Picaroons Releases Flood, Sweat and Tears IPA

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(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales introduced Flood, Sweat and Tears IPA. This limited edition beer celebrates NB's resilience during the great flood of 2018. Picaroons says "Ringing in at 7% ABV, this one-off is a tad citrus-y from some orange peel additions as well as little fruity from their signature Ringwood yeast. It's a little hazy and is all wrapped up with a nice crisp and bitter finish". It's on sale now at The Picaroons Roundhouse and The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, and will be flowing out to the Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John, The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse, and to ANBL locations throughout the rest of the province. 

Picaroons Releases Melonhead for 2018

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(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales says Melonhead is back and announces this years winner of the cat contest. This years winner is Henry Smith and his "cat mom" Jordan "he actually likes playing fetch and drinking from people glasses. He's sweet". Melonhead, a crisp pale ale infused with natural watermelon extract, will not be available in bottles this year but in 473 ml cans and of course on tap. Look for Melonhead cans on the shelves of Picaroons retail stores and ANBL stores. 

Picaroons Releases Version 16 of Pivot IIPA

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(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales says that PIVOT #16 has arrived. In this Pivot they are bringing a whole new flavour profile to the table. They used Fuggles, Northern Brewer and in the hop percolator they used Willamette, to provide a "beer that any fans of English IPAs will really enjoy". They also say that "This combination of hops allows the aroma of their Ringwood yeast to shine through, provides earthy flavours, a nice lingering bitterness, and a slight fruity finish". The Imperial IPA is now shipping to all Picaroons outlets and ANBL locations throughout NB. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales releases new version of Pivot

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(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales have released the 14th iteration of their Pivot series. This time they moved away from the big bang tropical and citrus hops and ventured into a melon territory using only two hops: Ekaunot and Huell Melon. Upfront there is a pleasant mild bitterness from the Ekaunot, followed by some honey dew, berry, and grassy notes before it winds down with a medium dry finish.

Picaroons Releases Pivot IIPA version 11

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(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales have bottled their eleventh version of Pivot Ale. This time around they steered away from the tropical train and leaned more on the citrusy and herbal end of things. Hopped with Lemondrop, Zeus, and Warrior, this version has some herbal earthiness as well as lots of spicy peppery notes from the Zeus hops that's all blanketed by the lemony citrus and fruity notes from the Lemondrop and Warrior. This batch will start hitting the taps and shelves very soon. 

Picaroons Announces the Return of 12 Beers of Christmas

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales announced the return of the 12 Beers of Christmas. Starting on December 12th at noon they will start tapping a new beer each day through December 23rd at The Picaroons Roundhouse, The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, The Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John, and The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse in St. Stephen. Everyday they will announce the beer, learn each one by keeping your eye on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds for the updates. 

Picaroons' Yippee IPA Now in Cans

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(Fredericton, NB) - Yet another Maritime craft brewer has released a can. Picaroons Traditional Ales has put their latest batch of Yippee IPA into cans thanks to Craft Coast Canning. They are starting to ship these around New Brunswick so look for them on at your local ANBL location, as well as at The Picaroons Roundhouse, The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, The Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John, and The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse in St. Stephen.

Picaroons Traditional Ales releases Pivot 9

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(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales released Pivot 9, the latest in its hop series. This time it is a new hop to them, Zythos and they paired it with a some home-grown Moose Mountain Hops to get what they call "a very drinkable IPA with lots of the expected pineapple notes along with a good helping of piney-ness. There's also some nice subtle grassy and earthy undertones, along with an assertive bitterness, that's tying nicely into the malt character and keeping this batch grounded and drinkable." Limited release. 

Picaroons Releases Cease & Desist

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales released Cease & Desist, their take on a German dunkelweisen. A light bodied dark wheat beer with notes of chocolate and nuts that is an approachable 4.8% ABV. It is now on tap at The Picaroons Roundhouse, and The Picaroons Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, and soon will be on tap at ThePicaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John and The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse in St. Stephen. You will also soon find it on tap at many bars and restaurants throughout the Maritimes. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales Releases a Trio of Beers

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales released its latest iteration of Pivot Imperial IPA. This time they are showcasing a lot of Sorachi Ace from Moose Mountain Hops plus Warrior in the hop perc and then Azacca to dry-hop with. From Picaroons "This batch is notably more bitter than some other batches, as well as dry. There's little floral taste happening however the Azacca and Warrior are still dominating with a great citrus and tropical fruit facet on top of everything else. This batch also came out extra bright and clear. In a world where hazy (and delicious) New England style IPA's are on the rise, it's sort of nice to see such a hop forward ale be so crisp and clear". 

Gourd Browny is back with a slightly different recipe this time. This pumpkin spiced brown ale is now 5.6% ABV. and was brewed with modest amounts real cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg. Medium bodied and low hopped, the brown is  approachable with the spices adding a great warmth. On tap at The Picaroons Roundhouse as well as The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton and will start getting tapped everywhere else next week. 

Lastly Harvest Ale is back, made with Maritime grain and freshly harvested hops from different local hop farmers around the Maritimes. This year they are showcasing hops from two different New Brunswick based hop farms. They used the proprietary hop from Moose Mountain Hops, and paired them up with centennial hops from Bloomfield Hops. Picaroons added they are very proud in fact to say we were Bloomfield Hop Farms’ very first sale. This first batch, batch 462/463, is a bit lighter in colour than other years and Picaroons also increased the dry-hopping more to really let the hops stick out. Bottles and kegs started shipping in New Brunswick this week. http://www.picaroons.ca/myharvest

Picaroons says Goodbye to Dark & Stormy Night

(Fredericton, NB) - After producing their organic dark wheat beer, Dark & Stormy Night, for the past 11 years Picaroons says the time has come to put it to rest. They received a cease and desist order from Gosling Brothers saying that this beer infringed on one of their products. Gosling Brothers has a registered trademark of "Dark 'n' Stormy" to prohibit marketing of a drink under that name or a related, confusing name, unless it is made with Gosling Black Seal rum.
Picaroons fought the order but have officially lost the battle and are now retiring their beer. For now, what's left on the taps and shelves is all that remains of Dark & Stormy Night.

Picaroons Traditional Ales Adds to Pivot Series

(Fredericton,NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales has announced the fifth iteration of the Pivot series is out, this time focusing on Pekko and El Dorado hops. Described as "decidedly less tropical and fruity than some previous Pivots, expect some more complex herbal and floral aromas from the Pekko hops, coupled with lighter citrus notes from both El Dorado and Mandarina Bavaria". The imperial IPA is a strong 8% ABV and as with all of this series is a limited supply.

Picaroons Releases Pivot Imperial IPA

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons added an new Imperial IPA to the line-up with a twist. Pivot Imperial IPA is a special interactive ale where they are "pivoting" the hops around the same grain bill every batch. They have completed two batches so far. Picaroons has added a special page for you to get the details about each batch, http://picaroons.ca/pivot/
The new beer is 8% ABV and has a foundation of Canadian 2 Row and just a dash of Canadian Toasted Wheat. The first batch of Pivaot was hopped with Warrior, Azacca, and Hallertau Blanc. There brewers say to expect notes of melon, pineapple, bubblegum, and white grapes. Pivot #1 was tapped at The Picaroons Roundhouse, The Brewtique, The The Picaroons General Store, and The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse just prior to the long week end.
They took what they learned from the first Pivot – and dialed it in a little bit more. They omitted the Hallertau Blanc hops and chose to focus more on the tropical nature of Azacca and the piney-ness of Warrior. They increased dry-hop addition to bring out even more hop aroma. Tasting notes on this one are huge pineapple notes, along with passionfruit, mango and pine. Looking for Pivot #2 in bottles around New Brunswick.

Picaroons launches Dooryard Ale for 2017

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons is launching this years Dooryard Summer Wheat Ale on Saturday April 22, Earth Day, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. The beer is sporting a new label this year and launch will be in Picaroons' new events space at the brewery on Union Street.
They’ll have some local snacks provided by Locavore Foods, they’ll have some washer toss, Urban Teaching Farm Project ,The Ville Cooperatives Community Gardening Initiatives as well as spinning records, Picaroons will also have Dooryard available to sample and/or purchase for $5 for a 16 oz pint.
The new label was illustrated by Lise Hansen from Bonfire Stories, the image is inspired by an actual photo they found at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (*Credit line: George Taylor fond P5-479). Simply entitled “Musicians on a raft, playing banjos on the river above Fredericton”, the photo was almost definitely taken in the 1890s. 
The beer will continue to be made with organic malts and hops but will no longer be certified as being organic due to rising costs and requirements to be certified. 

Picaroons releases The Vinyl Cut Black IPA

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons has been very busy of late but have released a new beer. It was done at their facility in Devon and is called The Vinyl Cut Black IPA. They found it hard to pigeon hole this beer as a style but says it is roasty and hoppy). You may recall they did the 'One For The Road" Black IPA in Saint John a little while back but this is a different recipe altogether and they used their signature Ringwood yeast.

The tasting description is "full-bodied roasted hoppy beauty rings in at 8% Alc./Vol. and was brewed right here at our main brewery on Fredericton's Northside". Because it was brewed in the main facility rather than one of their small batch system there is more to spread around. Look for it on tap throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 

The Five Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse opens in St Stephen

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

Picaroons celebrates Stout Day with a New One

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

Picaroons to release small batch SMaSH IPA

(Saint John, NB) - Picaroons just brewed a small batch single malt/single hop (SMaSH) IPA at the Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John. Hippie IPA is a 6.3% ABV ale that was brewed using an American Ale yeast and uses all Maritime Malt and all local Nugget hops from LunaHops in Cornhill, New Brunswick. They will be tapping the Hippie IPA this Sunday, September 11th, at The Picaroons General Store along side an acoustic performance from Earthbound Trio at 3 PM. 
Interesting fact is that 1/3 of the Earthbound Trio is Bob Fitzgerald of LunaHops who grew all of the Nugget Hops.

The 12 Beers of Christmas Returns to Fredericton

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons Traditional Ales says The 12 Beers of Christmas are returning again this year. Starting on Saturday December 12th at The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, They will once again be releasing a different festive brew each day for 12 days. Each day's beer will be annouced at 12 noon and it will be ready for your Growlers starting at 4 PM. (On Sundays the beer will be announced AND tapped at noon). Quantities are still extremely limited but this year but they are lifting the 2 Growlers per person limit but are asking people not to be greedy. 

Maritime Beer Report - September 18, 2015

Hello and welcome to September 18th edition of the Maritime Beer Report

Big Tide Brewing's head brewer says it is just about time for her favorite brewing day that uses fresh hops, and fresh pumpkin and soon their Indian Beach Pumpkin Ale will be on tap.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault released Bonhomme Sept-heures Pumpkin Ale this week. They used more than 60 lbs of pumpkin and squash, 2 lbs of spices and all kinds of other good stuff. It clocks in at 8.6% ABV and is the strongest beer they have made. Available now at the Brewtique.

Hammond River Brewing Company were making the season's first Breakfast Stout. Oats, Java Moose Coffee, Chocolate, Cacao Nibs, Applewood Bacon smoked right here at HRB, and a few Eggs and Grits to top it off. This delicious 8% ABV Imperial Stout will be available soon.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says their 2015 Harvest Ales will start pouring next week. This year they have 7 different batches from 6 different local farmers, all made with a different local hops, all with the same local grain. Once again you will be able to find out about your Harvest Ale by checking out the batch code on the side of your label and going to http://picaroons.ca/myharvest/

Big Spruce Brewing says that its collaboration with Stillwell Gimme Citra is back. It is described as a nice hoppy beer and comes in at 4.7% ABV. Available now at the brewery and select taps.

Breton Brewing were busy this week brewing their first seasonal called Celtic Colours Maple Lager. Look out for this beer around Cape Breton during the Celtic Colours festival! The Maple Syrup they added came from Acadian Maple Products in Nova Scotia. 

FirkinStein Brewing started selling their beer this week. It is not available at bars yet but they have opted to start with home delivery in the Bridgewater, Mount Pleasant and Conquerall Mills areas. They are charging $8 for the bottle and $12 for the beer then you own the bottle and refills are just $12 after that. They're beer is called Nor'easter Ale and is a strong beer weighing in at 7.5% ABV.

Garrison Brewing says they got a boatload of Cinderella Pumpkins from their friends at Howard Dill's Pumpkin Farm in Windsor for the next batch of  their Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Good Robot Brewing is introducing the 5th addition to their lineup, Leave Me Blue Kentucky Corn Beer. In celebration of this on Sunday, October 4th, they will be hosting a good ol' fashioned hootenanny at the brewery complete with pig roast, bluegrass music and of course beers.

Sea Level Brewing notes that Hopfazupfa is back for fall. This is a 6% ABV American IPA. They are sad to announce that they are not making the New Scotland Heather Ale this year. They couldn't get enough heather & Randy won't compromise.

Tatamagouche Brewing released the next edition in their Giant Series, it is a Russian Imperial Stout coming in at 8.5% ABV. It is hopped with Pacific Gem and Chinook. Also Tatabrew is bringing back its award winning Lagerhosen and a new IPA called Deception Bay IPA that is a hefty 6.2% ABV.

Uncle Leo's Brewery says its Pictou County Harvest Ale made with fresh hops from Bramble Hill Farms. It is a 5.7% ABV limited quantity ale that is available in growlers only. 

Looking for something fun to do in Moncton next week end? Moncton Area Beer League is doing a beer hike that will visit five local watering holes for beer and food samples. Tickets are $49 to join in on the fun.

New Brunswick Beer Tour is running their River Valley Tour again on October 17th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM . Join King Street Ale House owners Doug Williams, Eat New Brunswick and the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival as they explore NB Craft Beers and Ciders. Along the way you will have samples and food from King Street Ale House and visit and sample at three breweries.

Ever wonder what it would be like to practice yoga inside the serene walls of a brewery, backdropped by massive stainless steel tanks? No? Ok, well even if you haven't thought about it before, here is your chance to do that at Upstreet Craft Brewing on September 26th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. For $15 you will get 1-hour practice and a glass of beer. 

Looking to expand your beer knowledge and get certified for personal or professional reasons? CAPS- Atlantic is offering two courses this fall. The Certified Beer Server course is designed to prepare students for the Certified Beer Server exam, the first level of certification in the Cicerone program. It is 1 evening a week for 4 weeks in September and October for $260. The Certified Beer Professional course is designed to prepare students for the Cicerone certification exam. It runs 1 evening a week for 10 weeks and costs $1240. Courses run consecutively, and can be taken individually or as a 14-week package. Check the website for registration forms.

Thanks for letting me share the news again this week, Until next week enjoy responsibly.