Maritime Beer Report - May 29, 2015

Hello and welcome to the May 30th edition of the Maritime Beer Report

The newest label in the Picaroons' Historical Brown Ale series is The Connell Stamp. The newly relabelled Brown Ale, previously branded as the 104th Regiment, will start hitting the shelves this week at ANBL locations throughout New Brunswick, with 25 cents from every bottle being donated to the Carleton County Historical Society & Connell House in Woodstock, New Brunswick. In 1859, Postmaster General Charles Connell, a Carleton County Loyalist, ordered new postage for New Brunswick. An uproar ensued in 1860 when the 5 cent stamps appeared bearing Charles Connell's own face on them, soon resulting in his resignation. Most though not all specimens were destroyed and 115 years later, the extremely rare and valuable "Connell Stamp" is prized and sought by collectors around the world. Picaroons Traditional Ales has decided to commemorate this quirky event in New Brunswick's history the only way they know how; with beer.
The release of this second label in the Historical Brown Ale series also marks the end of the first label in the campaign, the 104th Regiment, which saw support going towards the Fredericton Region Museum. On May 21 Picaroons' Sean Dunbar presented a cheque for $10, 000 to the Museum.

A few events to consider in New Brunswick. The Canada Day Bash is Wednesday July 1 at the Lighthouse on the Green. from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. You get 14 4 oz samples of Beer/Cider/Mead featuring: Big Axe Brewing, Grimross Brewing, Railcar Brewing, Trailway Brewing, Redrover Brewing and Pollen Angels. With food served up by Food at the Crowne. All for 76.00

The Big Axe Taproom grand-opening and belated 1 year birthday celebration is on June 13th at 1 pm with Julio's Garage playing at 8 PM.

Play an instrument ? Want to help out a good cause? Join Railcar Brewing Company June 5th from 7 PM to 11 PM as they jam out some music. Musicians attending will be rewarded with food and beverage. General Public is asked for a donation at the door for a local Relay For Life team fundraiser. Join brewer Mitch Biggar as he explores the first of the Summer Tasting Sessions. These sessions are intended to introduce the history, the malt and hop builds of specific beer styles. The first will be IPA's join them as they sample six Maritime IPA's. Tickets $20 at the door.

Savoie Brewhouse in River Charlo released a few details on the new brewery. Their first two beers are a blonde called Island Lake and an amber called Cheleur Phantom. More details as I get them.
  
Boxing Rock Brewing Company has sent a pallet load of Crafty Jack English Ale to NB Liquor. Look for it at your local ANBL store soon.

Breton Brewing Company says their three fermenters are all piped, thirsty, and ready for their first fills next week. Looking forward to their beers next month.

Garrison Brewing Company announced they now have on tap at the Brewery the Wry & Ginger IPA. This was beer being brewed during Open City and Open Brewery Day. They also have OBEY available in honour of OBEY Convention. It is on tap and in 650ml bottles. They also have La Saison Froide on tap which Daniel brewed for the Science of Beer

Meander River Farm is looking for some strong, hard workers to join in the fun and help string the hop yard. Working from morning 'til... who knows! Send them a message if you're interested in getting your hands dirty for a bit this weekend.

The Nook and Cranny is pleased to present the Nook & Cranny Blueberry Wheat. This light wheat beer is infused with Oxford blueberry juice, and great for relaxing on the patio and soaking up the summer sun. Drink in house, or fill up one of  the new N&C growlers and take it home with you.

North Brewing Company has launched a new one off beer, Belgian Pale Ale is available in the store. Belgian Pale Malt, Belgian Vienna and Belgian Carapils come together for a robust malt character upfront. The finish is lime pith imparted from New Zealand Wakatu hops. 

Sea Level Brewing says their Privateers/ Rule 42 collaboration beer with Boxing Rock and Hell Bay is now on tap at the Port Pub & Bistro in Port Williams, Nova Scotia. This British IPA was the collaboration brew for the South Team at the Race the Kegs Event during Craft Beer Week 2015. 

Tatamagouche Brewing Company is back at the Truro Farmers Market this Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM. This week they are bringing: North Shore Lagered Ale, Hippie Dippie Pale Ale, Butcher Block Red Ale, Cerberus IPA, Little Giant Ale, and Horns Over Hooves DIPA.

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

What Craft beers are Nova Scotia MLAs enjoying

In honor of Nova Scotia Craft Beer week I asked, well emailed actually, every sitting member of the Nova Scotia Legislature what there favorite craft beer was. I got a handful of responses and most were enthusiastic and some even passionate.

Kevin Murphy (L - Eastern Shore) says he regularly has Hell Bay Brewing, Garrison Brewing, and Rare Bird Craft Beer.  He says "I have shifted a my buying habits over the past couple years to local craft beers.  In addition to the richer, more significant flavour and texture, there is a certain "feel good" component to the experience of actually being able to say I met the people actually making this local product".  Couldn't have said it better myself.

Joachim Stroink (L - Halifax Chebucto)  says his favorite is Garrison's seasonal Three Fields. He states "For the fact that the beer has a wonderful taste, the blend of hops is one you can really enjoy. But the best part of this beer is made up of 100% Nova Scotia ‎Hops. Coming from Meander River Farms, Fiddle hop Farm and Ross Farm Museum".

Patricia Arab (L - Fairview-Clayton Park) plainly said her favourite craft beer is Boxing Rock's Hunky Dory Pale Ale.

Allan MacMaster (PC - Inverness) had this to say "So many great craft beers in Nova Scotia right now.  I recall working for Rodney MacDonald years ago when he was Minister responsible for NSLC.  The NSLC was opposing shelf space for NS craft brewers.  Thankfully that changed.  Beer lovers and our local economies are the better for it.  My current favorite is “Kitchen Partry Ale” from Big Spruce Brewing in Nyanza.  North Brewing Company has some dandies too".

Diana Whalen (L - Clayton Park West) say she loves a growler of English Ale from the Hell Bay Brewing Company. 

Brendan Maguire (L - Halifax Atlantic) wins the longest answer award saying the following. 

There’s no better way to tickle your taste buds during the summer months than with a bottle of Maritime craft beer.
Haligonians are very lucky to be surrounded by many microbreweries such as Granite, Garrison, Rock Bottom and Propeller - just to name a few.
When it is time to crack open a cold beer, my taste buds tend to lead me to Propeller Breweries’ award winning India Pale Ale. This locally brewed beer is a smooth, slightly bitter and has beautiful golden glow. If you’re looking for a challenge, there is always the 1.9L growler!
I encourage everyone to support local this summer by visiting one of the many microbreweries across Nova Scotia.  

Karla MacFarlane (PC - Pictou West) says she is not usually a beer drinker, but she does enjoy the occasional Red Ale from Uncle Leo’s brewery in Lyons Brook. She also says "They have a fine selection of other offerings as well with beers ranging from a dark stout to an IPA." She seems to know a lot for a non-beer drinker. 

Jamie Baillie (PC - Cumberland South) says "There are many great craft beers in Nova Scotia. One that stands out for me is Butcher Block Red, by the Tatamagouche Brewing Company.  He may be Leader of the Opposition but not may people would oppose that.

Geoffrey MacLellan (L - Glace Bay) exclaims "I'm a proud Cape Bretoner and a fan of Big Spruce Brewing's Cereal Killer.  I'm new to the product and will get to pick up my first growler on the way home to Glace Bay." Someone tell Geoffrey that Cape Breton breweries and doubling next month.

I thank the hard working members who took the time to email me back and I will check back in a year to see if their tastes have changed. 

Maritime Beer Report - May 22, 2015

Hello and welcome to the May 22nd edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Gahan House Charlottetown is crowning their Homebrew winner on Saturday from 2-4 PM. There will be some entertainment and refreshing craft beer as they judge the final 6 and  crown the 2015 winner.

I mentioned Upstreet Craft Brewing's first two beer last week and now we know their third, Rhuby Social Strawberry Rhubarb Witbier. Strawberry, rhubarb and spice make this witbier slightly tart and always refreshing.

Big Tide Brewing Company now has their collaboration with Acadie Broue, la Gaboteuse II on tap. A Belgian Tripel IPA that is pale in color from the all Pilsner malt, and generously hopped and dry hopped with Amarillo and Simcoe. It's about 70 IBUs, and 9 % ABV, and very well balanced. It won't last long.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault says she's baaaaack! Their IPA, Soeur Catherine will be pouring at the brewtique today (Friday, May 22nd)! Get out those growlers.

Celtic Knot Brewing was making this years first batch of For Shore Session Ale. This year it will be just slightly bittered with a wee bit of Australian Ella and all the flavor and aroma from Galaxy and a new hop from Germany called Mandarina Bavaria. 

Distillerie Fils du Roy has another beer. Stella Maris is a bière de garde and comes in at a strong 7.5% ABV. Look for new details soon.

Picaroons Traditional Ales had some big news this week. They will be opening a Brewtique in Uptown Saint John on Canterbury Street. They do say the number one priority this year is the new brewery so a timeline is hard to say. They also shared a long term plan is to open it up to have some taps of other small brewery's beer.
They also released Selection Blonde Ale this week. A 4.5% ABV smooth Blonde Ale that's been dry-hopped with a plethora of aromatic Cascade hops. It is a limited release so get it at the brewtique and ANBL growler stations while you can.

Bad Apple Brewhouse says they have Mosaic available in the brewhouse in Growler form. They also have a new Smoked Porter on tap that is 6% ABV.

Good Robot Brewing's next beer is on the way. It is another somewhat uncommon beer, no pun intended. It is a California Common or Steam beer that is 4.2% ABV. 

The Nook and Cranny announced that their first seasonal beer will be a blueberry wheat. They've added Nova Scotia's very own Oxford blueberry juice and now they wait.

Atlantic Beer Festival still has tickets available if you haven't got yours yet. There is a lot of Belgian Beer events are happening all over Moncton next week from Monday to Thursday. Also don't forget about the Lake of Bays Craft Beer Dinner on Thursday from Moncton Beer League .

Last item, it was revealed today that a new brewery is coming to Fredericton in the Tannery. Gray Stone Brewing is the the name but there isn't much else right now. Look for more details as I get them.

Thanks for checking out the news again this week and until next time enjoy responsibly.