ak [Kat History]

Alley Kat Brewing: The Beginnings

We all have the Alberta government to thank for creation of the Alley Kat Brewing Company. Co-Founder Neil Herbst had been working for the government when budgetting left his department on the cutting blocks and was offered a handy buyout. Both himself and Alley Kat fans can be greatful that it happened as it allowed for Neil to further indulge himself in the art of homebrewing!

Alley Kat: Edmonton Roots

After moving to Edmonton and befriending members of the local homebrewers guild, Neil decided that it was time to try to sell his "more then just homebrew" commericially. So after one too many drinks the name Alley Kat came to be. Alley Kat was chosen as Neil and his business partner wanted something a little different but with plenty of character. Thus, the Alley Kat Brewing Company was incorporated in 1994 and the following year the first Alley Kat Brews, an Alley Kat Wheat and Alley Kat Amber, were unleashed upon the public in the original "kool kat" six packs.

Alley Kat: Present Times

After nearly a decade since the first release Alley Kat is still getting stronger and is one of the most successful microbreweries in Alberta to date. Along the way Alley Kat has seen many traditions come and go such as the "kool kats" playing the sax or lounging around at the club images produced on the original boxes. The boxes are now more traditional and on the apparent classy side of things. Neil's wife Lavonne also become an Alley Kat herself after buying out Neil's original partner's half of the brewery. Even with the changes Alley Kat has maintained the drive to produce true to style craft brews while expanding the line-up with exciting beverages such as the Raspberry Mead and Alberta's first fruit beer the Aprikat.

Alley Kat: The Long Road to the Sunset

The ultimate goal for Alley Kat, as with any microbrewery, is to stave off elimination from the market while not compromising the quality of the brews by bringing in products to emulate the no taste-success formula driven by low cost brand leaders. For now and in the long run, Alley Kat will continue to brew excellence and brew as many styles as possible offering the public a taste of how strange and wonderful each beer style can be.

pint