I've introduced a number of friends - native Calgarians, recent imports AND out-of-towner's - who all agree that Wild Rose is an especially unique brew-pub and a "MUST-return" destination.
I call it a destination because... it's beyond out-of-the-way; it's practically deliberately hard-to-find. With the south entrance to Currie Barracks closed last night (the one on Richardson Way SW by Mount Royal University) we had to enter from the East/Crowchild side and tell the security guard at the gate we were going to Wild Rose for "just one pint". You see... unique! (Who else has tax-payer funded bouncers?)
Co-piloting my friend down poorly lit roads past military vehicles we squeezed into a jam-packed dirt parking-lot. A full & lively scene welcomed us on a Wednesday night! It spilled out through the open overhead door onto the large concrete patio which was also brim-full thanks to a rare & treasured warm September evening.
Fellow Yelper's - Point of Information here: the building is called "Quonset" (not a barn, hanger, or shed). Wiki-link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quonset_hut
The ex-Canadian-Air-Force Quonset gives Wild Rose a 1-of-a-kind atmosphere (look for the trouble-light chandelier) which keenly matches the sites, sounds & smells of the machinery of brewing. This somehow lulls your expectations in such a way that beer, food, and even the service have you saying, "Well, I didn't see that coming." It's the magic of Under-Promise; Over-Deliver that has me coming back again and again and taking the time to share the love.
In a city of a million people, many of which suffer from "Quadrant-itis", it is worth the drive to this SW brew-pub from any direction. And for those who are GPS-less or directionally impaired, the cab-drivers know the trail to Wild Rose well enough. Besides - your car couldn't be safer overnight than being parked in the middle of a dim but still-functioning military base swallowed whole and now slowly being assimilated into one of the oldest 'burbs in Calgary.