THE WAKKER WEEKLY

Issue #1507 – Posted on: 16-Dec-2019

BUSHWAKKER NEWS

NEWS FROM THE BREWERY! Head brewer, Michael Gaetz, reports our seasonally available BLACKBERRY MEAD, PONCE DE LEON BLACKBERRY/ RASPBERRY FRUIT ALE, HARVEST LAGER, UNRELIABLE NARRATOR IRISH WHISKEY & HEMP BROWN ALE and PICKARD’S OATMEAL CREAM STOUT are currently on tap. There are also batches of ARCTIC DARK MUNICH DUNKEL, KAI’S MUNICH HELLES, SASKADIAN BLACK IPA and “MISSILE”TOW CHRISTMAS ALE working their way through the brewery.

Our December Premium White Wine feature is Smoking Loon Pinot Grigio from California. The Premium Red Wine feature is Circus Malbec from Argentina. Both are $8.50 for a glass and $22.95 for a half litre.

Our GUEST TAP is currently pouring the HOP CASSEROLE 4 from Regina’s Malty National Brewing. Next up is Regina’s Pile O’ Bones COLD BREW AMERICANO STOUT. This will be followed by a LONDON FOG PORTER from High Key Brewing and then a DILL & SALT KETTLE SOUR.

Bushwakker Mead Day 2019 was a huge success! Thanks to Global News Regina and everyone who came down to help us in our official kickoff to the holiday season.
Congratulations to Parker Willfong for submitting the winning entry in our “Name The Bushwakker Blackberry Mead Bee Contest.” 177 entries were made. Henceforth, our Mead Bee shall be known as STRATH-BEE!

THE BUSHWAKKER GOODNESS IS SPREADING!  ALL SIX REGINA SLGA stores are now offering a varied selection of Bushwakker beers in 650ml bottles. The Quance Street SLGA store is also offering growler fills of our number one selling DUNGARVON IRISH RED ALE. Regina’s Urban Cellars east location and Metro Liquor also offer a selection of our bottled beers.

Bushwakker Gift Ideas for the Craft Beer Enthusiast on Your List.
Perhaps one of our brand new Bushwakker “Craft Beer Pioneer” T-shirts! Bushwakker Growler Gift Boxes include your choice of a glass or insulated black stainless steel Bushwakker Joe Fafard growler, two pint glasses and a gift certificate redeemable for a growler fill. Our Christmas Variety Six-Pack includes some of our seasonal and specialty offerings including bottles of Blackberry Mead and “Missile”tow Christmas Ale (available December 14th), our ornate fancy Hop Handle Growler Christmas Package with 2 Glasses and a Growler Fill is also back by popular demand…and you can’t go wrong with a Bushwakker gift card!

BUSHWAKKER EVENTS

Dec. 14: “MISSILE”TOW CHRISTMAS ALE RELEASE. Avid fans of our “other” Christmas specialty brew look forward to this day every year. Rich malt flavours with plenty of depth and complexity abound. The perfect ale to sip on whilst curled up with a good book in front of a fireplace on a cold Saskatchewan winter night. See you at 11:00 AM sharp!

Dec. 15: HOLIDAY MARKET 2nd EDITION. This event made its debut last year and was a big hit!  Due to overwhelming customer interest, it is back once again! Presented by both former and current Bushwakker staff. It is no secret that our staff are very talented people. Enjoy their creative holiday wares in this special craft sale held in the Bushwakker Arizona Room. 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Dec. 16: Monday Night Jazz & Blues: THE MINISTRY OF GROOVE. Powerful 1970’s jazz funk and more including a performance of their original tune, Blackberry Mead! 8:00 PM.

Dec. 18: Wednesday Night Folk – Special Christmas Edition. THE DICKENS YULETIDE SINGERS. A one hour Christmas concert featuring some holiday favourites delivered by talented folks in Victorian dress. 8:00 PM.

Dec. 23: Monday Night Jazz & Blues. HENDRICKSEN N’ SON. Broadway show tunes and jazz standards from this popular father and son act. 8:00 PM.

Dec. 24: CHRISTMAS EVE. Open from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Be sure to pick up your Bushwakker Holiday Six-Pack.

Dec. 25: CLOSED. Merry Christmas!

Dec. 30: Monday Night Jazz & Blues. CALL ME MILDY. Powerful blues/rock, slide & harmonica peppered with reggae-laden melodies. 8:00 PM.

Dec. 31: Nothing For New Year’s Eve 14. Regina’s biggest non-event of the year returns! Over a decade ago we offered you a simple formulated event and you loved it. No noise makers, no escalated drink prices, no cover charge, no midnight champagne, no dancing, no line-ups, no hassle, no problem! Come spend a relaxing evening at the good ‘ol Bushwakker as we welcome 2020. Perhaps try Chef Mike’s special prime rib and jumbo Yorkshire pudding New Year’s Eve dinner. What a meal to finish off the year! Hurry and make your dinner reservation today!

Taste and tradition unites Saskatchewan mead lovers

BY Connor O’Donovan / Global News
December 7, 2019

It’s common for people to camp outside the brewpub to be the first to taste Bushwakker’s Blackberry Mead.

For many in Regina, the holidays don’t officially begin until Bushwakker Brewpub releases their blackberry mead. And for some, they’ll do anything to get it.

Last year, mead enthusiasts braved the Saskatchewan winter by camping outside the pub for 21 hours before getting a taste.

It’s common for people to camp outside with ice-fishing huts and propane heaters. This year, patrons set up tents, blasted rap music and caught up with friends they haven’t seen since being in line last December.

Dozens were lined up outside of Bushwakker Brewpub on Saturday to get a first taste of this year’s blackberry mead.

“It’s tradition,” said Dustin Bereti, who was the second person in line. He arrived at 6 a.m. on Saturday with several friends.

John Szala, who was the first in line, said he lines up for the mead’s unique taste.

Bushwakker Blackberry  Mead  has become a Saskatchewan phenomenon. Their off-sale inventory bottles sell out quick. This year only 6,000 bottles will be available.

The limited release has led to the overnight brewpub camp-out tradition, with people anxious to get their hands on a bottle.

Bushwakker’s started making the mead in the early 1990s. Over 400 pounds of specially selected Lumsden Valley honey is used in every batch, along with 80 pounds of blackberries. It takes a year to brew.

“It’s a different taste,” Bereti said. “It’s something that everybody else in the city tries to do, but nothing beats what Bushwakker’s can do. I just love the way it tastes.”

TIME OUT

Santa comes down a chimney one Christmas Eve and to his surprise finds a gorgeous brunette waiting for him, wearing the sexiest lingerie imaginable.
“Santa,” she purrs, “Can you stay for a while?”
Santa says, “Ho, ho ho! I’ve gotta go! Have to deliver toys to children, you know!”
She comes close, starts playing with his beard, whispers in his ear, “Santa, don’t you have a gift you would like to give me?” Santa says, “Ho, ho, ho! I’ve gotta go! Have to spread Christmas cheer, you know!”