Garrison Brewing released Peter Welton's 2013 Brew-off winner recently and it is indeed a strong ale weighing in at 7.5% ABV. Appearance - The beer is a light brown and cloudy with a thin white head that dissipates quickly. Aroma - I get mostly banana aroma coming from this but not overwhelming. Taste - I got bananas, spices and sweetness. There is very little aftertaste and no bitterness. Mouthfeel - It is a medium mouth feel with a decent amount of carbonization. Overall - I enjoyed the beer, it is very easy drinking smooth beer despite the high alcohol.
Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for April 25, 2014. Hot on the heels of their Chanterelle Cream Ale and Double Bit IPA Big Axe Brewerystarted brewing a new seasonal, Maple Wheat Amber Ale with pure sap right from their property. Good news from Picaroonsthis week beside the release of their Dooryard organic wheat ale, the 2014 Brewers Bash is a go. Mark July 12th on your calendars and stay tuned for details. Bad Apple Brewhousenow have Smokehouse Lager on tap in the Brewhouse. From Bad Apple "A Rauchbier made with 100% Beechwood smoked 2-Row Barley. An enjoyable smokey,spicy copperish 6.7% ABV Growlers and Squealers only" Also the first batch of Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout will go on Tap next Friday May 2nd. It will be available in Squealers only ($10 fill) with 500mL Bottles ($8 ea) to follow very shortly after. There will be some Dry Hopped APA coming on board soon, along with a massive DIPA". Propeller Brewing released their latest beer yesterday, a Black IPA. I didn't get a lot of details but it has a 6.7% ABV and 83 IBUs. It is available at both Prop shops. Rock Bottom Brewpub's next Brewers dinner is April 29th. The menu is as follows Sauteed Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Roast Mushrooms & Brown Butter with 12oz Bigwater Brown Stout Braised Lamb Shank and Deadwood Wheat Polenta , Seasonal Vegetable and 12oz Jacktar Stout Unbaked Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce with 12oz Fathom IPA Three course menu with beer $35 + Tax & Gratuity. Sea Level brewing has released its next seasonal called The Southern Cross IPA. This I.P.A. is inspired by a funky New Zealand Hop and Crosby, Stills & Nash song called ‘Southern Cross'. It is layered with a resiny spiciness that gives way to a fresh squeezed citrus aroma with subtle pine notes. This beer will be available on the brewery’s shelves by next week and comes in at 6.5% ABV and 78.8 IBUs. Stillwell Beer Bar's 2nd release of Bellwoods Brewery is happening this Sunday. They say that Brettal Head All Brett Pale Ale, Lost River Baltic Porter and Hellwoods Russian Imperial Stout will be pouring from noon. Thanks for joining me again this week, until next time enjoy responsibly.
Picaroons Traditional Ales makes this seasonal and the high cost of maple syrup makes it an expensive endeavor. It is labeled a brown cream ale that is conditioned as a lager and brewed as an ale. It weighs in at 5% ABV. Appearance - The beer is a very deep dark copper color with a thin head almost non-existience. Aroma - I get mostly malt with maple and sweet smelling undertones. Taste - I got a malty taste with more maple flavor than sweetness and a pleasant dry finish. Mouthfeel - It is a light to medium mouth feel with a decent amount of carbonization. Overall - I really enjoyed the beer, it has a lot going on there but bottom line is a good beer
Lion & Bright at 2534 Agricola St. has announced a tap takeover coming this Earth Day, April 22, 2014. In their love of local they are partnering withBig Spruce Brewing in support of theEcology Action Centre. Lion & Bright tells me that partnering with Big Spruce was logical as they have the same philosophies and are on tap regularly at the bar.
The evening starts at 6:00 PM and goes until close with DJ Goldilocks until 9:00 PM and Modern Grass, a local bluegrass band, playing after that. There is no cost to get in and $1.00 will be donated for each pint bought.
The chef will be preparing special menu items for the evening that promise to be very special. The beers that Big Spruce are bringing Kitchen Party Pale Ale, Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout, Ready Yer Knot Regatta Red Ale, Bitter Get'er India Black IPA, You Spin White Round Wheat IPA, the last keg on earth of The Whole 9 Yards Scotch Ale and the cask is Glenmorangie infused Cereal Killer.
Hello and welcome to the April 18th, Good Friday, edition of the Maritime Beer Report.
The Gahan House crowned the winners of the first annual Home Brew Challenge. Congrats to Ryan Palmer and Lee Nicholson. They won with their Cranberry White Ale. This brew will be on tap at Gahan House in a couple of weeks.
Big Spruce Brewing grew a little this week. They added 2 x 10bbl unitank fermenters and hoped to passivate them on Thursday and then brew. There is still 1 more fermenter and 2 conditioning tanks to come. Jeremy is also brewing a 2nd batch of You Spin Me White Round Wheat IPA because as he puts it "you loved it!"
Boxing Rock Brewing Company and The Ladies Beer League released Alewife's Revenge last evening at The Stillwell Beer Bar. At 4% ABV it will a great session beer. It will be available in 1 l growlers at the Halifax Seaport Market on Saturday, and in 650 mL bottles at Bishop's Cellar, Premier Wine & Spirits, Harvest Wines and Cristall Wine Merchants. I had a glass last night and I quite like it.
Rock Bottom Brewpub have their latest beer on tap. Dubbed the mighty Thulsa Doom, it was spawned from the dregs of a tiny little can of Heady Topper. From Rockbottom "The yeast strain (VPB1188 known simply as 'Conan') is highly sought after and regarded for it's intensely fruity, apricot-like ester production and powerful fermentations. So we thought we'd have a time brewing up a DIPA with it. Local Brewnoser Rob Shortt harvested yeast from a can of the deliciously hoppy Vermont-born brew, cultured up a starter and ran it across the harbour to us. We continued nurturing and feeding the beast, growing it into a concentrated 50 L starter for the main batch of hoppy (Columbus, Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook) goodness." They also add that it was created with a nod to John Kimmich and team at Alchemist, brewers of Heady Topper. By the way it is 7.8% ABV and 100+ IBUs (calculated)
Rogues Roost said last Saturday that their Oatmeal Stout on! First time in 6 years so get it while it lasts.
I stopped it to Lion & Bright yesterday to talk to the owner Sean about this Tuesday's Tap Takeover by Big Spruce. The event starts at 6:00 PM and goes to close with a DJ until 9:00 and Modern Grass on after that. Entrance is free and $1.00 will be donated for each pint you buy for the Ecology Action Centres Greenbelt initiative and musicians will pass the hat. There is also going to me special menu items that night with recommended pairings. What beers are coming? Kitchen Party, Cereal Killer, Bitter Get'er and Ready Yer Knot of course with You Spin Me White Round and the last keg on earth of The Whole 9 Yards Scotch Ale. You want more? Ok, a cask of Glenmorangie infused Cereal Killer to boot. For more details I will have a blog post tomorrow.
For all the people affected by flooding in New Brunswick, my thoughts are with you. Until next week take care and enjoy responsibly.
Hello and welcome to the April 11th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. Gahan House Brewery have announced the five finalists in their 1st Annual Homebrewers Challenge. The top five are: - Aaron Mills –“Moss Horse Belgium Pale Ale” - Matt Bryenton-“English Pale Ale” - Ryan Palmer & Lee Nickerson- “PEI Cranberry Wit” - Bobby Jay - “Pale Ale” - Matt Bryenton – “Amarillo/Citra Pale Ale” The Judging will be based on: Flavour Characteristics, Off Flavours, Appearance, General taste, Creativity and Overall balance. The winner will be announced Saturday with the winner getting the chance to brew on The Gahan’s industrial brew system and have their beer on tap at The Gahan. PEI Brewing Company have released a new beer. Honey Brown Ale combines quality malt and hops with PEI Honey. This ale has a rich copper colour with flavours reminiscent of honey on toast. This beer has a 4.8% ABV. Hammond River Brewing's Hop Flash IPA won best of show at the Saint John Beer Fest. A huge congrats. Picaroons continue their road show with another tap takeover but this time on theit home turf. Celebrate the Repeal of Prohibition on Saturday April 19th in the Wilser's Room at The Capital Complex in Downtown Fredericton. Bad Apple Brewhouse released that they now have Russian Imperial Stout back on tap, the Barrel Aged version will be out around the end of the month. There is a limited amount of Cider left, and they always plan to have APA available. Coming in the future they will also have a Barrel Aged DIPA, and also some of a 300L one off DIPA that has yet to be named. They are now have APA on tap at the Union Street Cafe/Wick Pub in Berwick if you find yourself looking for lunch ideas. Big Spruce Brewing is doing another tap takeover. This time at Lion & Bright in Halifax on Earth Day, April 22nd, In support of the Ecology Action Centre. I hope to have the details next week. North Brewing Company now has their Farmhouse back at the brewery as I mentioned last week. A reminder that the release of Alewife's Revenge collaboration between Ladies Beer League and Boxing Rock Brewing is being released on April 17th at Stillwell Beer Barin Halifax. Burgers n'Beer Fredericton is on Tuesday and Burgers n'Beer Moncton has been announced for the 29th. They both sound great and a little bird told me a Halifax edition is being worked on, so lets keep our fingers crossed. Ducky's Bar will be installing 8 new taps within a couple weeks! Soon they`ll have 22 taps mainly devoted to local craft brews. They confirmed Celtic Knot Brewing will have two taps and others to follow. Thanks for joining me again this week, until next time enjoy responsibly.
Sea Level Brewing seems to have had a little fun naming this beer and this DIPA comes in at 7.666% ABV and 88 IBUs. Appearance - The beer is a dark copper color and a thin off-white head.
Aroma - I get a predominant hop smell of course and some malt and carmel undertones.
Taste - I got a very slight sweetness in the first and a large hop taste in the middle with a nice dry finish.
Mouthfeel - I found on the medium-light side and lightly carbonated.
Overall - This one isn't a hop bomb that you often get on DIPAs but has a nice hop flavor and although it is a higher alcohol beer I really didn't get the burn at all.
Sea Level Brewing brewmaster makes this beer as a tribute to his grandfather who lived in Scotland. The beer comes in at a respectable 6.3% ABV. Appearance The ale is a dark brown in colour with a thin tan head. Aroma There a distinct malt aromas, there was a little something else but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Taste I was drinking it a little cold it had a very rich flavor. It is slightly sweet with a slight dryness. The sweetness I would almost describe as fruity. Mouthfeel Medium mouth feel and a good amount of carbonation. Overall It is a heavy beer but nice for the winter season when it is produced. I enjoyed the beer.
Hello and welcome to the April 4th, World Belgian Beer Day, edition of the Maritime Beer Report. Hammond River Brewing helped in the inaugural brew at Big Axe Brewery last week end. Big Axe are going to have a cream ale and IPA for their initial offerings. Celtic Knot Brewing was busy this week brewing their first test batch of a new recipe they developed. From the brewer "The beer will be called "For Shore", kinda poking fun at how Maritimers say "for sure" This new beer will be in the style of an India Session Ale, meaning it will be light in colour, around 5% alcohol, low in bittering but very high in hop flavour and aroma. I won't be calling it an India Session Ale though, I will be calling it a Maritime Session Ale. This beer will be brewed using only hops from Australia and New Zealand". Grimross Brewing told me they are bringing two versions of Cheval D'Or to the Saint John Beer Fest. They are similar beers - one brewed with French Saison yeast and the other with Farmhouse Ale. Picaroons Traditional Ales have annouced this years Dooryard will be out on Earth Day, April 22nd. They also ask do you want your cat to become famous? They need your cat again. Send them a HI-RES pic of your awesome cat, that they will use for their new Melonhead label. They will let you know if your cat made the cut, right before Melonhead hits the shelves in June.Send your cat pictures to MelonheadContest@gmail.com by Thursday April 24th in jpg/.pdf/.tif filetypes. Pumphouse brewery are searching for a qualified Brewer to join their Brew Crew, feel you got what it takes and looking for a new challenge drop them a resume. Big Spruce Brewing is turning 1 year old this Saturday April 5th from 5pm to close at the Bras d'Or Yacht Club in Baddeck, NS. The event will feature the release of our 1 year Anniversary Scotch Ale, plus will have Kitchen Party Pale Ale, Ready Yer Knot....Regatta Red, Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout, and You Spin Me White Round Wheat IPA on tap. Speaking of the Anniversary Scotch Ale, they were busy in the brewery infusing their "The Whole Nine Yards" 1 Year Anniversary Scotch Ale with Glenora Single Malt 10 yr old Whisky. Jeremy says "Malty, with a distinct roast flavour and all the smoky/peaty goodness from the Glenora Whisky, this beer weighs in at 6.5% ABV." Garrison Brewing Co. announced the return of the Test Batch #3459 today. I don't have any details yet. They also announced that Daniel brewed the first beer in the new brewery and of course it's Irish Red - the beer that started it all. Hell Bay Brewing Company also celebrated their 3rd anniversary on April 1st. Congrats Mark North Brewing Companyannounced Glenora Barrel Aged Strong Dark Belgian is back , just in time for Belgian Beer Day. Very limited quantities available so get down to the brewery as soon as possible. Josh also told me Farmhouse is back next week!! The recipe is tweeked a bit I bet it is going to be awesome. Thanks for joining me again this week and I will be back next week, until then, enjoy responsibly.
