45 - Erica O'Gorman & Andrew Bullied

This week’s guests are Calgary Top 40 Under 40 Recipients and Annex Ale Project owners Erica O’Gorman & Andrew Bullied. We discuss how this power couple’s complimentary skillsets and values have led to their success in Calgary’s craft beer scene and contributed to the growth of the now famous barley belt.

Andrew and Erica’s history together goes all the way back to university in Nova Scotia. Both transplants from Calgary they would spend a short time back in their hometown after university before Andrew would attend Canada’s first brewing school at Niagra College and Erica would head to Vancouver to attend culinary school.

After completing 3 of the 4 years in Niagra College’s brewing program Andrew would become Canada’s first brewing school drop-out, packing his life into his car and heading back to Calgary to work with Village Brewing in what would later end up being the same neighbourhood inn which Annex would open up years later. Following culinary school Erica would spend a short time working as a nanny prior to the River Cafe and then Village Ice Cream to assist with recipe development and business management.

In 2015 when Alberta’s laws around minimum production craft breweries changed the two would recognize the same opportunity that has led to more than 100 breweries in the province. 18 months later they would be pouring their first pints at what was then only the third brewery in the barley belt, with what was the city’s largest taproom. Just a few short years later they’ve expanded their operations into craft sodas, their taproom is now one of the smallest in Calgary, and they’ve got new neighbours in the barley belt all the time.

As they look forward to this next decade Annex will be focusing heavily on sustainability, already proudly powering their business with Bullfrog power, and looking at opportunities to reduce their brewery’s carbon footprint with innovative new technologies.

Let’s Meet For A Beer!

Alberta Beer Festivals: website | twitter | instagram

Annex Ale Project: website | twitter | instagram | annex ale playlist