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Lacombe’s Blindman Brewing cleans up at Alberta Beer Awards

Owner says it is really special to take home Community Builder of the Year
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Pictured here in a Black Press file photo is Blindman Brewing owner Hans Does. Blindman recently won several awards at the Alberta Beer Awards. (BLACK PRESS file photo)

Lacombe’s Blindman Brewing cleaned up at the Alberta Small Brewer’s Association’s 2020 Alberta Beer Awards.

Owner Hans Doef said it was fantastic be recognized for Community Builder of the Year‬, Gold for their 24-2 Brett Stock Ale ‬ (which also received silver for Best in Show) and bronze for Triphammer Robust Porter‬.

Doef said the Community award was a particularly important honour to his team.

It is even more amplified now with how we are doing our business,” he said. “We are in the midst of two initiatives during COVID-19.

“We are trying to support a lot of other businesses with this Lacombe Local Food Box that went gangbusters. We also in the process of having hand sanitizer, which we are just getting our feet under us with.”

Doef said it has always been Blindman’s posture to support the community and having award-winning beers is also something they take great pride in.

“The Triphammer is one we were super stoked it was acknowledged,” he said. “We all love that beer and that was cool it could medal. The gold for the 24-2 Brett Stock Ale was a really awesome award for a lot of people.”

Doef said all the grain for the 24-2 was grown and harvested without combustion engines by 24-2 Draft Horses, whom co-owner Shane Groendahl has a solid relationship with.

Currently, Blindman’s taphouse is closed but they were able to keep on all their staff while also maintaining the proper COVID-19 precautions.

“That is a big one for us,” he said. “We split our employees into two different teams. We were able to hire back out taproom staff, so we have full staff again. We have shifts of three days on, three days off for each team.

“After our three days, we do a full sanitation of the brewery.”

Doef said the awards are a pat on the back for his team.

“It feels good. It is really good exposure for us and it is great for our staff and families to see this success,” he said.

He added, “I hope everybody is able to hunker down and come out the other end of this with more energy.”



todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com

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