Saturday, January 28, 2017

MBR January 27, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


My thought are with my friends that are still without power after this weeks ice storm. Lets hope you are all back on the grid soon. Here is the beer news for the week. 

Upstreet Craft Brewing announced they are working on a fun new Top Stamp campaign. Staring on February 6th, you will have three weeks to collect stamps from 12 great participating restaurants. Get Top Stamps and complete the Pogey Challenge by visiting five locations and then enter to win the prize pack of $600 worth of gift cards to your favourite restaurants, a brewery tour for you and 10 friends, and some Upstreet swag. Keep an eye out for details soon. 

Hammond River Brewing has released the S'Mores Graham Cracker Imperial Stout. Brewed with a good portion of Chocolate Malt, Graham crackers, local Crosby's Molasses, Honey, Madagascar Vanilla Beans, and toasted marshmallows. It comes in at 8.0% ABV and 50 IBUs, 

Picaroons Traditional Ales asks you to join them at The 5 Kings Restaurant and Picaroons Brewhouse on February 14th for a four course Ganong Chocolate infused dinner prepared by Lisa Aronson. Each course will be paired with a different Picaroons and will be hosted by your favourite Picaroons Certified Cicerone Ian Covey. Tickets will go on sale starting next Tuesday January 31 in person or by phone at The 5 Kings (466-BREW), and at the Ganong Chocolatier for $50 + tax and gratuity. 

Tide and Boar Gastropub has a new beer out. Killington IPA is now on tap and has New England at heart. This beer is a dank citrus juice hop bomb that comes in at 7.6% ABV and 80 IBUs. Also new is Sour Otis Grapefruit Berliner Weisse that is made with 24 fresh grapefruits per barrel and is an acidic yet balanced kettle sour. 

Trail Way Brewing also has brewed and canned a new DIPA, Hop Stains. It is heavily hopped with Azacca, El Dorado and Citra and backed up with a solid 8% ABV. Available now in limited supply at the brewery. 

Have a great week and I will be back in a weeks time. 

Friday, January 27, 2017

MBR January 27, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


A very busy week beer wise here in Nova Scotia this week. 

After a long wait and a misstart 2 Crows Brewing is opening tomorrow. Their, as they put it soft-opening, is tomorrow January 28th from noon until 10 PM. They will have their core lineup plus a few kegs of special pilot batches and one-offs. 

Big Spruce Brewing was brewing yesterday with Bishop's Cellar to create a Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter called Anaphylactic Choc. Look for a release at their tap takeover at Bishop's Cellar on February 25th. 

Boxing Rock Brewing have released their Oban Heather in time for Rabbie Burns day yesterday. It's made with Golden Promise Malt to give a malty biscuity base to showcase the Scottish Heather flowers they put into the brew and then all balanced off with local honey. Available now at RockHead Wine & Beer Market, Harvest Wines and Spirits, Cristall Wine Merchants, and Bishop's Cellar in 650 ml bottles. You can also get it on tap right now at the Henry House in Halifax and this weekend at their stalls at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, Alderney Landing Farmers' Market and at retail store in Shelburne. 

Gahan House - Halifax has a couple of releases this week. The new version of Crosscurrent APA and an English Golden Ale.
The new version of Crosscurrent APA strays form the American hop combos that have been used up to this point. This release was hopped with Magnum and a lot of Dr. Rudi. The NZ variety lends big lemon, dry lime and pine notes for a very refreshing hop profile. It is still 5.5% ABV and 32 IBUs, with a malt bill that includes flaked oats and flaked wheat.
The English Golden Ale is 4.5% ABV and 16 IBUs. Every ingredient used is of British origin. Fuggles were hop of focus here. The beer received a fairly large late addition lending a delicate hop character. Maris Otter was the only malt used. So this is pretty much a SMaSH without intentionally trying to make one. The Maris Otter gives a very doughy character with subtle notes of honey, accompanied by a faint bitterness and an herbal, floral bouquet. Very simple beer, but technically sound for the style.
Gahan is also going to have a brewmaster’s dinner event. Their Chef, Chris Jeffery and head brewer Kyle Jeppesen sat down and created a 4 course meal with beer pairings. The dinner is February 21st and costs $60.00 for the four course dinner. They would like these events to become a regular thing at Gahan, and they are planning themed courses and pairings for the next dinner. It is a ticketed event. If somebody would like to buy tickets they can contact gahan.halifax@murphyrestaurants.ca

Garrison Brewing says take a picture showing them what you love about this Dirty Ol’ Town of Halifax. Make sure to tag Garrison in the photo and use the #LoveThisDirtyOlTown hashtag on Instagram for a chance to win. They will repost all entries, and whoever's picture has the most likes by February 9th wins a brewery tour for 10.

Lazy Bear Brewing is having a taster night featuring their Orange Kolsch on Friday, February 3 from 7 PM to 9 PM at Bunchberry Nurseries 2779, Hwy 1,, Annapolis Royal. Taste the first beer to ever feature Nova Scotia-grown oranges grown at Bunchberry. They have a limited amount so they decided to share the experience at a tasting night. It will be beach-themed and will feature some local food. 

Sea Level Brewing released Callahan's Crosstime Irish Ale this week. It is a malt forward smooth Irish ale using Horton Ridge Malt and Grain floor malted barley and galaxy hops giving a sublime tropical fruit aroma. The ale checks in at 7.3% ABV. 

Tatamagouche Brewing released its Barrel Aged Barley Wine to the Giant Beer family. Aged in fresh 13 year old single malt Glenora Distillery barrels were used as well as Horton Ridge Malt and Grain malt as the base to give this American style barley wine a 10.5% ABV. Balanced with spirit and barrel character, this barley wine is great now and is going to age very nicely. Available now at the brewery.

Tidehouse Brewing has an India Saison back on. They say "Think IPA meets a Belgian/French yeast profile". Coming in at 6.8% ABV and jam-packed with loads of Ahtanum, Azacca and Amarillo hops. This one won't last.


Sober Island Brewing and Brightwood Brewing are taking over all 5 taps tomorrow from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Bishop's Cellar. Stop by for a free taste with the breweries plus fill your growlers with three delicious brews from Sober Island Brewing and two from Brightwood.

There was a change in the law this week which is a game changer for Nova Scotia restaurants. Restaurant owners can now serve customers who aren't ordering food up to two glasses of beer or wine. The old law required all patrons to order food if they wanted an alcoholic beverage unless the establishment had a lounge licence. It has been a big frustration for restaurant owners especially during the busy tourist season. 

Have a great week end and as always enjoy responsibly. 

Saturday, January 21, 2017

MBR January 20, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Hitting the mid January blahs but here is the beer news for this week. 

The Gahan House is putting their Homebrewer's Challenge Winning Beer On Tap tomorrow at 11 AM until 8 PM. The beer is Solstice, a winter warmer style beer brewed with molasses and a blend of spices.The winning team is Clayton Harding, Jaime Venturini, Jonathan Green, and Will Panting.

Upstreet Craft Brewing says Top Stamp is available across the Island now and coming to Nova Scotia soon. Top Stamp is an easy drinking honey brown lager with a sweet beginning, a dry finish and a clean aftertaste.  Brewed using Maritime Malt and NB Golding hops, it is 5% ABV and 15 IBU's .

Iain MacInnes and Karine Gallant are renovating a historic building in Abrams Village PEI that once served as a court house into a malting facility. Trials on the malt are planned for March, using a facility in New Brunswick that can test the quality of the product so that they can perfect the process at the Abrams Village malt house. They have spoken with several breweries in Nova Scotia as well as Upstreet Craft Brewing and Barnone Brewery and Hop Farm about providing them with malt, and has received promising feedback about keeping the supply chain local. See full CBC article here 

Bore City Brewing says at ANBL Moncton North had Mondo IPA on tap in limited quantities and next week look for Spacetime Odyssey Porter available for growler fills. An American-style porter (6% ABV) infused with coffee from Down East Coffee Roasters. 

Graystone Brewing created Shiver Stout for Shivering Songs Fest. A coffee stout made with cold brew Whitney coffee. The 4.7% ABV 30 IBU beer is available on tap,  The Capital Complex and Fredericton Boyce Farmers' Market

Johnny Jacks Brewery are releasing their new Pond Hockey Winter Ale. In stores soon the 5.4% ABV beer comes in a special 750 ml swing-top bottle. 

Have a great week and enjoy responsibly.


Friday, January 20, 2017

MBR January 20, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition

 

Here is all the news for this week that you need to know. 

2 Crows Brewing says after a lot of work and a few setbacks they now have beer and an opening date. They are having a soft opening on January 28th from noon until 10 at 1932 Brunswick Street. They will have their core lineup plus a few kegs of special pilot batches and one-offs.

Big Spruce Brewing has their seasonal Coade Word: Snowmaggedon 2016/17 out now. Their winter warmer is a tribute to world record holding meteorologist Peter Coade is available at Sprucetique and select taps soon with the barrel aged version to follow.

Garrison Brewing had to change 2017 Home Brew Off Gala to March 23rd. The due date for entries and judging date remains the same. 

Pop-Up Love Party is happening February 16-19, 2017 at the Battery Park Beer Bar and Eatery. Pop-Up Love Party reimagines Plato’s Symposium in its quest to define love with all its plagues and pleasures. Enriching this roller coaster ride through the depths of desire is a 7-course snack menu created by Dartmouth-born, New York-famed, Michelin-starred chef, Daniel Burns, who created the menu specifically for Pop-Up Love Party with flavours and textures to heighten moments of the production. Locally-loved and accomplished chef Dennis Johnston, of Fid Kitchen fame, will act as head chef for the production, overseeing the preparation of Daniel Burns' menu at Battery Park.
North Brewing has created a very special beer for this production, The "Zuppa Symposium" is a milk stout, aged on cherrywood and blackberries, then conditioned in the bottle.

La Frasca says with the help of  Propeller Brewing they created their very own personal beer resembling the flavour of an authentic Friulano birra. Exclusively available, on draft, at Il Mercato, Ristorante A Mano and Bicycle Thief

Saltbox Brewery has their Make and Break Double IPA on tap for a limited time. Go get it.

Brightwood Brewing, Sober Island Brewing, Tidehouse Brewing and Schoolhouse Brewing are combining for Evolution, a nanobrewery tap takeover on February 9th at Battery Park Beer Bar. Two of these will be opening new breweries very soon to become micros and the other two will follow in the future. 

Tatamagouche Brewing is doing a Tap Takeover tomorrow at Ducky's in Sackville NB. All 20 taps including Mrs Magouche as well as the yet to be released Barrel Aged Barley Wine. 

Unfiltered Brewing released Deity SMaSH DIPA again. The beer has a blast of hoppy juiciness with spicy, herbal notes from the Columbus hops that rings in at 7.5% ABV at 100+ IBU.

Hope you all have a great week end. 

Friday, January 13, 2017

MBR January 13, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Hope Friday the 13th was good luck for you, here is this weeks report. 

PEI Brewing is bringing 8 Cord DIPA back. You may recall this beer was made when the rules were changed on PEI to allow brewing beer over 6.5% ABV. It is being released on Thursday, January 19 from 5 PM - 7 PM in The Taproom. There will be sampling along with music from Jocelyn Fraser and Bruce Rooney.
This Double IPA features citrus, pine, and floral aromas with just enough bready malt flavour to carry the strong, smooth bitterness. Why 8 Cord? To make it through a PEI winter, you need at least 8 cord of wood and at 8.5%, it's the perfect beer to get you through the coldest months of the year.

Bogtrotter has another new beer. Drunken Newt Red Rye Ale, 5% ABV,  is now available at Oromocto and York St ANBL stores and is also in the rotation at 540 kitchen.

Flying Boats Brewing brewed Station Master Stout this week. They say this beer is all about mouth feel and flavours of slight chocolate, coffee and roastiness. The beer should come in at 5.2% ABV. More details soon. 

Graystone Brewing released The North Pilsner. It is a Czech Pilsner coming in at 5.3% ABV and 40 IBUs. They say it is a crisp and clean pilsner with bitter finish, on tap now. 

Loyalist City Brewing has kegged a new pale ale. Three Sisters Pale Ale is a hoppy and refreshing American style pale ale that features an assertive mix of citrus and tropical fruit flavor and aroma from massive whirlpool additions of three of our favorite American hops: Centennial, Citra, and Mosaic hops. A blend of two base malts helps create a subtle malt complexity to complement the hops. The beer is fermented clean and cool with a California ale yeast strain to allow the two dry hop additions of Mosaic hops to leave the beer with a strong and unique tropical fruit nose. Named after the Three Sisters Lamp erected in 1842 at the end of Prince William Street to welcome visitors to the Saint John Harbour by guiding them safely into port. Look for it now. 

Maybee Brewing announced starting next week you will be able to get Forage Rye IPA in cans at all ANBL stores in NB. Make sure to ask for it. 

Trail Way Brewing has a new fresh IPA on tap, Ellipse, brewed with Amarillo, Citra and Chinook. An orange juice, full-bodied, hazy, fresh IPA. This one is not getting canned and actually is making its way around the province for the ANBL growler program next week. 
They also have a new Imperial Milk Stout (contains lactose) called Mo-Joe. Mo-Joe is 6.3% ABV and very chocolate-forward in flavour that balances the coffee flavour very well. This coffee stout utilizes their very own Trailway blend of coffee beans, roasted by the local Whitney Coffee Company. This blend was designed to be particularly fruity and full of character. 
One last colorful beer to be released this week. Cerasus was kettle-soured with lactobacillus and then left to referment on a huge amount of cherries. Available tomorrow January 14th. 

Have a great week and I will be back next Friday. 

MBR January 13, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


 Hope all is well on this Friday the 13th, here is the news for this week.


Good Robot Brewing says today marks the return of Burban Legend APA v3.0, This version is dry-hopped with Citra and uses a California Ale yeast. The beer gives a Piney, Floral and Fruity aroma with a toasty, resiny, citrus and earthy flavour. The beer weighs in 5.9% ABV and 42 IBUs. 
Staff members, Kelly and Erica, brewed a BetaBrew for release this Sunday at the taproom only. Scottish Spice Ginger Ale, an ode to their pre-teen redheaded female inspiration (Ginger spice of Spice Girls) and ancestral heritage, as well as the yeast used (Scottish ale).  They also used some locally-harvested sumac post-fermentation for a little lemony zing. 
GRBCo is also hosting its popular Silent Reading on Tuesday and hosting In the Dead of Winter Festival from Wednesday to Friday where prominent musicians couple up for song circles at the taproom. They are ticketed events with details here

Garrison Brewing launched Wintervention Imperial Chocolate Stout today. Garrison says "It's that time of year again… 20˚ below, dark at 4 o'clock &  the holidays are over. Time for  a Wintervention! Fight back with this biggest of stouts brewed to Imperial strength & conditioned a month on cocoa nibs". The stout clocks in at 10.5% ABV and 60 IBUs. Available exclusively in the brewery and private stores beginning today with a  650ml bottle retailing for $8.95. 

Breton Brewing is releasing Crazy Angus Double IPA next Friday, January 20th.The DIPA will be 7.4% ABV and 85 IBU's and is based on the Black Angus malt backbone and has a different schedule of hops while keeping the citrusy hop profile that people have come to love about the Black Angus IPA. 

Brightwood Brewery released Portland St. Porter last week end at the Alderney Farmers Market. It is a 5.3% ABV and 31 IBU beer. Drop down and see them this week end.

Gahan House Halifax is having a home brew competition. To enter email kyle.jeppesen@murphyrestaurants.ca who will confirm your registration.  You will then produce a Trappist Single and submit 4 bottles to Gahan by March 10th, Brewers have free range in the beer but the judging will be in reference to the BJCP guidelines for the style. 

This is Propeller Brewing’s 20th anniversary and with that they will put the Gottingen Street brewery tours and tap room tastings on hold for the next 8-10 weeks while the facility undergoes renovations. Grower fills and retail sales will still be available in the front room throughout the construction.
They also say beyond renovations to the bricks and mortar, Propeller’s 20th Anniversary year will be marked by a series of extra-special anniversary-worthy One-Hit-Wonder brews, a (slight) branding refresh, a line of limited-edition anniversary merchandise plus a party or two to celebrate 20 years of survival as an upstart local in a tough multi-national industry.

Sober Island Brewing is releasing a new Winter Rye shortly that will come in at 6.8% ABV with a rusty red colour. They say "This beer is full bodied, smooth and heavy on the malt. With a high Rye content it finishes off with a nice warm Rye bread spice character. Dangerously drinkable".
They also have a new British IPA out that has a complex malt character that compliments four different hop varieties to create a balanced 6.2% and 42 IBU brew. 

Spindrift Brewing has a new Imperial Pils out. A blend of Canadian and German Pilsner malts make this is a deceivingly light looking lager packing a punch of 8.0% ABV and 70 IBU. Aromatics of melon, citrus and passion fruit are led by generous amounts of Hallertau Blanc, El Dorado and Citra hops. This is a draught only release. 

This week Bier Markt starting advertising for staff in Halifax. If you are unaware of them, they are part of Cara and assert themselves as a European style brasserie with 150 beers from 30 countries. Also say all staff are Prud'homme Beer Certified so you should be able to get beer questions answered easily. This will be the third one outside of Ontario joining Montreal and St. John's. No details on the Halifax operation yet but I expect to see a large selection of Canadian and European beers on tap and a deep bottle selection. I also hope to see a lot of local independent craft producers of seasonal rotating taps. 

Yarmouth's First Craft Beer Festival will go on May 27th ant the Grand Hotel. Details a re a little thin right now but they say the festival will feature a variety of finely made craft beers and ciders, as well as delicious food, and live music. ​There is a website and tickets are now on sale. 
How it will work is upon entry you will receive a commemorative tasting glass and 5 sampling tickets. Sampling tickets can be redeemed for beer and food samples. Additional sampling tickets can be purchased for $2 each, either during the event or when you buy your tickets online.
Nice to see a festival coming to that end of the province. Watch for updates.

Have a great week end and if you are in Halifax Stillwell is hosting Mikkeller Fest Part II tomorrow but whatever you do, enjoy responsibly. 

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Propeller Brewing Plans 20th Anniversary Festivities Throughout 2017


Propeller Brewing, Nova Scotia's third oldest independent craft brewer, released a press releasing highlighting its plans for their 20th year of business. 


Propeller Brewing Company is making BIG plans to mark 2017 as its 20th year of brewing, packaging, selling, and celebrating craft beer in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
While many details remain in the development phase at this point, the Propeller team is intent on “celebrating its healthy, long-term survival” all year long. When asked to put 20 years of brewing into perspective, Propeller founder and owner, John Allen says, “Tomorrow is never a guarantee in any business — let alone craft beer. You have to keep your head down and do the job. You commit to showing up every day and making beer you’re confident is of the highest quality. That’s been our approach from day one, and beer enthusiasts of Halifax have rewarded us with their loyalty every single day since we opened.”
“We always believed that Halifax would support us if we put in the time and energy, without cutting corners, to make high-quality, consistent craft beer. Styles and tastes can change from year-to-year but quality and consistency never go out of style.”
The first major change in Propeller’s 20th anniversary year will emerge this week as the Gottingen Street brewery will put a hold on tours and tap room tastings for the next 8-10 weeks while the facility undergoes renovations.
Grower fills and retail sales will still be available in the front room throughout the construction but no new private bookings will be available until the new tap room is opened in April.
Beyond renovations to the bricks and mortar, Propeller’s 20th Anniversary year will be marked by a series of extra-special anniversary-worthy One-Hit-Wonder brews, a (slight) branding refresh, a line of limited-edition anniversary merchandise plus a party or two to celebrate 20 years of survival as upstart locals in a tough multi-national industry.
We look forward to celebrating our 20th Anniversary year with you throughout 2017! 

Friday, January 6, 2017

MBR January 6, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Seems like the holidays didn't slow New Brunswick craft down one bit. 

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault says its famous Canon Franchetti is finally back. This velvety smooth stout is brewed with real good coffee, resulting in strong roasted aroma dominated by flavours of freshly-brewed espresso and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Named in honour of the architect and pastor of downtown Edmundston’s Saint-John-the-Baptist church. Available in bottles and growlers. 

Foghorn Brewing though only a few months old made its first collaboration with Wendy Papadopoulos from Big Tide Brewing. Humbuggery Best Bitter is now available in the taproom or as a growler fill at the brewery. 

Graystone Brewing released Mont Blanc Belgian White IPA over the holidays. A collaboration with Gore Farm this Belgian wheat beer is hopped with Summit, Amarillo and Idaho 7. 

Hammond River Brewing created a Russian Imperial Stout called Quicksand Jesus and it weighs in at 10.1% ABV. A portion of this has been transferred into an oak barrel where it will age for approximately a month. Shane also brewed Too Hop To Handle Imperial IPA that is a unique batch as it was brewed with Hop Hash from New Brunswick's Southan Farms. This hoppy beast is 8.2% ABV and 162 IBUs.

Loyalist City Brewing brewed up Parrtown Pale Ale, a malt forward English style pale ale best known as an English bitter. Brewed from Simpson’s Maris Otter malt imported from Northumberland England, it has a rich, full bodied, biscuity malt flavor characteristic to the style. The rich malt body is balanced with a firm bitterness from East Kent Golding hops that impart a subtle herbal and floral aroma to the finished beer.
Named after the area in Saint John where the British loyalists landed in 1783, this beer brewed from only malted barley, hops, yeast, and water represents a flavorful style that has dominated English ales after its introduction in 1777. Look for this beer to be available in the coming weeks.

Mama's Brew Pub has brought out Caino's Stout on nitro at the pub. Look for it now.

Some exciting news at Railcar Brewing. One brewhouse three breweries. That's right in addition to Railcar who are currently sharing their space with River Valley Micro and now their newest contract brewer Murchies Micro Brew by Matt Murchison. Look for Matt's brews to appear on tap for growler fills soon. 

Savoie's Brewhouse says to look for a new beer soon at the brewery. Restigouche River Raspberry wheat Ale is coming soon. 

Rothesay New Brunswick, that had no breweries not that long ago, is transforming into a major craft beer center with Foghorn opening last year and Hammond River building their new facility next to The Barrel’s Head just down Hampton Road. Add to these two top breweries Long Bay Brewery up on Marr Road will be opening this year as well making the sleepy bedroom community a top beer destination. 

Hope everyone has a great week and I will be back next week with your beer news. 





MBR January 6, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


Welcome back to the Report for 2017, I hope you all had a great holiday season. 

Garrison Brewing are launching Dirty Ol’ Town Black IPA at their retail location today. The beer comes in a 6-pack of 341 ml bottles and will retail for $14.49. It will be available at the NSLC shortly as well as at ANBL later this month. The beer comes in at 6.5% ABV and 55 IBUs. 

Good Robot Brewing released Cystic Fibrewsis, a Strong American Bitter, their collaboration with Sickboy Podcast. Sickboy attempts to break down the stigma of sickness and disability via open conversation. $10 of each keg sold will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, whose efforts aid folks in dealing with this currently incurable disease. The ESB is 5.8% ABV and 30 IBUs. 

Annapolis Cider newest "Something Different" is Cranberry Clementine. It's a 6.3% ABV unfiltered sparkling cider that was blended by combining theirr characteristic dry-fermented cider base with fresh-pressed local cranberry and apple juices. The final blend was infused with clementine zest. The result is a deep blush hued cider with refreshing cranberry tartness augmented with aromatic notes of citrus. This time $0.50 from each refillable bottle will be donated to Acadia S.M.I.L.E.

Hell Bay Brewing is having a Burns Night. On January January 25th they as you to help them celebrate the life and works of Robbie Burns in their taproom. There will be beer, poetry, beer, Haggis, and don't forget the beer which I hear may be a Wee heavy. They are open 10 AM until 10 PM. 

Lazy Bear Brewing has a new beer called The People's Common. It is a hybrid ale/lager that is clear and crisp as a lager, but has a nice malty body like an ale. Look for it available soon.  

Lunn’s Mill Beer Company, an homage to the original name for Lawrencetown, is hoping to be open early this year at 515 Highway 201. The brewery is starting on a 150 litre system until the larger system arrives. Initially the beer will be in growlers that will be delivered and at Farm Markets, In the future look for a dining area as well as outdoor dining space. Full story here 

Roof Hound Brewing released a Session IPA recently. It is an easy drinking 4.7% ABV. In other news they are preparing to bottle in 2017, look for 650 ml bottles later on this year.

Trider's Craft Beer has opened their retail space at 46 Anson Avenue, Unit 3 in Amherst. The store will now be open throughout the week. Look for a new schedule coming soon with regular store hours.

Unfiltered Brewing is releasing Hyper-Galactic SMaSH IPL at noon today. Topaz hops make this rare Nash lager spicy, resinous, and full of tropical fruit flavour. It is 7.5% ABV. 

The Fourth Annual Craft Beer & Local Food Celebration is next Thursday, January 12th. The event pairs 16 breweries with restaurants. There will be a lot of great beer but as is a tradition several beers will debut. Here is the list I have so far. 
- Big Spruce Brewing - Risky Biscuits - A Dark Mild, and the winning entry at the annual Home Brew Challenge. Brewer David Pepper will be pouring it. Big Spruce says "This smooth, lighter bodied, malt rich beer was fermented on Wyeast 1098 and hopped with our own organic Goldings and Fuggles hops. 4.5% ABV and 23 IBU."
- Big Spruce Brewing - Liquid James Brown - Described as a Milkshake IPA, brewed with organic Oat Groats and Lactose to produce a slightly sweet, remarkably smooth bodied beer. Hopped heavily and late with tropical Mosaic and El Dorado hops for a huge aroma and hop forward flavour.  
- Good Robot Brewing - Daughter of Sin (DIPA) - Brewed by Brathair Brewing on Good Robot's system.
- Tatamagouche Brewing - Mrs. Magouche American IPA - brewed his juicy, hoppy American IPA in collaboration with Ladies' Beer League. Hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe, and El Dorado hops and fermented with Escarpment Lab's Vermont Ale yeast - a stone fruit and citrus hop-accentuating yeast. 

More details here

Have a great week and whatever that may be please enjoy responsibly.