Bridge Brewing released a collaboration brew with Java Blend Coffee Roasters today. A Belgian Coffee Brown Ale, made with 2 kg of Guatemalan El Injerto Pandora del Carmen. I tried some last night and it was good. It is in limited supply so get some early.
Thinking of signing up for the Garrison Brewing's 2014 Home Brew Off or do you want to brush up on your Weizen-brewing skills? On Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm, Steven Haynes from Noble Grape will be at Garrison doing an all-grain demonstration. Best of it's free so swing by and check it out.
Hell Bay Brewing Company has released a new new IPA the R.I.P.(A.). Hell Bay will be doing a different version each month for the next few months, and having a taste off at the end to determine which IPA version will be added to their regular line up. This version is pale, dry, 7.2% ABV and moderately hopped for the style.In version #2, they are saying more hops.
Paddys Irish Brewpub released details on their new Fitz's Belgian Dubbel Ale, now on tap at Paddys in Wolfville and coming soon to Kentville location. From Paddy's "Fitz’s Belgian Dubbel: bronze, light body and lively carbonation; complex, fruity and spicy notes, 7% ABV".
Rockbottom Brewpub reports that Firkin Saturdays are no more and have been replaced with Firkin Wednesday. They say "every hump-day at 4:00 PM they'll be offering up a 20 L cask (dubbed a 'pin') of unique brew on the bar top".
This past Wednesday was dubbed the "Day of Wreckoning" and coincided with the launch of two seasonal beers to their taps. First was Balticus, a Smoked Baltic Porter. From the Brewers Blog "Mashing with 35% beechwood smoked malt lends a wonderful twist to our otherwise classic Baltic Porter; licorice, roasted malt, raisins, caramel, fruit, smokey phenols, malty richness, and oh-so-smooth. It comes in at 7.8 % ABV and 40 IBUs.
The other seasonal released was Wreckoning, a Russian Imperial Stout. Again from Greg Nash "This one screams crème brûlée with roasted malts and dark fruit, quickly settling into an amazing complexity of serious flavour. Layer after layer; toffee, dried fruit, hops, vanilla, dark caramel and chocolate. Her luscious bouquet, vinous mouth-feel, alcoholic warmth and silky legs will leave you callin' for more, no doubt. Finishes with superb tannin balance".. This one has a 10.5% ABV and 100+ (112 calculated) IBU. Sounds like dessert in a cup my friends.
Lastly the menu for the RockBottom Brewpub First beer dinner is now ready. Join them on the January 27th at 6:00 pm. For the following menu:
Drunken carrot, ginger and goat cheese soup
Beer batter mini onion rings
Fathom IPA
Boilermaker BBQ braised beef short rib
Pork belly and beer mac & cheese
Smoked Baltic Porter
Chocolate & Russian imperial stout pecan pie
Bourbon sauce
Russian Imperial Stout
Three courses including beer $30 plus taxes and Gratuity and is limited to 40 guests. It is over 50% full so make your reservation soon.
Sea Level Brewing's latest seasonal, High St Wee Heavy Scotch Ale is out in cans at the usual spots and Bar Stillwell.
The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery is having a Craft Beer Tasting on Feb 8th. They're bringing Tracy Phillippi, of The Ladies Beer League, back to town to host another guided craft beer tasting. It will be open to the public, and feature 7-8 Maritime Craft Beers paired with appetizers from Chef Jacob Buckley and the Townhouse kitchen.
I went to the Local Connections Halifax Craft Beer & Local Food Celebration last night and had a great time. I am going to Bar Stillwell's Tap Takeover tomorrow. I will try to have blog posts on both of these next week.
Thanks for joining me again this week and until next time, enjoy responsibly.
