Maritime Beer Report - June 27, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for June 27th 2014

Big Axe Brewery is happy to announce that they are now licensed to sell by the glass on site. They currently have Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Chanterelle Cream Ale and IPA back on tap.

Bad Apple Brewhouse announced a Tap takeover at Stillwell on July 5th. From Bad Apple's web page "Six months ago Annapolis Valley homebrewer Jeff Saunders got his brewing licence. From day one, Jeff has been brewing adventurous, bold, flavourful beers specifically for one event on July 5th. Beers aged on cedar, oak barrel-aged beers, a sour (a first at Stillwell), a 100% smoked-malt beer and much more. Twelve taps, 2 casks and 3 sessions - 12-3, 4-7, 8-11. $10 gets you a glass to keep and your first taste. Reserve your spot by contacting Stillwell."

Tatamagouche Brewing Co. announced they had a great opening week starting tomorrow they will be at the Truro Farmers Market on Saturdays with our 650mL bottles.

Stone City Ales is brewing a Imperial IPA collaboration brew with Big Spruce called Watchtower Conspiracy. Not sure if any will be available here.

Rogues Roost has a Hefeweizen, with a 5.4% ABV, on tap at the brewpub. Nice summer ale.

Thanks for joining me this time, hope you enjoy Canada Day and as always enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - June 20, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for June 20, 2014

PEI Brewing Company released Landing Day Lager last week. This is an all malt lager hopped with a couple of New Zealand hops. They use Kohatu in the boil and dry-hopped with Motueka. It  is currently available on tap at the PEI Brewing tasting room and at Gahan House pub. This one is a 4% ABV.

Big Tide Brewing announced they are starting brunch next Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th from 10 am to 3 pm. They also announced that the new Princess Street Imperial Ale is on tap, weighing in at 7.5% ABV.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault released that this morning, their brewers Jason Dionne and Gavin Anderson started brewing the very first batch of blonde ale, Bob LeBoeuf! It will be available early next month.

After enjoying great success over the last year Grimross Brewing revealed they are getting commercial space on Bishop Drive for the brewery and retail. I am excited to see where this will take them. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales are still looking for volunteers for the PICAROONS' BREWER'S BASH, though the list is getting full so if you are interested send an email to volunteer@picaroons.ca soon.

Pump House Brewery announced that Nick Lowe is their winner for Name Our IPA with 4 ALARM (Hop Blaze) IPA. So now it has a name and Congrats Nick.

Shiretown Beer said their Big Brown Ale is making its way to the ANBL which is good news. They also sent me the notes for their IPA "Hop's on for nowhere". They say "A toasted marble swirl of Cara & Prairie malt toting a Waimea type temper packin Green Bullets with a comforting earthy orange finish. It is a North Shore IPA that has a ABV of 5-5.5% and 75 IBUs.

Authentic Seacoast Brewing Company shared that The Rare Bird Pub opened today. They look forward to welcoming friends new and old for great Guysborough harbour views and Rare Bird Craft Beer.

Bad Apple Brewhouse released more locations where you can get Mosaic Double IPA. You can try it on tap at Stillwell Beer Bar, Lion and Bright, and The Stubborn Goat. It is also available while it lasts at the Private liquor stores in HRM.

Granite Brewery was brewing the Honey Ginger yesterday. It should be ready in about a week.

North Brewing Company put their first batch through the new fermenters this week and it was BIPA. They also told me they are doing a California Common this summer, it has been one style Josh wanted to takle since the brewery opened.

Tatamagouche Brewing Co.opened this week, they are now open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Their first two brews are Hippie Dippie Pale Ale, an unfiltered ale with ahtanum hops that lend floral and spicy hints with an earthy pine aroma, and Butcher Block Red, it gets its flavor from el dorado's fruity whole hops and the bitterness of roasted barley. Hippie Dippie is 5% ABV and Butcher Block is 6% ABV. 

Uncle Leo's Brewing is releasing their summer beer this week end, a German Wheat Beer called Vohs Weizenbier. It is a German Wheat beer named for their friends and neighbours Matt & Brenda Vohs of Piper's Landing Restaurant in Lyon's Brook. They were also Uncle Leo's first customer to put them on tap. The Vohs Weizenbier is a nice, summer beer with notes of cloves and banana. It is light in taste, 5% alcohol with a cloudy appearance. It is an unfiltered beer so that it retains all its flavour. It is available at the store today and select taps around the province.

Stillwell Beer Bar's Garrison Brewing cask takeover event is tomorrow at 2 PM. The 12 casks have been released and some are very interesting to say the least. The full list can be seen here.

The Ladies Beer League turns One tonight at the Wooden Monkey in Dartmouth. Drop by and have some special cask beer from North Brewing, Garrison Brewing and Big Spruce Brewing. It is pay as you go and they will also be selling LBL swag.

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

Cask List released for Garrison Brewings Cask Takeover of Stillwell Beer Bar June 21, 2014

Here are the casks announced for Garrison Brewing's cask takeover event of Stillwell Beer Bar on June 21st.

Cask 1 Spiceman's Session Saison - Spiced Belgian-style Saison with Spiceman's Casia buds and Wild Voatsiperifery Pepper.

Cask 2 - Christmas in June - Pale Spruce Ale with Meander River Farm's Lunch Box Pale Ale and Garrisons Spruce Beer.

Cask 3 - Summit Buzz - Vanilla Expresso Brown with Spiceman's Vanilla Bean and Javablend K2 expresso.

Cask 4 - Peanut Butter Jelly Time - PB&J Brown Ale with peanut butter and Noggins Farm Raspberries.

Cask 5 - Some Like It Hot - Tall Ship Amber Michelada with Chef Graeme's own spicy michelada mix

Cask 6 - Blueberry Raj - Spiced American Wheat with Acadian Maple Products Blueberry Juice and The Tea Brewey Masala Chai

Cask 7 - Brand New and Already Bitter - XXXtra dry hopped IPA, Garrison IPA with Citra and Amarillo hops.

Cask 8 - Makin' Bacon - Maple Bacon Ale with Sugar Moon Farm's Maple Syrup and Chef Graeme's own bacon rum.

Cask 9 - Imperial Mystery ???

Cask 10 - Lovers Quarrel - Belgian-style Spiced Wit with Wild Camomile and rosehips.

Cask 11 - My Thai Wheat - Thai/American Wheat with Pineapple , Mint and Kafir Lime Leaves from Pete's Frootique

Cask 12 - La Moreno Loco - Chocolate Chili Brown with Alex's Chili Peppers and Rawthentic Cayenne Dark Chocolate & Cacao Nibs

The first sip session is sold out and the session at 2 PM is first come first serve. Drop me a tweet and let me know what you think or if you see me there say hi and tell me.

Beer Review - Bad Apple Brewhouse Mosiac Double IPA

The Mosaic DIPA is the latest offering from Bad Apple. This beer uses the Mosaic hops to give it a unique flavor. The beer is a respectable 8% ABV. 

Appearance - The beer is amber in color and is nice and clear. It had a very slim head that mostly dissipated. 

Aroma - I could smell aromas three feet away from me. It has strong hop, fruity and piney aroma.

Taste - It is complex to say the least. There is hops, floral, resiny, fruity. It has a bit of sweetness and a nice bit of dryness the lingers.

Mouthfeel - It has a good amount carbonation with a medium mouth feel. 

Overall - This is a strong beer but very enjoyable 

Beer Review - Boxing Rock Brewing - Rive du Sud

The Rive du Sud from Boxing Rock is a bière de Garde style that originated in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. This style beer is a strong beer and staying with tradition this one is 7.5% ABV. 

Appearance - The beer is amber in color and slightly cloudy with a small white foamy head that lasts and slight lacing. 

Aroma - It has a nice sweet aroma with some spiciness.

Taste - The flavor is a wonderful combination of bready notes, sweetness and spiciness. There is a very slight driness in the finish.

Mouthfeel - It is pretty well carbonated with a medium mouth feel. 

Overall - This is a smooth warming beer and very pleasant to drink, well done Boxing Rock. 

Picaroons Brewers Bash updated Brewers, entertainment and sneak peek at some beers

~FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE~

THE PICAROONS' BREWER'S BASH HAS ANNOUNCED IT'S CROSS CANADIAN CRAFT BREWERY LIST!

STARTING IN ORDER FROM WEST TO EAST:

YUKON TERRITORY

Yukon Brewing 

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Howe Sound Brewing 

Phillips Brewing Company 

Driftwood Brewery 

Hoyne Brewing Company 

Cannery Brewing 

Russell Brewing Company 

Old Yale Brewing 

Central City Brewers + Distillers 

Steamworks Brewpub & Brewery (Vancouver) 

Mission Springs Brewing Company 

Parallel 49 Brewing Company 

ALBERTA

Village Brewery 

The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company

Tool Shed Brewing 

SASKATCHEWAN

Bushwakker Brewing Company 

District Brewing Company 

Paddock Wood Brewing Co. 

MANITOBA

Fort Garry Brewing Company 

Half Pints Brewing Company 

Farmery Estate Brewery

ONTARIO

Steam Whistle Pilsner 

Mill Street Brewery

Hops and Robbers

Spearhead Brewing Company 

Wellington Brewery 

Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery

Collective Arts Brewing 

Muskoka Cottage Brewery 

Sawdust City Brewery 

Great Lakes Brewery (Canadian Brewery of the Year!)

Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. 

Northwinds Brewhouse & Eatery 

Forked River Brewing Company 

Church-Key Brewing 

Lake of Bays Brewing Company

QUEBEC

A L’Abri de la Tempête

MicroBrasserie Charlevoix 

Microbrasserie À la Fût

Micro-brasserie Le Trou du diable

Brasseurs du Monde 

Microbrasserie le Naufrageur - Les actualitésaufrageur Inc

La bière St-Ambroise / McAuslan Brewing Co.

NEW BRUNSWICK

Picaroons Traditional Ales

Red Rover Brewing Company

Shiretown Brewing Co.

Railcar Brewing Company

Hammond River Brewing

Celtic Knot Brewing

Hop City Brewing Co. (Moosehead Brewery)

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault.

Acadie-Broue

Big Tide Brewing Co. 

Grimross Brewing Co.

Big Axe Brewery and B&B 

Pumphouse Brewery

NOVA SCOTIA

Big Spruce Brewing 

Boxing Rock Brewing Company 

Garrison Brewing Co. 

Propeller Brewing Company 

Uncle Leo's Brewery 

Hell Bay Brewing Company 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

PEI Brewing Company 

NEWFOUNDLAND

Quidi Vidi Brewery

ALL OF THESE GREAT BREWERIES WILL HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF BEER, THOUGH LIKE LAST YEAR'S BASH WE ARE NOT RELEASING THE FULL "BEER" LIST UNTIL THE DAY OF. THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE LETTING A FEW OF THOSE BEERS OUT OF THE BAG HERE:

Yukon Brewing - Midnight Sun Espresso Stout

Phillips Brewing Co. - Amnesiac Double IPA

Cannery Brewing - Blackberry Porter

Old Yale Brewing - Chilliwack Blonde

Steamworks Brewpub & Brewery - Jasmine IPA

Village Brewing - Village Blacksmith: Alberta Black Ale

Paddock Wood Brewing Co. - Red Hammer European Amber Hybrid

Half Pints Brewing Co. - Wiseheimer Wheat

Hops & Robbers - Prison Break Pilsner

Flying Monkeys Brewing Co. - Chocolate Manifesto Milk Stout

Collective Arts Brewing - Rhyme & Reason Extra Pale Ale

Great Lakes Brewery - Audrey Hopburn Belgian IPA

Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. - The Tom Green Beer (Stout)

La bière St­Ambroise / McAuslan Brewing Co. - Oak Aged Pale Ale

A L’Abri de la Tempête - Belle Saison

Big Axe Brewery and B&B - Simon Saaz Summer Ale

Les Brasseurs du Petit­-Sault. - Bob LeBoeuf

Big Spruce Brewing Co. - You Spin me White Round Wheat IPA

Boxing Rock Brewing Co. - Vicar's Cross Double IPA

PEI Brewing Co. - Cranberry Wheat Ale

Quidi Vidi Brewing Co. - Iceberg Beer

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ A Canadian Craft Beer Celebration ~

An all star cast of Canadian Craft Beer, from the Yukon to Newfoundland.

| REAL BEER * REAL FOOD * REAL MUSIC * REAL PEOPLE | 

11AM to 11PM | Officer's Square | Downtown Fredericton | Saturday July 12 

WITH LIVE MUSIC BY:

ZEUS

CYNDI CAIN

THE CHRONOS BAND

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maritime Beer Report - June 13, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for June the 13th, 2014.

The Gahan House started pouring the new Cranberry Wit this week. It was the winner of the first annual homebrewer's challenge and was created by Ryan Palmer and Lee Nicholson.

Big Tide Brewing Co. wanted to celebrate the fact that they will soon be open for brunch, and the restoration of a nearby urban gem, and the beginning of camping season, Tin Can Coffee Porter will be on tap soon and it is brewed with local Java Moose coffee. They used the base recipe from their chocolate porter which is 2 row, chocolate, carafa and caramunich malts‎, and lightly hopped with nugget and Willamette hops. In the mash they used Java Moose dark roasted coffee and also added fresh brewed coffee at flame out. They were a little worried about bitterness so they added some vanilla to smooth it out but just a hint. It will be served unfiltered and will be about 5% ABV and about 45 IBU's. They also recently released a blueberry ale that is a seasonal favorite at Big Tide. It's a cream ale base with blueberry juice added. Brewed with 2 row and Munich malts. Lightly hopped with saaz hops and is about 5% ABV.

There will be two new summer seasonal beers released soon at Hammond River Brewing. The first one is a Hawaiian Pale Ale and expect this one to be available within the next week at the normal local establishments. The Hawaiian Pale Ale is brewed with fresh pineapples and is a slightly hoppy pale ale.  It's 56 IBUs and 5.8% ABV. The second one is a Blueberry Ale made with only real blueberries and no extract and should also be available within the next week. It's a mild 14 IBUs and 5.1% ABV.  Since he uses real blueberries, it's slightly purplish in colour. 

Bad Apple Brewhouse shared news on their new beer the Mosiac DIPA and the story behind it. From Bad Apple "The name of this beer represents my sons affliction of Mosaic Down Syndrome, and also at the same time is a display of the not so common Mosaic Hops. The hops give the beer a unique and complex blend of floral, tropical, fruity notes. Making it an easy drinking DIPA at 8% ABV. By doing our part to help the groups who make life better for others we are donating all of the proceeds from this beer to the Down Syndrome Society of NS and also Camp Brigadoon." The beer is available now in multiple formats at the Brewhouse, and further abroad later. They issued a special thanks to the local support, as they gave the first bottle to representatives from Brigadoon Village and NS Down Syndrome Society.

Garrison Brewing Co. released its popular Sugar Moon Maple and they say it is now available in their retail store and coming very soon the the NSLC, ANBL and four Halifax private stores! This strong ale comes in at 6.3% ABV

Propeller Brewing Company says you can now find six packs of their award winning Bohemian Style Pilsner at select NSLC stores.

There are many events coming up over the next few months starting with a couple next week end.

The Ladies Beer League is celebrating their 1st Beerthday party on Friday June 20th. There are asking everyone to join them The Wooden Monkey in Dartmouth at 7:30. They are bringing some cask-conditioned ale from their friends. Big Spruce is sending Double Dry Hopped All night Kitchen Party, North Brewing is bringing a Farmhouse Ale and Garrison Brewing has a Sticky Toffee Pudding Birthday Cake. It is pay as you go and they will have brand new LBL swag and merchandise for sale.

Stillwell Beer Bar released a few of the casks coming do the Garrison cask takeover event on June 21st.
Cask 1  Spiceman's Session Saison - Spiced Belgian-style Saison with Spiceman's Casia buds and Wild Voatsiperifery Pepper.
Cask 2 - Christmas in June - Pale Spruce Ale with Meander River Farm's Lunch Box Pale Ale and Garrisons Spruce Beer.
Cask 3 - Summit Buzz - Vanilla Expresso Brown with Spiceman's Vanilla Bean and Javablend K2 expresso.

Picaroons' Brewers Bash announced the list of who is attending the July 12th event in Fredericton NB. In all there are 62 brewers attending from all ten provinces and one territory. For the full list check their facebook page or my blog.

Harbourstone Sea Grill & Pour House is having another beer pairing dinner, this time with North Brewing Company. Six beers from North Brewing Co. will be paired with delicious and savoury creations from Chef Ted Young. Some teaser samples: Belgian Blonde paired with orange scented lobster dip with sweet potato chips as well as the Strong Dark Belgian with chocolate covered cherries with Mexican pot au creme. Tickets are on sale now through eventbrite. 

Tickets for Halifax Seaport Beerfest are now on sale. Tickets allows you to sample from 275 unique beers and ciders plus listen to great live music in a fun atmosphere. Delicious local food also available for $5.00 or under. New this year, both Saturday sessions will have a VIP option. VIPs will have one hour early access to the site, limited edition sampling glass, panel discussion and guided tasting with our guest speakers. Also new this year is a cask beer pavilion. Tickets are $45.00 to any of the three sessions or $50.00 at the gate. The VIP tickets will cost $65.00. 

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

Picaroons' Brewers Bash announces Brewery list

The Brewers Bash announced who will be coming to the July 12th event in Fredericton NB. Here is the list as released from the West Coast to the Best coast encompassing all ten provinces and one territory.

YUKON

• Yukon Brewing 

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Howe Sound Brewing 
• Phillips Brewing Company 
• Driftwood Brewery 
• Hoyne Brewing Company 
• Cannery Brewing 
• Russell Brewing Company 
• Old Yale Brewing 
• Central City Brewers + Distillers 
• Steamworks Brewpub - Vancouver 
• Mission Springs Brewing Company 
• Parallel 49 Brewing Company 

ALBERTA

• Village Brewery 
• The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company 

SASKATCHEWAN

• Bushwakker Brewing Company 
• District Brewing Company 
• Paddock Wood Brewing Co. 

MANITOBA

• Fort Garry Brewing Company
• Half Pints Brewing Company 
• Farmery Estate Brewery

ONTARIO

• Steam Whistle Pilsner 
• Mill Street Brewery
• Hops and Robbers
• Spearhead Brewing Company 
• Wellington Brewery 
• Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
• Collective Arts Brewing 
• Muskoka Cottage Brewery 
• Sawdust City Brewery 
• Great Lakes Brewery (Canadian Brewery of the Year!)
• Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. 
• Northwinds Brewhouse & Eatery 
• Forked River Brewing Company 
• Church-Key Brewing 
• Lake of Bays Brewing Company

QUEBEC

• A L’Abri de la Tempête
• MicroBrasserie Charlevoix 
• Microbrasserie À la Fût
• Micro-brasserie Le Trou du diable
• Brasseurs du Monde 
• Microbrasserie le Naufrageur 
• La bière St-Ambroise / McAuslan Brewing Co.

NEW BRUNSWICK

• Picaroons Traditional Ales 
• Red Rover Brewing Company 
• Bay of Chaleur Brewing Co.
• Railcar Brewing Company
• Hammond River Brewing
• Celtic Knot Brewing
• Hop City Brewing Co. (Moosehead Brewery)
• Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault.
• Acadie-Broue
• Big Tide Brewing Co. 
• Big Axe Brewery and B&B 
• Pumphouse Brewery

NOVA SCOTIA

• Big Spruce Brewing
• Boxing Rock Brewing Company
• Garrison Brewing Co.
• Propeller Brewing Company
• Uncle Leo's Brewery
• Hell Bay Brewing Company 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

• PEI Brewing Company

NEWFOUNDLAND

• Quidi Vidi Brewery

News Release - Halifax Seaport BeerFest: Atlantic Canada’s largest beer festival is back for its 8th year, August 8 & 9. Tickets on sale this Friday at 10am!

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Halifax Seaport BeerFest: Atlantic Canada’s largest beer festival
is back for its 8^th year in Halifax, August 8 & 9

Tickets on sale this Friday at 10am!

(Halifax, NS) - Halifax Seaport BeerFest: Atlantic Canada’s largest beer festival returns for its 8th annual “Beer on the Pier”. The event will take place at the Cunard Centre on Halifax’s Waterfront, Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9.

This year the festival will showcase exclusively craft beers, premium imports and ciders. Over 275 unique brands from 110 participating breweries, representing the best from local producers, national and 15 other countries.

Attendees have three sessions to choose from. The first session is Friday evening from 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., the second is Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and the final isSaturday evening from 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. New this year, both Saturday sessions will offer a special VIP option. A limited number of festival-goers will enjoy a panel discussion and exclusive beer tasting with special guests and visiting brewers’ plus early access to the festival floor.

Local Maritime beer features prominently in this festival and this year will be no different. "Last year saw an explosion of new Nova Scotia craft brewers and all came out to sample and talk with attendees,” said Brian Titus, festival co-founder. "With upwards of 10 breweries slated to open in 2014 there should be plenty of new local beers."

New to the festival this year is the Cask Beer Pavilion. Seaport BeerFest is pleased to partner with Bar Stillwell and Ladies Beer League to profile the amazing world of Real Ale/Cask Beer. Local brewers will create unique and tasty cask-conditioned beers to be tapped on site.

Once again, the Halifax Seaport BeerFest will profile a number of great beer regions and nations. The popular Irish Craft Beer Village will profile beers and ciders from some of Ireland’s best independent producers shipped direct from Dublin. Other great pavilions will include, Maine, Ontario and Quebec. There will also be an amazing selection of premium imports from Belgium, Germany, England and the Czech Republic.

This year, the event is proudly hosting two special beer guests. The first guest is
Nick Pashley, author of Notes on a Beermat: Drinking and Why It’s Necessary and Cheers: An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada. Born 13.6 miles from the Harveys Brewery in East Sussex, Pashley is a longtime member of the Campaign for Real Ale (UK). He is also a founding board member of Toronto Beer Week and CASK! Toronto, an organization bent on promoting cask-conditioned ale.

Well-known for his erudition and sardonic wit, Pashley has written comic material for Dave Broadfoot and three governor-generals. He has also written a humour column for the University of Toronto Bulletin for fifteen years. A long-time resident of Toronto and a connoisseur of pubs and publishing, he now devotes his time to hosting literary events and writing his next book.          

The second special guest is Stephen Clinch, co-founder and co-owner of Trouble Brewing and part of the second wave of Irish craft breweries pushing the boundaries of beer in Ireland over the last five years. Started in 2010, Trouble Brewing produces diverse and interesting beer styles, many of which have not previously been produced in Ireland. Trouble Brewing moved locations in 2013, expanding its brewery and continuing to produce outstanding beer from only natural ingredients. His love for beer is matched only by his love for sport. If he is not in the pub, sampling the latest brew, he is in a park somewhere playing soccer.

The Halifax Seaport BeerFest is also pleased to present local live entertainment during each session. DJ Stilldrunk returns to spin tracks on Friday evening, Saturdayafternoon features acoustic duo, Tyler Key & Trevor Conrad and Saturday evening will feature one of the hottest DJ’s on the East Coast, DJ Savory.

Local food vendors will be on hand offering mouth-watering and beer-friendly cuisine, including the Waterfront Warehouse Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Stubborn Goat Gastropub and Bramoso Gourmet Pizzeria.  All food items are priced at $5 or less with gluten-free options available.

Tickets for the Halifax Seaport BeerFest go on sale this Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at select NSLC locations throughout Nova Scotia. They may also be purchased through the Ticket Atlantic box office, by phone at 451-1221 (1-877-451-1221) and online at ticketatlantic.com/. All sessions are $45 per person in advance ($50 at the festival box office). VIP tickets (Saturday only) are $65 per person. Prices do not include tax and applicable surcharges.

New this year, a Festival Box Office at Cunard Centre will be open from noon until 10 p.m.on Friday and Saturday for cash sales only. Tickets at the onsite box office are limited as sessions do sell out.

The Halifax Seaport BeerFest welcomes back Prostate Cancer Canada Atlantic as the official festival charity, with a portion of net event proceeds helping to provide men and their families with support and information about prostate cancer. For more information, visit: prostatecancer.ca/

For full event details on the Halifax Seaport BeerFest, visit: seaportbeerfest.com/,like on Facebook: /HalifaxSeaportBeerFest and follow on Twitter: /@seaportbeerfest

Maritime Beer Report - June 6, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for June 6th 2014. 

I like to keep it light and positive here on the report but but with the killing of three RCMP officers in my hometown of Moncton NB. I just want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the officers and the people on Moncton and I am so glad he has been captured so normal life can return.

The Canadian Brewing Awards took place last week end in Fredericton. Breweries from all three Maritime provinces took home four medals. The local winners were:

• Boxing Rock Brewing Co won bronze in the Imperial India Pale Ale category for their Vicar’s Cross Double IPA
• Picaroons Brewing Co. won bronze in North American Style Blonde/Golden Ale category for their Blonde Ale.
• PEI Brewing Co. won a bronze in Wheat Beer – North American Style category for their Sir John A Honey Wheat Ale.
• Rockbottom Brewpub won gold in the Imperial Stout category for their Wreckoning Russian Imperial Stout.

A big congratulations to the brewers. 

Barnone Brewing has a collaboration brew with an Ontario brewer Bicycle Craft Brewery called 'Broke Spoke' Pale Ale. They say Broke Spoke is for all the nasty potholes on the route 225 when cycling out to pick up your growlers.

Big Axe Brewery now has on tap its seasonal White Birch Porter made from birch sap from their own property, Double Bit IPA and soon their Simon Saaz Summer Ale. From Big Axe "[White Birch Porter is] our twist on the traditional American Porter brewed with pure white birch sap. It is dark brown in colour with medium body. White birch porter is slightly smokey with aroma of dark roasted nuts, rye bread and chocolate. Birch sap  is naturally slightly bitter, it compliments bitterness of the noble hops nicely while making this porter complex and original." They also sent me their notes on the Simon Saaz Summer Ale saying "A ray of golden light shines through a thin patch of the blotchy white sky. Our summer ale is light gold in colour, dry and refreshing with a citric hop aroma and crisp flavours of orange and coriander. Released from a dark closet of winter, Simon Saaz Summer Ale is moderately hopped with 5.5% ABV and is sure to satisfy. It's a perfect summer day in New Brunswick." 

Big Tide Brewing Co. announced that they have Blueberry Ale back on tap. 

Hammond River Brewing released that its inaugural batch of Too Hop To Handle Double IPA was kegged this week. They say "it tips the scale at a hefty 8.4% ABV and 103 IBUs. It is brewed with a significant amount of Zythos hops. Waiting on ANBL to get it listed and then it will be hitting the local places.

Picaroons Traditional Ales announced Melonhead is back. This year they picked a grumpy looking kitty for the label. the cat is Ruby and is owned by Madison Sagle. It is now on tap at The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, and the bottles will be all around the Maritimes over the next couple of weeks. The Brewers Bash is now sold out but they announced the bands playing this year will be Zeus, Cyndi Cain and The Chronos Band. See you all on July 12th.

Railcar Brewing Company has released the details on its CSA progam. I love the community supported agriculture initiative and the perks are nice too. For details on what they are offering check out the document on the facebook page.

Garrison Brewing Co. finally started brewing Sugar Moon Maple. This is a favorite of many beer drinkers and with sap from Sugar Moon Farms from Earltown Nova Scotia.
Looking for some summer reading? Garrison is selling Canadian beer crusader, Mirella Amato's, first book called  "Beerology" in their retail store. It contains everything you need to know about beer styles, pairing, beer parties and more. You can get it for $24.95.
Garrison also says it's your last week to take advantage of their sweet deal in the NSLC.  Until Sunday you'll get $1.50 off at any NSLC location when you buy two 6-packs. 

Meander River Farm says that their Lunch Box Pale Ale will be on tap again at noon on Saturday at Bar Stillwell in Halifax. They also ask if you are looking for a hands on experience in the hop yard this weekend? They will be stringing hops and welcome you to help out. They are looking for a few volunteers, starting Saturday. Beer, bonfire and BBQ at the end of the day is guaranteed! Message them if you're interested in helping out on the farm and for further details.

North Brewing Company say that their new 10 BBL fermenters should be ready by next week. Made for them at DME on PEI, as they say "keeping it local". They also have their Summer Saison

RockBottom Brewpub would like share their gold medal stout with everyone and will have it available next Wednesday June 11th at 4 PM for their Firkin Wednesday. 
There has been a few announcements at Rockbottom of late being that they are open for lunch again during the week and after missing last month Brewers Dinner it is on again June 24th with a delicious menu, check it out on their facebook page.

Schoolhouse Brewery released a photo of their first keg of Principal Ale on route to the Library Pub in Wolfville. It will be on tap today. They will also have a keg at Spitfire Arms in Windsor tomorrow. Cam says he will not have growlers for he time being to concentrate on tap accounts, stayed tuned for updates. 

Sea Level Brewing announced the launch of a Summer Blonde Pilsner today.They should have it in 355 ml cans and growlers at their shop by Monday and is now on tap at the The Port Pub and at Lucketts Vineyard. Randy describes it as "a crisp refreshing pilsner to enjoy on those dog day afternoons of summer. Made from 100% pilsner malt, Czech pilsner yeast and an Australian hop aptly named "Summer"". The brew is 4.8% ABV and 40 IBUs. 
They also,have a surprise, just in time for Father's Day' they are bringing back the SOUTHERN CROSS IPA coming in cans, growlers, and kegs. This should also be ready by Monday as well. If you missed it the first time around Randy's notes are that it "is layered with a resiney spiciness that gives way to a fresh squeezed citrus aroma with subtle pine notes.This one weighs in at 6.5% ABV and 78.8 IBUs. Sea Level says the Pilsner and the I.P.A. will be around for most of the summer so "get ready to celebrate!".

  Tatamagouche Brewing Co. has been busy brewing this week and testing out their hopback while making their first double batch of red ale with smell of El Dorado hops in the air. They are hoping to be open next week end, stay posted

Thanks for joining me again this week, stay safe and until next week enjoy responsibly.

The 12th Canadian Brewing Awards Maritime highlights

The Canadian Brewing Awards (CBAs) took place in Fredericton this past week end. The CBAs are open to brewers of all sizes throughout Canada to compete in thirty-eight style categories. The CBAs also recognize a Canadian Brewery of the Year, Beer of the Year and Educator of the Year. This years CBAs had more than 900 beer entries from nearly 140 Canadian breweries, up from 760 entries in 2013.

Breweries from all three Maritime provinces took home four medals. The highlights were:

• Boxing Rock Brewing Co won bronze in the Imperial India Pale Ale category for their Vicar’s Cross Double IPA
• Picaroons Brewing Co. won bronze in North American Style Blonde/Golden Ale category for their Blonde Ale.
• PEI Brewing Co. won a bronze in Wheat Beer – North American Style category for their Sir John A Honey Wheat Ale.
• Rockbottom Brewpub won gold in the Imperial Stout category for their Wreckoning Russian Imperial Stout.

The tops in show were Sasquatch Stout by Old Yale Brewing with Beer of the Year and Great Lakes Brewery repeating as Brewery of the Year.

The location was announced for 13th Canadian Brewing Awards and will be in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario in 2015. Dates and locations to be announced.

Congratulations to all the participates and winners.