Friday, February 14, 2014

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.