Airdrie residents can look forward to another addition to the ever-growing local craft brewing scene. 

The Balzac Craft Brewing Company is set to open up shop in Airdrie around mid-July and with it comes Airdrie's newest Brewmaster. 

23- year-old Thecla Wiart graduated from Olds college as one of four females of the graduating class of roughly 30 students, spending two years of her life dedicated to her craft. 

Wiart says her passion for the craft industry started in British Columbia.

"A few years ago I was working in British Columbia at a winery and realized how much I loved the industry of meeting people and learning the science behind creating drinks. I left to Europe for a couple of months and realized the massive culture of craft beer overseas and it inspired me to come back to Alberta and go to college for brewing."

Wiart handles all of the brewing processes at the Balzac Craft Brewing Company and tries to create a variety of different craft beers for her future customers to enjoy. Wiart is one of the few female brewmasters in Alberta and says she is proud to be a young woman in a generally male-dominated industry. 

"It's funny when people walk in and see my boss and just assume he is the brewer and then realizes I do the brewing. I think most people picture Brewmasters as this middle-aged man with a massive beard so it makes me happy to see peoples reaction to me not being the stereotype."

Wiart says she is hoping to see more and more women get involved in the craft beer industry over the next few years. 

"There are a lot of women already in the industry and I think the female presence in the industry will continue to grow. There is so much science and artistry behind the beer and I think it is a good industry for all walks of life so I will not be surprised if we see more and more women getting involved, we just need to continue to break these barriers."

The Balzac Craft Brewing Company is in the process of stocking up for their grand opening in the middle of July and the process of brewing is already underway. 

"It can take anywhere from ten days, to three weeks, to six weeks. It all depends on the beer. A regular beer will take us around two weeks, whereas a lager may take around five weeks. Everything takes time and the same goes with beer, you can get a very clean beer if you give it the proper time it needs."

 

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