Despite being an already highly saturated market, Calgary’s craft brewing community continues to grow. Finding a way to stand out from the rest often requires doing something new and unique, and while Annex Soda isn’t exactly new to the scene, they are currently working on a unique concept that has the potential to be a huge hit.
In 2016, while waiting for its brewery license to come through, Annex began brewing natural, craft sodas. After featuring zero-proof crafted creations like the root beer racinette and ginger beer at its Calgary tap house, it quickly became obvious that they would be a mainstay with their diverse catalogue of offerings.
Almost three years later, the craft brewery is getting set to change the game again. This August, with the help of partner Empire Provisions, Annex will unveil Calgary’s first adult soda shop.
“We’re keen to bring soda into the limelight. Our soda isn’t the stuff you guiltily buy to consume in secret. This is good stuff, produced locally and made with whole ingredients you can pronounce,” says Erica O’Gorman, co-owner of Annex Ale Project and Annex Soda Mfg.
Guests of the soda shop will be treated to a myriad of seasonal boozy, alcohol-free sodas, handmade snacks and deli fare from the always-delicious Empire Provisions in a comfortable, modern setting designed by Fort Architecture.
"Empire Provisions puts the same care, ingenuity and attention to detail into their food that we put into our beer and soda. We think Empire's dedication to handcrafted sausages and burgers will be a fun pairing with our boozy soda," says Andrew Bullied, owner of Annex Soda Mfg and Annex Ale Project.
