Wild Rose Brewery
Calgary, Alberta, Canada · Est. 1996
Tally's Take
Why this matters
A Calgary institution from 1996, acquired by Sleeman — and so Sapporo — in 2019. Another Alberta independent that is not one anymore.
The founding thesisFounded, in the brewery's own words, to free Albertans from the tyranny of boring beer — sold out of block parties and adventure-sport events, and eventually out of a decommissioned air force hangar.
The Museum
Timeline
- 1996Founded
Wild Rose Brewery begins brewing in Calgary, Alberta.
- 2019Acquired
Acquired by Sleeman (Sapporo) in 2019.
The People
Behind the beer
Started the brewery with Alan Yule in his own basement in 1996 — the first new brewery in Alberta in over a decade.
Co-founded Wild Rose in 1996.
The Beer Library
Beers
Velvet Fog
Year-RoundWheat Ale
Hazy, golden unfiltered ale with a fresh tangy character
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Wraspberry Ale
Year-RoundFruit Ale
Crisp, easy-drinking ale with a tart twist of natural raspberries
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Horns in the Haze
Year-RoundNew England IPA
Stone fruit and tropical aroma with a robust bitter finish
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Industrial Park Ale
Year-RoundIPA
Copper-coloured ale, rich caramel malt and well-balanced hops
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Electric Avenue
Year-RoundBlonde Ale
Crisp profile delivering light, flavourful satisfaction
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Barracks Brown
Year-RoundBrown Ale
Rich notes of espresso and chocolate with a crisp finish
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Sun Scout
Year-RoundIndia Session Ale
Hazy, bursting with tropical aroma and juicy flavour
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Sunday Fuzz
SeasonalPeach Hefeweizen
Bright, smooth wheat beer brewed with real peach and apricot
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Ponderosa Gose
SeasonalTropical Gose
Refreshing tropical gose with a wild citrus taste
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Travel Guide
Plan a visit
- Converted air force hangar
- Taproom
- Event space
- Keg orders
- Merch
In the Currie district on the former CFB Calgary lands — the hangar is the reason to come, and the reason the room sounds the way it does.
Follow the money
How it changed hands
1 recorded move- 1996Founded
Founded, in the brewery's own words, to free Albertans from the tyranny of boring beer — sold out of block parties and adventure-sport events, and eventually out of a decommissioned air force hangar.
- 2019Acquired
Acquired by Sleeman (Sapporo) in 2019.
Today the chain tops out at Sapporo Holdings.
Show your working
Sources
- controlConfirmed
Wild Rose Brewery is controlled by Public company.
Sapporo Holdings Fact Book · Sapporo Holdings · 2025-06
BreweryHigh reliabilityAccessed 2026-08-05Reviewed 2026-08-05 - peopleConfirmed
Founded in 1996 by Mike Tymchuk and Alan Yule. Replaces an enrichment-pass entry naming "Mike McAteer & Alan Cross", which was incorrect.
Wild Rose Brewery — About · Wild Rose Brewery · 2026
BreweryHigh reliabilityAccessed 2026-08-19Reviewed 2026-08-19
Only the claims above are sourced. Everything else on this page is the archive's own research and has not yet been tied to a document — which is worth knowing rather than hiding.
Straight answers
Common questions about Wild Rose Brewery
- Who owns Wild Rose Brewery?
- Wild Rose Brewery is owned by Sapporo Holdings. Wild Rose Brewery is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Is Wild Rose Brewery still independent?
- No. Wild Rose Brewery is owned by Sapporo Holdings and is no longer independent.
- When was Wild Rose Brewery acquired?
- 2019. Acquired by Sleeman (Sapporo) in 2019.
- When was Wild Rose Brewery founded?
- Wild Rose Brewery was founded in 1996 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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