CALGARY – The Calgary Airport Authority today celebrated the opening of LB Taphouse, the first new restaurant to open at YYC Calgary International Airport (YYC) since the pandemic brought the travel industry to a halt in 2020.
LB Taphouse features Last Best Brewing & Distilling’s locally brewed beers, gins, and the Albeerta merchandise that is popular among fans of the brewpub. The menu features local ingredients from prairie grain to beef from Alberta cattle farms. “The opening of LB Taphouse at YYC brings an iconic local hospitality brand with a great reputation to a broad audience of travellers,” said Rob Palmer, Vice President Commercial & Strategy at The Calgary Airport Authority. “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 opened its doors 6.5 years ago and has grown into a mainstay in Calgary’s craft beer and culinary community,” added Ray Burton, General Manager at Last Best Brewing & Distilling. “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.”
Last Best’s Head Chef, Alex Durant, developed the menu for LB Taphouse which includes the brewpub favourite Korean chicken sandwich, unique hot dogs, and a variety of sweet and savoury breakfasts. Phil Brian, Last Best’s Chief Operating Officer who oversees all brewing operations, crafted the bespoke beverage menu for LB Taphouse that features an array of craft beer including its best-selling IPA, and a specialty cocktail program using its award-winning gins.
HMSHost will operate LB Taphouse and was a key contributor to bringing the concept to life at YYC. HMSHost is an industry leader and premier restaurateur in airports in North America and helped create this fresh, engaging space for guests to experience the benefits of a popular local destination within the airport.
“HMSHost is thrilled to bring the best of Calgary craft beer and spirits to YYC with the opening of LB Taphouse,” said Amy Dunne, Vice President of Business Development at HMSHost. “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.”
As guests return to air travel, elevating the experience remains at the heart of every decision. The majority of retailers have re-opened and new businesses like LB Taphouse are making YYC home. For comparison, during the peak of COVID in 2020, only 11 per cent of retailers at YYC remained open.
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. It will be open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.
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ABOUT THE CALGARY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta and is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Springbank Airport (YBW). The Authority’s commitment to safety remains a top priority and our #FlyHealthyYYC program has received the Airport Health Accreditation by Airports Council International. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. The Authority was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2021.
ABOUT LB TAPHOUSE
LB Taphouse is proud to showcase a range of local Last Best Brewing & Distilling products and share them with guests at YYC Calgary International Airport. Last Best prides itself on delivering innovative craft products, from beer to gin to Alberta-inspired cuisine. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, mouth-watering lunches and dinners, and an array of award-winning craft beer and gin. (Don’t worry, we’ve got something for the kids too.) Grab a fill of your favourite LB brew at Canada’s only airport growler bar, pick up a 6-pack, or bring a piece of ‘Albeerta’ along for your travels with a selection of merchandise.
ABOUT HMSHOST
Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates locations all over North America, and is part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. Visit HMSHost.com for more information.
Media Relations
Lori DeLuca
General Manager, Stakeholder Relations
The Calgary Airport Authority
media@yyc.com
403 389-2060
