(Fredericton, NB) - NB Liquor (ANBL) has brought in new policies on April 1st relating to the regulation of craft beer producers. One of them is a new tiered cost system that changes the amount a brewery pays based on how much beer it produces. For each keg sold by small scale producers it changes from 73 cents per litre to $1.05 per litre and to $1.75 per litre for the larger craft beer producers. The brewers producing less than 49,900 litres don't pay per litre for sales. The brewers making less than 49,900 litres don't pay per litre for their sales.
Additional changes are:
The elimination of the requirement for a brewer to open their retail outlet a minimum number of hours.
Brewers who produce over 2,500,00 litres can now sell other NB breweries beers in their stores. This means Picaroons and Pump House are the only ones that can.
The number of stores a brewer can operate changes with a maximum of four if the brewer sells between 1,000,000 and 2,499,900 litres of beer a year.
Some of these changes look decent others not so much. It seems strange to me one organization almost completely control your sales, distribution, production and regulation. I am not implying any wrong doing but their mission is to create a profit and may cloud other decisions. Nova Scotia recently move regulation from the NSLC to an agency to separate the monopoly's powers, this is a step in the right direction CBC News interviewed Stephen Dixon, the president of the New Brunswick Craft Alcohol Producers Association(NBCAPA) who said there was some good in it but most of it not. The major problem is as breweries become more successful and grow they are taxed more heavily and their ability to add stores is limited. Rather than growing profits to reinvest in new equipment and new jobs it will be increasingly eaten up by taxes. If the Government of New Brunswick is serious about job creation and not stalling out progress made in the craft brewing and spin-offs it should have a serious look at what is happening.
(Fredericton, NB) - Red Rover Craft Cider is excited to announce that they will now be available at select ANBL stores. This has been a long process for Red Rover starting back in 2012 due to the uniqueness of their company and the lack of policy covering them up until now. They will initially have their Spring Cider, Fall Cider and double Gold medal winning* Fire Cider in 750 ml bottles at the Fredericton, Saint John and Dieppe stores with more stores being added soon. * 2015 Canadian Brewing Awards Cider with Herbs/Spices and 2015 Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards Specialty Cider and Perry
(Fredericton, NB) - The government of New Brunswick is going through a review of what and how they deliver products and services in New Brunswick. This exercise is to develop sustainable finances in the province and to maintain important services they deliver. The portion regarding Monetization of NB Liquor is as follows "Government has been exploring multiple options
to maximize the return to taxpayers from NB Liquor.
These options could include the partial sale of the
business, the sale of a minority stake in the business,
or making strategic changes to how NB Liquor
operates to increase revenues." They also go on to say "Not all choices contained within this report will be implemented, but the status quo is not an option." It seems like changes are coming and some are probably needed but on the surface selling it off all or in part looks short sighted. Read full report here Choices To Move New Brunswick Forward
(Halifax, NS) Propeller Brewing has released Revolution Russian Imperial Stout for the 10th season at its retail stores in Halifax and Dartmouth this week. This extremely popular and award winning seasonal weighs in at 8% ABV, 60 IBUs and has "a deep, rich, black colour. The taste of alcohol is well masked by the intense hop bitterness, extreme roasted malt and dark fruit notes". Not in metro Halifax, look for Revolution to hit the NSLC in a couple of weeks and the ANBL in January.
After a short hiatus, Maritime fans of Muskoka Brewery’sMad Tom will be happy to learn the IPA returned to the NSLCandANBL this month. Mad Tom is an aggressively hopped IPA that is crisp and citrusy that uses Chinook and Centennial hops for dry-hopping, lending to Mad Tom’s vibrant aroma and blunt character. It pairs best with strong dishes such as smoked fish, burgers, a sharp cheese or spicy dishes. The hops cut through the spice, contrast with delicate flavours, and compliment rich flavours. Mad Tom is not for everyone and weighs in at 6.4% ABV and 64 IBUs.
Hello and welcome to the November 21st edition of the Maritime Beer Report Les Brasseurs du Petit-Saultare having a bit of fun on their facebook page. They are releasing a new beer next week and are adding pieces to a puzzle to let their fans try to guess what it is. All that has been revealed so far is that it is Christmas related, it will be 7.3% ABV and is going to be legendary. More details next week. Grimross Brewing Company kegged off the last batch (Ben's Country Cousin) at Picaroons Brewtique. They say their beer will still be available at Picaroons Brewtique until theyopen in mid to late December at 600 Bishop Drive in Fredericton. Hammond River Brewingare staying busy after the brewer took a vacation. They brewed Switchback Brown Ale with the next two planned brew sessions will be the Too Hop To Handle Double IPA and a new Chocolate Coconut Porter called Into The Dark. Picaroons Traditional Ales says Feels Good Imperial Pilsner is back but in the latest batch they used some leftover local hops from their harvest ales. Traditionally the hop profile is only Saaz hops, though in this batch there's Nugget, Centennial, and Magnum. Railcar Brewing Company says they are working on a Spiced Gingerbread Ale that will feature some oak chips soaked with spiced Sailor Jerry's Rum. That will be a great treat. Also after running out of beer for a few days there should be Brown Ale back on tap soon. Shiretown Beer currently has five beers available at the brewery. They include their three year round beers, the Venezuelan Express (porter) and Black Currant Wheat. In addition they have a Hop Hash Strong Wheat Ale in the tank. They say u it is a 6.2% ABV with medium bitterness that is hopped with Southan Farms Hop Hash. The hop hash is made up of the farms Golding hops. The grist bill is half wheat malt and the other half is made up of prairie 2 Row, Munich, Vienna, Caramunich and topped off with toasted wheat. Trail Way Brewing Company was busy as they prepare to open for business. This week they were brewing up a batch of imperial brown ale that they are calling Grizzly Oak. Brown that they say "like a grizzly and to be aged for some time on oak. Should be quite complex". Staying with New Brunswick the ANBL has added another store to its growler program. Sackville is now offering three taps to fill growlers during select hours. This week is Picaroons Winter Warmer, Muskoka Cream Ale and Le Trou Du Diable L’Amère Indienne. Boxing Rock Brewing Companyintroduced The Darkness Cascadian Dark Ale today at local bottle shops and the brewery. They say "a true India Pale Ale, albeit with an unexpected colour, it's hoppy, bright, and packed full of big flavours ... pours with almost stout-like black inkiness, capped with a nice tan head. First sensation is the hop forward presentation from copious amounts of late hops, and dry hops. It's followed by a gorgeous roasty body with a hint of wheat chewiness, fruity middle notes and then backed up by bracing bitterness in the finish". It is available in 650 ml bottles and has a 6.5 % ABV. They also announced they are on tap in New Brunswick at The King Street Ale House in Fredericton, Tide and Boar Gastropubin Moncton, Lemongrass Thai Fare in Saint John, Ducky's in Sackville, Laundromat Espresso Bar in Moncton and540 Kitchen & Bar in Fredericton. Garrison Brewing had a busy week. First they released the 2014 Winter Warmer into the NSLC and private stores. In Nova Scotia it is going to be in six packs and they tell me New Brunswick in 500 ml bottles. They also did their annual trip to Meander River Farm to get spruce boughs for Spruce Beer, look for it soon. One other note, Kellye Robertson, the assistant brewmaster is leaving to be brewmaster at mysterious soon-to-be opened craft brewery in Halifax in 2015. She won the Garrison 2012 brew-off with Kellye R's Wild Rye'd IPA, Granite Brewery is now brewing Darkside Black IPA today and should available within two weeks. This is a healthy 6.75% ABV. North Brewing Companyhas finally released their newest seasonal Belgian Milk Stout. It is in 750 mL swing tops, growlers and next Thursday in 650 mL "bombers" at Bishop's Cellar. They say that the "warm roasted malt character is complemented with a smooth body and a subtle belgian yeast character. Rock Bottom Brewpub says Mr. Nash has created a wonderful Rauchbier that will be hitting the taps tomorrow at 4 PM. Say hello to Smoke & Mirrors. From the blog "Our classic Bamberg-style Rauchbier was brewed with over 80% of the malted barley being beechwood-smoked, the remainder being Munich malt. It's a blend of smoke and malt with balance and intensity completely complementary of one another. A true lager with Märzen-like qualities sporting a malty, toasty richness and an almost bacon-like smokiness (mmm bacon), it's delicious. Finishes malty and lightly sweet with moderate, balanced, hop bitterness. It weighs in at 5.3 % ABV and 21 IBUs. Rogue's Roost Brew Pub has a new beer on tap from Jake. The Double IPA is 8% ABV and 85 IBUs. It's hopped with Falconer's Flight, Cascade, Galena, and a touch of Saaz. It's got just enough malt backbone to support it's massive late and dry hopping. Finish is dry for a quenching pint with lingering bitterness. Fredericton Craft Beer Festival and reLiSHhave partnered to bring you Burgers n' Beer Fredericton 3.0 on November 27th.. This evening event will pair beer and cider with delicious sliders prepared by the fine chefs at reLiSH's new Fredericton Uptown location. Included are 10 - 4oz beer or cider samples each paired with 5 unique slider and a custom tasting glass. This time there will be a special bonus, Fredericton Craft Beer Festival 2015 tickets go on the next day but if your at this Burgers n' Beer event you get to buy them that night plus you will get 10% off them. And speaking of Fredericton Craft Beer Fest, tickets go on sale November 28th at 10 AM online via eventbrite plus they will be at the Sunday Market. Staying on beerfests Saint John Beerfest will be on April 11th and tickets are on sale now. Great time to grab some for stocking stuffers On May 11-17, 2015, the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotiawill be initiating the inaugral Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week. The week will feature many interesting beer events, with a flagship event taking place on Saturday, May 16. This will be a great opportunity to try many delicious local craft brews, meet their makers, and truly celebrate one of the best things happening in the province. Watch here for more details. Next Friday, November 28th, is Canadian Beer Day. Join in the fun from coast to coast. to coast and raise your glass - post and share photos using the hashtag #CanadianBeerDay on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. That is all for this weeks entry, thanks for taking the time check out this week's beer happening and until next time, enjoy responsibly.
Today I went into the Dieppe ANBL store as I usually do when I am in the Moncton area and low and behold there was a shiny stainless steel counter with growlers and taps on it. The ANBL is running a pilot at three stores in NB, Dieppe, Prospect in Fredericton and KV in the Saint John area. To get a 1.89 litre growlers will cost you 10 dollars to get you started and it is yours to keep. Then to fill it will cost you between 10 and 12 dollars depending on the beer, more on that in a minute. The growler will be refilled each time you bring it back so it is important that it is clean. It is also important to note they will only refill ANBL growler and note any others.
The growler station is not open the same as store hours, mostly evenings and Saturday afternoon and evening. Of the three taps in Dieppe one is dedicated to Pump House, one for Molson craft beer offerings (eg Creemore Springs) and the last tap changes every week to a new offering, to start this week it is Flying Monkey Genius of Suburbia. The stores are all a little different, for the full listing this week see here. My thoughts on this is it is a good thought but the growlers are really too expensive but the fills are bang on and I am not sure why it isn't open store hours, but I think this is a step in a the right direction.
Hello and welcome to the July 25th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. PEI Brewing Companyhad something slightly different on tap this week. They had Keller Beer on tap that they described as "the perfect unfiltered, naturally carbonated Beach Chair Lager". On tap for now at PEI brewing. The saga of ANBL's new Brewery Agency Stores policy continues. Stephen Dixon of Grimross Brewing and Mitch Biggar of Railcar Brewing met with ANBL this week. Grimross tells me that they are relatively unscathed in this issue and expansion plans continue. Railcar on their facebook page remain cautious but seem to be pushing ahead until Mitch says "they can't". What remains in question is, will New Brunswick ever have another microbrewery? Big Axe Brewery announced their Grand Opening on Saturday August 2nd at 519 Otis Drive, Nackawic, that is Exit 231. They will have Julio's Garage Band playing from 5 pm to 9 pm. They say come on out to enjoy a beer and some live music and support your local Brewery. Big Tide Brewing Co. released that after a 2 year absence Haffe Wit is back. They describe it as "a lightly hopped and unfiltered wheat/barley brew. Brewer Chris Welch flavours the batch with his own blend of herbs and spices, giving the Wit a taste truly unique among our other beers". A bunch of news coming this week fromLes Brasseurs du Petit-Sault. Their blonde ale, Bob LeBoeuf makes its long awaited premiere to the brewery and they are having their Official Opening and you're invited tomorrow Saturday, July 26th. Between 11 am and 5 pm, take a grand tour of our new facility downtown Edmundston and take part in the official ceremonies at 2 pm. In other news from them their brewers Gavin Anderson and Jason Dionne were joined by Acadie-Broue's Patrice Godin of Moncton and the trio worked on a surprise beer for the World Acadian Congress. I will update you as I hear more.
Grimross Brewing sent me their notes on their newest beer Summer Serendipity. They say it is a slightly hazy straw colored Belgian Ale. The grain bill is mostly Pilsner, with Wheat and Rye. Aroma is floral with hints of tropical fruit. Taste is tropical fruit with a lightly balanced hop bitterness. Refreshing summer beer. They also add the brewery build is progressing nicely at their new 4000 sq ft. space at 600 Bishop Drive, Fredericton NB. Red Rover Brewing Company,who had one of my favorites at the Brewers Bash, is releasing Scrumpy Cider in celebration of the New Brunswick Highland Games Festival. This 7 % ABV brew is an authentic traditional Scrumpy cider. They say to try it first on tap at the Games and at The Ciderhouse hand pulled for a limited time.
Big Spruce Brewingannounced one of my favorite seasonals was being brewed this week. Jason Spears mashed in their annual batch of Tip of the Spear Black Spruce Tip IPA. Look for this one later next month.
Propeller Brewing is trucking along with yet another One Hit Wonder. This time it is an American Red Ale is on tap at the Prop Shoppes and this one is a 5.7% ABV. That is all for this week, thanks for joining me and watch for the first anniversary show next Friday. So until then enjoy responsibly.
