And the winner of the Best of Cochrane Readers’ Choice Award for best pub goes to . . . Half Hitch Brewing Company!
And the winner of the Best of Cochrane Readers’ Choice Award for best burger goes to . . . Half Hitch Brewing Company!
And the winner of the Best of Cochrane Readers’ Choice Award for best patio goes to . . . well, enough is enough.
They may have added the best patio to the hat trick because they make the best beer to “crush” according to Britt Kozloski, co-owner, chief cook, and bottle washer at the immensely popular pub and eatery on Griffin Road.
She was gracious in reacting to the news that Cochrane Eagle readers still love their pub, as evidenced by the impressive tally of votes they racked up in this year’s Best of Cochrane Awards.
“We’re thrilled that people do. It’s family owned and operated and we built it from the ground up, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into that place, so it’s very humbling to have people come and join us inside,” she said.
What she called the “unique Cochrane vibe” is responsible for some of the brew pub’s popularity, she said, as well as the employees.
“The staff definitely are the heart of Half Hitch, always with a smiling face, and it’s really laid back – the kind of place you can gather with your family, or your pooch,” she said.
“A place to hang out with a beer, good food, in a laid back environment. You can’t really go wrong with that.”
Kozloski said not only is the dog-friendly patio a hit with pooch-bringing, beer-drinking burger lovers, but the staff love it too.
“It’s so fun having the pooches on the patio. It’s the highlight of the day, walking around, seeing what puppies we have,” she said.
The blended family – parents, brothers, sisters, including the Heier family – sat down at the dinner table in 2011 and decided this was the business they wanted to pursue.
There’s now three generations of the family involved in the business, as Kozloski’s niece works as a server.
The brewery opened in 2016 and the pub a year later. The kitchen is small, but mighty. Western comfort food with a twist is their claim to fame. They’re known for their brisket sandwich and Carolina pulled pork, but Kozloski’s favourite is the Cochrane Club.
Besides good food and great service, the onsite brewery has made a name for itself for the beer alone. Its Papa Bear Prairie Ale is made with all Canadian grains – barley, wheat, rye and oats from Alberta and Saskatchewan and hops from Quebec. Taking the gold medal in the 2018 Alberta Beer Awards for best Canadian Cereal Ale, their website describes it as “easily approachable” – much like the pub itself.
“Like all good Canadians, this ale is easily approachable, inoffensive, and helps out its neighbours,” the site reads.
Kozloski calls it easy, light and crisp.
“If you just want to hang out and enjoy, it’s a perfect patio crusher,” she said.
