2026 CANADA BEER CUP – Maple Creek’s Rafter R strikes gold

Cause for celebration: Ryan and Teresa Moncrieff, who run Rafter R at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Aspen Street, with the 2026 gold Canada Beer Cup award.

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

You could call him the brewer with the golden touch.

Ryan Moncrieff won a national gold award for Rafter R’s English Dark Mild.

He had entered 13 craft beers in the fifth annual Canada Beer Cup, and it was his 3.3% classic pub beer that captured the taste buds of international judges in the Brown British Ale category.

On October 8, he received his award at a gala ceremony in Calgary.

“It’s always nice to pick up a national award,” he told the News-Times last week.

“It’s validation for all the hours of hard work you put in, and it makes you work even harder.”

Ryan is no stranger to brewery awards. A wall at the Rafter R taproom is adorned with Prairie Beer Awards.

This latest accolade, however, is extra special because it represents national recognition in a competition that attracted about 1,900 entries in various categories, with 133 awards presented.

Rafter R was one of three Saskatchewan breweries to strike gold at the 2026 Canada Beer Cup.

The others were from Regina: Pile O’Bones Brewing (White IPA in the German and American Wheat Beer category) and Rebellion Brewing (Zilla Black IPA in the Specialty IPA category).

There were also three Saskatchewan bronze medallists.

These six gold and bronze medals were earned by five Saskatchewan craft breweriess.

When cider awards are included, Saskatchewan producers brought home a total of nine medals across seven breweries and cideries, demonstrating the quality, creativity and diversity of the province’s craft beverage industry.

The Canada Beer Cup is the country’s biggest competition for beer and cider.

Entries are evaluated through blind tastings by panels of highly trained, experienced, and certified judges from across Canada and around the world.

“This is an incredible showing for Saskatchewan’s craft brewing industry,” said Moncrieff, who is board chair of the Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association (SCBA).

“We have some exceptionally talented brewers in this province, and these results demonstrate that Saskatchewan-made beer can compete with the very best in Canada.

“It’s especially encouraging to see recognition going to breweries in communities both large and small.”

The Canada Beer Cup is a commercial beer and cider competition organized by the Canadian Craft Brewers Association, which boasts a membership of about 700 of the roughly 1,200 breweries in Canada.

The awards recognize producers from communities across Saskatchewan, highlighting the strength of craft brewing beyond the province’s largest urban centres.

The results reinforce Saskatchewan’s growing reputation for producing world-class craft beer, from traditional styles to innovative and experimental offerings.

“Craft breweries are small, independent businesses that contribute to their local economies and communities,” added Moncrieff.

“Recognition like this is something the entire province can takepride in.

“We encourage Saskatchewan consumers to celebrate these accomplishments by supporting their local breweries.”

The Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association congratulates all of this year’s medal winners.

About the Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association

The Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association (SCBA) represents independent craft breweries that are licensed, owned and operated in Saskatchewan.

The association promotes Saskatchewan-made craft beer and supports a strong, sustainable craft brewing industry through collaboration,

advocacy and industry 
development.

• 2026 Canada Beer Cup full results: https://canadabeercup.com/2026-results/