Paddock Wood Brewing Co. sourcing Saskatchewan through and through

When Matt Omer started as head brewer at Paddock Wood Brewing Co., he had a goal: to bring more “local” to the brewing process. Growing up in Grandora, SK, he saw how supporting local agriculture could strengthen a community. His aim was to take what he calls a more “full-circle” approach.

Paddock Wood Brewing Co. has been a staple in Saskatoon since its inception in 2003. It was, in fact, the first microbrewery to set down roots in the city. Omer joined the company in 2021. Currently, he is transitioning into the role of operations director but plans to remain very much a part of the brewing process. It is, after all, his passion.

The son of a local veterinarian, Omer grew up in a tiny hamlet where his family raised horses and some cattle. He said growing up there made him empathetic to the troubles farmers face from year to year.

“Seeing somebody having a (bad) year made me think, well, maybe I should drink more beer,” he said.

While exercising “purchasing power” is certainly one way to support a community, Omer knew drinking beer wasn’t the only answer. As head brewer at Paddock Wood, he was in a position to effect real change. Omer works closely with Matt Enns at Maker’s Malt to ensure the malt they’re using is made with locally grown barley.

Every year, Maker’s Malt hosts a customer appreciation event that brings together brewers, breeders, researchers, and farmers. Omer said attending the event has helped him forge stronger ties within the industry.

Effecting change starts not only with choosing local ingredients but also with changing mindsets. In 2023, Paddock Wood launched its 2Row Light Lager, at Ag in Motion, the largest outdoor farm expo in Western Canada. Omer said he hopes that introducing farmers to beer made with barley they grew will help them make the switch from macro brewery beers to more locally produced brews.

“We wanted the farmers to know that they’re enjoying a product that they had a hand in producing,” Omer said.

The grain isn’t only used to make beer, though. Once the brewing process is complete, spent grain is sent on to local cattle farmers to be used as feed.

“I like to call it the circle-of-life approach,” Omer added.

Getting beer lovers to switch from their regular brew to a craft beer requires education, said Omer, which is why he felt it was important to be present at Ag in Motion. Three beers were showcased at the event: 2Row Light Lager, Hopped Up Honey Amber Ale, and Saskatcheweizen, a wheat beer.

Check out the full line-up and rotational brews at PaddockWoodBrewing.com

“2Row Light Lager was especially well received,” Omer said.

Going forward, Omer would like to produce a SMaSH beer, a style of beer that includes a single malt and a single hop.

“It would help put the spotlight on local barley and a local hop,” Omer said. “And it helps the economy here in Saskatchewan because if that barley’s used, then our farmers are happy