Authentic Seacoast Opens New Brewery and Distillery

(Guysborough, NS) - Authentic Seacoast Company celebrated the Grand Opening of their new state-of-the-art brewery and distillery on June 18th. Located on Ferry Road next to Osprey Shores Golf Resort the facility’s footprint spans more than 22,000 square feet and comprises three buildings including a hospitality room, still house, brew hall, milling room, packaging hall and warehouse. 

The new facility represents a significant increase in Authentic Seacoast’s craft brewing of Rare Bird Craft Beer with the addition of a 30 BBL brew system and 90 BBL fermenters. This system does double duty by starting some of the spirits before sending them to the still house. 


When it came to the facility’s design, all efforts were made to blend in to historic Guysborough. “Our intention was to reduce the impact of the structure on the streetscape, make it more interesting, yet achieve the functional goals of the facility,” says Authentic Seacoast Proprietor Glynn Williams. “These are wood structures with cedar as the cladding material, which is a traditional form of local construction.”

The multi-million dollar expansion will also add about two dozen jobs to the area as it comes on stream. The new Authentic Seacoast brewery and distillery is now open to the public with tours and tastings are available at 2:00 PM throughout the summer and by appointment during the winter months.

Maritime Beer Report - July 3, 2015

Hello and welcome to the July 3rd edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Barnone Brewing is now at the Charlottetown Farmers Market in Charlottetown.

PEI Brewing Company says the next Vic Park Pale Ale Hop Sessions is available and this one has Nelson Sauvin hops. It is now available at the PEI Brewing Company in limited quantities.
They also have a simple Keller Bier on tap this week. So simple and limited.

Acadie-Broue gave an update this week. They recently brewed in collaboration with Wendy from Big Tide Brewing on their system in Saint John. They brewed the Gaboteuse II, a Belgian IPA. It is a tripel at 9 % ABV and 70 IBUs. It will soon be available at Tide and Bore for a limited time.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault says Soeur Catherine IPA is now available in bottles. Look for it at your ANBL store.

Flying Boats Brewing is officially starting to sell kegs to restaurants and special events. La Coast Restaurant and Maison Gabrielle Inn in Shediac currently have the Flying Boats Picnic Train Witbier (Bière Blanche/White Ale) on tap. They say it is a "Nice refreshing Saison style beer, brewed with Wheat/Pilsner malts and oatmeal with a touch of orange peel and coriander spice added".

Grimross Brewing says they are now available at:
FREDERICTON - King Street Ale House, Brewbakers, The Blue Door, Windsor Castle Pub (Grad House), James Joyce Irish Pub, Isaac's Way, Wilsors Room, Sam Sneads, Moma's Pub and Ringo's Grill - Coming soon to The Palate.
MONCTON - Tide and Boar and Old Triangle Irish Pub
SAINT JOHN - Saint John Ale House
SACKVILLE - Ducky's Pub

Breton Brewing announced their Brewery's Launch Party at Flavor on the Water, Saturday, July 18th. They will have their line up of beer available, along with 4 amazing bands, and some amazing food from the stellar folks at Flavor on the Water. Be sure to get your tickets soon online and in person at the brewery.

Granite Brewery says Honey Ginger Ale is now available in growlers at their beer store. It is a light pale ale at 4.8% ABV with a hint of honey and ginger and will be available all summer.

Meander River Farm will NOT be open this weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 3 to 5) - back on the 10th.

Rare Bird Craft Beer says their Spruce Ale is now available at the Rare Bird Pub.

Tatamagouche Brewing says cans are here. North Shore Lagered Ale and Hippie Dippie Pale Ale available in indivdual cans, 12 packs, and mix cases. Butcher Block Red and seasonals coming soon.

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

Maritime Beer Report - June 19, 2015

Hello and welcome to the June 19th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

The latest Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation annual sales information released this week shows continued exceptional growth for Nova Scotia made craft beer. According to the NSLC, Nova Scotia craft beer sales grew last year by 25.4% compared to 22% the year before. This growth is even more significant given the 1.2% decline in sales in the beer category overall. Overall, the Nova Scotia Craft Beer industry grew 35.9 % last year, including more than $10 million in direct sales from breweries and the private wine stores, in addition to the over $5 million of sales through the NSLC retail outlets. 

Big Spruce Brewing is having a food truck party every Friday throughout the summer and next Friday, June 26th is the first  first day. The folks at Free Range Bio Farm will be there with their custom Big Yellow food truck, featuring some of their on-farm raised/processed, German style, Berkshire pork sausages. There will be potato salad, sauerkraut, chili, and lots of other delicious local treats. 

Boxing Rock tells me that the last batch of Sessionista is ready to be released. Sad news but they are brewing a new session ale on Monday and rumor has it there will be rye in it. Stay tuned for details.

Garrison Brewing says they are pouring "Brewhouse Cider" in conjunction with their friends Bulwark Ciders, and produced right in the old seaport brewery. Also Garrison's Coast to Coastless Imperial ESB will be released on Monday. This is a strong 7.6% ABV and 50 IBUs beer and was made with Philips Brewing, Flying Monkeys Craft Brewing and Trou du Diable. This will be available at the brewery, bottle shops and NSLC eventually.

Granite Brewery was brewing Honey Ginger this week. It should be available next week end and for the rest of the summer.

North Brewing Company has produced "Hang Ten" birthday beer for The Local Source and will be out this Saturday in their store and Lion and Bright. It is a 4.5% ABV hybrid lager dry hopped with Wakatu and Columbus. 

Rare Bird Pub opened yesterday for the summer season on the Guysborough waterfront. A great place to have a Rare Bird Craft beer. 

The Gahan House says they are heading to the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Located at the top of the festival grounds will be the Gahan at the Beach Pop-up Restaurant featuring handcrafted ales on tap, beer and food demos, a pig roast and so much more.

Join the Ladies Beer League at their Second Beerthday Party on June 27th at The Wooden Monkey Restaurant in Dartmouth. They will have four special casks made by some of our favourite local craft breweries.
Tickets are $25 and include five 5 oz cask samples, a belly full of the Wooden Monkey's amazing pizza and - of course - birthday cake.
To celebrate their second year there are new Ladies Beer League swag. Come out to celebrate, hang out with awesome people, share ideas for future events, or just come for the beer. 
The casks include: 
- Boxing Rock is bringing Rule 42, which is an English IPA collaboration with Hell Bay, Sea Level and Gahan House.
- Big Spruce is doing up a Pump Le Mousse Grapefruit Wheat. 
- Garrison firkin and North Brewing cask, 
In celebration of their 2nd birthday they want to know where you have gone with the Ladies Beer League. Post a picture of you in your LBL shirt before Friday June 26 and you could win one of their new shirts designed by Dartmouth Clothing Company. Check on the facebook for details.

Tasting NB is bringing together NB craft alcohol producers of all varieties for the first time. This early evening outdoor event takes place across The Capital Complex patios and surrounding area. Producers include Picaroons Traditional Ales, Big Axe Brewery, Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault, TrailWay Brewing , Grimross Brewing , Railcar Brewing, The Pump House Brewery and Restaurant, Belleisle Winery, Red Rover Brewing, Pollen Angels Meade and Fils du Roy Spirits. Additional producers still to be announced. This is taking place Saturday July 11, 2015 from 7PM - 10PM.

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

Maritime Beer Report - May 1, 2015

Hello and welcome to the May 1st edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

The Big Axe Brewing and Hammond River Brewing collaboration has a name. Ask for Two Rivers India Black Ale when it hits the bars.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault have a new beer out today. La Kedgwick pilsner is now available at the Brewtique, next week at ANBL growler stations and this summer in bottles. 

Railcar Brewing is hosting He Said Beer She Said Wine on Saturday, May 23 at 7:00 PM. Join Brewer Mitch Biggar and his wife Sarah Nicholson as they pair 4 appetizers with a beer and a wine. You get to choose which is better and who wins this husband vs wife throw down. Tickets in advance due to food prep. $20.00 at the brewery.

Rare Bird Craft Beer has a Red Ale coming out on Monday but some NSLC stores put it out early so you are not seeing things.

Tatamagouche Brewing, Big Spruce Brewing & Propeller Brewing – have announced a one-off co-release to mark the upcoming inaugural Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week. Cerberus American IPA is a 7% ABV organic ale with the following description:
Cerberus is the 3 headed hellhound of Organic American-style India Pale Ales. Abundantly bitter and deeply aromatic, Cerberus combines late addition Centennial, Amarillo, Simcoe and Zythos hops in copious, lip-smacking quantities for a balanced complexity that will have you craving more. Cerberus will be released on May 9th, and will be available in a limited run of 650 ml bottles, as well in growlers at the three participating breweries.

Big Spruce Brewing is introducing the first ever lager in our brewery's history, She's Maibock. They added the zest of 40 lemons to the boil, and then again dry hopped this beer with lemon zest. It is 6.1% ABV and 30 IBU.  Available now at our brewery, and also at Stillwell, The Stubborn Goat, Lion & Bright, The Townhouse, and Governors.

Boxing Rock Brewing has released Sessionista 2015 and is what they like to call a "Fractional IPA". It's still bold, and malty, but it's also aromatic and hoppy. The first thing that hits you is that great nose of floral hops. Think lemon blossom, orange, and tropical fruit. Then flavours of biscuit, roasty caramel and toasted bread on the palate backed up by a tropical fruity hop middle with just the right amount of bitterness and finishing with a piney citrusy blast. It weighs in at a slightly higher 4% ABV than last years.

Good Robot Brewing released their opening beers for next week, First up is Tom Waits for No One,Stout. Available on tap at The Brooklyn Warehouse and in 64-oz growlers and 32-oz grunters beginning on Saturday, May 9th. Goseface  Killah Gose is the second beer in our lineup. Available on tap at The Wooden Monkey Restaurant, The Auction House and 2 Doors Down and in 64-oz growlers and 32-oz grunters. They are also looking for a retail clerk, want to work in NS newest brewery, drop a resume over. 

Hell Bay Brewing Company says their Dark Cream Ale is coming Monday May 4th to an NSLC near you.

The Nook and Cranny is asking you to "Name That Beer". They are excited to announce that one of new brewed onsite Nook and Cranny beer will be a Black IPA. And they want you to name it. Put your suggestion on facebook and the winner will get a $25 food voucher and one of their new N and C brewpub hats.

Sea Level Brewing announced their new seasonal, Acadian Cross Extra Pale Ale. 260 years ago this September more than 2000 Acadians were expelled from Grand Pre. The deportation cross was erected to commemorate the tragedy of the expulsion in 1755. It was brewed with Maritime Malt, and fermented with California ale yeast. Hopped with the Apollo hop, and dry-hopped twice in fermenter and once in serving tank. This is an unfiltered. 5.5% ABV. Available now in kegs and coming soon in cans and growlers.

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

Maritime Beer Report - October 10, 2014

Hello and welcome to the October 10th edition of the Maritime Beer Report

Pumphouse Brewery released a status update on their Stonefire Stienbier, it is going to be released on October 31st and is a limited addition, be on the look out for that one in the Maritimes.

The long awaited opening of Railcar Brewing Company is now here. Mitch happily announced on his facebook page that they are now fully open for business.

Shiretown Beer released that its Siren's T'ale was being brewed with Southan Farm's Golding hops. Look for Batch #146 to sample this wet-hopped one-off.

Stillwell's New Brunswick Nano-brewery Tap-takeover line-up on October 18th has been released. It is all subject to change but as of right now it looks like Hammond River Brewing, Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault, Railcar Brewing, Big Axe Brewing, Acadie-Broue, Grimross Brewing and Red Rover Brewing. There are tickets available for both sessions but you are too late to get in on the t-shirt.

Rare Bird Craft Beer Pumpkin Ale that won gold at the Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards should be released next week. I will release more details as I get them.

Big Spruce Brewing has a couple of seasonals on at the brewery this week end. The Das Sprucebier Octoberfest Ale that I mentioned last week and Smoking Jack It. They say "we brewed this with 58 kg of our own organic, on farm produced pumpkin. We hot smoked the pumpkin for 5 hours and then incorporated it into the mash. This beer conditioned on Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Cardamom that we had soaked for 72 hrs in a bottle of 15 yr old Flor de Caña Centenario rum.....oh and that made it into the beer too!"

Boxing Rock Brewing Company announced that they are planning a fall party for November 1st at the brewery and to stay tuned for details. They also teased that they brewed a new fall seasonal. All they are saying is that it is an amber with a very special hop that they believed to be unobtainable.

Hell Bay Brewing has its Honey Blonde beer out in bottles. It is a light refreshing ale with a sweet honey finish that is lightly hopped with a light body. They go on to say that it is a North American style beer and has a bit of sweet, with hints of citrus, which makes this beer light and refreshing. The  beer is unfiltered, unpasteurized and contains no preservatives. It is a 5% ABV and 17 IBUs.

North Brewing has a new beer coming out. It is a Winter Saison. I tried it last week end and it has pepper and ginger as the predominant spices, it went very nice paired with the duck. It was also leaked that they are working on a milk stout, so some exciting new beers coming.

Thanks for joining me again this week, have a great Thanksgiving and until next time enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - July 18, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for July 18, 2014.

Mitch Biggar from Railcar Brewing Company released this distressing news "Due to a recent board (late June) of directors meeting NBLC informed us today that we will not be able to obtain our Brewery Agency Store license which allows us to sell to the public for offsite consumption until we have sold 100 HL during 12 months through NBLC first.

This is a major show stopper for us so we may close before we even open. As our business plan accounted for direct sales from Brewery."

This I feel is unfair to Railcar and counter-productive to business in New Brunswick. It is unfair to change the rules without notice for any business. There is a petition started by Southan Farms stating "Allow microbreweries with applications into the Province to sell beer on-site to the public for consumption off-site to proceed under the old regulations in place when the application was made." I have this pinned to the top of the Todd the Beer Dude facebook page, I signed it and I encourage you to as well to help out Railcar.

Celtic Knot Brewing announced that they have new fermenters which will allow them to double their output and experiment with some new one offs and recipes.

Grimross Brewing has released their new beer "Summer Serendipity" and it is in the fridge at the Brewtique now. The say the notes are "Floral sweet lemongrass aroma, tropical fruit taste and subtle hop bitterness".

Rare Bird Craft Beer released Maple Ale this week. It uses fresh sap from local maple farms went in to make this new brew. They say "we add a nice balance of hops and malt along a hint of fresh local maple syrup and spice to create a copper coloured, light-bodied ale that celebrates the bounty of our Nova Scotia forests." It is currently available the Rare Bird Pub in Guysborough on tap at Stillwell Beer Bar in Halifax with a more locations coming. This beer is 5.5% ABV.

Big Spruce Brewing noted that their tasting lounge and deck is screened in from the bugs, some bad ass doors, and flights of samples of our beers. Opening very soon. They also said the brewery was smelling like the zest from 40 grapefruits. From Big Spruce "All this heat has inspired a new beer, Pump Le Mousse, a grapefruit wheat beer, coming soon from Big Spruce." I very punny name again, if you don't know what I am talking about, look up the french translation of grapefruit.

Garrison Brewing Co. showed Daniel with some lavender from Meander River Farm this week. Does that mean Honey Lavender Ale will reappear this year? Perhaps at the Seaport Beerfest?  

Propeller Brewing Company and Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar announced Brews and Brats Tap Takeover for Sausage Fest on Tuesday August 19th from 6:30pm to 11pm.  Propeller Brewing Company will takeover all eight taps at Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar with One Hit Wonders and specialty brews. The team in the kitchen will be serving from an inspired menu featuring the the mighty sausage. As well a live DJ will keep the room lively all night. a mere $15 gets you in the door and a ticket for your first beer. As well you will take home an official commemorative Sausage Fest glass. Tickets are for sale on Local Connections Halifax website.
Propeller Brewing Company has also restarted their Open Tours at their Gottingen St brewery. The tours are on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30pm (July 9th -September 1st). No booking is required for open tours, just show up and have a great time. Arrive early as space is limited.

Ladies Beer League is also working on an event for Sausage Fest with Boxing Rock Brewing with a twist. They are looking for you to create a cask. You pick a Boxing Rock Beer, add some ingredients and share it on their facebook and you may win a shirt.

Halifax Seaport Beerfest has opened the call for volunteers for the August 9th and 10th event. You will receive all kinds of perks! Learn more and sign up at http://seaportbeerfest.com/interested-volunteering

Like to say thanks to everyone that said hi to me at the Picaroons' Brewers Bash last Saturday. It was an exceptional event and I think everyone really enjoyed it. Hats off to the organizers and all the volunteers.

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

Maritime Beer Report - February 7, 2014

Hello and welcome to the February 7th edition on the Maritime Beer Report.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault hired two brewers that will begin working the first of April. Jason Dionne and Gavin Anderson are bringing a large breadth of knowledge to the brewery. The brewery further says  they are starting lab work at the Grand Falls NBCC next week to test two new recipes, a blonde ale and a Belgian white, which were developed by their Belgian partner, Brunehaut Brewery. The first beers will be hitting the market in June, in time for the tourist season.

Hammond River Brewing's official launch is at the Saint John Ale House on February 13th at 6:00 pm. All four beers will be available that evening for tasting. A limited amount of tickets are now on sale there, the cost is $10, and it includes 4 samples of HRB beer along with some appetizers. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales states Afterglow Aphrodisiac Ale will be ready for next week. They say "The Afterglow is a Full-Bodied Ale that's brewed with Chocolate, a hint of Cayenne, Ginseng Root, and Liquorice Root! It rings in it at 5% ABV and you can easily have more than 1.

Authentic Seacoast Brewing Company shared that their  Rare Bird Craft Beer Full Steam Stout is headed to the NSLC. Check a store near you soon.

Bad Apple Brewhouse shared on February 1st they were filling barrels with Black & Tackle. Expect some of the barrel aged stout in the near future.


Boxing Rock Brewing increased production capacity this week by adding a 34-hectolitre fermentation tank. This will allow them to brew more often and keep up with demand for their products. They also have a teaser posted of something they are doing with the Ladies Beer League of a kettle of apples.

Garrison Brewing Co. 2014 home brew off is down to less than 2 weeks to get your entries in. I am looking forward to see who this years winner is. For any brewer looking to work with Garrison they are looking to hire one. Check the website for the details.

Granite Brewery in Halifax said they brewed Dunkelbock yesterday. It will be ready around the middle of March.

Rogues Roost ‏announced they're down to the last Keg of Russian Imperial Stout.  They also said that German Bock on the way in a few week.

Uncle Leo's Brewery sent their first shipment of IPA 6-packs off to the NSLC. Should be available soon!

In addition to the four NS brewers working to open breweries there is one more. Chris Killacky, a professor of theology at the Acadia Divinity College is looking to open a nanobrewery hopefully leading to a microbrewery in Wolfville. He is looking into getting zoning so he can do it in his home initially. 

Thanks for everyone for entering my contest so far, there is still time to get in and there will be more opportunities next week. Check out my blog for more details.

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

Beer Review - Rare Bird Pale Ale

This review is the offering from Authentic Seacoast Brewery, it is the Rare Bird Craft Beer Pale Ale. it is a strong beer at 7 % ABV. It is a little darker than I expected being copper in color I didn't see a lot in carbonation and it poured with a thin head. The aroma is hoppy and a slight sweet "fruity" smell. It has light carbonation and a medium body. It has a very slight dry aftertaste but for the most part I get an malty, toffee sweetness and there isn't that alcohol burn you get sometimes from high alcohol beers. It is a great drinking beer and a nice addition to the Maritime craft beer family.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin