Beer Review- Gahan Iron Bridge Brown Ale

Gahan Iron Bridge Brown Ale (formerly Iron Horse) from PEI Brewing Company comes in at 5.3% ABV. It has a lovely brown color with a thin head. It has a slight malty aroma with hints of toffee, coffee and chocolate aroma, not huge on the nose. It has a light carbonation and medium mouth feel. The first taste you get is a toasted malt flavor and a coffee, chocolate and a slight dry finish. I like it and would get it often if it was in distribution in Nova Scotia. I have to give this one a big thumbs up. Until next time enjoy responsibly.

Beer Review - Uncle Leo's Brewing Smoked Porter

The Smoked Porter is a seasonal offering from Uncle Leo's in Lyons Brook, NS. They told me that when they were brewing it it made the brewery smell like a campfire. It is extremely dark brown in color if not black with a nice brown foamy head. The aroma is definitely smoky and masks most everything else you may get from this porter. It has a nice smoky flavor start to finish with a medium body, good carbonation and a slightly dry finish. It is a great sipping beer especially with the days getting cooler with its 6.8% ABV. The smoky flavor is the dominant taste but it is not definitely a bad thing. I like it and definitely give this one a thumbs up. Until next time 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.

Beer Review - Sea Level Brewing - Port in a Storm Porter

This Porter comes in at 5.5% ABV and is very dark brown in color. Aroma is a strong coffee and maybe a little licorice smell. It is very light in carbonation and a medium body beer, It is quite roasty with the coffee and chocolate dominating the taste with a dry finish. Nice beer from Sea Level. Enjoy responsibly.

Beer Review - Picaroons Harvest Ale

Harvest Ale is a seasonal ale from Picaroons. It is 5.5% ABV and copper in color with a white foamy head. The aroma is floral and some sweetness like a toffee. The ale is a bit cloudy with a medium body and medium carbonation. It is pretty well balanced with a slight dry aftertaste. What you expect in the taste from the aroma doesn't seem to come through with a fairly light taste and the slight dry finish I mentioned. It is available in the ANBL 

Beer Review - Shiretown Brewing Blonde du Quai

It has a dark straw color and has 5.5% ABV with a thin head that quickly dissipates. It was slightly cloudy with a medium mouth feel and light carbonation. It is unique aroma with floral hints. The taste is earthy. grassy and a little sour. It is a very different beer. It is available throughout New Brunswick at ANBL stores.

Beer Review - Sea Level Brewing Hoptoberfest

It is a marzen style beer and Sea Level's third wet-hopped beer coming in at 5.5% ABV. It is a nice straw color with light carbonation. The aroma is sweet and fruity but not overwhelming. It is light-bodied and in carbonation. Initially in the taste you get some bread with some citrus and a dry aftertaste. Very delicious and well balance, definitely a good one for Sea Level.

Beer Review - Picaroons Upstream Ale

It is light straw color with a nice white foamy head. It is a light beer tasting beer with a light amount of carbonation. It comes in at 4.5% ABV and is easy drinking. It has a grainy aroma and and a similar taste. Be a nice beer to have on a warm day.

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.

Beer Review - Garrison Brewing 3 Fields Harvest Wet-hopped Ale

For the 4th year Garrison Brewing has made 3 Fields Harvest Wet-hopped Ale. It is a pale ale that comes in at a strong 6.3% ABV. It is a golden color with a nice thick foamy head. The aroma is hoppy of course with a bread and fruity overtone. It is tasty with a nice toffee and hop taste. It is well balanced with a slight dry finish. It is available for a limited time at the usual spots. 

Beer Review - Gahan Pumpkin Ale

Gahan Pumpkin Ale by the PEI Brewing Company  is a seasonal that comes in at 5.8% ABV. It is light brown in color with a nice foamy head. The aroma is pumpkin and spice as you would expect. The aroma isn't what comes through in the taste, the pumpkin and spice are subdued making for a nice tasting beer. There is also a decent amount of carbonation. The reserved amount of spiciness makes it very enjoyable to drink. If you live where this is available I will definitely recommend this one. Enjoy responsibly.

Beer Review - Sea Level Brewing Hopfazupfa IPA

I am reviewing Sea Level Brewing's second wet-hopped IPA this year called Hopfazupfa. It comes in at 6.5% ABV. It is a nice golden color with a decent white foamy head. The aroma is hoppy and bread and a slight sweetness. It is very well carbonated with a medium body. Definitely a great beer. It has a slight dry finish that doesn't linger.  Hopfazupfa is Bavarian for the man who harvests hops.

Beer Review - Moosehead Breweries Boundary Ale

This is a review is of Moosehead's Boundary Ale. I was not going to do this beer but after some positive words on it from acquaintances and it roughly fits into the Maritime craft beer so here it goes. It comes in at 5.3% ABV and has a copper color with a nice foamy white head that dissipates. The aroma is kind of faint but has a little yeasty and banana. It has a good amount of carbonation and has a bit of dryness in the finish with a bit of the hops coming through. I didn't get much sweetness of maltiness. It was OK but not sure if I would get it again.

Maritime Beer Report - October 11, 2013.

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the October 11th 2013 edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Grimross Brewing Belgian Rye IPA will be ready in a day or two They will tweet when we are bottling so follow them on twitter.

Shiretown's latest "Five Rivers" golden ale is now available at the brewery. It comes in at 5.0% ABV and about 25 IBUs.

Picaroons has some fresh out of the barrel, Oak Aged Best Bitter on tap now at the brewtique.

Bridge Brewing says it looks like tomorrow will be the last day for the Many Hands Wet Hopped Imperial Pale Ale. Until next year. Good bye till we meet again.

Big Spruce Brewing now has Bitter Get'er India and Regatta Red joining Kitchen Party and Cereal Killer on tap at Maxwell's Plum. This is their first Bitter Get'er India tap, their first off-Island Regatta Red tap, and their first 4 tap location in NS. Four beer sampler plates will be available. I say yes please :)

Garrison Brewing's 3rd "ONE HOP" has landed. Garrison's says "East Kent Goldings" (E.K.G. for short) is a British hop variety, more gentle & smooth than her predecessor - Citra. With floral & fruity flavours & an earthy nose, you won't be disappointed". EKG is now available in the retail store, NSLC & all private stores in Halifax. EKG will also be available in New Brunswick by the end of the week.

The Winemaker vs Brewmaster Dinner at The Halifax Club with Blomidon Estate Winery & Propeller Brewing Company in a head to head taste-off is next Friday the 18th. To reserve your seats or for more info call Adam at the Halifax club.

Rockbottom Brewpub's new offering is a sour saison called Synaptic Illusion. The blog describes it as "Berries, fruit and spice with a little bit of funk and a whole lot of tart; a little farmhouse ale with a serious wallop of refreshing flavour and acidity". It comes in at 5.0% ABV and 7 IBUs.

Congratulations are in order for Uncle Leo's. The Huffington Post named Uncle Leo's one of Canada's 11 best new breweries!

As reported last week Sea Level Brewing's Hoptoberfest that was on tap at the Port Pub made it way to cans this week at the brewery and as of today to Harvest in Halifax. Get it fast because this one won' be around for long.

Had a chat with Lucas from Boxing Rock Brewing and asked what was coming this fall, looks like a English Session will be coming soon so look for that one.

The Ladies Beer League announced a cask event that will be open to all beer lovers, men and women, coming up on November 17th at the Stubborn Goat Gastropub. It will feature unique, one-off, cask-conditioned ales from seven different maritime craft breweries. There is an afternoon (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) and evening session (5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.). The $35.00 ticket includes 7 oz. samples of each cask and a chance to vote for the 2013 Cask-of-the-year!  Tickets go on sale online this Sunday, October 13th on eventbrite. 

LOCAL CONNECTIONS HALIFAX's Craft Beer and Local Food Celebration has released the final two rooms. Room 6 is THE PLAN B KARAOKE EXPERIENCE Every good celebration needs solid karaoke. The room will be hosted by Plan B and comedian Bill Wood (plus other guests), and will be the place where your wildest dreams will come true. Local Source will be feeding hungry patrons while Boxing Rock (Shelburne) and Hell Bay (Liverpool) whet your whistle.

Room 7 is SAUSAGE FEST JUNIOR For those who have been reminiscing about last August's Sausage Fest, or for those who simply missed all the festivities, we're dedicating this room to you! The food host will be announced shortly, but we already know that you will be able to enjoy fresh brews from Big Spruce (Baddeck) and Uncle Leo (Lyonn's Brook).

One last item there will be a home brewer's contest to lead up to the Craft Beer and Local Food Celebration. Details coming soon. Interested? Stayed tuned.

Have you heard about Valley Beerfest 2014? Haven't heard of it? All NS craft beer, watch for details in The Pub Magazine or here on the Beer Report.

A new blog to check out is from Christiane Jost about her setting up a new microbrewery in Tatamagouche NS Tatamagouche Brewster

That's all I have for this week, until next time enjoy enjoy responsibly.

Beer Review - Propeller Brewing Co - Nocturne Dark Lager

Proceeds from this beer go to Nocturne Halifax Art at Night. It comes in at 4.8 %ABV. The color is brown and clear and a slight head. Aroma has a bit bread and spices. It looks lightly carbonated bit had a fair amount of carbonation on drinking. There is hint of sweetness in the beginning with a distinct smokey flavor and chocolate with a pleasant after-taste. Fairly well balance with a slight lingering dryness. I am not a fan of lagers but this one is delicious.

Beer Review - Bridge Brewing - Strong Dark Belgian Ale

The Strong Dark Belgian Ale comes in at 8.5% ABV. It is light brown in color with a light brown foamy head with good retention. The aroma is lovely and spicy. Medium to light carbonation. The beer is medium bodied with the initial coriander and sweet or even fruity and chocolate lingering aftertaste. As I drank it there was a light sweetness in the mid tongue. I t is a strong beer and with coming cooler weather it will be nice. As they say at Bridge Beer "Drink to the future".

Maritime Beer Report - October 4, 2013

Hello and welcome to the October 4th edition on the Maritime Beer Report.

Grimross brewed a Belgian Stout this week with Hops from Southan Farms in Wicklow, NB and Maritime Malt. Look for that coming soon.

PEI Brewing Company now has an e-newsletter. Sign up and get their latest news on their website or facebook page. They have a Pumpkin Porter that was tapped at 3:00 pm today, congrats to any one who got some of that.

Big Spruce Brewing has 5 different beers available this week end and they are brewing more Bitter Get'er India today. So nice to see a new brewery doing so well. 

Tomorrow Bridge Brewing will be sampling their new year round offering, a Belgian Saison, at the Highland Drive Storehouse for the I Love Local HFX City Harvest. They will also be sampling their Many Hands Wet Hopped Imperial Pale Ale harvest beer, which seems to be hanging on. Bridge will also be at a Beer dinner at the Harbourstone Sea grill & pour house Monday October 7th. Only $45 dollars for 4 courses paired with Bridge Brewing Beer.It is a little early to talk about Christmas but Bridge will have a special Christmas limited release Dark Belgian ale aged in a Glenora distillery oak cask. Man I have to get my order in for that one.

Garrison Brewing is getting ready to release their next "One Hop IPA" but first, they have to say bye to Citra! For I Love Local HFX City Harvest they will be having Michelada as well as a cask of Jalapeno Harvest Wheat on Saturday from 12-5. Getaway Farms' Butcher Shop will also be there bringing the tacos. 

At the Old Port Pub they are have Hoptoberfest now on tap this week end, It is specially brewed for them by Sea Level Brewing. It is the third in this season's wet-hopped brews from Sea Level

Rockbottom Brew Pub has released Rookie Returns on tap now. A mini hop-bomb that is their  American-style Mild. Based on a wee UK Pale Mild with one exception; it's pummelled with Pacific Northwest hops at IPA levels. Brewed with Columbus and Simcoe along with copious amounts of caramel, biscuit and aromatic malts. Juicy, citrusy, refreshing and very aromatic - Rookie packs a boatload of flavour. The ABV  3.1 % and about 25 IBUs

Townhouse Brewpub and Eatery will have Terry's Bitter on tap all week end. Get in there early to try this one out.

Tomorrow at 2PM go try  Uncle Leo's first seasonal beer, It is a Smoked Porter. They say "This Porter is rich, smooth and smokey. It comes in at 6.8% ABV and is a treat unto itself. A perfect fall beer."

Craft Beer and Local Food Celebration has released room 5 and it is called The Craft Brewers Room. Explore the range of craft beer made right here in Halifax. On hand will be Bridge Brewing, Garrison Brewing, Hart & Thistle Gatropub , Propeller Brewing, Rockbottom Brewpub, and likely one more. Each will showcase what they do best, while the crew from the Agricola Street Brasserie will fulfill our culinary desires. On top of that, we will have presentations from local brewmasters throughout the evening. 

That is all I have for this week, until next time enjoy responsibly.

Beer Review - Hell Bay Brewing - Dark Cream Ale

The ale is dark brown color with a slight head. Aroma is coffee and chocolate  although it is not overpowering with a slight hint of sweetness. The taste is definitely coffee and chocolate the lingers in the aftertaste with a slightly dry finish. Nice mouth feel and good carbonation.It is not thick or heavy beer as you would expect. It is a very nice beer.