Welcome to the November 10th Nova Scotia edition of the Maritime Beer Report.
The Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards were last Sunday. The big winners of the evening were Bad Apple Brewhouse and Big Spruce Brewing each taking four medals with Bad Apple being awarded Brewery of the Year and Big Spruce nabbing the Beer of the Year or "Best of Show" with their Ra Ra Rasputin Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout. Rockbottom Brewpub also had a great showing as well getting a gold for the IPA category and Brewpub of the Year.
The Cider House of the Year as well as two medals went to Annapolis Cider Company and the Cider of the Year was awarded to ShipBuilders Cider from ShipBuilders Cider Company.
The People’s Choice returned this year for Beer and Cider with upstart Port Rexton Brewing's T-Rex Porter grabbing the beer category and Annapolis Cider Company's Crisp & Dry getting the cider category.
For the full results and analysis check out 2016 Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards.
Big Spruce Brewing was brewing a collaboration this week in preparation for their tap takeover at Battery Park Beer Bar in December. North Brewing Company and the Battery Park kitchen were onsite in Nyanza.
The concept was to brew a tasty winter seasonal brew that is distinctly Nova Scotian. To do that they added donair meat. The Battery kitchen meticulously rendered in-house made donair meat, and then dehydrated it and ground it into a powder. It was added in the mash tun, along with all the grain required for an Imperial Stout. Once this beer is fermented, we will slow condition it on raspberries. The name for this Imperial Meat Stout aged on Raspberries is Blood Donair. It will launch on one of Battery's 15 taps in December.
North Brewing released a new beer today, Wiley Boys II. They aged this black saison in Dartmouth for 3 months with Brettanomyces and strawberries and then bottle conditioned for another month. The result is a limited release with deep complexity. Notes of dark chocolate, fruit leather, ripe strawberry and subtle funk. This is drinking great now, but can be cellared to continue evolving. Note it is only available in 650mL bottles.
North Brewing released a new beer today, Wiley Boys II. They aged this black saison in Dartmouth for 3 months with Brettanomyces and strawberries and then bottle conditioned for another month. The result is a limited release with deep complexity. Notes of dark chocolate, fruit leather, ripe strawberry and subtle funk. This is drinking great now, but can be cellared to continue evolving. Note it is only available in 650mL bottles.
Garrison Brewing launched two of their winter seasonal beers today, back for the season are Spruce Beer and Winter Warmer.
Local spruce and fir tips from Meander River Farm are combined with Crosby’s blackstrap molasses to recreate North America’s oldest beer style, Spruce Beer. This traditional brew clocks in at 7.5% ABV and 35 IBUs. 650ml bombers will be available at the retail store beginning today, and should shortly be in stock at private stores and will be released at the NSLC starting next week!
Winter Warmer is a strong dark amber beer brewed with spices such as cinnamon and clove. Its warming character makes it a fantastic accompaniment on cold winter nights. Winter Warmer will be a 6-pack at the NSLC beginning next week but is being sold in 650 ml bombers both here at the brewery and in private stores.
Local spruce and fir tips from Meander River Farm are combined with Crosby’s blackstrap molasses to recreate North America’s oldest beer style, Spruce Beer. This traditional brew clocks in at 7.5% ABV and 35 IBUs. 650ml bombers will be available at the retail store beginning today, and should shortly be in stock at private stores and will be released at the NSLC starting next week!
Winter Warmer is a strong dark amber beer brewed with spices such as cinnamon and clove. Its warming character makes it a fantastic accompaniment on cold winter nights. Winter Warmer will be a 6-pack at the NSLC beginning next week but is being sold in 650 ml bombers both here at the brewery and in private stores.
Good Robot Brewing are hosting a special Goodwill Bot that will donate $1 of each pint sold to support Wounded Warriors Canada tomorrow from noon to 6 PM. Also all military, former and current, are welcome to congregate and enjoy their first drink at the lowest legal price they can offer. Simply show up in uniform or with valid Canadian Military ID card. Also, $1 of each pint sold that day will go to support Wounded Warriors Canada.
On November 15, they are introducing a new series of events: BrewBot Homebrew Takeovers. 5 taps, all designed and brewed on our pilot system by a local homebrewer. First up is Keith Forbes who is well known in the Halifax beer community and brewed at Good Robot before.
Nine Locks Brewing has a Chocolate Stout coming to be released start of December. This chocolate stout is smooth, dark and full-bodied. Chocolate dominates the palate with notes of coffee and roasted grain. Hopping with East Kent Goldings provides a balanced finish. The beer is 6.1% ABV and 28 IBUs.
Champlains Feast, Royal order of Good Beer Dinner will be at Port Pub on Thursday, November 24 at 6 PM - 9 PM and features Sea Level Brewing. Enjoy a beautifully paired dinner, first course starting with Chedder Beer Soup, complimented with Blue Heron Extra Special Bitter beer. The second course will be Oysters Rockfeller, complimented with Planters Pale Ale. Third course, Duck Confit Poutine will be complimented with Rojo Mojo Red Ale and the fourth course will be Beer Braised Beef cheeks, complimented with Crossing Muddy waters Seasonal Brown Ale. The fifth course, the sweet course will be the Porter Chocolate Truffle Torte, complimented with Port in the Storm Porter.
Sober Island Brewing have brewed new British IPA and the first batch of our Winter Rye. The IPA will be ready for launch at the Cape Breton Beer Fest and the Winter Rye is to be announced.
Unfiltered Brewing released the fourth in theirr series of SMaSH beers. Danko is made with two-row malt and Simcoe hops. Why Danko? Well, "dank" is a common descriptor of Nash's hop-monsters, and Rich Danko of The Band is from Simcoe, Ontario. Danko weighs in at 7.5% ABV and 100+ IBUs.
One Way Brewing is hoping to open next spring on 676 Prince Street in Truro. The 4 BBL operation will also have retail space to buy merchandise and growler fills. The head brewer duties will go to Ryan Blaikie, an International Business student at NSCC, who has been home brewing for 4 years, apprenticed at Sea Level Brewing and currently works at Nook & Cranny. They plan to offer a wide variety of beer including Belgian styles, lagers, IPAs and a bunch of seasonals. Thanks for checking me out again this week and from me thanks to all who served and continue to serve.
