Maritime Beer Report - February 21, 2014

Hello and welcome to the February 21, 2014 edition of the Maritime Beer Report

Picaroons Traditional Ales released details on one of their seasonals, Maple Cream Ale, a brown cream ale made with New Brunswick maple syrup. There is going to be a launch event on Saturday March 1st at the York Street Train Station ANBL from 11AM to 3 PM.
Staying with Picaroons they are involved in a Tap Takeover at Stillwell Beer Bar in Halifax on March 15 from noon until 5 PM. They will have 12 taps and 3 casks and 10 dollars gets you a ticket and a glass to keep. Advance tickets available at Stillwell.

Garrison Brewing Co. has released their award-winning Black IPA seasonal. It is available in Halifax private stores and the brewery. The beer comes in at 6.2% ABV.

Hart & Thistle Gastropub & Brewery release bad news of Wednesday that after five years they were closing immediately. They thank all their supporter and cited a variety of factors for their demise, They will be missed.

North Brewing started brewing on their new equipment this week allowing for a 1200 litre brew day instead of 300. This should really help in keeping their regular offerings available more consistently.

Sea Level Brewing revealed that their latest seasonal El Rojo Diablo Double IPA will be out next week. It will be available at the brewery and usual private stores. The evil brew comes in at at 7.666% ABV 

Thanks everyone for entering my drawing for VIP tickets for Fredericton Craft Beer Fest. Watch for the winner tomorrow on twitter and facebook. I would like to thank them again for their kind support.

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

Maritime Beer Report - January 24, 2014

Hello and welcome to the January 24th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Picaroons Traditional Ales shared that the Lunar Rogue Pub's 25th Anniversary beer will be called: A "PARCEL OF ROGUES"!! The name was submitted by Duncan MacSporran and it will be available January.29th at 7PM for a special launch party!!!

Happy 1st Anniversary to Bridge Brewing and congrats on winning the new business of the year at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce

Garrison Brewing Co. will be at The Stubborn Goat Gastropub at Friday at4:00 with casks of our American Red and Mango IPA and at HMCS King's Wardroom with a Caribbean Hop Yard next week . Finally at Ceilidh's Pub with a Keg (Frikin) of special brew of Scots ale at 4 PM tomorrow

Hart & Thistle Gastroub now has the Commissar Russian Imperial Stout is on tap, From Greg Nash "Rich and luscious with notes of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, raisins and figs. Complex and full-bodied with excellent balance. Sexy, leggy, deliciousness in your glass" It comes in at 11.0% ABV

Rudder's Seafood Restaurant & Brew Pub announced this coming weekend is POUTINE WEEKEND. Friday and Saturday only come in and enjoy a full menu of outrageous poutine's! Choose from the classic Cheese curds and gravy, Nacho poutine, Double cheeseburger poutine or Chili poutine.

Rogue's Roost will host another Brewmaster Monday on thw 27th, its a great way to get to know them and their beer. 

I have a couple of blog posts on the Local Craft Beer abd Food celebration and the Stillwell tap takeover. Stop by and have a read if you missed the events.

One last  note starting February 1st I will be running a draw for 2 VIP tickets to Fredericton Beer Fest on March 8th. I will be releasing details next week

That is it for now, until next week enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - December 27, 2013

Merry Christmas and welcome to the December 27th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

PEI Brewing Company announced the first release in its Chef Series. Dwayne's Dunkel Lager has a delicious aroma w/ hints of oak and vanilla that goes down smooth at 5.7% ABV. I only saw this on their facebook and I am not too sure what this is about, I have a request in for more information.

Acadie-Broue microbrasserie launched a new beer on December 22nd called Valdrague Weizen. This new beer is a Hefeweizen with notes of banana, bubble gum, spices of cloves and a hint of bread. It comes in at 5% ABV and is available at Laundromat Expresso Bar in Moncton.

Bad Apple Brewhouse announced it will be open on Dec 31st from 1-8pm and Jan 1st to 6th from 3pm to 8pm. Only American Pale Ale will be available. If you can't make these hours give them a call, they can be flexible on hours. The first batch of Black and Tackle Stout is happily fermenting away to be released at a later date.


Granite Brewery notes that Hoppingmad is available on cask for the first in Halifax at Stillwell Beer Bar tonight.

Hart & Thistle Gastropub & Brewery offered a new beer just before Christmas. Off the Hop IPA is on tap at 7.4% ABV

Thanks everyone for all the support for my first five months and I look forward to a great 2014. I have plans for lots on new projects and I will be giving away VIP tickets to the Fredericton Beer Fest very soon. Take care, have a great holiday and as always enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - October 25, 2013

Hello and welcome to the October 25th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Railcar Brewing released they will be housed in the rear unit at 9172 Main Street in Florenceville-Bristol. They plan on having the tasting / bar area open as soon as possible. This space will be operational while they work on the actual brewery room itself. They will focus on carrying only craft beers in our tasting area as well as providing a relaxed atmosphere where you can drink and learn about craft beer. Construction will start around the end of November in the tasting area. Then in January we will begin to glass in the brewery area and install the equipment.

Picaroons Traditional ales announced they will release its Winter Warmer Strong Ale on November 1. This barley wine comes in at a 7.3% ABV and as they say it is on the sleigh.

Atlantic Canada Beer Blog reported that a new brewery is scheduled to open soon in New Brunswick. "Shane Steeves, a longtime home brewer, plans on opening his nanobrewery, named Hammond River Brewing, later this fall at his home in Saint John. he currently has four local establishments that will be serving his beers on tap. He intends to have an IPA, an American Pale Ale, a West Coast Style Red Ale, and an Extra Special Bitter. 

PEI Brewing Company is having 1st Annual Growler Challenge. It is an Oktoberfest event with free admission, live entertainment, sausages, barbecue, pretzels, beer and half-price tours. What is a growler challenge? You have to hold a full growler in a straight outstretched arm and whomever lasts the longest wins. 

The collaboration beer Big Spruce Brewing and Crannóg Ales brewed is an Imperial IPA and they call it Left Breton Organic Conspiracy. It comes in at 79 IBUs and about 8% ABV. Big Spruce will be heading to BC to repeat the process at Crannóg Ales brewery.

Boxing Rock Brewing's Grand opening event at the brewery between 12 - 6 tomorrow. Look for details in last weeks report.

Garrison Brewing had a double release yesterday. Winter Warmer & Martello Stout are now on the shelf in our retail store. The Stout is also on draught to fill your growler!

Hop Mess Monster Returns to Hart & Thistle. They are going to honor Greg Nash's 29th birthday with the annual Brewmasters Birthday Bash! There's going to be a crazy-ass burger, pork belly sliders, a keg of vintage Commissar RIS, lots of the uber-delicious Dank & Stormy DIPA, and last but not least, the return of Messy. Messy comes back home with 533 calculated IBU, 11.5% ABV and was pummelled with hops from mash to fermenter. It all happens on Saturday, October 26th.

Ladies Beer League confirmed Casks for CaskFest: Hell Bay Brewing Dark Ale, Picaroons Smoked Porter, Propeller Beer Dry-hopped IPA and Garrison Brewing Winter Warmer. Need I say more.

Bridge Brewing Company will be launching their fall seasonal tomorrow, Saturday. It is a delicious Belgian IPA with a 6.5% ABV. Remember Bridge has new extended winter hours for your convenience.

Sea Level Brewing now has the Punkin' Grinner Ale is on tap at the Port Pub and in 6 pack of cans at the brewery. Amber in colour with a unique balance of spicy and sweet with all local ingredients.

Now you are up to date. Remember trick or treating for beer is a real thing, so until next week enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - October 18, 2013

Hello and welcome to the October 18th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. Big Tide Brewing said this week that the Pumpkin Ale is gone for now but a new batch has already been brewed so not to worry. Celtic Knot now has all four of its beers in rotation at both The Laundromat and The Tide & Boar. Speaking of the Tide and Boar they are having a dinner that will feature reserve beers from, The Brooklyn Brewery, Goose Island Brewery, Belgium, and Celtic Knot. All of the beers have been paired with a special menu created by our Chef Michel Savoie. Cost of the beer dinner is $100 per person (this includes Tax and Gratuity). and is limited to only 16 people. Call the Tide and Boar. Grimross Brewing was having a hard time keeping up with demand this week with its new Belgian Rye IPA. The newest addition to the family is avalable now the The Brewtique on 422 Queen St. It is described as having sweet hop aroma Robust Rye with its spice forward flavour and maltiness. Something I would love to see in HRM, Picaroons announced there will be a Tap Takeover next Friday, October 25th in Wilser's Room at The Capital Complex, as part of PRE-POP! 12 TAPS - all PICAROONS. Starts at 5PM. Also anyone wishing to get into the New Brunswick home brewer challenge you only have until the end of the month to register. Shiretown Brewing now has Five Rivers Golden Ale, Black Currant Wheat and of course their Blonde du Quai all available at the brewery! The Gahan House posted on their page this week that a new seasonal brew using locally grown hops is coming! Come check it out in 2 weeks and no hints Authentic Seacoast Brewing Company Rare Bird Craft Beer and Big Spruce Brewing are at the Celtic Colours International Festival this week. Got to love the local support. Cooperative Imperial IPA is being produced by Big Spruce Brewing and Crannóg Ales at the Big Spruce Brewery in Cape Breton. Brian MacIsaac and Rebecca Kneen are visiting from Crannóg Ales in Sorrento, BC. They came armed with hops from their certified organic hop yard to contribute to a collaboration Imperial IPA that we will brew exclusively with hops from Canada's only two certified organic on-farm breweries. Look for it soon Nova Scotia. Bridge Brewing has new hours starting this week! Open till 9pm Friday and Saturday. Open Sunday 12-6pm. Interesting that Bridge is going in the opposite direction from other brewtiques who are reducing hours. Boxing Rock Brewing Co. after being open for a few months is finally having GRAND OPENING and they want you to be apart of the celebrations! It will be next Saturday, October 26, 2013 between 12-6 at 78 Ohio Road in Shelburne, NS. The official ribbon cutting will take place at 12:15pm with tours at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30. There will also be tastings as well as pumpkin decorating and face painting, apple cider and lemonade for kids! To make reservations for tours please call 494-9233 ext. 3 Tuesday-Saturday from 12-6 and they are recommended, as tour space is limited
Garrison Brewing has kicked off the 2014 Home Brew-Off with submissions for due late February. This year's style is Weizen (15 A in the 2008 BJCP Style Guidelines ). Garrison says to remember that Weizen should be aromatic, highly-carbonated & hazy! Bottle conditioning is key... Hart and Thistle Brewer's Blog reports their new beer is Dank & Stormy Double IPA. Juicy, malty, fruity, hoppy, dank, candied deliciousness. It comes in at 8.2% ABV and 83 IBUs. Meander River Farm will be at the Harvest Craft Fair at Horton High School this Saturday, tomorrow, from 9-4. Be sure to come check out their lavender, hops and home products.

I got to go to the Stubborn Goat this week to sample some food and beer. I was in good company there and had a great night talking the dare I say ber elite from HRM. The folks were there from Stillwell, Propeller, Halifax Club, Garrison, Ladies Beer League, Premier and avoiding chores. After nearly one million dollars the space on Grafton Street is awesome. The beer menu is varied and extensive. This is going to be a great place to grab a bite and a pint or several. It opened tonight at 6 PM and I am sure it will be a success.

Speaking of the Stubborn Goat, this is where the Ladies Beer League cask event is being help on November 17th. Check out the LBL facebook page for all the details, I hope we see more of these.

That is all for this week so until next time enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report September 6, 2013

Welcome to the September 6th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. Tonights report seems a bit Nova Scotia heavy but that is the way it goes some time. 

Atlantic Beer Blogger reports two new beers from Celtic Knot Brewing should be available soon. Dark Passage Oatmeal Stout and Dubh Loki, Black IPA,are currently going through the listing process with ANBL. Batches are standing by, and will likely be pouring at The Tide & Boar and Marky’s Laundromat in Moncton very soon.

As I reported last week the two major craft beer events in Fredericton have new venues. The Delta Fredericton for the Fredericton Beer Run on August 4th 2014 and the Fredericton Convention Centre for the 2nd annual Fredericton Craft Beer festival March 8th 2014. So save those dates

As we ease out of summer expect some of our brewers to change their hours. Uncle Leos did just that changing their hours beginning this week for the Winter. They are:

Monday & Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 2:00PM to 6:00PM
Thursday 2:00PM to 6:00PM
Friday 2:00PM to 7:00PM
Saturday 2:00PM to 7:00PM
Sunday 2:00PM to 6:00PM

Big Spruce Brewing was brewing their  first black IPA today. 124 IBUs of deliciousness. I sure hope I get to try this one

Hart & Thistle kicked off September by releasing a new beer in their pub. It is TubberRoe. It is a robust porter described as lightly acrid, burnt, black malt notes with dark chocolate, fruit, spice and hops finishing with a roasty dryness. Luscious, hoppy black beer. it is 5.9% ABV and 43 IBUs. Sounds awesome.

If you are in the Annapolis Valley this week end Sea Level Brewing has the much anticipated, beautifully crisp, NEW SCOTLAND HEATHER ALE is now available in 1 litre refillable growlers.

Speaking of this week end Bike to Bridge is happening on Sunday 2:30-6pm in the Bridge Brewing Company parking lot, There will be live music, The Food Wolf and Bridge Beer on tap. Proceeds go to the Halifax Cycling Coalition. Please bring cash only

Garrison now have Halifax Oktoberfest tickets available at our retail store - $12.00 gets you through the gate from 7:00 pm to midnight for a rocking evening of live music & craft beer! We'll also be selling them at the gate. 

LOCAL CONNECTIONS HALIFAX is hosting Craft Beer and Local Food Celebration at the Halifax Club on January 16th, 2014. This event will be another "7 Rooms, 7 Experiences" event under the Meet Your Local banner, with full details becoming available October 15, 2013.

Lastly The Local Traveller asked if there was any new news on the new brewery in Lunenburg. What I was able to find out is that YARDARM Brewery was registered with Registry of Joint Stocks but the property still hasn't been purchased from the municipality as yet but it is still in the works. Stay posted.

Please send any comments or suggestions to toddthebeerdude@gmail.com . That is all for this week, remember to enjoy responsibly.

MARITIME BEER REPORT - August 30, 2013

Welcome to the August 30th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

As reported a couple of week ago, Picaroons has returned Upstream Ale to select ANBL stores for a limited time to raise funds for the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation. It is a 4.5% pale ale that was released for the first time last summer and is available in 500 ml bottles until the promotion ends on September 29th or while supplies last.

Picaroons also announced this week that it is teaming up with the New Brunswick Craft Brewer's Association for the New Brunswick Home-Brew Challenge.The invitation is out to home brewers to submit their versions of a Standard/Ordinary Bitter. You must register by November 1st, and have your entry delivered to Picaroons Brewtique by November 15th.  The winner will be picked by  a panel of beer tasting experts and the winner will be announced at a gala event at the Picaroons brewery on December 1st. The  winner will be awarded the opportunity to brew a full batch of their beer for release via the Brewtique, plus a free one year NBCBA membership. For full details visit  NBCBA.org

Fredericton Beer Fest announced they are very excited to have confirmed new venues for Fredericton Craft Beer Festival 2014 on March 8 th and Fredericton Beer Run on August  4th. I asked for some details but they don't want to release them just yet.

PEI Beer Fest is a week away and looks to be shaping up to be awesome. They reminded everyone on their site that "Your tasting session ticket includes all of your beer samples plus a sample from each of our food pairings and more food samples can be purchased". Wish I could go, hopefully next year.

Big Spruce is sharing lots of pictures of their initial Hop Harvest IPA, I am really looking forwrd to it and hope some makes it down my way

Full prep is on at Sea Level Brewing for the next seasonal special brew -the popular NEW SCOTLAND HEATHER ALE. The countdown is on! I also notced that Sea Level recieved and installed a larger canning machine this week which is good news for their fans.

Hell Bay brewing is working on their next seasonal for the fall, it is probably going to be a bitter, stay tuned for further details.

Boxing Rock announced its Temptation Red Ale is now available at the Hart & Thistle in Halifax and the next batch of the Vicar's Cross double IPA is hitting the shelves today. "There is a very limited supply though...so get yours early! We have a little bit at the store in Shelburne and there will be some tomorrow morning at the Seaport Market. You should also be able to get some at Harvest, Cristall, Bishop's and Premier later today...and soon in the NSLC too!". Boxing Rock welcomed the Bridge brewing boys this week to work on a collaboration wet hop brew. It is Vienna IPA that will be available at both locations in the near future. I for one am looking forward to this one.

I dropped in to Rudders in Yarmouth, Hell Bay and Boxing Rock this week to say hi, very friendly people in all locations.

Garrison mentioned today that to celebrate Labor Day they were announcing that a COLAB beer on tap called "Le Diable d'Halifax" it's a colab with Micro-brasserie Le Trou du diable from Shawinigan Quebec. It's a tasty hopped up German Lager! Available in EXTREMELY limited quantities, for sample only... Sorry, no Growler / Growlito fills this time guys! They also said they were collecting hops for their 3 Fields Harvest Wet-Hopped IPA. Look for this in a few weeks. 

MSN Travel listed 10 must visit Canadian brew pubs of which Le Trou du diable was listed, In our region The Gahan House in PEI, Pumphouse in Moncton and Rockbottom in Halifax all made the list. Congrats guys

Final item tonight is from The Atlantic Canada Beer Blog. Meander River Farm, which has supplied hops and other ingredients to a number of breweries in the area, will soon be brewing its own beer.The farm has been waiting for a number of months to get approval to operate a small on-site brewery, and with that approval recently received, preparations have started to build a 3 barrel brewhouse that is planned to be producing beer before the end of the year.Meander River Farm intends to offer Community Supported Brewery shares that will allow the public to pay an up-front amount in exchange for beer over time. Good luck guys.

Whats new for maritime beer reviews on youtube - elhalock reviews Boxing Rock Vicars Cross DIPA and Maxwell Star reviews Ol Fog Burner. Check them out

That it all for this week. Until next time enjoy responsibly.

MARITIME BEER REPORT - August 26 2013

Welcome to the August 26th edition of the Maritime Beer report. Sorry for the delay but I was travelling and the connections were not so great. 

There doesn't seem to be a lot of news this week but I noticed the local brewers are out harvesting hops with some special some special wet hopping concoctions being brewed. 

One such wet hop brew is at Big Spruce. Big Spruce Harvest Series of single batch craft ales is kicking it off by brewing a hop harvest IPA. They plan to continually wet hop the beer as they brew it with fresh hops from their yard - in the mash run, the kettle, and again post boil through a hop back they are rigging up. 

Hart & Thistle is now offering Hop Candy II. It is a 6.5% IPA and 57 IBUs. 

Grimross Brewing now has Bayard Belgian Blond is in growlers now. Stop by the Picaroons Brewtique to get yours. Nice light, floral nose, clean straw at 7%.

I got a nice message from LocaltravelerNS "Just want to say how much we are loving your maritime beer report. Great changes this week, I really like the new intro. Re. Rogues, turns out(according to garrison) that the raspberry wheat is actually a collaboration between the two breweries, and is the same beer. This is according to the garrison twitter account but having tasted both I can believe it. Looking forward to next weeks show!" Thanks for the compliment and passing on the information.

That's all for this week thanks for stopping by and drop me a note at toddthebeerdude@gmail.com

MARITIME BEER REPORT - August 9th 2013

Hello and welcome to the August 9th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Grimross Brewing has added Ben's Bitter Pale Ale to its growing line up of offerings joining the Cheval D'Or and Destrier Farmhouse Stout. It is a Belgian Pale Ale with more bittering hops, according to owner/brewer Stephen Dixon. It will come across as quite floral, with earthy and citrus-fruit tones, and a lasting bitterness in the finish. It is currently available in refillable growlers at the Picaroons Brewtique.

Prince Edward Island Beer Festival is just around the corner and will be happening Friday and Saturday September 6th and 7th. Details that I know of currently is that there will be over 75 different beers available, from breweries such as Amsterdam, Garrison, McAuslan, Hop City, and Erdinger. There are several tasting sessions planned and ticket prices will be in the range of $20 to $120, depending on the session. Stay tuned here for further updates or them out on facebook and twitter.

Barnone Brewing in PEI has has announced they started filling growlers. On Thursdays between 6:00 and 8:00 pm they will be filling at the brewery in Rose Valley both their Pale Ale and Summer Sessions.

Sea Level Brewing has extended the hours at their retail store in Canning. They are now open Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm-5 pm. I would like to give a shout out to Jessie who took care of me last Sunday, I am enjoying the Blue Heron. 

Uncle Leo's Brewery announced this week both their Red Ale and IPA are now available in 650 mL bombers at Premier Wine & Spirits on Dresden Row in Halifax.

Bridge Brewing announced that they are now offering 19.5 L party kegs for sale based on avaialability. There is a $100 refundable keg deposit, and pricing will be $105 for the Gus or Summer Ale, $110 for the Farmhouse, and $120 for the Strong Dark not including applicable taxes. Call them to order yours today.

There is a new brewery opening in the Falmouth NS area in April of next year. I met Cam and Jen from Schoolhouse Brewery who are busy readying the nanobrewery to produce a couple of beers,a chocolate porter as well as a hopped cream ale to supply two pubs in Wolfville and Windsor and eventually growler fills at the farmers market once a month. They have a website, schoolhousebrewery.ca as well as a facebook page. I will report more on this as I get more information. All the best guys.

It is a great week end to be a beer lover in Halifax.

Rockbottom Brewpub announced there is some special tappings today. There will be "X", an Imperial Brown Ale aged 18 months on cedar wood 11% ABV. "Vintage Wreckoning",a Russian Imperial Stout fortified with Macallan single malt whiskey 11% ABV, the regular "Wreckoning" Russian Imperial Stout 10.5% ABV, the "Oaked-Aged Double Hoppelganger" DIPA 10% ABV and "Barrel-Aged Desecration", an Imperial Red Ale 11% ABV. These special taps will only be available for this week end only. 

The Hart & Thistle will be putting on Nashfest with several Greg Nash beers available. Listed on their blog was "Columbus DIPA" 9.1% ABV, "Commissar" a Russian Imperial Stout fortified with Bulleit bourbon 11% ABV, "Hop Mess Monster v3.0″ a DIPA 10% ABV, "Old 87″ an American IPA 7% ABV and "Kneecapper" an India Red Ale 6.1% ABV. As with Rock Bottom  it starts today at 4:00 p.m. and ends at close on Sunday.

Seaport Beer Festival starts today, which I attended. Watch for a special report next week. But as a result  several craft brewers will not be in their usual spots in Farmers markets this week end. Bridge brewing and Big Spruce released announcements that they will not be at their respective markets because of their committments at Seaport.

That is it for this week. For questions and comments please drop me an email at toddthebeerdude@gmail.com

Until next week enjoy responsibly.