CANADA. Global travel restaurateur HMSHost has unveiled the LB Taphouse, the first new food & beverage venture to open at Calgary International Airport since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the travel industry to a halt last year.
The venue features Calgary company Last Best Brewing & Distilling’s locally brewed beers, gins, and the ‘Albeerta’ merchandise that is associated with the brewpub. The options from the menu include a variety of local ingredients from prairie grain to beef from Alberta cattle farms.
Last Best’s Head Chef, Alex Durant, developed the menu for LB Taphouse which includes the brewpub favourite Korean chicken sandwich, hot dogs, and a variety of sweet and savoury breakfasts.
Phil Brian, Last Best’s Chief Operating Officer who oversees all brewing operations, created a bespoke beverage menu for LB Taphouse. It features an array of craft beers including Last Best’s best-selling IPA, and a range of specialty cocktails made using the company’s award-winning gins.
Located in Concourse C, LB Taphouse is part of an upgraded space that includes a new Starbucks, a giant screen for passenger updates and advertisements, and an extensive network of infrastructure updates to improve the guest experience.
Calgary Airport Authority Vice President Commercial & Strategy Rob Palmer said: “The opening of LB Taphouse at YYC brings an iconic local hospitality brand with a great reputation to a broad audience of travellers.
“It showcases Alberta’s rich craft brewing and distilling culture and entrepreneurialism and allows the airport to deliver on its promise to create memorable culinary experiences that reflect Calgary’s legendary hospitality.”
Last Best Brewing & Distilling General Manager Ray Burton said: “Last Best Brewing & Distilling opened its doors six and a half years ago and has grown into a mainstay in Calgary’s craft beer and culinary community.
“We created one of Calgary’s first craft IPAs, and we’re so proud that LB Taphouse will showcase it and our other award-winning products with airport travellers from around the world.”
HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Amy Dunne said: “HMSHost is thrilled to bring the best of Calgary craft beer and spirits to YYC with the opening of LB Taphouse.
“We’re thankful to the Calgary Airport Authority and Last Best Brewing & Distilling for partnering with us as we enhance the Concourse C passenger experience.”
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