Manitoba craft breweries named Grey Cup's official suds suppliers

Football fans coming to Winnipeg for the 103rd Grey Cup will get to enjoy brews from atrio of local craft beer producers.

Farmery, Fort Garry and Half Pint breweries have been tapped as the official beer suppliers of the Grey Cup Festival, which starts Nov. 25 and runs until game day on Nov. 29.

It marks a departure from past Grey Cup festivities, where brews from big beer companies are usually offered.

"When we set out for this in the beginning, we were hoping to work with as many local companies as possible, so [it's] great for us to get this trio of Manitoba breweries on board," Jason Smith, president of the Grey Cup Festival, told CBC News on Tuesday.

"We're trying to program a whole bunch of unique experiences, and I think having beers that people may not have tried in the past is another opportunity just to put something unique out there. Along with the music and the events, we now have beverages that people may not have tried."

Smith said five different beers will be on offer during the festival, including a Grid Iron Pilsner that Fort Garry has created specifically for the Grey Cup Festival.

The beer will be served in 16-ounce cans, said Smith, who added that fans won't have to worry about sticker shock.

"It will be $10 for a jumbo beer, which is basically what you would pay at any other event such as at a Bomber game, a Jets game, at an event at the Convention Centre. So it's actually fairly in line with what normal beer prices are," he said.