Blind Enthusiasm Brewing in Edmonton has made waves in the craft beer community by winning two prestigious awards at the 2026 World Beer Awards. While they are inspired by the lambic style, which originates from Belgium’s Zenne Valley and is protected by the EU, they do not claim to produce authentic lambic. Their unique process and modern facility, known as The Monolith, allow them to create spontaneously-fermented beers that have gained international recognition.

Doug Checknita, the head brewer, highlighted that the design of their brewery facilitates exposure to naturally-occurring microbes, which are used in the fermentation process. The beer is aged in barrels that house a variety of microbes, creating complex flavors through a cooperative fermentation process.

Blind Enthusiasm’s Grand Manifesto was named the World’s Best Gueuze. This beer is a blend of two, three, and four-year-old spontaneously-fermented beers. Checknita emphasized that this particular blend is among their finest work. The brewery has also been recognized for its Fruitful Pursuits: Cherry, which was awarded the title of World’s Best Kriek for the second consecutive year. Initially hesitant to create a kriek, Checknita changed his mind after tasting incredible cherries from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, recognizing the potential for a truly exceptional beer.

Blind Enthusiasm’s beers are available for purchase in Canada and internationally, including markets in the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. The brewery’s blend of historical methods and contemporary techniques has positioned them as a significant player in the craft beer scene, and they continue to attract attention from beer enthusiasts and industry experts alike.