Celebrate Icelandic National Day (Þjóðhátíðardagurinn) with an evening of food, beer, history, and stories at Good Cheer Brewing.

Iceland’s story reaches far beyond volcanoes and glaciers. It also reaches Canada.

Join us as we explore the remarkable story of Nýja Ísland (New Iceland) and the Vesturíslendingar - the Icelandic settlers who helped shape communities across the Canadian Prairies. This special evening celebrates the Icelandic heritage of places like Gimli, Manitoba and Markerville, Alberta through food, drink, storytelling, and conversation.

Our owner/brewer, Nathan Vadeboncoeur, is a fifth-generation Vesturíslendingur who grew up just 150 metres from the spot where Icelandic settlers first landed in Canada.

The evening includes:

• Icelandic-inspired food, including pylsa, Iceland’s famous hot dog
• An Icelandic stout brewed specially for the event and Nordic beer features
• Historical presentations and stories from Mark Petursson, President of the Leif Eirikson Club and the Icelandic National League of North America, alongside owner Nathan Vadeboncoeur
• Icelandic trivia and a pronunciation contest featuring words like Þjóðhátíðardagurinn

Whether you have Icelandic roots or simply love discovering cultures through food and drink, this is a rare opportunity to experience a unique piece of Canadian history in a welcoming, social atmosphere.

Family friendly.

Wednesday, June 17
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Good Cheer Brewing
1220 20 Ave SE, Calgary

Celebrate the longest day of the year.

Across Scandinavia, midsummer has long been a season of gathering, food, music, and celebration. It's a moment to enjoy community during the brightest days of summer.

Join us for an evening inspired by Nordic midsummer traditions featuring Scandinavian food and a beer lineup celebrating northern European brewing heritage.

Featured beers include Nordic Farmhouse Ale, our 1896 Danish Lager, Icelandic stout and Gotlandsdricka, a traditional farmhouse ale from Sweden with roots stretching back centuries. Traditional scandinavian food available for purchase. 

Expect long tables, patio atmosphere, good food, and good company.

Bring friends. Bring family. Stay awhile.

Family friendly. Dog friendly patio + parking lot celebration.

Date: Friday, June 19
Time: from 6pm to midnight 
Tickets: $10 (includes a pint of your choice)
Location: Good Cheer Brewing

Tuesday, June 16, 6:30

This is a free talk but you can reserve a seat by pre-purchasing a pint (tax and tip included) for $9.

As global tensions rise, Canada’s North is becoming a focal point for questions of sovereignty, security, and control. While threats through the Arctic have long been part of national defence planning, the region itself is now increasingly at the centre of geopolitical competition with powers like China, Russia and the United States taking a more active interest in the region.

This talk explores how Canada has responded to these challenges since the Second World War and how it is positioning itself today to assert sovereignty and protect its interests in a rapidly changing Arctic. 

Dr. Sam Hossack is a historian and researcher specializing in the Canadian Arctic. Her work examines how governance and security have shaped the North from the 1950s to today. She is a Research Fellow with the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network and an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Military, Security, and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary.

The is a free event, pre-purchasing a Trappist beer flight guarantees you a seat.

Monks have brewed some of the most revered beers in the world for a millenia. For some, like the Trappists, this was not for profit, but to sustain monastic life and support charitable work.

From the quiet abbeys of medieval Europe to the globally celebrated breweries of Belgium and the Netherlands today, Trappist beer represents one of the longest continuous brewing traditions in human history.

Join us on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 for an engaging and story-driven talk exploring how this remarkable tradition developed. We’ll trace the origins of monastic brewing, the rise of the Trappist orders, and how their disciplined way of life shaped the beers we know today.

Along the way we’ll explore:

• Why monks brewed beer in the first place
• How monasteries became centres of brewing excellence
• The difference between Trappist and Abbey beer
• The unique rules that govern Trappist brewing today
• The stories behind famous monasteries like Westmalle, Chimay, and Orval

This talk is informal, fascinating, and designed for both beer lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Seats are limited.
Reserve yours by pre-purchasing a Trappist beer flight to enjoy during the talk. We have Chimay Blue, Chimay 175 (anniversary beer), Westmalle Duo, and St. Bernardus ABT 12.

Grab a drink, take a seat, and discover the extraordinary story behind the monks who brew.

Tuesday, July 21, 6pm, Good Cheer Brewing 1220 20 Ave SE.