“Come drink my beer” says brewmaster Umber Awasthi of Black Wheat Brewing Company Brandon’s only brewery is set to officially open its tap room to the public at 11 AM on Friday, August 6th. They are located at 402-10th Street. The tap room is designed to showcase the 6 varieties of beer brewed now on site. Tap room manager, Dan Evans, says that the wildly popular Blue Hills Brew is “phenomenal” and should be on everyone’s list to try. He also notes that they have something special in store for beer aficionados. “We have a special beer to introduce for the grand opening. Something we haven’t canned or sold before. People are going to love it!” In addition to new beer introductions, Black Wheat Brewing Company has invited the Poutine King food truck to join them on site for the grand opening weekend. The brewery’s tasting room will be open 7 days a week, with early openings (11am) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Black Wheat Brewing Company will hold a “Unique Hospitality” license, as issued by the Manitoba LGCA (Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority). The license permits them to serve what is brewed on the premises. They are not operating as a lounge or dining room. There are no kitchen, or food preparation facilities on site. Black Wheat Brewing Company has been operating since late 2020 and selling canned beer through vendors, golf courses and restaurants. Future plans include the sale of draft beer kegs from the brewery on 10th. Home delivery is still available through their website www.blackwheatbrewing.ca. Follow them on Instagram @blackwheatbrewing.

Nate Andrews is a Partner/Sales Manager at Guild/HMS Insurance Group Inc. Following high school graduation, he spent several seasons studying and playing baseball at Mayville State University. An active member in our community, Nate spent a year as the President of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce (June 2012-2013). In 2019 he served as the host committee vice chair for the The Brier. What’s the first concert you attended? Guns N’ Roses 1993 Winnipeg Arena 2. MLB decides to host an exhibition game at Andrews field, what two teams would you like to see take part? Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays. 3. You spent many seasons playing baseball in the MSBL, name the three most dominant pitchers you faced during that time? Shane Moffatt, Matt Mutcheson and Vinnie Eastman 4. A place you’ve never been but would love to visit?  Italy.  I love wood fired Napoletana style pizza, so want to take in the whole cultural experience someday. 5. What's the worst thing you've stepped on barefoot?  A barbed fishing hook.  Yep, trying to erase that memory still.  6. What was your favorite class in college?  I was studying Exercise Science when I was at Mayville and interned in Grand Forks at the Frappier Acceleration Sports Training Clinic.   I trained a lot of University Athletes at that centre from UND and the surrounding area, from hockey players, to footballs  players and track athletes.  It was a pretty cool experience to see these athletes push themselves so hard and make improvements. 7. The movie that traumatized you most as a child was? Had to be Friday the 13th.  We lived on a farm and had a large treed area in behind us so any weird noises at night I just assumed Jason was coming for me.  8. Your fast food guilty pleasure? McDoubles 9. What do you remember most about your first job? I was 16 working at Jack’s Maytag.  I worked Saturdays and had no idea where half the parts were when someone came in.  I got good at saying we were out but would get one ordered right away.  It often was there so when they got a call Monday saying their part was in when the boss came back they were quite please with the quick turnaround. 10. What do you miss most about being a kid? No stress.  Life was simple as a kid. 11. If you could get 1 more season of a TV show no-longer airing, what show would it be? Oh tough one.  Lot’s of good one from the 80’s, but will have to say Cheers. 12. Three most commonly used apps on your phone? Instagram, The Weather Network and What’s App 13. What would your occupation be if you had followed your childhood dreams? Well in my Dreams a Major League Baseball player, but I would have also loved looking after the Grounds at a Major League stadium.  I guess that’s why we still run Andrews Field after 21 years.  There is something about fresh cut green grass and a perfectly dragged infield.  14. An object you still own from your childhood?  I still have my first catcher mitt.  It was a Rawlings I had when we won Western Canadian’s in 1989. 15. No matter how many _____ I own, I always have the urge to buy more? Hats.  I have always loved buying hats.   I have a large head so finding a sweet hat that actually fits is a huge win. 16. What was the first larger scale purchase (over $500) you bought with your own money?  I believe it was a stereo system with the big Pioneer Tower speakers.  Dual cassette player and all! 17. Your dream curling foursome includes yourself and these three individuals? I would love to go back in time and curl with my Dad and his two brothers.  That would have been a blast. 18. The car you passed your drivers test in was a? Volkswagen Passat 19. A meal that you think tastes better the next day? When my Grandma was still alive she used to order Chicken Delight and get it cooked extra well done.  Of course in those days being a bachelor she would send a bunch home with me and I don’t know why but that stuff was better the next day right out of the fridge. 20. What's the best Halloween costume you've ever had?  When I was at Mayville myself and 2 of my friends from the football team dressed up as the Three Amigos( Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short movie )  We had all the moves down and won best costume at some bar.  Just one of those nights that was more fun than ever for no good reason.     

Khan Foods, a Brandon restaurant serving authentic Pakistani and Middle Eastern Cuisine, is hoping to open their new location in the Brandon Shoppers Mall shortly. The extremely popular restaurant closed their downtown location at the end of March of this year and have spent the last several months in search of a new address to call home. The new location, previously occupied by Ms. Vanellis, is currently undergoing some minor renovations in anticipation of the re-launch scheduled for somewhere between August 10-15, if all goes according to plan. They will be opening with a new menu & new flavors including a butter chicken calzone and naan bread pizza. Ownership also told bdnmb.ca that many of the most popular menu items will be making the move to the new location as well. Stay tuned to their Facebook page here for additional updates as to their opening.

Looking for a way to reach thousands of local residents with your products or services? Food Truck Warz 4 takes place at the Keystone Centre September 16-19. This year we have a limited number of business/commercial vendor spaces available for rent. The spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and will put your brand in front of thousands of passerby's daily. Participants must provide their own booth, tent weights, display, and tables. Please note these spots are reserved for non-food vendors only and best suited for those companies (real estate, retail, automotive, professional services) looking to increase their brand awareness in the local market place. Hours of operation: Thursday, September 16: 1pm to 11:00 pm Friday, September 17: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Saturday, September 18: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Sunday, September 19: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm If you know you want to participate in Food Truck Warz, please contact us at jody@bdnmb.ca or darryl@bdnmb.ca. BDNMB.CA is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage. Stalls must be kept free from trash during Food Truck Warz.

Local artist Jordan Mcgregor was tired of driving down College Ave. seeing various forms of graffiti tags on the wall of Brandon Ave Electric and thought it would be a good idea to approach them to do a cool mural that would also help promote their business. Vern Snyder, one of the owners of Brandon Ave Electric, said he has no regrets and has received only positive feedback so far.  Also, Snyder wishes all the best for McGregor in his new  business venture. The 35 year old Mcgregor said it was nerve racking to ask them and when they said yes he was ecstatic as this would be his first commercial mural.  Overall the feedback has been good with maybe the odd negative comment from other artists.  Down the road he would like to work together with Anne Boychuk and do a few more larger projects under his belt. Contact Jordan at: lllimagination2021 - Instagram 204 730 5766