Friday, August 7, 2015

Maritime Beer Report - August 7, 2015


Hello and welcome to the August 7th, International Beer Day, edition of the Maritime Beer Report. First off I have been reporting the brews news for two years now and would like to thank you all for all the support.

PEI Brewing had a Kiwi IPA on tap for #IPADay and they say it was made by one of their Kiwis, Wax the logistics manager, in honor of our other Kiwi, Big Scotty. This IPA has freshly squeezed kiwi juice and is dry hopped with Citra and Comet. More on PEI Brewing in a moment.

Upstreet Craft Brewing launched their first seasonal beer on #IPADay. White Noize is a white IPA brewed with 50% wheat and generously hopped with Cascade, Centennial, Chinook and Columbus throughout. It weighs in at 7% ABV and 70 IBUs. The name is a tribute to the acoustical din of the tap room. 

Big Tide Brewing celebrated its sixth birthday this week. Wendy brewed their Anniversary Amber Ale again. This time using six types of malted barley an six hop varieties and hoping to get 6% ABV. It will be available shortly. They also launched the first collaboration between Big Tide an Hammond River Brewing, Rhubarbaric Saison. It was brewed with approximately 70 pounds of local rhubarb, pilsner and wheat malt and comes in around 7.1 ABV.

Distillerie Fils du Roy has a summer seasonal called La Messe Blanche. It is a 7% ABV weizenbock that has a great description on the facebook page. Looks like a very refreshing summer beer. The beer was made in the honor of Alexie Landry born in 1721 who officiated white masses, that is to say a mass without a priest for the people of Caraquet.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Pride Sally Pride Apricot Ale will be back on tap starting this Sunday at the Brewtique and at the 2015 Fredericton Pride Festival Beer Garden in Downtown Fredericton. This is a 4.5% ABV beer and it is while supplies last. In honor of #IPADay they had 3 different dry-hopped Yippee IPAs on tap. One was Cascade & Tettnang, one with Saaz & Fuggles and one with Amarillo & Rakau. Picaroons is coming to Halifax and taking over the taps at Lion & Bright CafĂ© Wine Bar this Saturday after the Halifax Seaport Beerfest. They are also bringing a special guest HALF CUT Brewing Company.

The Pump House Brewery has Strawberry Wheat now on tap at the brewery in Moncton. Flavoured with local strawberries and a 5.2% ABV.

Big Spruce Brewing released two beers this week, a collaboration and a seasonal. First is Gimme Citra, a single hopped pale ale made with Stillwell Beer Bar. Big Spruce says "Outrageously aromatic, flavourful, and perfect for summer, this will be hitting Halifax yesterday. 36 IBU and 5.5% ABV. Available now at the brewery." Next up is Tip of the Spear Spruce Tip IPA. Also available now at the brewery.

Garrison Brewing was working on a collaboration today while the folks from Great Lakes Brewery and Metalman Brewing are in town

As I mentioned in the Spring, Rogues Roost will be closing by October 1 because its building is being redeveloped. The exact closure date is to be announced. This is sad news but PEI Brewing will be producing a Rogues Roost IPA that will be available in cans and sold in liquor stores across the Maritimes starting in September. Details being released soon.

Stutz Cider has released a new Wild Blueberry cider. It is made from fresh Nova Scotia Apples and Blueberries. It is available across Nova Scotia and is 6.5% ABV. 

Halifax Oktoberfest is looking for volunteers for the 2015 installment if you are interested email beer@garrisonbrewing.com for more info.

Ending with a sad note this week with some bad news from Barnone Brewing. Hugh Campbell, father and business partner passed away. He was a charming man and full of life when I met him. The family has my condolences at this difficult time.

Thanks for joining me again this week and until next time enjoy responsibly.