Maritime Beer Report - March 18, 2016

Hello and welcome to the post St. Paddy's Day Beer Report.

PEI Brewing Company have released their seasonal Reanimator Doppelbock ( 8.1% ABV). Available now in the Taproom and PEI Liquor and they've also shipped some over to New Brunswick.

Breton Brewing welcomed Hogie from Upstreet Craft Brewing today to brew a collaboration ale that will be released mid April for the ECMAs. Stay tuned for details.

Bad Apple Brewhouse is in an on going trademark dispute, are now also brewing beer as the Mosaic Brewing Company. 
What brought this on was in 2014 an operation in Ontario opened calling themselves the Bad Apple Brewing Company and trade marked the name. Shortly after they contacted the Nova Scotia namesake and threatened to sue for infringing on their trademark. The local Bad Apple met and attempted to come to an arrangement that would allow them to continue using the name. Unfortunately they were unable to come to an agreement.
So what does this mean? Because they properly registered their business in Nova Scotia the trademark infringement doesn't stand in that province. Unfortunately they can no longer sell beer outside of Nova Scotia as Bad Apple Brewhouse, hence the birth of the Mosaic Brewing Company which officially launched at the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival last week end.

Boxing Rock Brewing announced the release of La Rive du Sud 2.0, a Bière de Garde that they say is unlike any other beer brewed in Atlantic Canada. Boxing Rock also said they brewed it a little differently this year, and they think that it's the best Bière de Garde they've made yet.
The 7.5% ABV beer is available now while it lasts in 650 ml bottles, 1L growlers and on tap at select locations.

Gahan House in Halifax is hiring a Brew Master for their brew pub in downtown Halifax. For all the detals hit up http://maritimebeerreport.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page_2.html

Garrison Brewing announced this years Backlot Bash headliner is July Talk. The Bash is on June 11th and tickets are on sale now.

Good Robot Brewing's have announced a couple of new CommuniBrews. From our Super SMaSH Brothers Series, Rakau-chu IPA from Miles Bishop. Next up, tapping this week end, is a white stout called The Cookie Jar from Keith Forbes. 

Paddys Brewpub in Wolfville is hosting another brewery dinner on April 5th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. There are limited tickets available and are $30 plus tax. The menu is as follows :

1st Course Spring Salad with a Blueberry Beer Dressing
2nd Course Acorn Squash stuffed with Quinoa
3rd Course Beef Wellington
Dessert Sticky Toffee Pudding

There is a vegetarian option and each course is paired with one of their crafted ales.

Annapolis Cider Company, that is expected to open next month, announced their first batch of cider fermenting at their cidery in Wolfville. They have two ciders announced. Juicy & Sweet ( 5.6% ABV) combines their dry-fermented cider with freshly-pressed apple juice. Crisp & Dry (7.7% ABV)  combines cider made from Hyslop Crab and a touch of freshly-pressed apple juice.

Picaroons Head Brewer was in the Ottawa area brewing with other B Corp breweries making "Brew the Change". It includes an all star cast of B Corps, including African Bronze Honey Project, New Belgium Brewing, Starvation Alley Farms, Guayakí Yerba Mate, Persephone Brewing Company, Aslan Brewing Company, Hopworks Urban Brewery and Beau's All Natural Brewing. 

The Pump House Brewery released Black Irish IPA 8% ABV and 65 IBUs yesterday at the brewpub for St. Paddy's Day. They also announced they will be releasing a couple of seasonals that will have six packs going into the ANBL. Their Muddy River Stout, an oatmeal stout, that weighs in at 4.5% ABV. The other is Best Friend Marzen Lager that is 5.5% ABV.

Red Rover Craft Cider has opened The Ciderhouse, a Taproom and growler fill station at 546 Queen Street in downtown Fredericton. The space is shared Abbey Café & Gallery, a casual quick serve Café and Art Gallery serving coffees, light fare including vegan. 
The Ciderhouse will be fermenting on site by shipping cider by tanker and pumping into the fermenters. The centerpiece is the bar which is constructed from a single tree and boosts an 800 pound bar top. There is also a stage that will offer music in the future.

York County Cider are launching today from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 418 York Street in the Chestnut Complex. They plan to have five ciders available with names that are puns inspired by apple references in history and culture. Their ciders are:

dry - In the Begining
semi dry - Sweet William
hopped - An Apple a Day
ginger - Ginger Snap
blueberry - Like an Academic

York will be filling growlers initially, either their own or other ones if they are clean of course. They are open through the week end from Noon to 11:00 PM on Saturday and Noon to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
In the works they hope to have their bottles in the next couple weeks and will also have t shirts and a couple styles of glassware for sale. Lastly they are beginning the process to be listed at ANBL in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for checking the Report again this week. I am off for a couple of weeks, next report is April 8th. 

Box Rock Brewing releases La Rive du Sud 2.0

(Shelburne, NS) - Boxing Rock Brewing announced the release of La Rive du Sud 2.0, a Bière de Garde that they say is unlike any other beer brewed in Atlantic Canada. Boxing Rock also said they brewed it a little differently this year, and they think that it's the best Bière de Garde they've made yet.

From Boxing Rock "Made with simple base malts and dark caramelized sugar this simple combination of ingredients yields an ale of noteworthy complexity. With notes of biscuit, caramel, toffee, as well as tangerine, biscuit, and a chewy malt base that is at once mouth filling and refreshing". They go on to say "We lagered (well, guarded, actually) this ale for weeks until it was perfect. It's remarkably smooth on the palate and although it has a medium-dry finish, it has a lingering pleasant aftertaste that can only be described as "French"." 

The 7.5% ABV beer is available now while it lasts in 650 ml bottles, 1L growlers and on tap at select locations.

Red Rover Craft Cider Opens New Retail Outlet

(Fredericton, NB) - New Brunswick craft cider pioneer Red Rover has opened The Ciderhouse,  a Taproom and growler fill station at 546 Queen Street in downtown Fredericton. The space is shared Abbey Café & Gallery, a casual quick serve Café and Art Gallery serving coffees, light fare including vegan. 
The Ciderhouse will be fermenting on site by shipping cider by tanker and pumping into the fermenters. The centerpiece is the bar which is constructed from a single tree and boosts an 800 pound bar top. There is also a stage that will offer music in the future.

Bad Apple Brewhouse in trademark dispute

(Somerset, NS) - After opening in December 2013 and producing multi-award winning beer Bad Apple Brewhouse, in an on going trademark dispute, are now also brewing beer as the Mosaic Brewing Company.

What brought this on was in 2014 an operation in Ontario opened calling themselves the Bad Apple Brewing Company and trade marked the name. Shortly after they contacted the Nova Scotia namesake and threatened to sue for infringing on their trademark. The local Bad Apple met and attempted to come to an arrangement that would allow them to continue using the name. Unfortunately they were unable to come to an agreement.

So what does this mean? Because they properly registered their business in Nova Scotia the trademark infringement doesn't stand in that province. Unfortunately they can no longer sell beer outside of Nova Scotia as Bad Apple Brewhouse, hence the birth of the Mosaic Brewing Company which officially launched at the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival last week end.

Bad Apple Brewhouse fans are familiar with their Mosaic DIPA and will recognize Mosaic Brewing Company's logo. Which ever brand you find the beer under they promise to continue brewing great craft beer with an attitude.

York County Cider opening March 18th

(Fredericton, NB) - York County Cider are launching this Friday, March 18th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 418 York Street in the Chestnut Complex. They plan to have five ciders available with names that are puns inspired by apple references in history and culture. Their ciders are:

• dry - In the Begining
• semi dry - Sweet William
• hopped - An Apple a Day
• ginger - Ginger Snap 
• blueberry - Like an Academic

York will be filling growlers initially, either their own or other ones if they are clean of course. They are open through the week end from Noon to 11:00 PM on Saturday and Noon to 6:00 PM on Sunday. 

In the works they hope to have their bottles in the next couple weeks and will also have t shirts and a couple styles of glassware for sale. Lastly they are beginning the process to be listed at ANBL in the next couple of weeks. 

Garrison Brewing Crowns 2016 Home Brew-off Winner

Winner Mark Power

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing crowned the winner for its 8th edition of the Brew-off. Beers were judged according to BJCP Style Guidelines of an American IPA 21A with an Experimental feature (i.e. herbs, fruit, tea etc.). The American IPA character had to come through in aroma and flavour.

This years winner was Mark Power with his Chamomile IPA. He will brew this beer next year for release in March. 

Fredericton Craft Beer Festival continues to grow

(Fredericton, NB) - The 4th annual festival took place last week end and was the most successful to date. The fest that started in 2013 as a single evening beer tasting with around 550 tickets sold has grown to a week long collection of events leading to the the main events on Saturday that sold more than 1,500 tickets.

The event celebrates the growth in craft beer with many of the 52 current Maritime breweries attending to show off their beer and others from across Canada. It is a coup not only for the beer fans but local business to as hotels and restaurants were very busy feeding and housing the attendees. The Crowne Plaza across the street from the Fredericton Convention Center was completely sold out and equated it to Christmas in March for them.

So what is in store for the 5th anniversary of the Festival in 2017? The organizer Lloyd Chambers says "bigger and better" and he and his team are already working on it. 

Next year's festival will be March 11th, stay tuned for all the details.

Check out my photo album of the event here

Maritime Beer Report - March 11, 2016

Hello to the Maritime Beer Report for March 11th 2016.

CBC News reported Le Coude, the University of Moncton's student bar, will be opening its doors again as a brew pub on March 17. It will be a partnership with Acadie-Broue and will give students the chance to taste their own creations on tap. 

Boxing Rock Brewing crowned the winners of their Black Box Challenge on Sunday.
3rd place Jason McDougall
2nd place Mark Reid
1st place Brian Harvey
Brian will be invited to Boxing Rock in Shelburne to brew his Where There is Smoke There is Fire Ale and will debut at NS Craft Beer Week in May.

Hell Bay Brewing has brought back their Wee Heavy Scotch Ale (8% ABV). The brewery says "This slightly sweet and malty beer has hints of smoke and distinct caramel flavours which are attributed to its extra long boil." Available from the brewery and from select locations in Halifax.

Propeller Brewing released its latest One Hit Wonder. It's a red lager called Scarlet Lager and weighs in at 5.3% ABV and 35 IBUs. This lager is unfiltered and was dry hopped with Falconer's Flight. Available for growlers fills at the Propeller Shops.

Sea Level Brewing's brewer Randy Lawrence is celebrating the coming spring with a new beer. The Dopplebock Spring Celebrator (7% ABV) is a celebration style lager and is described as "Rich malty sweetness from the light and dark Munich malts used in the backbone of this very smooth drinking beer". It is available now as a limited release for growler fills and in cans. 

Spindrift Brewing is released 'Quaf Sess' hopped American wheat today for their 7th Wave series. Effervescent & crisp with herbal & floral hop flavours. 

Sober Island Brewing made public their project on the Eastern Shore. They hope to build a destination brewery that promotes local products and eco-tourism in 2017. This year they will be brewing in a temporary location at Henley House in Sheet Harbour until the brewery is built next year.

The Cape Breton Kitchen Party will be a Signature NS Craft Beer Week event and will be hosted by Cape Breton’s own Big Spruce Brewing and Breton Brewing. This event provides you with the opportunity to taste products from 10+ local NS craft breweries some of Cape Breton finest food vendors as well. This event will take place at Centre 200 on May 6th, from 7 pm – 10 pm. Get your tickets now at www.universe.com/cbkitchenparty

Thanks for checking me out this week and until next time enjoy responsibly. 

Sea Level Brewing celebrates Spring with a Dopplebock

(Port Williams, NS) - Brewer Randy Lawrence is celebrating the coming spring with a new beer. The Dopplebock Spring Celebrator (7% ABV) is a celebration style lager is described as "Rich malty sweetness from the light and dark Munich malts used in the backbone of this very smooth drinking beer". It is available now as a limited release for growler fills and in cans. 

Propeller Brewing releases One Hit Wonder Scarlet Lager

(Dartmouth, NS) - Propeller Brewing released its latest One Hit Wonder today. It's a red lager called Scarlet Lager and weighs in at 5.3% ABV and 35 IBU. This lager is unfiltered and was dry hopped with Falconer's Flight. Available for growlers fills at the Propeller Shops and select taps.

Fredericton Craft Beer Week March 4 -13, 2016

(Fredericton, NB) - The Fredericton craft beer scene has exploded and the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival has grown too. The festival now in its fourth year will end an entire week of celebrating craft beer. 

Organizer Lloyd Chambers says he and his partners plan was to reach this format and all the pieces cam together. The Festival will be the main event of the week on March 12th and has an afternoon and an evening session this year. This year the festival will host 45 breweries and over 190 beers from across Canada and new this year from Maine.

Some events require tickets, some are free, and others are pay-as-you-go, so check in advance and make sure it isn't sold out.

Listed below are some of the many events happening during the week. 

March 12th - Fredericton Craft Beer Festival (Main Event) at Fredericton Convention Centre

March 4th - The 4th be with you at James Joyce Pub

March 5th - Craft Beer and Cheese at ANBL York

March 8th - Rock, Paper, Scissors Kick off event at King Street Ale House (Signature Event)

March 8th - Beer N Yoga with Satori Yoga at Grimross Brewing

March 8th - Craft Dinner Cooking Class at Greener Village Community Centre

March 9th - An "Offal-ly" Good evening with Craft Beer "a Make a Memory event" at Crowne Plaza

March 10th - Spindrift Brewing tasting at ANBL Prospect Street 3-7PM (Free event)

March 10th - Garrison Brewing Tap Take Over at King Street Ale House (Signature Event)(Hoping to have 24 beers)

March 10th - Atlantic Canada Beer Blog Trivia at King Street Ale House

March 11th - Spindrift Brewing tasting at ANBL York Street 3-7PM (Free event)

March 11th - Charity Growler Auction

March 11th - Hop Workshop at Crowne Plaza

March 11th - Geaghan Brothers Flights (TBD)

March 12th - Afternoon Session After-party at Vault 29

March 13th - Down the Keg 3 KM Run at King Street Ale House (Signature Event)

March 13th - Brewers Jazz Brunch at King Street Ale House (Signature Event)

As the organizers say "It's all about the beer. Pure. Simple."

Maritime Beer Report - March 4, 2016

Hello and welcome to the March 4th edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Bore City Brewing released their first specialty/seasonal ale last week end. Night and Day is a Black IPA that weighs in at 6.4% ABV  and 63 IBUs. It is described as a hop forward Black IPA balanced with subtle roasted maltiness. Made with Cascade, Summit and Zythos hops.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says its Maple Cream Ale is back. Look for it at the Alcool NB Liquor locations, the Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton and more while supplies last.

Trail Way Brewing brewed up a new Session Black IPA (4% ABV) that is as yet unnamed. It is hopped entirely with Aussie hops. Great bitterness coming from hops as well as the roasted malts followed by juicy hops and great dark malt character. To be on tap very shortly at 540 Kitchen & Bar and King Street Ale House.

Boxing Rock Brewing's Black Box Challenge judging is this Sunday at Stillwell.  To recap, 20 homebrewers entered the competition and received eight malts, five hops and two yeast varieties so from these ingredients and only these. If this competition wasn't different already the brewers must present the beers to the judging panel and the judging will happen after. The winner gets to brew their beer at Boxing Rock’s Shelburne plant and launch it at the “Stillwell Open” during Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week in May.

Garrison Brewing released their final Cellar series beer today. To Prussia With Love is described as intensely dark and flavourful, this regal brew combines strong Baltic Porter with Barrel Aged Imperial ESB for a rich complexity. It is a hefty 10% ABV and 35 IBUs.
Last evening Garrison Brewing held their 8th Annual Home Brew-Off Gala to over 100 attendees packed in to the brewery to watch the award presentation, sample beers from the finalists and talk brewing. With 44 unique entries, the winner was Mark Power with his Chamomile IPA. 
Garrison also released Mr. Robusto, a Robust Porter, the winner from last year's Brew-Off. A very complex dark ale it pours dark brown, almost black.  The brewery describes it as "Aroma reminiscent of sweet chocolate, with vanilla, caramel and some grainy character.  Tastes towards bitter dark chocolate, nicely balanced out by chocolate, smooth caramel, hops flavor and dark fruits." Mr. Robusto weighs in at 6.5% ABV and 33 IBUs.

Nine Locks Brewing, Nova Scotia's newest brewery, opened for business this week. Their name is an homage to the Shubenacadie Canal system nearby, They have an IPA and ESB currently available for growler fills at the brewery. A Porter and a Dirty Blonde will follow shortly to round out their offerings for the time being. The canning line is due to start later this month, the cans are due to be sold at the brewery, private stores as well as the NSLC. The retail store is open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

North Brewing released Dartmouth Dark 2.0 today at the breweries. This time Anchored Coffee Cannon Espresso was infused into a Dark Lagered Ale. It is ‬ 4.5% ABV .

Propeller Brewing says its next Prop'r Cask Night at the brewery with feature Black Sheep Restaurant and will be on April 1st. Tickets available now on eventbrite.

Spindrift Brewing's next 7th Wave release is Blueberry 'Pai' Wheat Beer. Spindrift says "This wheat ale pours a solid white head with crisp notes of grain due to a high percentage of wheat in the malt bill. It was aged on loose leaf Masala Chai Tea and PEI blueberry puree. The aromatics are of cardamom, cinnamon and vanilla. Each gulp tastes like a piece of savory blueberry pie!"

The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery has a new beer on tap. Terry's Red Ale, 4.5% ABV, Get it before it is gone.

Have a great week end and as always enjoy responsibly. 

Garrison Brewing releases The Cellar Series

(Halifax, NS) - Over the last three weeks Garrison Brewing released three beers in a new series. Two are from their large line of seasonals and specialties, with one new surprise. The cellar series are beer that are appropriate to age or "put in the cellar". They are good now but they get better with age. 

First was the Ol’ Fog Burner Barley Wine (11.5 ABV & 60 IBUs). An exceptionally mellow and complex ale, this British Barley wine is as smooth as it is chewy and rich with excellent balance. 

Next out of the gate was Grand Baltic Porter (9.5% ABV & 30 IBUs).  Smooth complex lager brewed coffee-black with blackstrap molasses and whole dates. A rich caramel and liquorice sweetness is balanced by specialty German hops. 

Garrison's final release today was To Prussia With Love (10% ABV & 35 IBUs) is described as intensely dark and flavourful, this regal brew combines strong Baltic Porter with Barrel Aged Imperial ESB for a rich complexity.

All the beers are available at the brewery now, only Ol' Fog Burner will go to private stores and possibly New Brunswick. 

Nine Locks Brewing opens for business

 (Dartmouth, NS) - Nova Scotia's newest brewer opened for business this week. Nine Locks Brewing, the name an homage to the Shubenacadie Canal system nearby, opened its new facility at 219 Waverley Road. The 7000 square foot facility currently includes their 20 BBL DME brew system, five fermentors and retail space. 

They have an IPA and ESB currently available for growler fills at the brewery. A Porter and a Dirty Blonde will follow shortly to round out their offerings for the time being. The canning line is due to start later this month, the cans are due to be sold at the brewery, private stores as well as the NSLC. The latest I have is that the NSLC will carry single cans of the IPA and ESB as well as a four packs of the IPA.

The retail store is open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. 

Bore City Brewing releases Night and Day

(Moncton, NB) - Bore City Brewing released their first specialty/seasonal ale last week end. Night and Day is a Black IPA that weighs in at 6.4% ABV  and 63 IBUs. 

It is described as a hop forward Black IPA balanced with subtle roasted maltiness. Made with Cascade, Summit and Zythos hops. 

Spindrift Brewing releases Riptide India Pale Lager

(Dartmouth, NS) - Spindrift Brewing released their new India Pale Lager, Riptide, last week. This 6.5% ABV Northeast style hoppy lager is double dry-hopped.

This current release will be draught only but look for cans of this new year round beer in April.

North Brewing releases Sauer Sagan Hat

(Halifax, NS) - North Brewing released a new one off sour ale, Sauer Sagan Hat. The beer is a kettle soured smash beer that clocks in at a 4% ABV and 15 IBUs made with Pilsner Malt and Sorachi Ace hops. 

It sports splashy new labels designed by local graphic designer John Newgard. It is on sale now at the breweries and other usual spots.

Garrison Brewing rebrands its Black IPA

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing rebranded their corporate brand Black IPA to Dirty Ol’ Town Black IPA and released it recently. The name you probably recognize from the lyrics of the Irish ballad Dirty Old Town which seems very fitting. 
Roasted malt, chocolate and coffee flavour of a stout with lasting, tangy, citrusy hop finish. Look this one at the NSLC and ANBL and is a 6.5% ABV and  52 IBUs. 

Big Spruce Brewing and Stone City Ales release Watchtower Conspiracy DIPA

(Nyanza, NS & Kingston, ON) -  Watchtower Conspiracy II DIPA has been released at . This "simul-collab"  is now available at Big Spruce Brewing and Stone City Ales. The beer was brewed on two identical 7 BBL systems at the respective breweries in each province. It is 9.0% ABV and 85 IBU so it packs quite the punch. Piles of late addition Waimea, Galaxy and Amarillo hops make this an aromatic Super Bomb. They brought Vermont Conan ale yeast in from Escarpment Labs for this beer and it only accentuates the hop flavours. 

Mama's Pub becomes a Brewpub

(Fredericton, NB) - Mama's Pub at 500 Brookside Drive launched their own beers recently. The beers are brewed on site using a 2 BBL system by Ryan Kingston. They currently have:

• Dougie's Vanilla Bean Stout - (5.7% ABV, 19 IBUs) Dark beer with tons of chocolate, coffee & vanilla notes, featuring real vanilla beans, pre-soaked in Kahlúa liqueur, prior to being added to the fermentor.
• A Session at Mama's IPA - (4.2% ABV, 23 IBUs) “Dry hopped, with Comet & Citra”
• Mama's Golden Ale - (5% ABV, 17 IBUs) - “Light, crisp & really easy to drink”
• Mama's Radler - (4.4% ABV, 17 IBUs) "Simply refreshing light crisp, easy drinking ale with a sweet citrus flavour"
• British Brown Beard - (6.1% ABV & 19 IBUs) A chocolatey British Brown Ale with a slight hop presence and a rich creamy chocolate aftertaste. 

All beers are available exclusively at the pub. 

PEI Brewing releases Transmitter Coffee Stout

(Charlottetown, PE) - PEI Brewing Company released the latest version of its successful Transmitter Coffee Stout (5.5% ABV). They collaborated again with Charlottetown's Receiver Coffee Company using a new blend of coffee from last years. As before it is in a capped and wax sealed 750 ml bottle. There was a release party today at the brewery today and will arrive in Nova Scotia in the coming days for the first time. It is a limited release so get yours soon.