Maritime Beer Report - June 10. 2016

Welcome to the June 10th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. 

PEI Brewing won four gold medals at the Canadian Brewing Awards for Setting Day Saison, Sir John A Honey Wheat, Vic Park Pale Ale and Rogues Roost IPA. Well done. 

Upstreet Craft Brewing just announced its Birthday Weekend. One of the events happening on that weekend is the Upstreet Field Trip. This culinary adventure and bowling has spots for 40 people, get your tickets soon.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault have heralded the return of Tante Blanche at the Edmundston brewtique. Look for her soon at an ANBL store. Big news at the Brewtique is a brand spanking new tap room. They say come have a seat at the most gorgeous and biggest table in Edmundston. They are in the same building, just occupying some new space.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Melonhead is back . The winner of this year's cat contest is "Chanel" and the new face of MELONHEAD. Look for it at all the regular spots. They also have 506 Logger available. It is a New Brunswick twist on a German tradition using imported German Pilsner malt and a helping of local two-row barley, they've created a beer of golden colour and subtle malt character with slight grassy notes that is dry and crisp with a clean finish. It is a 4.6% ABV and 15 IBU beer.

Pumphouse Brewing released Crafty Radler. It includes a mix of grapefruit and tangerine soda that was created in-house. The taste of this Crafty Radler is as appealing to the taste buds as it is to the nose; the grapefruit flavour dances with the sweetness of tangerines, while the malt and hops give a balanced foundation. It is a 4.7% ABV and 5 IBU ale.

Trail Way Brewing had a hugely successful tap room opening on May 28th. The Fredericton brewery at 280 Main Street released its opening hours as well as a food truck schedule. Get all the details on their facebook page.

Moosehead Breweries, the largest local brewery in the maritimes, announced plans for new small-batch brewery to be constructed ideally in Uptown Saint John. The project, which is anticipated to take more than a year to complete, is a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Oland family brewing business – a milestone the company will reach in 2017.

A new craft brewer is opening a large brewery in downtown Halifax. 2 Crows Brewing is opening a 20 bbl brewery in the heart of downtown  at 1932 Brunswick Street about a block north of the Citadel.

Mark Huizink along with his wife Kelly and Head Brewer Jeremy Taylor, most recently of Bridge Brewing in Vancouver, will be the key people running the new brewery. Look for their approachable beers at select few licensees to start, as well as growlers and cans when they open this fall.

Big Spruce Brewing sent Batch 470 to Halifax last week. It was their Kitchen Party Pale Ale, but for the first time in (modern) NS history it is a beer made entirely of 2 row barley malted right here in NS by Horton Ridge Malt and Grain So nice to get closer to 100% locally sourced beer. 

Breton Brewing has its Black Angus and Red Coat ales in cans now available in Select NSLC’s. Nice to see more product being made available in stores. It is also available in the privates in Halifax.

Garrison Brewing won Silver in the American Style Black Ale category at this year's Canadian Brewing Awards a couple of weeks ago for Dirty Ol' Town - Black IPA. 

This week they released their very special Star Trek 50th Anniversary Golden Ale. They brew this beer for the Federation of Beer. Garrison says it is an easy drinking Golden ale and is 5.0% ABV and 20 IBUs.

Just in time for summer Seaport Blonde is back on the shelves at the brewery.
Lastly the Backlot Bash is on tomorrow with July Talks. There are still tickets for the show.

Good Robot Brewing latest CommuniBrew on tap. Mikey's Chocolate Orange, a chocolate IPA, brewed by Michael Orr and featuring a boat-load of citrusy hops and cacao nibs. Get it while you can. 

Hell Bay Brewing released Burning Van Smoked Wheat Ale (6.7% ABV) recently. This medium bodied wheat ale was brewed in commemoration of their first cargo van. Smoked malt gives this wheat beer its distinctive smokey undertone along with a medium-dark colour. Sweet and roasty upfront, finishes with dry hop and smoke notes. 

North Brewing released a new beer called Gestalt (5.4% ABV). This rustic Farmhouse beer was over three months in the making with 4 saison strains, one Brett strain, 2 fermentations all blended to create something really special. Earthy aroma, notes of peach, cherry, tamarind, subtle hay and lime zest finish.

Tatamagouche Brewing did Nova Scotia very proud bringing home three awards from the 2016 Canadian Brewing Awards including a Gold for Giantess barley wine, a Gold for our Russian Imperial Stout, and a Bronze for Two Rivers Baltic Porter.  

Wayfarers' Ale in Port Williams sent me a quick note saying they will be open  to the public on July 1st. More details soon.

Bulwark Ciders released a new raspberry cider, a limited addition seasonal offering. Available in bottle and on tap so berry soon - next week.

Tickets went on sale today for the Halifax Seaport Beer Festival on August 5th and 6th. Available at NSLCs and online. The 10th anniversary edition showcases over 300 craft beers, premium imports, seasonals and ciders from 15 different countries and almost every province in Canada.
“Nearly 75% of the showcased products are not listed at the NSLC so this is your chance to try new beers, new breweries and new styles," said Bruce Mansour, festival co-founder. “There's never been more excitement or choice in craft beers and ciders, and we're proud to put them on display again this August!”

The Alexander Keith’s brewery on Lower Water Street is firing up the brew 

kettles with a newly appointed brewmaster at the helm. Brewmaster Stefan Gagliardi joins the team bringing a small-batch brewing approach to creating locally-inspired beer that celebrate the people, history and heritage of Nova Scotia.

“Being named brewmaster for such an iconic brewery is an incredible honour,” says Gagliardi, who has been working in the beer community for over 10 years. “I’m excited to tap into the Alexander Keith’s spirit of innovation and create new, great tasting brews that are as unique as the people who live and Gagliardi’s first creation, Cornerstone Edinburgh Pale Ale, is set to be unveiled at the beginning of June. Named for the cornerstone laid during the original construction of the Halifax brewery, Cornerstone EPA is symbolic of the brewery's solid foundation and its inaugural brew for a new era.  The new beer is inspired by brewing techniques of two centuries ago in Edinburgh, where Mr. Keith spent time perfecting his brewing craftmanship in the 1800s. Colder temperatures give the beer a sweeter malt profile, and the late addition of English hops round off the beer’s citrus and herbaceous hop aromas.

Thanks for checking me out again, it is good to be back home. Until next time, enjoy responsibly.