35 - Bill McKenzie

This week Bill McKenzie returns to This Pint Has 20 Ounces for a followup interview. On Bill’s last appearance he offered a CEO’s perspective on the brewery’s acquisition by Sleeman, and now having successfully facilitated it and gracefully bowed and out after handing over the proverbial keys to the brewery, he returns to reminisce and reflect on his favourite memories during his time at Wild Rose.

When Bill’s nearly 8 years at Wild Rose began it was 2012, just as Calgary’s craft beer boom was about to kick off. He had recently left another brewery and was considering starting up a brewery of his own when he was approached by the founding shareholders of Wild Rose and asked to take the wheel. They’d made a big impression on him, one big enough to put his own brewery plans on hold, and one of his first big projects would be the expansion of the brewery. Wild Rose had outgrown the brewing facilities in the back of the taproom and needed more room to keep up with demand. He would help the team navigate a number of challenges as at the time creating a facility like this in Alberta was uncharted territory, and in December of 2013 the new brewery affectionally known as WR4 completed the first of many brews to come.

Under his guidance the brewery would approach their operations brewing one beer at a time, not compromising the quality or the people EVER. Bill is enormously proud of the culture he helped to build at Wild Rose, which has made for an incredibly loyal team in an industry typically known for high turnover. Being a long-time member of the team himself, Nick joins Bill in reflecting on some of the fun they’ve had together as a team and on events such as the infamous Wild Rose Olympics, beer pong, tricycle races, hot dog and ice cream eating contests, the prestigious 5 year commemorate bobbleheads and the accompanying induction ceremony, as well as the legendary Wild Rose Stampede party.

Bill’s philosophy for his time at Wild Rose was simple: “Beer first, beer first, all the time."

After we reminisce with Bill we consult with Mama T about rules for society and what rules she might create if everyone had to follow them for the day. We also discuss how we’re in need of a new holiday, and what exactly that holiday should be.

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Have a question for Mama T? A story from the bottom of a beer can? Send it in and we’ll read it anonymously on-air! DM us on instagram @wildrosebrewery or email it to Nick - [email protected]

Wild Rose Brewery: taproom | website | instagram | twitter

Bill McKenzie: linkedin | twitter