Hello and welcome to the June 19th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.
The latest Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation annual sales information released this week shows continued exceptional growth for Nova Scotia made craft beer. According to the NSLC, Nova Scotia craft beer sales grew last year by 25.4% compared to 22% the year before. This growth is even more significant given the 1.2% decline in sales in the beer category overall. Overall, the Nova Scotia Craft Beer industry grew 35.9 % last year, including more than $10 million in direct sales from breweries and the private wine stores, in addition to the over $5 million of sales through the NSLC retail outlets.
Big Spruce Brewing is having a food truck party every Friday throughout the summer and next Friday, June 26th is the first first day. The folks at Free Range Bio Farm will be there with their custom Big Yellow food truck, featuring some of their on-farm raised/processed, German style, Berkshire pork sausages. There will be potato salad, sauerkraut, chili, and lots of other delicious local treats.
Boxing Rock tells me that the last batch of Sessionista is ready to be released. Sad news but they are brewing a new session ale on Monday and rumor has it there will be rye in it. Stay tuned for details.
Garrison Brewing says they are pouring "Brewhouse Cider" in conjunction with their friends Bulwark Ciders, and produced right in the old seaport brewery. Also Garrison's Coast to Coastless Imperial ESB will be released on Monday. This is a strong 7.6% ABV and 50 IBUs beer and was made with Philips Brewing, Flying Monkeys Craft Brewing and Trou du Diable. This will be available at the brewery, bottle shops and NSLC eventually.
Granite Brewery was brewing Honey Ginger this week. It should be available next week end and for the rest of the summer.
North Brewing Company has produced "Hang Ten" birthday beer for The Local Source and will be out this Saturday in their store and Lion and Bright. It is a 4.5% ABV hybrid lager dry hopped with Wakatu and Columbus.
Rare Bird Pub opened yesterday for the summer season on the Guysborough waterfront. A great place to have a Rare Bird Craft beer.
The Gahan House says they are heading to the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Located at the top of the festival grounds will be the Gahan at the Beach Pop-up Restaurant featuring handcrafted ales on tap, beer and food demos, a pig roast and so much more.
Join the Ladies Beer League at their Second Beerthday Party on June 27th at The Wooden Monkey Restaurant in Dartmouth. They will have four special casks made by some of our favourite local craft breweries.
Tickets are $25 and include five 5 oz cask samples, a belly full of the Wooden Monkey's amazing pizza and - of course - birthday cake.
To celebrate their second year there are new Ladies Beer League swag. Come out to celebrate, hang out with awesome people, share ideas for future events, or just come for the beer.
The casks include:
- Boxing Rock is bringing Rule 42, which is an English IPA collaboration with Hell Bay, Sea Level and Gahan House.
- Big Spruce is doing up a Pump Le Mousse Grapefruit Wheat.
- Garrison firkin and North Brewing cask,
In celebration of their 2nd birthday they want to know where you have gone with the Ladies Beer League. Post a picture of you in your LBL shirt before Friday June 26 and you could win one of their new shirts designed by Dartmouth Clothing Company. Check on the facebook for details.
Tasting NB is bringing together NB craft alcohol producers of all varieties for the first time. This early evening outdoor event takes place across The Capital Complex patios and surrounding area. Producers include Picaroons Traditional Ales, Big Axe Brewery, Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault, TrailWay Brewing , Grimross Brewing , Railcar Brewing, The Pump House Brewery and Restaurant, Belleisle Winery, Red Rover Brewing, Pollen Angels Meade and Fils du Roy Spirits. Additional producers still to be announced. This is taking place Saturday July 11, 2015 from 7PM - 10PM.
Thanks for joining me again this week and until next time enjoy responsibly.
