus brewery in June 2020.

It took 13 months from start to finish. It's everything I look for in a good lager - light and crisp with a nice dry finish. All the ingredients are 100% Canadian, even the Sasquatch Hops which is grown in Abbotsford, B.C.

Olds College Barley Trail Lager beer reviewed by Laurie MacKay, Soulvines, Sommelier and Drinks Columnist on CBC Radio Local Drinks (The Homestretch)
Matt Hamill of Red Shed Malting with a can of Barley Trail local lager interviewed by Laurie MacKay on CBC Radio Local Drinks

Where is it?

Old’s College Brewery has a retail store that is open Tuesday to Saturdays. It is located in the town of Olds, about an 1 hour drive north of Calgary. It is easy to find as it is on the corner of highway 27 and highway 2A. The brewery is located in the same building as the Pomery Hotel so you can follow the signs.