In this episode of Why This Beer?, Azlan and Darren sit down with Donovan Fast, brewmaster at Eighty Eight Brewing in Calgary. Donovan traces his path from small-town Manitoba to the heart of Alberta’s craft beer scene, sharing how early brewing experiences and time spent in Germany helped shape his approach to making balanced, expressive beer.

The conversation dives into the evolution of Eighty Eight Brewing’s lineup, including Hammer Pants, and how the brewery balances creativity with the consistency needed to build trusted core brands. Donovan discusses recipe development, the role of drinkability in modern beer design, and how brewer feedback—both internal and from customers—helps refine the final product.

Donovan also pulls back the curtain on Eighty Eight Brewing’s in-house lab program, explaining how rigorous quality control, stability testing, and clearly defined SOPs help ensure clean, shelf-stable beer. The discussion touches on hop utilization strategies, release planning, and how thoughtful scheduling keeps a brewery’s portfolio fresh while maintaining production discipline.

Along the way, the group explores collaboration in the brewing community, advice for brewers entering the industry, and why curiosity remains one of the most valuable tools a brewer can have. Outside the brewery, Donovan shares his love of cooking and spending time outdoors—interests that continue to influence his creativity behind the brewhouse.

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