Maritime Beer Report - August 29, 2014

Hello and welcome to the August 29th edition of the Maritime beer report.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault announced that Taunte Blanche was bottled and is making its way down to ANBL stores on York Street in Fredericton, Régis Street in Dieppe and Vaughn Harvey Blvd in Moncton.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Upstream Ale is now getting released around New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. They say "Help support the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation by drinking BEER!" On the shelves for a limited time in support of the Foundation.

Picaroons' also announced that they've brewed a new beer. Announcing the Selection Double IPA, a new IPA that's hopped to the max with Pride of Ringwood, Brambling Cross, Cascade, Orbit, Galaxy, Sorachi Ace, & Slovenian hops. But say say beware, this is a strong ale weighing in at 7.9% ABV. The Selection Double IPA will be getting tapped on Thursday September 4th for in-Growlers only, at the BREWTIQUE in Downtown Fredericton, and at the Alcool NB Liquor Prospect Street location in Uptown Fredericton.

Pump House to Brew Ancient Stone Beer in Celebration of 15th Anniversary. During the Middle Ages, brew kettles were made of wood and could not be direct-fired from a heat source without the fear of burning the kettle to the ground. With necessity being the mother of invention, brewers of the day developed what is now known as Stein Beer, stein meaning “stone”.
These clever beer-making alchemists of the day would add super flame-heated stones to the beer wort which achieved the desired heat levels required. During this process, the malt sugars that are present would caramelize directly and immediately to the stones creating a very distinct flavour.
Pump House Stonefire Ale will commence its path into Maritime brewing history on September 3rd complete with a “Stone Drop” event. Only 4000 750-mL bottles of Stonefire Ale will be available for purchase and will be on the shelves at ANBL and NSLC stores in late October.

Big Spruce Brewing thanks the hop pickers and says they are using the first of their on farm, fresh organic hops to this year's wet hopped ale. They call it Hoppily Remarried. They say it is a slimmer and younger version of last year's harvest beer. They say the IBUs are incalculable - lots of magnum, cascade and Mt Hood hops. They are brewing as an Imperial IPA and hope to reach 8.4% ABV.

Rock Bottom Brewpub says that Rhubarb π will be on tap Today. This lacto sour is 4.6% ABV and is acidic and tangy, refreshing, barny, and tastes like, you guessed it, rhubarb.

Ladies Beer League is offering a sneak peak of The Gahan House Harbourfront. Join them on September 8th at 7 pm and sample 10 of Gahan's brews with brewmaster Karen Allen. There were a few tickets left a lunch time today.

Thanks for joining me again this week and enjoy responsibly over the long week end.

Maritime Beer Report - August 22, 2014

Hello and welcome to the August 22nd edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

PEI Brewing Company released their new Harvest Time Golden Lager. It comes in at 12 IBU and  4 %, ABV. It has a hoppy flavour and uses New Zealand hop varieties. On tap and available in 473mL cans now only in their retail store.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault and Picaroons Traditional Ales are taking over the taps at Resto-Bar Le Deck on Friday, August 29th. Surprises are in store and none other than the Carson Downy Band will be on hand as musical guests.

Celtic Knot Brewing started brewing their first batch of  "Ring of Fire". This beer will be brewed with 40% smoked malt and will be spiced up with Habanero and Jalapeno peppers. They  recently reformulated the pale ale recipe and started brewing it again because as the brewer says "I was never quite happy with it." He goes on to say "Look forward to much more flavorful and hoppy American pale ale"

The Pump House Brewery is going middle ages to celebrate their 15th anniversary. I am kind of excited about this one, the are making a Steinbier using the authrentic methods of dropping heated rocks into wooden vessels to bring the wort to a boil. If you want to be part of this the are issuing special invitations to join them on September 3rd on their facebook page

Authentic Seacoast Brewing Company released Rare Bird Craft Beer Spruce Ale on tap at the Rare Bird Pub. They say this beer takes them back to its Maritime brewing roots that started on the Guysborough harbour in 1659. This ale weighs in at 5.5% ABV. 

Big Spruce Brewing has been unusally quiet this week but did say that their new Hoppuccino Coffee IPA is on tap for growler and yapper fills. This one if you forget is the international collaboration brew all organic and ready now.

Garrison Brewing Co.  announced that Tall Ship is now in 650ml bomber bottles at the NSLC. They also say after an extended absence their Honey Lavender Ale is also back on the shelves, Brewed at 6% ABV, with local lavender from Meander River Farm and Nova Scotia Honey. This delicate and sophisticated strong ale is now available in the retail store for $5 a bottle. I got to try some of the cask version at the Seaport Beerfest and it was exceptional.
Garrison is also looking for enthusiastic, part-time folks to help out in our retail store, at promotional events and NSLC tastings. If you're interested send your resume to jgreen@garrisonbrewing.com. They have also put out a call for volunteers for Halifax Oktoberfest. For this one email marketing@garrisonbrewing.com if you're interested in helping out on Sept 20th.

I got to try Meander River Farms and Brewery's new one off last Saturday. It is a wheat beer that is quite good and comes in at 3.8% ABV. They tell me it isn't around for long and the Lunch Box will be back as soon as its gone. 

Propeller Brewing Company will release the first installment of their Lambic-style tomorrow at Bar Stillwell, by the bottle or by the glass. There is only about 200 bottles so if you can't make it make sure to get to Propeller on Monday to get yours.

Schoolhouse Brewery released that they are now also available at the Kings Arms Pub in Kentville.

Uncle Leo's Brewery announced the launch of their 750 ml Flip Top Growlers. They are priced at $10 each which is a $5 deposit and a $5 fill and refill. This week end, while supplies last,  receive a free 2 growler tote with the purchase of two 750 ml flip top growlers & a free 4 growler tote with the purchase of four 750 ml flip top growlers. They also note that during this promotion they will not be accepting the return of Uncle Leo's 1.89L Growlers. We will begin accepting 1.89L growler returns again when we open on Wednesday.

That is all for this week, there is a lot going on this week end so get out there and take it in and as always enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - August 15, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for August 15, 2014.

PEI Brewing Company has a new beer out. The Blood Orange Tangerine IPA is now on tap at PEIBC. They've only got a few kegs of this stuff so it won't be around for long. This one comes in at 6.5% ABV and 55 IBUs.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault released L'Effrayab' Tintamarre today on Acadian Day. They describe it as a rustic and refreshing collaboration effort with Acadie-Broue inspired from french flanders creations. Its aroma is filled with citrus and spices. 

Railcar Brewing Company is having a label design contest for their "Railcar Red". Bragging rights and a $250.00 gift card are the prizes. Hit up their facebook page until August 30th to enter and get full contest details.

Big Spruce Brewing has released this years Tip of the Spear IPA and they say that is even hoppier than 2013! This one is 6.4% ABV and 53 IBUs.  They also say that they are once again brewing home brewer Tim Gregory's winning entry from our Home Brew Challenge last year - Tim's Dirty American IPA. 

Propeller Brewing Company has released its latest One Hit Wonder series brew – Summer Blonde Lagered Ale. From Propeller "Weighing in at a modest 4.8% ABV and 22 IBUs, Summer Blonde Lagered Ale is a light bodied, refreshing beer that has high drinkability. Wheat, Pale and Pilsner malts give this ale its distinctive smooth, creamy body. Just enough Centennial hops were added to this brew to perfectly balance its bready finish. After a week of fermentation this ale has been Lagered at a cool temperature for 3 weeks to give a clean crisp finish." 

Sea Level Brewing is hiring a full time Retail Manager. Details are on their facebook page and they ask you to personally deliver your resume to Randy at the brewery between 9am-4pm. 

Prince Edward Island Beer Festival tickets are now on sale for the September 5th and 6th event. It will be at the Delta Prince Edward and tickets will run you 40 dollars for the Friday or Saturday night sessions or 30 for the Saturday afternoon. A ticket gets you a glass, beer samples and live entertainment.

Fredericton Craft Beer Festival and reLiSH have partnered again to bring you Burgers n' Beer on Tuesday, September 30 at 8:00pm. This evening event will pair rarely sampled beer/cider with delicious sliders prepared by the fine chefs at reLiSH's new Fredericton Uptown location. Adam Clawson from Red Rover Brewing will join you to chat about his new local NB Craft Cider. You will get 6 - 8oz beer / cider samples each paired with a unique slider and a custom tasting glass. Tentative beer sample list is Microbrasserie le Naufrageur, Red Rover Brewing and Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault.

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

Maritime Beer Report - August 8, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for August 8, 2014. 

Gahan House is busy hiring for their new location in Halifax, if you are interested in a job check out their website. Check out my blog post about their newest location.

Picaroons Traditional Ales has brewed up a limited release Apricot Ale, Pride Sally Pride. It is available The Brewtique, Vault 29, 540 Kitchen & Bar, The Lunar Rogue Pub, and boom! Nightclub! It was created in cohoots with the Fredericton Pride Committee. Picaroons has also brought back for a limited time their 506 Logger beer. 

Red Rover Brewing say that they will be the first New Brunswick a Brewery (cidery) selling refillable bottles at a Farmers Market this Saturday. Get a Refillable 1L Flagon at Boyces Farmers Market in Fredericton.

Big Spruce Brewing announced that the Tasting Deck now open and it looks great. They also released Pump Le Mousse, the grapefruit wheat ale that I mentioned a few weeks ago. They also say that they have "Nova Scotia's first internationally conspired brew - a Coffee IPA brewed with fresh organic dark roast coffee from Café Milagro in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. We proudly mashed this in today with Bryan Druhan, brewer at Phillips Brewing in Victoria, BC. "

Garrison Brewing Company released they have a bunch more jobs available. From the brewer "As our brewery expands, so does our team! Check out the following positions: Shift Brewer, Packaging Supervisor, Bottling Line Labourer, and Marketing, Events & Retail Coordinator".

Meander River Farm announced they have Honey Brown. From MRF"Made with toasted malts and local Cosman & Whidden Honey, this lightly hopped 5.2% ABV copper coloured brew shows a light coffee flavour on the front, a rich toffee taste in the middle and a smooth honey finish. Stop by the Farm today and Friday from 4-7 or Saturday and Sunday 11-5 for a taste and growler fill while it lasts!"

Propeller Brewery has announced the upcoming launch of a new series of beers . From the Canadian Beer News "The Propeller Lambic Style Series is a collection of beers inspired by the classic wild and sour ales of Belgium, and described as follows:

Propeller Lambic Style has been brewed in keeping with its origins using unmalted wheat and aged hops. We fermented this unique brew using yeast similar to that found indigenously in the Senne Valley of Belgium, southwest of Brussels. Aged in oak wine barrel, this brew displays tart, musty and complex flavours.

Four beers are planned to be released in the series, with the first being Propeller Framboise, a 4.2% sour beer brewed with whole raspberries, and bottle conditioned for several months to add “effervescent and refreshing carbonation.”

Propeller Framboise will be debuted on Saturday August 23rd at Bar Stillwell in Halifax, where it will be available by the bottle or glass while supplies last. Retail sales of 750 ml bottles will launch the following Monday August 25th at both Propeller stores."

Rock Bottom Brewpub will have Thulsa Doom II DIPA On tap Friday, August 8th at 5:00 PM. Coming in at a healthy  8.8% ABV and 130 (calculated) IBUs. 

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery released that now on tap they have Terrys British IPA, 5.4% ABV.

If you see me tomorrow afternoon at Seaport Beer Fest say "Hi", so until next time enjoy responsibly. 

Gahan House Brewpub Opening in Halifax September 2014

Gahan House which has been around in Charlottetown in one form or another since the 90s is coming to Halifax. I had a quick chat with Ben Murphy to see what we can expect at the new location in the old Hart & Thistle location in the Historic Properties. 

I asked him why they would come to Halifax to begin with, he said there were three main reasons to come here. First the Gahan brand has been very well received in Nova Scotia, second is the exciting craft beer scene in Nova Scotia and lastly was the almost turn key opportunity of a brewpub for rent. 

They expect to run the brewpub on the proven formula they currently have running the new location with primarily the same menu and beer offerings. There may be unique offerings from time to time on the menu and with their own brewmaster you may see some unique beers. 

Hiring is going well but if you are interested in working for them get your application in very soon.

Look for an opening party new month with food and fun.

Maritime Beer Report - August 1, 2014

Happy International Beer Day and coincidentally Happy Anniversary to the Beer Report. Here is the news for August 1st 2014.

PEI Brewing Company are asking for your help. They want you to come in and help choose their newest Stout. How do you do this? Purchase two samples pick one and this also gets you to be entered to be entered to win VIP tickets to the Prince Edward Island Beer Festival.

Big Tide Brewing Co. announced that to celebrate their upcoming 5th anniversary on August 5th, they are brewing Anniversary Amber Ale. Using 5 varieties of specialty malt, 5 varieties of hops, and looking forward to a smooth, malty full-bodied ale that is 5.5 ABV and around 55 IBUs.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault is looking for a part-time sales clerk, 20-25 hours a week. Check out their web site for details.

Hammond River Brewing released their Gammie California Steam Ale is now on tap at Shiretown Publicans and The Barrel's Head. From HRB "This is a very easy drinking beer with nice toasty notes and a Piney aroma from the Northern Brewer Hops. It's 5.3% ABV and 37 IBUs, and as most already know, this beer is a tribute to the recent passing of my amazing Father"

Pump House Brewing released Raspberry Wheat on tap. It is a German style wheat beer bombarded with 40 kg of raspberries. This is a beer for the raspberry connoisseur, delectably tart and refreshing and comes in at 5.5% ABV

Boxing Rock Brewing Company snuck a new beer out last week. Enter Sessionista that Boxing Rock describes as follows "The first thing you notice is an intense malt aroma reminiscent of an English Bitter, surrounded by a floral whiff of lemon blossoms and orange. Then some roasty malt notes on the palate followed by a pithy lemon-lime finish.
Not too bitter, not too heavy, just right for summer at 3.5% ABV, yet so full of flavour you'd swear that it was more.
Available for a very limited run in 650 ml bottles at Bishop's Cellar, Premier Wine & Spirits, Harvest Wines and Cristall Wine Merchants.
It will also be available in one litre growlers every Saturday at the Halifax Seaport Market, and the Shelburne Farmers' Market, (while supplies last) and in our own brewery store in Shelburne.
Look for it at your favourite craft beer locations. You might also find it at Stillwell Beer Bar, The Stubborn Goat, The Lion & Bright Cafe and others."

Garrison Brewing Co. is also looking for a Marketing, Retail & Events Coordinator to join their team. It looks like a fabulous job, you can get the details on their website now.

Rudders Brewpub tells me they have a new beer on tap in Yarmouth. A brown ale called Midnight Crossing. This 6% ABV ale is dark brown with a red tinge, caramel head. Malty aroma and a mild hoppy finish using two English and one Australian hop.

In late breaking news Gahan House Brewpub is expanding interprovincially and opening a second location on the Halifax waterfront. This is exciting news and they are now hiring all positions from Manager on down for a September opening.

It has been one year since I started doing this and if wasn't for all the great in the brewing industry and great supporters I doubt I would keep doing this. Thanks for a great year and hope to see a bunch of you at the Seaport beer fest next week end and as always enjoy responsibly.