Sunday, November 27, 2016

The Five Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse opens in St Stephen

(St. Stephen, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales has announced the opening of The Five Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse at 5 King Street, St Stephen New Brunswick. Located in the old Canadian Pacific Railway Station in the heart of the town, the new restaurant will meld together the dining experience of top notch pub fare, fresh beer brewed on site, as well as beer-to-go and merchandise that you normally expect to see at The Brewtique and The Roundhouse in Fredericton, and the General Store in Saint John. The Five Kings offers a full seasonal menu designed and created by Chef Lisa Aronson that will be served from lunchtime until late, 7 days a week. The Picaroons Brewhouse will serve as a 3 barrel brewery where they will be brewing and as such this also means that you’ll be able to purchase Growlers, as well as bottled Picaroons and other NB Craft beer, cider, and mead to take out. 

Friday, November 25, 2016

MBR November 25, 2016 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Welcome to the November 25th edition of the Beer Report for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Picaroons Traditional Ales is extending their brand to St Stephen New Brunswick. The Five Kings Restaurant and Picaroons Brewhouse is located in the old Canadian Pacific Railway Station in the heart of St. Stephen at 5 King Street. The restaurant offers a full seasonal menu designed and created by Chef Lisa Aronson that will be served from lunchtime until late, 7 days a week with fresh and bottled Picaroons. 

PEI Brewing says 2016 Hell Street Release Hell Street is back and the 2016 batch will be launched Monday, November 28 at 6 PM for sampling and there will be entertainment in the Taproom. The first 50 people to purchase a bottle will receive a custom Hell Street poster. Hell Street is a barrel-aged doppelbock with a name inspired by local boxing legend Tom McCluskey who grew up on Dorchester Street, nicknamed Hell Street at the time.

Big Axe Brewery have Double chocolate and peanut butter milk Stout on tap this week as well as Two Rivers India Black Ale that is 7% ABV and 77 IBUs. Limited release. 

The Pump House Brewery now has Schwarzbier or "black beer" on tap at the brewery. It is a traditional German Style black lager and as the name implies it is black in colour yet very drinkable with subtle hints of chocolate and coffee leading into a light-bodied, clean finish. This beer is 7% ABV.

Shiretown Beer says the Venezuelan Express Porter is ready for purchase at the Brewery. Check out the cool new artwork on the Label. It is a 5% ABV and 25 IBU beer.

Beckwith Road Brewing have their Launch Party tomorrow. It is from 7 PM to 11 PM at 400 St George Street in Moncton. The tickets are $15 for Admission, Glass and 2 Pints or $10 for Admisson and  2 Pints with additional drink tickets are available for $5 per ticket. 

Fredericton Craft Beer Festival tickets went on sale today. A new record with the Evening VIP Sold out in 1 min, Grab a ticket soon they won't last long. 

Thanks for checking me out again this week. 

MBR November 25, 2016 - Nova Scotia Edition


Here is all the beer news for November 25th of Nova Scotia. 

Good Robot Brewing has been very busy. Returning on tap is  Burban Legend APA v7.0  that is dry-hopped with Mosaic hops and Awesome Beer, Great Job! what they call an autumn saison that is 6.4% ABV and 22 IBUs.
The funky folk groove band Earthbound Trio has collaborated with the next one and is on tap only at Time Traveller's Soiree, Thyme Hopper is a pale ale with organic Nugget hops from Lunahop in Cornhill, New Brunswick. Lunahop is owned by "Big Orange" Bob, the bass player from Earthbound Trio, who are featuring the beer at their Seahorse show on Friday. Time Traveller's Soiree is Friday, November 25 at 10 PM as part of their brewery tour concert series. They are also performing a sneaky peek matinee set from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday right in their own taproom.
On Sunday, Good Robot are hosting a charitable Toy Drive and Cookie Decorating holiday event. A new-in-box toy of $20 value or more from you means a free pint with proceeds to Every Woman's Centre. Additionally, Rinaldo's will be selling fresh cookies for patrons to decorate with the proceeds going to Prescott Group which aids adults with learning disabilities.

Garrison Brewing released another beer in their cellar series, Rum-Barrel Aged Spruce Beer. This 11% ABV brew will retail for $15.95 and is on sale exclusively at the brewery. Like the Rum-Barrel Aged Honey Lavender from last week this beer is perfect for cellaring. The historic brew was aged in rum barrels from Lunenburg craft-distiller, Ironworks

Hell Bay Brewing collaborated with the Christmas Tree Association of NS to create a unique Honey Blond Ale infused with Balsam Fir. Tannen Bomb will be available shortly and rings in at 5% ABV and 17 IBUs. 

Saltbox Brewery now has Ironbound Scotch Ale back on tap. They say "It’s smooth and slightly smokey" that is 5.5% ABV and 15 IBUs.

Tatamagouche Brewing released Square One, a Farmhouse Ale, at Stillwell earlier this week. Dry-hopped with Citra, Amarillo and Hallertau Blanc and is 6.1% ABV.

Annapolis Cider latest Something Different is now on tap. Hopped Pear is a 6.5% ABV cider crafted from fermented dry cider made from diverse locally grown apples cold-steeped with three different hop varieties - Cascade, Mosaic, and Northern Brewer. This hopped dry cider was then blended with fresh-pressed Flemish Beauty heirloom pear juice. The result is a clear and golden cider with the light flavour and aromas of citrusy-hops without any added bitterness that is balanced out by mellow notes of fresh pear. Fifty cents from every refill will support the Wolfville Area Food Bank.

Have a great week and I will be back in one week. 

Saturday, November 19, 2016

MBR November 18, 2016 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Welcome to the November 18th edition of the Maritime Beer Report for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. 

PEI Brewing says one of their favorite specialty brews from last year is making a return. They'll be releasing this year's version of Hell Street barrel-aged doppelbock on Monday, November 28th in their Taproom. More details coming soon. 

HopUp: An Upstreet Takeover is on Friday, November 25 from 6 PM to 12 AM. Upstreet Brewing is taking over the taps, the food menu and the sound system at HopYard. Chef Jane is preparing a full menu inspired by Upstreet, and they've collaborated on a special beer release that will only be available at Hopyard. 

Foghorn Brewing opened its doors today at 47 Clark Road in Rothesay. They have five beers on tap, Dunham's Run InCider serving pints and filling growlers. Stop by and check them out soon. 

Hammond River Brewing says they have brought back Into The Dark Hawaiian Porter after a two year hiatus. This is a 6.3% Robust Porter brewed with lots of fresh toasted Coconut, Cacao Nibs, and Madagascar Vanilla Beans. On tap soon at local HRBC tap accounts.

Picaroons have a new beer, a cranberry wheat. Brewed with cranberries from Sunberry Cranberry Producers in Maugerville, NB. This easy drinking wheat ale is 4.2% ABV and is sweet, smooth and just a tiny bit tart. It is on tap at the Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John while supplies last. 

Thanks for checking the blog out this week. 

Friday, November 18, 2016

MBR November 18, 2016 - Nova Scotia Edition


Welcome to this very rainy November 18th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. 

Big Spruce Brewing has Langered Stook, a hoppy half wit coming out this week end. This Hopfenweisse has made it's way to Stillwell, Battery Park Beer Bar, Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar and select taps near you. It will also be featured Saturday night at the Governor's Pub & Eatery tap takeover taking place after the inaugural Cape Breton Beer Fest this Saturday night.
In other news Big Spruce's 2016 Beer of the Year Ra Ra Rasputin is being barreled for 2017 this week. 

Garrison Brewing launched their newest Cellar Series beer, Rum Barrel-Aged Honey Lavender. Unique & truly local, this ale is brewed with hand-cut NS lavender and raw honey, then aged several months in Ironworks Distillery rum barrels for added complexity and smoothness. Rum-Barrel Aged Honey Lavender clocks in at 11% ABV and is an ideal beer for cellaring. Drop down to the brewery to get some of this extremely limited release in 650 ml bottles. 

Good Robot Brewing released a new beer today. Extra BIG-ASS Beer. It is a malty lager they say is in the vien of Märzen/Oktoberfest/Munich Dunkel. This beer is loaded with bready flavours and a huge roasted taste. It weighs in at 5.2% ABV and 24 IBUs. 
Good Robot Brewing is also hosting another homebrewer takeover, BrewBot: Brathair Brewing Homebrew Takeover will have 5 taps, all designed and brewed on the pilot system by local homebrewers  Brathair Brewing (Justin Clarke, Rod McVicar, Jason McVicar and Eric Gautier).

North Brewing has a bunch of beers in the pipeline. They have their Milk Stout aging on cherrywood and blackberries coming out February 2017. Glenora Strong Dark Belgian hits their shelves soon with new labeling. Saison de Pinot, their Benjamin Bridge collaboration will be out December 9th to kick of the first Battery Beer Bar birthday weekend. Lastly on Monday Stillwell 3 will hit be in stores. 

Roof Hound Brewing releases Grumpy Cranberry Orange Sour tomorrow. It is a 3.8% ABV beer kettle soured with yogurt and has orange zest at the end of boil and a giant pot of cranberry sauce in the brite tank. Why "grumpy"? it is an homage to the brewer's dad who the grandkids refer to him as that rather than grampy. 

Saltbox Brewing and Rebecca's Restaurant are presenting a Belgian Theme Night with Saltbox Beer Pairings on Saturday November 26th. It consists of beer Pairing of 2-3 oz glasses served with appetizers and dessert along with one 12 oz glass served with the main course for $55. Three Course Meal without Saltbox beer pairing is $40. 

Sea Level Brewing has its Crossing Muddy Waters Brown Ale now available in growlers and cans. 

Uncle Leo's Brewery's Launch Party for Sunburst Beer is on Wednesday at 7 PM at Piper's Landing in Pictou. Come chat with brewmaster Karl, Dave Gunning, JP Cormier & Jamie Robinson over a glass of  cask conditioned Sunburst Ale and delicious appetizers from Piper's Landing Restaurant. There will be 5 Uncle Leo's Ales available on tap throughout the night with proceeds going to the Pictou County Christmas Fund. It costs $20 per person; includes admission, a glass of cask conditioned ale & appetizers with only 60 tickets available.

Unfiltered Brewing has Attention: Warning Label DIPA out today. It was conditioned on white oak for approximately eight weeks that they say shows "no sign of its alcoholic content, this DIPA deserves respect" The beer is 10% ABV and 100+ IBUs and available now. 

Salvatores Halifax is hosting a tap and menu takeover. They are bringing in Unfiltered Brewing to match up with their menu. Greg Nash is smoking a Getaway Farms brisket to shred on a special pizza along with his sausage for the Hero's, This is happening on November 22 and 23. 

Stillwell turns 3 on Sunday and is have a beer offering that is not to be missed. They also have a lot of fun surprises in store. Fun starts at 4 PM and goes to late. 

Thanks for checking me out again this week. Care care of each other and I will be back in a week. 

Thursday, November 10, 2016

MBR November 10, 2016 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Welcome to the November 10th edition of the Maritime Beer Report for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. 

Upstreet Craft Brewing has another new beer available in the taproom. A Berliner Weisse is available that is a refreshing ale with a soft malt characteristic and soured using naturally-occurring bacteria found in grain. In the coming weeks they will be releasing three more dry-hopped versions.
It is time to release the Black Tie Affair, their vanilla cranberry stout. This year they are excited to be bottling and shipping it to liquor stores across the Island, and to release it  they are throwing a party in the taproom on November 17th. The evening will begin at 6 PM with a Black Tie Dinner, a three-course, Prix Fixe menu that highlights the flavours of the beer and features Black Tie Affair in the recipes. Admission is free, but they'll be accepting donations to the Rwanda Craft Brewery Project.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault has released Buckdjeuve ([bukdjøve] French canadian slang for jackalope) is now available at NSLC stores.  This festive strong ale was a silver medalist of the 2015 Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards is 7.3% ABV.

Mama's Brewpub new beer White Citrus Bomb is on tap. The grist is simple 2 row and flaked wheat and hopped to 18 IBU with two additions of Hallertau. It is a true Citrus Bomb but easy to drink and has become very popular. 
Other big news is their Crowler machine and cans arrived this week so expect Mama's Brew Pub to be offering offsite sales very soon.

Maybee Brewing got a 10 BBL fermenter from Trail Way Brewing for their small batches and first runs. 

Picaroons says opening later this month The Roundhouse, that is located at the new brewery at 912 Union Street on Fredericton's north side, will offer a local food café and Picaroons taproom and retail shop. The Real Foods Café will offer an ever evolving menu of lighter fare and grab-n-go items, including hearty soups, fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches, Whitney Coffee & espresso, some ready-made meals, snacks, specialty items made with Picaroons, and some other Maritime produced products.  The Café will also serve as Picaroons' tasting room and will be pouring full size pints from a wide selection of Picaroons beers plus as much New Brunswick craft beer, cider, and mead as they can get.  There will be growler filling and bottles on site to purchase to go. The opening date will be announced soon. 

Red Rover Craft Cider made a hibiscus-gin infused cider with a revealing amount of New Brunswick’s Gin Thuya. Trumpty Dumpty is a 7% ABV cider that is on tap now at the Ciderhouse.

Have a great week and I'll be back next week. 

MBR November 10, 2016 - Nova Scotia Edition

 

Welcome to the November 10th Nova Scotia edition of the Maritime Beer Report. 

The Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards were last Sunday.  The big winners of the evening were Bad Apple Brewhouse and Big Spruce Brewing each taking four medals with Bad Apple being awarded Brewery of the Year and Big Spruce nabbing the Beer of the Year or "Best of Show" with their Ra Ra Rasputin Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout. Rockbottom Brewpub also had a great showing as well getting a gold for the IPA category and Brewpub of the Year.
The Cider House of the Year as well as two medals went to Annapolis Cider Company and the Cider of the Year was awarded to ShipBuilders Cider from ShipBuilders Cider Company
The People’s Choice returned this year for Beer and Cider with upstart Port Rexton Brewing's T-Rex Porter grabbing the beer category and Annapolis Cider Company's Crisp & Dry getting the cider category. 
For the full results and analysis check out 2016 Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards.

Big Spruce Brewing was brewing a collaboration this week in preparation for their tap takeover at Battery Park Beer Bar in December. North Brewing Company and the Battery Park kitchen were onsite in Nyanza.
The concept was to brew a tasty winter seasonal brew that is distinctly Nova Scotian. To do that they added donair meat. The Battery kitchen meticulously rendered in-house made donair meat, and then dehydrated it and ground it into a powder. It was added in the mash tun, along with all the grain required for an Imperial Stout. Once this beer is fermented, we will slow condition it on raspberries. The name for this Imperial Meat Stout aged on Raspberries is Blood Donair. It will launch on one of Battery's 15 taps in December. 

North Brewing released a new beer today, Wiley Boys II. They aged this black saison in Dartmouth for 3 months with Brettanomyces and strawberries and then bottle conditioned for another month. The result is a limited release with deep complexity. Notes of dark chocolate, fruit leather, ripe strawberry and subtle funk. This is drinking great now, but can be cellared to continue evolving. Note it is only available in 650mL bottles.

Garrison Brewing launched two of their winter seasonal beers today, back for the season are Spruce Beer and Winter Warmer.
Local spruce and fir tips from Meander River Farm are combined with Crosby’s blackstrap molasses to recreate North America’s oldest beer style, Spruce Beer. This traditional brew clocks in at 7.5% ABV and 35 IBUs. 650ml bombers will be available at the retail store beginning today, and should shortly be in stock at private stores and will be released at the NSLC starting next week!
Winter Warmer is a strong dark amber beer brewed with spices such as cinnamon and clove. Its warming character makes it a fantastic accompaniment on cold winter nights. Winter Warmer will be a 6-pack at the NSLC beginning next week but is being sold in 650 ml bombers both here at the brewery and in private stores. 

Good Robot Brewing are hosting a special Goodwill Bot that will donate $1 of each pint sold to support Wounded Warriors Canada tomorrow from noon to 6 PM. Also all military, former and current, are welcome to congregate and enjoy their first drink at the lowest legal price they can offer. Simply show up in uniform or with valid Canadian Military ID card. Also, $1 of each pint sold that day will go to support Wounded Warriors Canada.
On November 15, they are introducing a new series of events: BrewBot Homebrew Takeovers. 5 taps, all designed and brewed on our pilot system by a local homebrewer. First up is Keith Forbes who is well known in the Halifax beer community and brewed at Good Robot before.

Nine Locks Brewing has a Chocolate Stout coming to be released start of December. This chocolate stout is smooth, dark and full-bodied. Chocolate dominates the palate with notes of coffee and roasted grain. Hopping with East Kent Goldings provides a balanced finish. The beer is 6.1% ABV and 28 IBUs.

Champlains Feast, Royal order of Good Beer Dinner will be at Port Pub on Thursday, November 24 at 6 PM - 9 PM and features Sea Level Brewing. Enjoy a beautifully paired dinner, first course starting with Chedder Beer Soup, complimented with Blue Heron Extra Special Bitter beer. The second course will be Oysters Rockfeller, complimented with Planters Pale Ale. Third course, Duck Confit Poutine will be complimented with Rojo Mojo Red Ale and the fourth course will be Beer Braised Beef cheeks, complimented with Crossing Muddy waters Seasonal Brown Ale. The fifth course, the sweet course will be the Porter Chocolate Truffle Torte, complimented with Port in the Storm Porter.

Sober Island Brewing have brewed new British IPA and the first batch of our Winter Rye. The IPA will be ready for launch at the Cape Breton Beer Fest and the Winter Rye is to be announced. 

Unfiltered Brewing released the fourth in theirr series of SMaSH beers. Danko is made with two-row malt and Simcoe hops. Why Danko? Well, "dank" is a common descriptor of Nash's hop-monsters, and Rich Danko of The Band is from Simcoe, Ontario. Danko weighs in at 7.5% ABV and 100+ IBUs.

One Way Brewing is hoping to open next spring on 676 Prince Street in Truro. The 4 BBL operation will also have retail space to buy merchandise and growler fills. The head brewer duties will go to Ryan Blaikie, an International Business student at NSCC, who has been home brewing for 4 years, apprenticed at Sea Level Brewing and currently works at Nook & Cranny. They plan to offer a wide variety of beer including Belgian styles, lagers, IPAs and a bunch of seasonals. 


Thanks for checking me out again this week and from me thanks to all who served and continue to serve. 

One Way Brewing comes to Truro in 2017

(Truro, NS) - Partners Ryan Blaikie, Eric Jackson and John Keddy are building a microbrewery at 676 Prince Street in Truro. It is the fruition of a dream Blaikie and Keddy have had for some time. The 4 BBL operation will also have retail space to buy merchandise and growler fills. 
The head brewer duties will go to Ryan Blaikie, an International Business student at NSCC, who has been home brewing for 4 years, apprenticed at Sea Level Brewing and currently works at Nook & Cranny. They plan to offer a wide variety of beer including Belgian styles, lagers, IPAs and a bunch of seasonals. 
Look for One Way Brewing's beer to start flowing next spring on one-way Prince Street. 

Monday, November 7, 2016

2016 Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards


The third annual Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards were held from November 4th to the 6th in Halifax. The judging of over 257 entries was on Friday and Saturday at The Dome and the Gala on Sunday evening at The Stubborn Goat Gastropub

Thirty-five breweries and seven cideries shared the 42 medals awarded in 14 categories as well as seven special awards ( To see full medal counts see Table 1 and category details see Table 2). The People's Choice Award returned this year by an online survey of all the submitted beers and ciders. 

The big winners of the evening were Bad Apple Brewhouse and Big Spruce Brewing each taking four medals with Bad Apple being awarded Brewery of the Year and Big Spruce nabbing the Beer of the Year or "Best of Show" with their Ra Ra Rasputin Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout. Rockbottom Brewpub also had a great showing as well getting a gold for the IPA category and Brewpub of the Year.

The Cider House of the Year as well as two medals went to Annapolis Cider Company and the Cider of the Year was awarded to ShipBuilders Cider from ShipBuilders Cider Company

The People’s Choice returned this year for Beer and Cider with upstart Port Rexton Brewing's T-Rex Porter grabbing the beer category and Annapolis Cider Company's Crisp & Dry getting the cider category. 

It is a real pleasure to join in the celebration of the best of craft in our region. Hats off to CAPS-Atlantic for having this and thanks to the organizer Mark DeWolfe, Head Judge Chris MacDonald and with judges and stewards for their tireless work behind the scenes. 

Table 1 : Medal counts 

Brewery Gold Silver Bronze
Bad Apple Brewhouse 1 2 1
Big Spruce Brewing 1 1 2
Tatamagouche Brewing 0 1 2
Annapolis Cider Company 1 1 0
Uncle Leo's Brewery 1 1 0
Upstreet Craft Brewing 1 1 0
Brasseurs du Petit-Sault 1 0 1
Garrison Brewing 0 1 1
Good Robot Brewing 0 1 1
Paddy's Brewpub 0 1 1
Propeller Brewing 0 0 2
Alexander Keith's Brewery 1 0 0
Hell Bay Brewing 1 0 0
Lazy Bear Brewing 1 0 0
Moosehead Breweries 1 0 0
PEI Brewing 1 0 0
Pump House Brewery 1 0 0
Rockbottom Brewpub 1 0 0
ShipBuilders Cider 1 0 0
Boxing Rock Brewing 0 1 0
Breton Brewing 0 1 0
Oland Brewery 0 1 0
Spindrift Brewing 0 1 0
Elderkin's Cider Company  0 0 1
Red Rover Craft Cider 0 0 1
Trider's Craft Beer 0 0 1

Table 2 : Full Beer and Cider Category Breakdown 

North American & European Style Lager
Gold:    Moosehead Breweries – Moose Light
Silver:  Oland Brewery – Schooner
Bronze: Propeller Brewing – Nocturne Dark Lager

German Style Specialty Ales
Gold:    Uncle Leo’s Brewery – Altbier
Silver:  Uncle Leo’s Brewery – Vohs Weizenbier
Bronze: Garrison Brewing – Rise ‘N’ Stein

UK Style Specialty Ales
Gold:    Pump House Brewery – Barley Wine Ale
Silver:  Garrison Brewing – Irish Red Ale
Bronze: Trider’s Craft Beer – Rod’s Red

North American Style Specialty Ale
Gold:    Upstreet Craft Brewing – One Way Black IPA
Silver:  Spindrift Brewing – Riptide IPL
Bronze: Good Robot Brewing – Leave Me Blue Kentucky Corn

Belgian Style Specialty Ale
Gold:    Brasseurs du Petit-Sault – Tante Blanche
Silver:  Upstreet Craft Brewing – Denovo: Farmhouse Saison
Bronze: Tatamagouche Brewing – Tatamagouche Tripel

North American Style Amber/Red Ale
Gold:    PEI Brewing – Island Red
Silver:  Boxing Rock Brewing – Temptation Red Ale
Bronze: Paddy’s Brewpub – Annapolis Valley Ale 

Fruit & Field Beer
Gold:    Lazy Bear Brewing – Braunbär Honey Brown
Silver:  Big Spruce Brewing – The Silver Tart
Bronze: Brasseurs du Petit-Sault – Bonhomme Sept-Heures

Pale Ales
Gold:    Hell Bay Brewing – English Ale
Silver:  Bad Apple Brewhouse – American Pale Ale
Bronze: Big Spruce Brewing/Bar Stillwell – Gimme Citra

Stout/Porter
Gold:    Alexander Keith’s Brewery – Lunenburg Coffee and Cacao Stout
Silver:  Breton Brewing – Cocoa Envy 
Bronze: Tatamagouche Brewing – Two Rivers Baltic Porter

India Pale Ale
Gold:    Rockbottom Brewpub – Fathom IPA
Silver:  Tatamagouche Brewing – Deception Bay IPA
Bronze: Bad Apple Brewhouse – Mosaic DIPA

Experimental Beer
Gold:    Bad Apple Brewhouse – Smoked Porter
Silver:  Good Robot Brewing – Damn Fine Coffee and Cherry Pie Pale Ale
Bronze: Propeller Brewing – Graceland Too 

Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold:    Big Spruce Brewing – Ra Ra Rasputin 
Silver:  Bad Apple Brewhouse – Smoke Show
Bronze: Big Spruce Brewing – Coade Word: Snowmageddon

Standard Cider and Perry
Gold:   ShipBuilders Cider – ShipBuilders Cider
Silver:  Paddy’s Pub – Fitzgerald's Traditional Cider
Bronze: Elderkin’s Cider Company– Elderkin’s Traditional Hard Cider

Specialty Cider and Perry
Gold:    Annapolis Cider Company – Crisp & Dry
Silver:  Annapolis Cider Company  – Something Different – Peach & Peppercorn
Bronze: Red Rover Craft Cider – Fall Cider

Saturday, November 5, 2016

MBR November 4, 2016 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Welcome to the November 4th edition of the Maritime Beer Report for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

PEI Brewing announced a couple of things this week. First off the Gold Pack is now available in Nova Scotia. Featuring Setting Day, Sir John A, Vic Park and  Rogues Roost IPA look for it at your NSLC. Also at PEI Brewing they were bottling up some Hell Street 2016 batch.

Upstreet Craft Brewery has joined forces with Ontario brewery, Beau’s All Natural Brewing to raise money for their Rwanda Craft Brewery Project, an initiative aimed at helping Josephine Uwineza, a Rwandan entrepreneur, establish the first female-owned and operated brewery in Rwanda. Upstreet plans to donate $2 from every pint and growler sold in the taproom, with the goal of raising $2,500 by November 17th. To learn more about the project visit the Kickstarter page, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beaus/the-rwanda-craft-brewery-project

Bagtown Brewing revealed themselves via social media this week. They are a·student owned and operated nano-brewery that is trying to open in Sackville, New Brunswick. Opening in Sackville Commons & Coworking (former fire hall and RCMP detachment) the 14 member commerce class hope to be churning out beer in the new year. More details coming soon.

Beckwith Road Brewing is hosting their Launch Party on Saturday, November 26 from7 PM to 11 PM. They are selling tickets at the door as well as through EventBrite. Get all the details on their Facebook page. 

Big Tide Brewing released Barbarossa’s Black IPA.  It is a special brew that their brewer Thomas designed and brewed using pale ale, munich, dark caramunich, chocolate wheat and black malts and hopped to 70 IBUs with Hallertau Magnum and Citra hops. It has a medium-bodied toasty biscuit malt profile balanced well with the citrusy hop flavours. The IPA checks in at 6.8% ABV. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Winter Warmer is back for the season. You can find it now at the Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, the Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John, and at Alcool NB Liquor locations through New Brunswick. They will be delivering to the NSLC warehouse early next week to be distributed throughout Nova Scotia.
Picaroons released an Irish Canadian Stout this week. Picaroon's Iain Brannigan, and his pal Dave from Brú Brewery Meath in Ireland put their heads together to brew a truly International Stout. Brewed with real Canadian Maple Syrup and Irish Whiskey Oak chips this  beer rings in at 6.2% ABV and has all of those delicious toasted characteristics any good hardy stout should have. It is on tap exclusively at the Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John. 

The Pump House Brewery released their 2016 Stonefire Ale. The beer is created when the wort is heated by immersing hot stones into it that can reach temperatures up to 700°C (roughly 1,300°F). This tremendous heat forces the wort sugars to caramelize to the stones instantly, thus creating a one of a kind taste. A faint hint of smokiness in the background also pays tribute to this medieval brewing technique. It is 6.5% ABV and 7 IBUs. 

NB Liquor has opened a new store in Moncton at 1780 Mountain Road. The concept store will have product advisers offering samples so you can learn more about cocktails, wines or craft beer. The store extends the growler program with it's five tap station. 

Thanks for checking in again this week. 

 

Friday, November 4, 2016

MBR November 4, 2016 - Nova Scotia Edition


Welcome to the November 4th edition of Maritime Beer Report, here is all the beer news fit to share.

Nine Locks Brewing says their next release is Scotch Ale and will be available in the next couple weeks, in cans and growlers. It will be 7.5% ABV and 22 IBU is reminiscent of the Scottish ales of the 1700s and 1800s. This strong, dark beer with ruby highlights is deeply malty. A smooth body exhibiting caramel with hints of dark grains leads to a crisp finish.
Due to customer requests they are brewing the Cream Ale again and it will only be on draft at the brewery. Another couple weeks before it's ready. 

Propeller Brewing released its new winter seasonal, Coffee Porter, made with Java Blend Coffee Roasters Fog City Coffee. The Porter was a One Hit Wonder last year called Fog City Coffee Porter. The recipe was tweaked a bit but is pretty much same beer, brewed with Java Blend Fog City whole beans and "dry-hopped" with Java Blend Fog City ground coffee.
The 5.9% ABV and 35 IBU will be in 650 ml and growlers at the Propeller Shops on November 2nd and making its way to the NSLC and private stores towards end of the month. 
Propeller's perennial favourite Russian Imperial Stout is back on tap, 2016 edition, at both Propeller Shops now. The bottle edition will not be for a while until the 2015 edition sells down. 

Garrison Brewing had a special re-release of  Star Trek 50th Anniversary Golden Ale in 650 ml bombers. This delicious golden ale is beaming down just in time for Hal-Con this weekend.

Boxing Rock Brewing released its latest collaboration with  North Brewing and Battery Park Beer Bar. Boxing Park  India Brown Ale is a 5.7% ABV beer that melds roastiness of the malt and hops. Available now at North and Boxing Rock. 

Breton Brewing has something dark and hoppy at the brewery. Sticking to Cape Brewton theme, MacAskill's Revenge is the newest seasonal. This Black IPA comes in at 7.0% and 80 IBU.

Hell Bay Brewing has Black Flag IPA in 500 ml  bottle form. The 6.1% ABV beer is now at the brewery and soon elsewhere.

Meander River Farm has some of its beer available in 500 ml bottles for this weekend's Christmas at the Forum. Look for Shack Wacky, Home Grown, Honey Brown and Smoky Chipotle at the shows. 

Roof Hound Brewing has a double beer release Saturday night November 5th. Roof Hound IPA that was developed with thw help of Jeff Saunders from Bad Apple Brewhouse. It has more colour and lots of piney citrusy aroma.  The other beer is Big Brown Rum and Raisin Holiday Edition, this is a variation on the Big Brown in which the raisins and vanilla beans were soaked in rum prior to the addition. Also on Saturday night will have music from Tide n Timbre and Hannah Morgan. Beer starts flowing at 9 PM and the music starts at 10 PM.
Lastly Roof Hound Brewing will be selling growlers at the Yarmouth Farmers' Community Market on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM starting this week.

Good Robot Brewing won Best Brewery, Best Brew Pub, and third-best Comedy Show as nominated by readers of The Coast, Halifax's Weekly. To celebrate, they are hosting a Good Robot tap takeover Good Robot today. For a limited time, they will have 11 Good Robot beers on tap - the most they've ever had available - including:

  • Goseface Killah - Gose
  • Tom Waits for No One - Stout
  • Burban Legend v2.0 - APA
  • Crown on the Ground - Poor-man's Lager (Steam)
  • Skratch Plaskett - Electric Tambourine Ale (collab w/ Schoolhouse Brewery)
  • Damn Fine Coffee & Cherry Pie - Pale Ale v2.0 (collab w/ Bottleneck Coffee Co., sourced from Java Blend Coffee Roasters)
  • Ol' Scurvy Bastard - MargaRZA
  • Leave Me Blue - Kentucky Common (Corn)
  • HFXtraterrestrials - StankoniAle
  • 4th Chamber - Brew-Tang

Breton Brewing says that next Thursday, November 10, they are taking over the taps at Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar with Dave Sampson and Colin Grant providing the entertainment. 

The Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards are this Sunday, watch for all the results next week. That is a wrap, see you all next week. 


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Picaroons celebrates Stout Day with a New One

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons have finished brewing their latest beer, an Irish Canadian Stout. Picaroon's Iain Brannigan, and his pal Dave from Brú Brewery Meath in Ireland put their heads together to brew a truly International Stout. Brewed with real Canadian Maple Syrup and Irish Whiskey Oak chips this  beer rings in at 6.2% ABV and has all of those delicious toasted characteristics any good hardy stout should have. It will go on tap tomorrow exclusively at the Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John in honour of International Stout Day

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Propeller Brewing Releases Coffee Porter Seasonal

(Halifax, NS) - Propeller Brewing released its new winter seasonal, Coffee Porter, made with Java Blend Coffee Roasters Fog City Coffee. The Porter was a One Hit Wonder last year called Fog City Coffee Porter. The recipe was tweaked a bit but is pretty much same beer, brewed with Java Blend Fog City whole beans and "dry-hopped" with Java Blend Fog City ground coffee.
The 5.9% ABV and 35 IBU will be in 650 ml and growlers at the Propeller Shops on November 2nd and making its way to the NSLC and private stores towards end of the month.