Friday, September 9, 2016

MBR September 9, 2016 - Nova Scotia Edition

Welcome to the first Beer Report for September.

Big Spruce Brewing and St. FX have partnered to ensuring highest quality craft beers through chemistry research. A key factor to growing the Nova Scotian craft beer industry is to develop Nova Scotia hops of the highest quality and unique character. 
Jeremy White of Big Spruce wants to be free of having to import expensive hops so he grows his own. Jeremy says "I will not compromise in quality, so I really need to know my hops, I want to ensure that my beers are at their highest, consistent levels of quality, so I’m partnering with world-class chemistry professors at St. Francis Xavier University to help me.” Read full article here 

Garrison Brewing has released Rye & Ginger IPA (6.4% ABV and 56 IBUs). They say it is "a deliciously spicy brew perfect for the impending fall season" . Brewed exclusively with centennial hops, this quintessential Canadian style IPA has a prominent ginger presence & spicy rye notes. Light reddish-amber and hazy in appearance, this brew has a combination of ginger candy, toffee, peppery rye malt, and citrusy hop aromas. Tasting will reveal flavours of light caramel, dark fruit, ginger, and a grainy spiciness along with earth and citrus hop flavours. The warming dry finish is a great pick-me-up on a crisp fall night.
This beer will be available shortly at NSLC stores, private stores, growler program at ANBL this week end and at their retail location. 

Meander River Farm has harvested about 200 pounds of hops over the last couple of week ends and will have their wet-hopped brew, Home Grown, in the next few weeks.

Nine Locks Brewing recently released a one off. Cream Ale. Described as a "Smooth, full-bodied amber ale. Tight white head on top of a mildly fruity beer. Caramel notes preside with a subtle hop finish. Traditional English hops provide both mild bitterness and hop flavour". It is a 5.2% ABV beer  and available for growler fills. 

North Brewing and Boxing Rock Brewing had their annual get together to produce Many Hands version 4.0 with local wet hops and  Horton Ridge Malt and Grain Co. malt, does it get more local?

Propeller Brewing released its latest One Hit Wonder. Tea Rex Ale is an unfiltered black ale with a creamy brown head that is smooth and approachable. Ahtanum hops brings its bright, distinct notes to this brew, while organic Assam black tea provides a complementary, subtle finish.
This is the first one hit wonder from new head brewer Rod Daigle and the brew is 6% ABV and 47 IBUs and is available now for growler fills at the Propeller's stores.

Roof Hound Brewing now has added growlers to its offerings. The are the standard 1.89 and 0.95 litre bottles and yes they will fill clean growlers from other breweries. There are four of their beers currently on tap as well as four guest and fall hours are now in effect. For people in HRM there was some beer delivered to Stillwell Beer Garden and Battery Park last night so be on the look out. 

Saltbox Brewery is officially opening September 17, 2016 at 10 AM. Watch for details on the event on social media. I am looking forward to see the new brewery.

Spindrift Brewing has started canning the Abyss, Schwarzbier, and it will be available next Friday at our store and should see it in the shelves at the NSLC the first week of October. 

Trider's Craft Beer will be having their Pre Launch Party at Sociables in Springhill, tomorrow if you are in the area. The Amherst storefront opening at 46 Anson Ave Unit 3 in the Amherst Industrial Park will be on the 16th of September. It will be growlers and general merchandise only for the time being but bottles are coming very soon. 

Uncle Leo's Brewery have brewed their 2nd Annual Harvest Ale with hops from Bramble Hill Farm and malt from Horton Ridge Malt and Grain Co. and it is available today. Get it fast as it disappeared quickly last year. 

Oktoberfest is happening next week end in Halifax, so here is a run down of what is happening. 
The weekend kicks off with The Coast’s Food Truck Party – Oktoberfest Edition in the Salter Street Lot on Thursday, September 15th 2016 from 4 PM until 8 PM.
On Friday September 16th from 6:30 PM until 11 PM, the Oktoberfest Site is transformed into a Nova Scotia Beer Celebration Sausage Fest Style for Hops ‘n’ Brats. 13 different breweries will be on-site sampling their best brews while enjoying sausage themed food and live music. Entry is $24 which includes 8 sample tickets and a souvenir cup! Additional Sample tickets are available to purchase on site. New this year you can use three tickets to enjoy a full beer.
Finally on Saturday, September 17th is the Traditional Halifax Oktoberfest. Gates will open to the public at 11 AM with traditional German food, games, and Garrison beer all night long. The Swell Guys and Die Brew-misters Oompah Bands will be providing music. Geir Simensen is back with his team from Scanway Catering with enough sausages, spaetzle and schnitzel for everyone. There will also be two whole roasted pigs. From 11 AM to 5 PM the event will be all-ages, admission is $5/adults and free for kids but at 6 PM the fun continues as a 19+ event with dancing, food, and games. An evening pass can be purchased for $16 which includes entry and one Garrison beer.or bump it to 20.00 and you get a commemorative stein. 

Thanks for the support and enjoy the week end.