EDMONTON — It’s not a brew that will be available at every liquor store, but word is spreading quickly about an Edmonton-produced craft beer being made in memory of a fallen police officer.
Two Sergeant’s Brewing Co. says the launch of Patrolman's English-Style Bitter in honour of Const. Daniel Woodall has been so successful, staff have had to work extra hard to keep up with demand.
Woodall, 35, was fatally shot on June 8 after he and other officers responded to a hate crimes-related call in the city’s west end.
More than a week later, he was laid to rest in a regimental funeral and after that, a few of his friends went to the nearby Craft Beer Market and hoisted a pint in his memory — a tradition from his home country of England.
That moment got local beer makers thinking about a way to honour him, and it was decided a beer seemed like a perfect tribute.
Two Sergeant's Brewing, run by a pair of former military men, jumped at the chance to pay tribute to the fallen officer.
Usually, it can take up to a year to get the recipe for a new beer right, but this particular recipe came together in six weeks with input from Woodall’s widow, Claire, on what the man himself would have liked in a beer.
“That meant a lot to me and that's why we worked so hard on it," said Kevin Moore, a 23-year military veteran and brewmaster with Two Sergeants Brewing.
Three months after Woodall’s death, the dark ale was launched.
“You certainly hold onto those moments that give you comfort, and for me that was what I didn’t know I needed,” Dave Ainsworth, a close friend of Woodall, said about the beer. “In that time, I could look up and give him a little nod and say: `You know what? You’ve got your own beer, mate.' ”
The product has become very popular at Craft Beer Market, the only location where it is currently available from the tap.
“We’ve been moving at least a keg a week,” said market spokesman Matt Salucop.
Patrolman’s ESB was also only supposed to be available for another month, but its popularity has led the brewery to make it a permanent product.
“It’s such a popular brew, we’ve made it one of our staple beers now,” Moore said.
The beer is also available at select liquor stores by the bottle, and a number of Edmonton restaurants plan to offer the beer permanently.
Ten per cent of the profits from Patrolman’s ESB goes to the Woodall family.
