Last Best Brewing’s IPA #3: Tokyo Drift is a 2019 favourite

Usually, a craft brewery’s signature beer is a core offering. And Last Best Brewing & Distillery does make one of Calgary’s better every-day IPAs—one of its two beers you’ll find in six-pack cans at local liquor stores.

But you’ll have to visit its taproom (or frequent a beer hall like National) to sample one of my favourite beers of 2019, Last Best’s IPA #3: Tokyo Drift, weighing in at a flavourful, potent 7.2% alcohol content. My server explains it’s a bit finicky to make and reliably put in cans. But I’m happy to make the journey for a poured pint. Just hope it stays on tap for a good while.

Location On the edge of downtown in the Beltline district

Ambience Large, somewhat sterile space and patio, though I was there during a mid-day lull

A large, pub-like taproom

Food A full menu, ranging from root vegetable fries ($5 during happy hour) to oven-fired pizzas and Korean fried chicken sandwiches

A full food menu including these root-vegetable fries

Favourite beer IPA #3: Tokyo Drift

Factoid Last Best’s owners have three other, older craft breweries: Jasper Brewing Company (opened 2005), Banff Avenue Brewing (2010) and Wood Buffalo Brewing (2013)

Last Best Brewing
607 11 Avenue SW, Calgary
Opens daily at 11:30 am, except Sunday (10 am)