A beer made with bull testicles? Village Brewery serves up ballsy brew for charity event

When it comes to refreshing summer drinks, there's nothing like a cold beer on a hot day.

And while a beer made with bull testicles might not be the first thing you reach for when trying to cool down,Village Brewery has crafted precisely thatfor its fifth annual fundraiser for prostate cancer research.

As part of her new column exploring Calgary's many craft breweries, CBC Calgary's regular house wine sommelier Laurie MacKay spoke with Jim Button, co-founder of Village Brewery,to get to the bottom of the Prairie Oyster Ale.

"Tomorrow, we have beer with bull's testicles," Buttontold the Calgary Homestretch. "It's a Prairie Oyster Ale. Its a fundraiser, we call it the NUTRaiser."

The fundraiser will feature appearances by Calgary wrestling legend Bret(The Hitman)Hart as well as businessman and Dragons' Den starBrett Wilson.

Button said Village Brewery has brewedthree casks ofPrairie Oyster Ale,eachdressed up with a distinctlyCanadian theme.

"One's a Coffee Crisp, one's a Mr. Big and the other one's a MapleBall. But these beers are being sold for $100. We've raised $40,000 so far for prostate cancer."Button said."So apuristactually,almostanybodywould say 'that's just wrong.' But it's all about having fun, and the world is way too serious these days."

The fundraiser kicks off on Thursdayfrom 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. atBottlescrewBill's, 140 10th Ave. S.W. ThePrairie Oyster Ale casks will be tapped at 5 p.m. and cost $100 a glass.

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