The Edmonton Brewing and Malting Company was a cornerstone of Alberta’s early brewing industry and played a pivotal role in Edmonton’s industrial and cultural development.
Founded in 1904 by William Henry Sheppard—then mayor of the City of Strathcona and owner of the Strathcona Hotel—the company began operations in the Rossdale Flats near the North Saskatchewan River. The original facility, constructed in 1905, was a two-storey red brick plant that remains one of Alberta’s oldest unaltered industrial structures . The brewery quickly gained popularity, producing 2,000 barrels in its first year and expanding tenfold within three years .
To meet growing demand and reduce transportation costs, Sheppard commissioned a new brewery in 1913 at 10449 121 Street NW in the Oliver neighborhood. Designed by Chicago architect Bernard Barthel, the five-storey structure featured a distinctive medieval, Germanic castle-like aesthetic, complete with red brick construction, simulated battlements, turrets, and semi-circular arches over entries and windows . This architectural style was common among North American breweries of the period and reflected Barthel’s penchant for combining practical design with artistic styling.
In 1927, Sheppard sold the company to Fritz Sick, a prominent Alberta brewer. The brewery became part of Sick’s empire until 1958, when Molson acquired a controlling share. Molson installed a massive rotating “M” sign on the roof in 1960, which became a local landmark . Molson operated the brewery until its closure in 2007, citing factors such as an ongoing worker’s strike, a shift in consumer preferences from bottled to canned beer, and the loss of a contract to brew the Foster’s Group brand .
The original Rossdale brewery building still stands and is recognized as a historic site. The 1913 “beer castle” and its adjacent office building have been preserved and are listed on the City of Edmonton’s Register of Historic Resources . The site has been redeveloped as the Edmonton Brewery District, integrating the former brewery with residential, retail, and commercial spaces .
Today, the Edmonton Brewing and Malting Company’s legacy endures as a symbol of the city’s brewing heritage and architectural history.
