Hello and welcome to the November 1st edition of the Maritime Beer Report
Celtic Knot Brewing in Riverview are brewing their next beer, a winter barley wine called "Toque and Mitts"., how Canadian. They hope to have it to market by December 1st and is described as dark and malty and comes in around 7.5% ABV.
Grimross had a great blog post talking about their first four months. They wondered if the small brewery was too big but quickly found out it was too small and struggled working full time jobs and the brewery 7 days a week to meet demand. They work hard to to keep beer on the shelf at the Grimross fridge at Picaroons Brewtique as well as now selling beer on tap at two bars in Fredericton and one in Moncton. They're next challenge is "to determine how we are going to increase production to keep up with demand". This story is one to follow, best of luck.
Picaroons Traditional Ales now has the anticipated Winter Warmer now on tap at their brewtique in Downtown Fredericton. Cheers
There is a new microbrewery opening in Edmundston, Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault. They held two information meetings for the public over the last two weeks about the brewery and possibly investing in it. They will move into the old police station in the downtown core of Edmundston, aiming for a May 2014 opening.
The 1st Annual Big Spruce Home Brew Competition was launched last Friday It is open to all Nova Scotian home brewers with the grand prize of spending the day at Big Spruce Brewing creating a single full size batch of your winning brew on their 7 barrel system. Your brew will then be released at the Craft Beer and Local Food Celebration on January 16th, 2014. The style is an American IPA, which is 14B in the BJCP Style Guidelines. Get all the details on the Big Spruce facebook page today.
Bridge Brewing Company will no longer be attending the Historic Farmers' Market on Saturdays. They apologize for the inconvenience but also say they will be attending another market shortly. I'll pass along any details along as I get them.
Hell Bay Brewing Company has released its new seasonal the Wee Heavy. A strong Scotch ale, slightly sweet, rich and malty beer with caramel flavours and hints of smoke. 8% ABV. Sounds like another hit.
Paddy’s Irish Brewpub in Kentville released their newest seasonal beer on tap, S’Mashed Pumpkin Ale. It looks delicious.
Sleeman Breweries laid off 14 more employees this week bringing the workforce down to 9 from a high of 32. Sleeman's , owned by Sapporo Holdings, spokesperson Pierre Ferland says ".. this reduction is the best way to solidify the remaining jobs while we finalize an agreement with a perspective owner". Who is this mystery owner? Rumors abound it is Northhampton Brewing, owners of Picaroons. Mr Ferland will not comment on who it is and Sean Dunbar, Northhampton's prinipal, will not comment either. It is going to be interesting to see who takes this 27,000 hectolitre plant.
Don't forget the Ladies Beer League's Cask event is a little over two weeks away. Please support this event so we get more like it in the future.
That is all for this week, thanks for joining me. Just a note, next weeks show will be earlier than normal and there will be none on the 15th due to other commitments. Good night and enjoy responsibly.
