CRAFT Beer Market, the Canadian beer-food chain known for having one of the country's biggest draught selections, is marking 15 years in business with a month-long throwback celebration. The brand opened its first location in Calgary back in 2011 and now runs spots across the country — and it's dusting off some retired menu favourites to mark the occasion.
Four classics are back for a limited run from October 14 to November 11, available at every Canadian CRAFT location. The lineup is a mix of comfort-food nostalgia: Fast Food Sushi (a cheeseburger wrapped in bacon, served with house pickles and barbecue sauce), hand-rolled pulled chicken Taquitos with Monterey Jack, fresh chilis, black beans and roasted corn, Butternut Squash Ravioli in a peri-peri alfredo with pumpkin seeds and carrot chips, and the Gin Squeeze cocktail, which pairs Empress gin with lemon, simple syrup and grapefruit Radler. Regulars may also score a surprise throwback gift along the way, though supplies and surprises are first-come, first-served.
The big moment lands on Friday, November 6 at 5 p.m., when the original flagship at 345 10 Ave. S.W. in Calgary hosts a free 15th anniversary party. Entry is capacity-limited, so arriving early is the difference between a beer in hand and a spot in line. The night will end with a preview of what comes next: CRAFT's new menu launches on November 12, headlined by a Short Rib Smash Burger and Southern Lemon Pie.
Why should a traveller care? If you're passing through Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto or any other city with a CRAFT, mid-autumn is an unusually fun window to visit — the throwback menu runs long enough to plan around, and there's a genuine party atmosphere at the flagship for anyone in Alberta in early November. Reservations are open now on CRAFT's website, and given that the old favourites vanish after November 11, booking ahead is the smart move rather than rolling the dice on a walk-in table during an anniversary season.
