Maritime Beer Report - February 28, 2014

Hello and welcome to the February 28th edition of the Maritime Beer Report

Gahan House Brewery announced a slight change in its First Annual Home Brewer’s Challenge.  "After talking with some of the home brewer’s we have decided to change the dates for the contest.  This will allow everyone the proper amount of time to brew their beer to perfection.   We are asking everyone to have their finished product handed into Gahan by 5:00 pm on Friday April 4th.  From there we will narrow down the contest to the top 5 and the final judging will be done on Saturday Afternoon at 2:00pm on April 12th." Good luck everyone

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault said on Wednesday that the countdown was beginning saying around 95 days until they open. Going to be an exciting time in Edmundston this summer.

Bad Apple Brewhouse ‏has been busy in more ways than one. First their Barrel Aged Black & Tackle will be ready soon and Double IPA coming on tap as well. I would also like to congratulate Jeff and The Brewers Wife on the news they are expecting another baby to help in the brewery.

Big Spruce Brewing was busy brewing a Wheat IPA today with Aaron Spinney from Sawdust City Brewing. They are calling it "You Spin Me White Round Wheat IPA". I will keep you updated on availability.They also announced their second expansion and have procured 3 10 bbl fermenters and 2 serving tanks so that they can continue to grow and meet demand.

Garrison Brewing started with 76 entries in their Home Brew Off and narrowed it down to 13 semi-finalists and then further narrowed down to just 4 stayed tuned for the here the winner announced on March 13th.

Meander River Farm looks like they got some nice shiney tanks and fermenters in this week. Their project is really coming together nice this winter.

Rogue's Roost ‏have put their new porter on tap and tell us it is "Nice and dark and tasty" 

Ladies Beer League first event of 2014 is on March 25th they'll be screening "The Beer Hunter" at Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar, and will be featuring cask-conditioned ale from Uncle Leo's Brewery. Tickets cost $15 and include a pint of the ale and popcorn. Go to their brand spanking new website to get the details and buy tickets. I also see that their collaboration with Boxing Rock Brewing will be released on Thursday April 17th from 7:00 pm - 12:00 am at Stillwell Beer Bar 1672 Barrington Street in Halifax. I am not sure what it is but I think it uses a lot of apples.

Speaking of Stillwell Beer Bar they released the tap list for the Picaroons Tap Takeover on March 15th. The offerings are:
Winter warmer
Maple cream ale
Ember ale smoked porter
Timber hog stout
104th regiment brown ale
Best bitter
Simeon jones river valley amber ale
Feels good imperial pilsner
Plaid to the bone heather ale
Blonde
Yippee ipa
Irish red

CASKS:
Ember Ale smoked porter
Afterglow Aphrodisiac Ale
Parcel of Rogues session ale

As of Friday there are 5 tickets left so hurry if you want one. Not to be missed.

Fredericton Craft Beer Fest is about a week away and excitement is building. Here is the beer list of maritime breweries as of February 22nd and is subject to change (there are many other beers besides this list)

North Brewing
Belgian IPA
Saison
Strong Dark Belgian

Big Spruce Brewing
Bitter Get'er India Black IPA
Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout

Uncle Leo's Brewing
IPA
Red
Smoked

Boxing Rock Brewing
The Vicar's cross Double IPA
Hunky Dory Pale Ale
Temptation Red Ale

Garrison Brewing Company
Nut Brown
Irish Red Ale
Raspberry Wheat
Hopyard Pale Ale 
Imperial Pale Ale
Martello Stout

Bad Apple Brewhouse 
Black & Tackle RIS
American Pale Ale

Shiretown
Blonde du Quai
Siren's t'ale
Brown Ale

Grimross Brewing
Ben's Pale Ale
Rye IPA

Picaroons
Maple Cream
A Parcel of Rogues
Ember Ale
Afterglow Aphrodisiac Ale
Mans Best Friend
Dark and Stromy Night
Best Bitter

Pump House Brewery
Fire Chief Red Ale
Scotch Ale
Special Old Bitter Ale (SOB)
Cadian Cream Ale
Premium Lager
Blue Berry Ale

Big Tide Brewing
Simms Pale Ale
Whistlepig Stout

Red Rover Brewing
Spring Cider
Summer Cider
Fall Cider

Barnone Brewing
IPA
Pale Ale
Sessions

PEI Brewing Company
Sir John A Honey Wheat
Island Red
Iron Bridge
1772 IPA
Beach Chair Lager
Blueberry Ale
Sydney Street Stout
Cask Ale

Congrats to Adam Jones of Fredericton on winning the 2 VIP tickets to the FCBF 14 

That is all for this week, take care and enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - February 21, 2014

Hello and welcome to the February 21, 2014 edition of the Maritime Beer Report

Picaroons Traditional Ales released details on one of their seasonals, Maple Cream Ale, a brown cream ale made with New Brunswick maple syrup. There is going to be a launch event on Saturday March 1st at the York Street Train Station ANBL from 11AM to 3 PM.
Staying with Picaroons they are involved in a Tap Takeover at Stillwell Beer Bar in Halifax on March 15 from noon until 5 PM. They will have 12 taps and 3 casks and 10 dollars gets you a ticket and a glass to keep. Advance tickets available at Stillwell.

Garrison Brewing Co. has released their award-winning Black IPA seasonal. It is available in Halifax private stores and the brewery. The beer comes in at 6.2% ABV.

Hart & Thistle Gastropub & Brewery release bad news of Wednesday that after five years they were closing immediately. They thank all their supporter and cited a variety of factors for their demise, They will be missed.

North Brewing started brewing on their new equipment this week allowing for a 1200 litre brew day instead of 300. This should really help in keeping their regular offerings available more consistently.

Sea Level Brewing revealed that their latest seasonal El Rojo Diablo Double IPA will be out next week. It will be available at the brewery and usual private stores. The evil brew comes in at at 7.666% ABV 

Thanks everyone for entering my drawing for VIP tickets for Fredericton Craft Beer Fest. Watch for the winner tomorrow on twitter and facebook. I would like to thank them again for their kind support.

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

Maritime Beer Report - February 14, 2014

Hello and welcome to the valentines day edition of the Maritime Beer Report

The Gahan House Brewery has released some exciting news. They're launching their 1st Annual Home Brewer's Challenge! You now have the opportunity to have your very own brew on tap at Gahan. There is no set style so you can brew up your speciality. To receive the sign up sheet or to get more details, email gahan@murphyrestaurants.ca

Big Axe Brewery apologized for being so quiet but would like to let everyone know they are working hard on acquiring last of the necessary licenses and starting to brew. 

Celtic Knot Brewing announced for everyone to hurry in to The Laundromat Cafe and Espresso Bar for the only keg of this years Toque and Mitts English Barley Wine. They go on to say next years will be aged in bourbon oak barrels.

The first event for the new Moncton area Beer League has been announced. They'll have an active tour of the Pump House brewery at 131 Mill Rd. along with samples from five beers on tap or Pump House root beer, plus a barrel-aged or cask-conditioned beer specially selected by the brewer for them! Tickets are $15 per person in advance until February 20th. After that, tickets can be purchased at the door for $20 per person. Check them out on facebook.

Big Spruce Brewing revealed that coming soon they are adding Top of the Spruce! A reservation only/special event eatery atop their brewery. The view looks outstanding. As well they say Brewmaster dinners are coming soon.

Garrison Brewing Co.has a couple of interesting beers out this week end. First is their tempting new “Love Potion #9”. It is a crisp amber ale infused with mystery ingredients such as cranberries & hibiscus. They say "With a deep red tint & luscious spicing, you’ll want to be careful who you sit next to". This week end only at the retail store and select taps in HRM.

There has been several teasers posted through Garrison's social media channels this week  with #3447. Turns out it is a test batch of  an American style IPA. It is an IPA loaded with fresh citrus & tropical goodness using cascade and galaxy hops and a few other surprises. Available in the retail store & private stores across HRM. If you get to try it go on twitter and let them know what you think at #TestBatch.

Meander River Farm latest is that they have finished priming the brewery and beer should be on the way soon!

Bridge Brewing Company announced yesterday they are rebranding under the name North Brewing Company. Same people, same beer, new name. From North Brewing "We are excited to be starting our second year with a new name and an expansion of our capacity. As many of you know there is a Bridge Brewing Company in Vancouver and over the past year both companies experienced online confusion over who was who. We thought it was best to rebrand for our second year with a name that is all our own.

The North End is our home and we have a strong sense of the direction we want to take this company; for those reasons we decided to change to North Brewing. 

If anyone has any Bridge merchandise that they would like to exchange for our new North merchandise just bring it by the shop and we will be happy to swap it, but if you want to keep it they are now rare collectors items" 

Rogue's Roost ‏released their Bock yesterday. It is a traditional German strong, dark Lager coming in at 6.8% ABV. 

Stillwell Beer Bar released that Sunday at Noon they are releasing their first house beer, "That's Falcon Teamwork", a 6.8% IPA. It is a collaboration with Bad Apple Brewhouse. I bet it is going to be outstanding.

Yet another new brewery is opening in Halifax. From their website "Wrought Iron Brewing Company (WIBC) is a craft brewery to be launched in Halifax, providing beer to local watering holes and our on-site taproom. We will offer regionally-flavored, locally produced, and community-oriented beer coupled with irreverent, honest marketing.WIBC will initially produce 2 flagship beers: Doug Stanhop, a brilliant, bitter, Belgian IPA with minimal filtering, floral hops, and a strong afterbite in tribute to our favourite stand-up comedian; and Ditch Pig Gose, a German-style wheat beer with heavy malt, tart and salty undertones, and sweet aftertaste in tribute to pigs of the ditch." Welcome to the community.

Finally there is a three weeks until the sold out Fredericton Craft Beer Festival starts. Anyone following me on twitter I am giving away 2 VIP tickets generously donated by the festival. We been having some fun with it, so watch for more chances to win next week.

That is all for this week, take care, have a hoppy valentines day and as always enjoy responsibly.

Rockbottom Brewpub Beer Maker Dinner - January 27, 2014

     I attended the first Beer Makers Dinner at Rockbottom Brewpub. It was very well attended and the offerings were both beers and foods were great. The first course was Drunken carrot, ginger and goat cheese soup with beer batter mini onion rings and served with a Fathom IPA. The soup was a nice thick carrot puree with a slight spiciness. I was a little confused thinking a plate of onion rings were on the way only to discover them in my soup. The little crunchy onion chunks gave some texture. The fathom IPA hoppy bitterness really paired well with the sweetness of the soup.

     The main course was smokey and delicious and absolutely outstanding. It was Boilermaker BBQ braised beef short rib served on a pork belly and beer mac & cheese paired with Baltacus Smoked Baltic Porter. The rib was smokey and so tender it practically melted in your mouth and the macaroni was slightly creamy. This course paired with the delightfully smoky smooth Baltacus seemed, well, just right.

      Finally it came time for dessert and it was Chocolate & Russian imperial Stout Pecan Pie with Bourbon Sauce served with Wreckoning Russian Imperial Stout. The dark chocolate and coffee of the stout and the sweetness of the pie ended the dinner deliciously.

     I was glad I made it to the dinner, it was very enjoyable. I was wondering how the staff would do serving 40 meals at the same time but they did great. Rock Bottom is planning on doing these once a month so check them out for tickets and details.

Maritime Beer Report - February 7, 2014

Hello and welcome to the February 7th edition on the Maritime Beer Report.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault hired two brewers that will begin working the first of April. Jason Dionne and Gavin Anderson are bringing a large breadth of knowledge to the brewery. The brewery further says  they are starting lab work at the Grand Falls NBCC next week to test two new recipes, a blonde ale and a Belgian white, which were developed by their Belgian partner, Brunehaut Brewery. The first beers will be hitting the market in June, in time for the tourist season.

Hammond River Brewing's official launch is at the Saint John Ale House on February 13th at 6:00 pm. All four beers will be available that evening for tasting. A limited amount of tickets are now on sale there, the cost is $10, and it includes 4 samples of HRB beer along with some appetizers. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales states Afterglow Aphrodisiac Ale will be ready for next week. They say "The Afterglow is a Full-Bodied Ale that's brewed with Chocolate, a hint of Cayenne, Ginseng Root, and Liquorice Root! It rings in it at 5% ABV and you can easily have more than 1.

Authentic Seacoast Brewing Company shared that their  Rare Bird Craft Beer Full Steam Stout is headed to the NSLC. Check a store near you soon.

Bad Apple Brewhouse shared on February 1st they were filling barrels with Black & Tackle. Expect some of the barrel aged stout in the near future.


Boxing Rock Brewing increased production capacity this week by adding a 34-hectolitre fermentation tank. This will allow them to brew more often and keep up with demand for their products. They also have a teaser posted of something they are doing with the Ladies Beer League of a kettle of apples.

Garrison Brewing Co. 2014 home brew off is down to less than 2 weeks to get your entries in. I am looking forward to see who this years winner is. For any brewer looking to work with Garrison they are looking to hire one. Check the website for the details.

Granite Brewery in Halifax said they brewed Dunkelbock yesterday. It will be ready around the middle of March.

Rogues Roost ‏announced they're down to the last Keg of Russian Imperial Stout.  They also said that German Bock on the way in a few week.

Uncle Leo's Brewery sent their first shipment of IPA 6-packs off to the NSLC. Should be available soon!

In addition to the four NS brewers working to open breweries there is one more. Chris Killacky, a professor of theology at the Acadia Divinity College is looking to open a nanobrewery hopefully leading to a microbrewery in Wolfville. He is looking into getting zoning so he can do it in his home initially. 

Thanks for everyone for entering my contest so far, there is still time to get in and there will be more opportunities next week. Check out my blog for more details.

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

Beer Review - Boxing Rock Brewing U-889 Russian Imperial Stout

I am trying U-889 Russian Imperial Stout, it is a limited release from Boxing Rock Brewing  in Shelburne NS. It comes in at 8.89% ABV and is brewed with with locally roasted Just Us! Coffee and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans. It is extremely dark in color, almost black, with a light carbonation and thin head. The aroma is chocolate, coffee and sweetness. The taste is sweetness initially with a chocolate, coffee dryness in the finish. Very nice beer

Contest Announcement - VIP Tickets to Fredericton Craft Beer Festival

With the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival around the corner it is time to give away 2 VIP tickets for the March the 8th event. For this contest of course we have to have a few rules, you will need to do a little work and answer some questions. Starting February 2, 2014 to February 21, 2014 there will be a question on my twitter and facebook each day, send the answer to toddthebeerdude@gmail.com each day and you will be entered in the draw. You can only answer each question once though, come on be fair now.

 Here are the rules:

1 Must be 19 years of age or older

2 Please follow  @FrederictonBeer and @ToddtheBeerDude on twitter 

3. Please Like Fredericton Craft Beer Festival and Todd the Beer Dude on facebook

4 One entry will be given for a correct answer and you may only answer each question once.

5 All rulings and decisions are final

6 Prize is 2 VIP tickets for the 2014 Fredericton Beer Festival. Prize is non-transferable and has no cash value

Good luck everyone