The written story, as well as recorded interview were done by Chris Doucher, Editor-in-Chief and Writer for GeekNerdNet. (Photo credits to: Chris Doucher and Zero Issue Brewing - *If you would like to use a photo from this post, you must have permission from GeekNerdNet.com to do so)
The owners of ZERO ISSUE BREWING - brothers, Mark MacDonald (Owner) and Kirk MacDonald (Owner & Head Brewer), talk about their love of comics, and how that love inspired naming their craft brewery, and also, their entire lineup of beers.
Mark (Owner) and Kirk MacDonald (Owner & Head Brewer) of ZERO ISSUE BREWING (Photo credit: Zero Issue Brewing/GeekNerdNet)
These two fine beer, and comics-loving gents, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada are here to give you their origin story. What started as a home brewing project 15 years ago, eventually turned into a full-fledged, and highly-popular craft brewery, in 2017. In fact, this coming Canada Day (July 1, 2020) ZERO ISSUE will celebrate its third anniversary.
The two owners read comics non-stop growing up - mostly Marvel, some DC, and later in life, independent comics - so they knew that a comic book connection was the way to go when it came to naming the brewery, as well as the beers they make. They tell the story of how they attended the Panel One Comic Creator Festival to seek out a comic book artist to help them with the art that would adorn their beers, and help shape their brewery. Many of the beer designs for the opening lineup (and still in regular production today) were illustrated by Winnipeg-based artist, Scott A. Ford.
Not only are their beers fantastic (yes, they really are), but the comic book look and feel really makes them stand out in the vibrant craft brew landscape in Calgary, and Alberta overall. We also go on to talk about how the pandemic has impacted the business. In that, while the delivery side of the business picked up like crazy once everything was shut down in Calgary, there was also the other side of things, as everything came to a halt with regard to their restaurant clients. Thankfully, here in Calgary, the restaurant side of things is perking back up as phase two of the re-opening of restaurants has started (as of June 12/20). All right, go ahead and crack open a beer (ZERO ISSUE, that is) and listen to the full audio interview right now. Cheers!
Select “Listen in bowser” on the Soundcloud link. Depending on which device you’re using to access this interview, you may also click/select the SoundCloud Play button. Enjoy!