MBR March 31, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition

Here is the beer news for March 31st in Nova Scotia. 

Garrison Brewing relaunched Barrel-Aged Ol’ Fog Burner today. A 650 ml bottle of this 11.5% ABV beer will retail for $15.95 at the brewery.  This extremely limited edition Barley Wine was aged in oak barrels that once held Glen Breton Rare Single-Malt Whiskey from Glenora Distillery. Vanilla and caramel notes offer a true taste of the Highlands.

On Sunday, April 2 Good Robot Brewing will have a Beta Brew release of Brewster Juice, which was brewed on International Womens’ Day by Kelly Costello with two Glee Club members and first-time brewers, Jenn and Allana. Brewster Juice is a SMaSH brew with 100% Canadian 2-Row and Glacier hops from Fundy, ‘dry-hopped’ with fresh raspberries. It is 4.2% and an apricot-gold colour.

2 Crows Brewing is flying across that harbour to take over Battery Park taps on April 13th. Final tap list is still in the works but they will have over 10 taps including a Battery Park collaboration brew that they will be launching at the event. Doors and taps open at 11:30 am, so better plan to get the day off work.

Big Spruce Brewing is releasing its Ra Ra Rasputin on Saturday with two events at Stillwell and Battery Park. There is going to be casks and different versions of the beer. It is also Big Spruces 4th Anniversary.

Granite Brewery has brought back their India Pale Ale for the spring. It is golden British style IPA, dry hopped with Fuggle hops (5.4% ABV). It can be purchased in 1L or 2L growlers at the beer store on Stairs Street.

Sober Island Brewing got their first brew in and was a brand new beer. They made a Blonde Ale, watch for details soon.  

Tatamagouche Brewing released the Tweed Wolf Brown IPA (7.1% ABV) at the brewery yesterday. 

Have a great week and I will be back next week.

NSLC Sees Large Influx of Local Craft Beer to Stores

(Halifax, NS) - The NSLC is excited about the development of the Nova Scotia craft beer industry and are preparing for a tidal wave of local beer hitting their shelves. By May they will have 42 Nova Scotia Craft Beer listings from 18 breweries in stores. Listings include many first time appearances including established brewers Big Spruce Brewing and North Brewing and many new brewers including Trider's Craft Beer, 2 Crows Brewing, and Downeast Beer Factory. The NSLC will also have Nova Scotia specific beer sections in stores. 
When the new listings are added Nova Scotia Craft Beer will constitute 19% of all NSLC beer listings. Currently local craft beer is 65% of their total craft beer sales and 3% of total beer sales overall. 
This move is great for all involved with local beer fans having greater access to regionally available brands, giving the brewers better access to consumers and the NSLC supporting and encouraging local brewers. 

Garrison Brewing launches Infusion Confusion Chamomile IPA

Photo by Jess Murray 

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing launched Infusion Confusion Chamomile IPA. This beer was the winner of last year’s Home Brew-Off and is in 650 ml bottles and clocks in at 6.3% ABV. Home Brew-Off winner “Mystical” Mark Power infuses dried chamomile flowers pre and post-boil along with Citra and Amarillo hops.
It will retail for $5.95 at the brewery and will follow at private stores and the NSLC shortly.

Nova Scotia Craft Brewers create Collaboration Ale

(Halifax, NS) - The Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia (CBANS) are going back to their Scottish roots with the brewing of Collaboration Ale. They say in regards to creating it "With so many great brewers and marketing minds involved, the deliberation was rigorous and an 80/- (eighty shilling) Scottish ale was the result". 
The ale is deep amber in colour brewed with Horton Ridge Malt and Grain Company pale malt and Scottish Ale yeast for a malty, spicy, complex character that comes in at 4.7 % ABV and 15 IBUs, 
Friday, March 31, starting at Noon, Good Robot Brewing will be hosting the release of the ale featuring the only kegs of Collaboration Ale as well as 48 cans of beer that will be given to the first 48 patrons. There will also be an announcement of Craft Beer Week events, Scotch hot dogs from T-DOGS, and attendance of some of your favourite brewers. 
The 3rd Annual Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week will be May 5-14 and proceeds from the beer go toward funding CBANS initiatives. 

MBR March 24, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition

Here is the beer news for the first week of Spring??

A reminder Upstreet Craft Brewing is releasing a new beer next week. Go Devil is an American IPA with a tempting hoppy flavour and a fun fresh finish. Weighs in 6.66% ABV and 43 IBU's.

Big Axe Brewery says the Maple sap is running and they are ready to make their annual Maple Amber. Enhanced and renamed to "Maple Stone Amber" brewed with 100% maple sap from Stone Family Maple Products of the historic Pokiok sugary. Watch for the release date. 

Graystone Brewing has a new pale ale for you all to try. Lost Pale is 4.9% ABV, 50 IBUs and hopped with Czech Saaz and Fuggles. This pale is a light easy drinking beer with some spicy notes from the saaz.

Hammond River Brewing introduced Mount Carleton Grapefruit IPA. The American IPA was brewed exclusively with Summit hops giving it wonderful citrus aromas of Orange, Tangerine and Grapefruit. Since Summit hops were used, and Mount Carleton is the highest Summit in the Maritimes, the name seemed fitting. Also added to this beer was lots of freshly zested Grapefruit peel. This IPA is 6.5% ABV, hopped to 60 IBUs, and will be at HRB tap accounts this week.

Loyalist City Brewing have released the second batch of their flagship beer, Lupulus Interruptus. They have refined their recipe to produce an even hoppier, crisp American style IPA. Hopped with as much Citra, Cascade, and Simcoe that they could fit in a batch. Limited release. 
They also have their first release for the spring season, Württemberg Weissbier. This classic German weissbier, or hefeweizen, is brewed with 100% German malt, hops, and yeast to create an authentic, refreshing, and flavourful ale.
Württemberg Weissbier is a medium bodied, highly carbonated, refreshing German mit hefe weissbier that has a sweet bread like flavour complimented by banana and clove flavours from our Bavarian yeast strain. German malted wheat and pilsner malt is mashed together in a traditional three-part step mash to produce a wort that promotes the development of the unique banana and clove flavours that complement the complex wheat body of the finished beer. The mash is done in soft water that replicates the water found in Pilsen, Germany to allow the natural flavour of the wheat to come through and be complimented by the subtle floral hop aroma.
The finished beer is gold in colour with a fine haze, and a pleasing banana-clove aroma that is complimented by moderate bready malt flavour from the German wheat and Pilsner malt. Named after Württemberg, Germany the historical German territory that was home to the majority of the German-Canadian settlers that helped to colonize the Atlantic Canadian provinces. Württemberg Weissbier is brewed according to the 500-year-old German traditions of the Reinheitsgebot, or German purity law, that shaped modern brewing techniques across the world.
Look for this to be hitting the taps soon with an early release Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub.

Slow news week, have a good week end and I will be back next week with the news. 

MBR March 24, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition

Boy I am glad I have beer given the "spring" weather we are getting. Here is the craft news for March 24th. 

Unfiltered Brewing says Riddle of Steel is back. This beer is a west-coast IPA made with Vermont Ale yeast and rings in at 7% ABV. 

Propeller Brewing launched Canada 150 Initiative: Brew Patriot Love yesterday. They are calling on brewers and breweries of every shape and size to join together as a community to mark Canada 150 through The Great Canadian Lager Challenge. They want them their best beer and release it on July 1, 2017. The more “Canadian” you can make it — the better. Beyond a Canada 150 toast on July 1, they’re inviting everyone to send a six-pack (or two) to the celebrity-judged “Great Canadian Lager Challenge”, held July 14th & 15th as part of Propeller Brewing Co’s 20th Anniversary celebration in Halifax, NS.
Awards & recognition will be given for
(1) Most Patriotic Canadian Beer; and
(2) Best use of local ingredients, icons and/or story.
More details can be found at WWW.BREWPATRIOTLOVE.CA

Next Friday, March 31 marks the release of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia Collaboration Ale, a beer brewed by the members of CBANS in an effort to show solidarity for their 3rd Annual Craft Beer Week. They are going back to their Scottish roots with a Scottish ale.  Collaboration Ale is deep amber in colour and exhibits rich, sweet caramel maltiness, a touch of fruit and a crisp, dry finish.  Coming in at 4.7 % ABV and 15 IBUs.  Best of all, proceeds from the beer go toward funding CBANS initiatives throughout 2017 and beyond.
Good Robot will be hosting a release party featuring the release of the only kegs of the Collaboration Ale, 48 cans of beer free to the first 48 patrons, announcement of Craft Beer Week events, a Scotch hot dog from T-DOGS, and attendance of some of your favourite brewers. Open at noon.

Good Robot Brewing is bringing back one of their favourite beers. Extra BIG-ASS Beer, Oktoberfest "Camacho" lager, this crisp yet rich and complex lager is ideal for the Halifax fringe season. It is 5.2% ABV and 24 IBUs. 

Garrison Brewing relaunched In Session ISA this week. The beer is at the brewery and will be launching at the NSLC in early April.
They also launched last year’s Home Brew Off winner Infusion Confusion Chamomile IPA. Winner “Mystical” Mark Power infuses dried chamomile flowers pre & post-boil with Citra and Amarillo hops to create this unique IPA. The 6.3% ABV beer will retail for $5.95 at the brewery and will follow at private stores and the NSLC shortly.

FirkinStein Brewing have signed a lease for space on King Street in Bridgewater for a retail store and small brew set-up. I will bring more details on the opening when I have them. 

Meander River Farm have released Barn Swallow Farmhouse Ale. It is 5.5% ABV and made with 100% Horton Ridge Malt and Grain Co. malt. It is golden in colour and true to the Belgian style, this brew has fruit and spice aromas and flavours, alongside a mild but present hop character. Fermented slower and longer, Barn Swallow is dry with an almost pilsner like crispness. 

North Brewing have a new beer, White Lightning version 2.0. This time around it is dry-hopped with Belma hops. It is available at their retail stores now. Also, Battery Park Beer Bar now has lunch by Ace Burger 7 Days a Week. 

Annapolis Cider Company has a new 'Something Different' and their retail location. Toasted Oak & Maple was crafted from their signature cool-fermented dry cider that was aged over French oak and balanced with juice from freshly-pressed Golden Russet and McIntosh apples, as well as a touch of valley-sourced maple syrup. The result is a 7.9% ABV sparkling cider that blends the subtle notes of toasted oak, caramel and vanilla with the flavour of tart apples and a hint maple on the finish. $0.50 from each refill will support Global Brigades. The Acadia University Chapter is a student lead, mobile health and dental initiative, providing annual mobile clinics in Honduras.

Have a great week end and I will be back next week. 

MBR March 17, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, hope you are all having a great day. Here is the last report of winter. 

PEI Brewing announced their new beer Patience, a limited edition Dry-Hopped Brett Saison, Launch and Tap Takeover at HopYard on March 25 from 4 PM until Midnight. In addition to the tap takeover there will be live entertainment and a few special dishes from HopYard's Chef Jane Crawford and MHG's Chef Adam Loo

Music Lineup
-Bridgette Blanchard 
-NUDIE 
-Dennis Ellsworth & Kinley Dowling
-Brett Gallant

Patience was brewed in late September to allow for long term aging on brettanomyes, to give enough time for the strain to develop its complex flavour and aroma. In addition, this beer is dryhopped with Mosaic and Citra at a rate of 2g/L to add additional complexity and fruitiness.

Upstreet Craft Brewing is having its Go Devil Release Party on March 30th. Go Devil is an American IPA with a tempting hoppy flavour and a fun fresh finish. 
The event lineup 
5-8pm - Music by Dave Woodside and Josh Carter
Come listen to the tunes of a couple of Joey's favourite local acts
8-9pm - Improv Comedy by Popalopalots
The Island's longest running Improv troupe will perform. Don't be surprised if they call on one or two people from the audience.
9-9:30pm - Speed Friending 
Get to know a few new faces in quick two-minute rounds of Speed Friending! We'll provide some conversation topics.
9:30-11pm - Karaoke

Big Axe Brewery announced Big Axe Craft Beer Festival coming July 15th. The tickets to the beer event are on sale now and feature 20+ of East Coast finest producers of craft alcohol with special brewery and cidery guests from Nova Scotia, PEI and Maine.
Thay are also released their Maple Bourbon Porter, The 5.4% ABV beer is made with local maple syrup from Dumfries Maples.

Distillerie Fils du Roy are launching a new beer on March 25. The new Brown Ale called Capt. Craig will be officially unveiled at the Soirée noir et blanc Richelieu in Bathurst. 
The back story from the brewery is "In the past, large vessels arrived from distant and unknown ports and entered the Bay of Chaleur to the most remote villages. When these vessels approached the coast, they brought their sails and picked a flag which meant that they needed an experienced pilot to help approaching the coast. At that time, there was no lights, no buoys, no aid to navigation and most importantly, no dock. Once the ship is firmly anchored in a safe place, they went in search of furs.
These Marauders liked the Aboriginal villages, because they knew that the inhabitants were vulnerable, easy to operate. Aboriginal people exchanged their valuable pelts against novelties and items without value. Among these pirates, the infamous captain Craig was certainly the best known. Legend has it that captain Craig entered at the beginning of the 19th century the waters of Chaleur Bay, he would have gone too far one day and would have kidnapped two young Aboriginal girl in nebulous drawings.
Released from their attackers, they returned to the shore but cast a spell to the ship which strayed from sides. Captain Craig and his crew perished struck by a suddenly dismantled sea. And since this tragedy, when the weather is similar to that of that fateful day, the boat of Captain Craig can be seen in the form of boat fire nicknamed the ship Phantom Ship!"

Flying Boats Brewing hosted Craig Pinhey to brew a hybrid Amber Ale with a Special (B) Belgian malt (raisin-like flavour characteristics) and NB grown Cascade hops to balance the raisin sweetness. They will launch at Saint John Beerfest on April 8th. and a few select pubs. Stay tuned.

Foghorn Brewing released Xylem Maple Rye Ale (5.7 ABV). It is what they came up with their friends at Briggs Maples.

Grimross Brewing released Dumfries Maples Brown Ale It has a slight roasty and sweet maple finish (5.5 ABV). They also released their new Scratch #3: Wakatu Dry Hopped Saison. This one is hopped with New Zealand Wakatu hops and Citra. This beer has a lot of citrus taste and checks in at 5.6%. Get them now at the brewery.

Picaroons Traditional Ales released just in time for St. Patrick's Day, introducing, The Leprechaunundrum. This new 1-off beer is a dark and bitter 6.5% ABV ale. Dry and full bodied, yet fruity due the generous amounts of Galaxy hops and of course our good ol' Ringwood yeast. It is now on tap at The Picaroons Roundhouse, The Brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John, and The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse. It may be on tap at some other locations around the maritimes in the coming days. While supplies last. 

Tide and Boar Brewing collaborated with Trites Maples to brew a special beer using their local maple syrup. Herbie Married a Trites Double Maple Stout is a sweet stout has an intense roasted flavor with rich maple syrup. Available now while supplies last- with another batch being released next week.

A lot of great things going on, have a great week. 

MBR March 17, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition

Happy Saint Paddy's day, here is the report for this week in Nova Scotia. 
Good Robot Brewing now has Red Moon Landing on tap. The beer was brewed by their Femme Staff. The beer was to be released last week for FemmeBot: Taproom Takeover event, but it wasn't quite ready. This fruity, strong, tropical beer is an homage to Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan—mathematicians responsible for critical calculations in launching NASA space missions.
Today marks the return of  Dave & Morley Coffee Brown. This version features Rwanda Kanzu coffee rather than Rwanda Gisuma for a chocolatey, woody, and bourbon-y character.
They also sent a little teaser. They've installed Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels to which the Tom Waits for No One (American Stout) and Mississippi Goddam (American barleywine) will be transferred. Watch here for details. 

Boxing Rock Brewing and rogue brewer Karen Allen and she came up with a terrific idea for a stout using a "secret" recipe.My Mate, Secret Recipe Stout is "a beautiful dry Stout that hits all the right notes: big, dark, roasty, malty, with just the right type of bitterness to balance out the big malt character, and then there's that je-ne-sais-quois character that makes it so mouth-fillingly chewy and big." This is all wrapped up in a beer with just 5.5% ABV.
Lastly the six finalists for the Black Box Challenge 2017 were picked. Final judging is at on Sunday afternoon at Stillwell. 

Roof Hound Brewing has an Irish Cream version of their Handsome Devil Coffee Milk Porter. Only one keg exists so get in and try it out. This one is jazzed up with almonds, vanilla bean and Irish whisky and is 7% ABV.

Schoolhouse Brewery had a successful first brew day at their new brewery. The Windsor location takes one more step toward opening. 

Spindrift Brewing has released Killick Session Lager in cans, that I mentioned last week, at the brewery. Look for them at NSLC soon. 

Tatamagouche Brewing is doing a tap take over tomorrow at La Torta Pizzeria in Wolfville on March 18th, starting at 2 PM. Twelve different taps, door prizes, live music and no cover charge.

Bulwark Ciders released The People’s Cider Project over the week end. As you may recall Bulwark encouraged folks from around the province to donate apples from their property toward a new Bulwark cider. The apples were pressed and fermented resulting in a rustic cider expressing true terroir, apple blossom aromas, pear, clover honey with a crisp, dry finish. This year’s People’s Cider is 7.8% ABV and will be available at private retailers and the NSLC's Port of Wines location.

Have a great week and what ever you do be safe and kind. 

Stillwell Brewing Company opening in Halifax

(Halifax, NS) - As a natural continuation of the beers Stillwell has brewed in other breweries Stillwell Brewing Company (SBC) is opening. Their space is in the warehouse at the back of Propeller Brewing on Gottingen Street. Focusing on patient oak fermentation they should be brewing within the next month, but will not have a release until later summer or early fall. 
Christopher Reynolds will be the brewer though he will share brewing duties with Kyle Jeppesen.
They are renting the use of Propeller's brewhouse and possibly a tank or two, they are a fully licensed and independent brewery.
Bottling will be the focus as SBC says "it is the best vessel for saison the same way a cask is the best vessel for an English mild". Draught produced will likely only be at Stillwell and Stillwell Beergarden with retail releases going to some shops across the land. Watch the progress by following them on instagram https://www.instagram.com/stillwellbrewing/

Valonray Farmhouse Brewery opening in Summer 2017

(MacDougall Settlement, NB) - Phil and Allison Fontaine are opening a nanobrewery in southeastern New Brunswick this summer. Valonray Farmhouse Brewery will initially have a small line-up of American style ales expanding to Belgian style barrel-aged ales within a few months. All ingredients used will be from local sources, with some ingredients grown directly on the premises. 
Their hopes is to become an authentic Belgian style, farmhouse brewery within the next few years expanding to barrel aged sour beers, such as lambics and gueuze style ales. 
Sales will initially concentrate on bottle distribution and the growler program through ANBL, with longer term plans of a tap room located on the premises with views of the hop fields opening in the summer of 2018.

Follow their progress on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Valonraybrewing/

MBR March 10, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition

It is good to be back after a mid winter rest. Here is the beer news. 

PEI Brewing released Big Don today. It is a limited edition Coffee Belgian Blonde, made with Receiver coffee that is 7.5% ABV. Big Don is locally roasted coffee that brings a new-world twist to an old-world favourite with their take on a Belgian Blonde Ale. The brewers worked with local coffee roasters, Receiver Coffee Company, in the selection of a bean variety and roast that accentuates the fruity and spicy aromas of this brew, while adding citrusy and chocolatey flavours to the finish.

Upstreet Craft Brewing is releasing Go Devil American IPA on March 30th. Upstreet says "An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, primed for a good time and a little mischief. Go Devil is an American IPA with a juicy tropical, piney and citrus punch. Using only a single malt gives the beer a dry finish that allows the hops to really shine. It's a perfect beer to dance with the devil on your shoulder, feed your fire and have some fun. 6.5% ABV 60 IBU's".
Upstreet also did a collaboration beer with Picaroons Traditional Ales. Rye'd On is the name of two imperial rye beers that Hogie (Upstreet) and Myles (Picaroons) worked on together. Both brews are heavy on the rye, but here's the twist: Hogie used a lager yeast while Myles used an ale yeast. They will be released on Saturday at the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival 2017, so come visit our booths and taste the difference. Then starting Monday March 13 they will  launching both bottled versions in both New Brunswick and PEI throughout ANBL and PEILCC. 

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Maple Cream Ale is back. It is brewed with 100% real Maple Syrup from Briggs Maples. It's now on tap at The Picaroons Roundhouse and The Picaroons Brewtique. Look for it on the shelves of your local ANBL. Limited release, get it while you can. 

Big Axe Brewery have brewed a new Maple Bourbon Porter aging on American Oak, partnering up with Dumfries Maple sugary just across the river as part of Tap Into NB project. Stay tuned for more details on when the porter will be ready.

Big Tide Brewing now on tap and available for growler fills..for a limited time Malobiannah Gruit. It is an ancient unhopped beer brewed with pilsener and honey malt, with lavender, sage, goldenrod and yarrow, and local maple syrup. This was brewed with Petit Sault and is a 4.6% ABV beer. It is also at the brewtique at Petit-Sault as well. 
Lastly at Petit-Sault has a collaboration with Foghorn Brewing Company. Épic Fumé is a Smoked Porter coming in at 5.7% ABV. 

Longtime Riverview brewer Celtic Knot Brewing says the time has come for expansion. They will be upsizing to to a 3.75 BBL brewery. They have a new space in Riverview and hopefully within two months it will be up and running. This expansion will also add growler fills for the company. 

Loyalist City Brewing released Black 47. a 4.7% ABV and  35 IBU, Irish coffee stout that will be out just in time for St. Patrick’s day. They say "Black 47 is a medium bodied, easy drinking, dry Irish style stout with a pronounced roasted flavor reminiscent of coffee and dark chocolate that compliments a moderate bitterness and a hint of sweetness on the finish". They also say "The finished beer is jet black in color and has a distinct coffee like aroma with undertones of dark chocolate that compliment a moderate hop bitterness and medium body." 

Maybee Brewing released a new DIPA. Look Off is a 9% ABV and 105 IBUs  beer hopped with Chinook and Amarillo. It is now available on tap by the glass and for growler fillsas well as cans.

Murchie's Microbrew released Summer Daze, a hoppy IPA made with Citra and Galaxy hops and grapefruit and lime peel in the secondary. A taste of summer available at Railcar Brewing.

Trailway Brewing released Maple Drip today. This is an imperial maple stout coming it at 9% ABV. After primary fermentation we re-fermented around 60 litres of maple from Briggs Maples on a small amount of bourbon soaked oak chips. They also released Green Island, it is a "juicy" 6% ABV New England IPA hopped with Idaho 7, Cashmere and El Dorado.

A group of Moncton area craft producers have announced the formation of the Moncton Craft Brewers Collective. This collective is made up of :
Acadie-Broue
Beckwith Road Brewing 
Bore City Brewing
Celtic Knot Brewing 
Flying Boats Brewing 
Pump House Brewing
Scow Cider by Belliveau Orchard
Tide & Boar Brewing 

As a collective, it’s their mission is to create a thriving local CRAFT beer and cider community. They say "We believe that a rising tide raises all ships and by working together, we can help foster an even greater support for local products".
Look for a lot more from them in 2017. 

Phil and Allison Fontaine are opening a nanobrewery in southeastern New Brunswick this summer. Valonray Farmhouse Brewery will be opening in MacDougall Settlement northeast of Moncton . A small line-up of American style ales will be produced at launch and aim to offer Belgian style barrel-aged ales within a few months of operation. All ingredients used will be from local sources, with some ingredients grown directly on the premises. Their goal is to become an authentic Belgian style, farmhouse brewery within the next few years. Sales will concentrate on bottle distribution and the growler program through ANBL, with a tap room located on the premises with views of the hop fields opening summer 2018.

Lots of great news, thanks for checking in and I will be back next week. 

2017 Down East Brewing Awards Winners Announced

(Fredericton, NB) - 2017 Down East Brewing Awards winners were announced today as part of the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival. The complete list of winners are : 

1 - Lager
Gold: Grimross Brewing Company - Scratch #1: German Lager
Silver: Spindrift Brewing Company - Abyss Schwarzbier
Bronze: Spindrift Brewing Company - Coastal Lager

2 - Wheat Beer
Gold: Saltbox Brewing Company - Dynamite Trail

3 - English Ale
Gold: Bogtrotter - Angry Otter Pub Ale
Silver: Think Brewing Company - Eureka ESB
Bronze: Graystone Brewing - Bushwhack Bitter

4 - Amber/Brown/Red Ale
Gold: Off-Grid Ales - Campfire Red
Silver: Bogtrotter - Half Cracked Nut Brown Ale
Bronze: Garrison Brewing Company - Irish Red Ale

5 - Porter/Stout
Gold: Trailway Brewing Company - Rascal
Silver: Nine Locks Brewing Company - Double Chocolate Stout
Bronze: Maybee Brewing Company - Elevensies Espresso Stout

6 - Pale Ale
Gold: Trailway Brewing Company - Luster
Silver: Boxing Rock Brewing - Henry's Cream Ale
Bronze: Loyalist City Brewing Company - Three Sisters Pale Ale

7 - India Pale Ale
Gold: Tatamagouche Brewing Company - Mrs. Magouche
Silver: Garrison Brewing Company - Hoppy Buoy
Bronze: Port Rexton Brewing Company - Horse Chops

8 - Double IPA/Specialty IPA
Gold: Trailway Brewing Company - Black Hops
Silver: Garrison Brewing Company - Code Name: Juicy 2
Bronze: Nine Locks Brewing Company - Fathom

9 - Belgian Ale
Gold: Grimross Brewing Company - Cheval D'or
Silver: 2 Crows Brewing - Innisfree
Bronze: Grimross Brewing Company - Petit Grim

10 - Fruit/Spiced Beer
Gold: Big Tide Brewing Company - Chocolate Amaretto Porter
Silver: Garrison Brewing Company - Winter Warmer

11 - Sour/Wild Beer
Gold: Tide & Boar Brewing - Sour Otis Grapefruit
Silver: Boxing Rock Brewing Company - Over the Top! Sour Cranberry Wheat

12 - Strong Ale/Lager
Gold: Pump House Brewery - Barley Wine
Silver: Propeller Brewing Company - Revolution Russian Imperial Stout
Bronze: Boxing Rock Brewing Company - Stayin' Alive Bock

13 - Experimental Beer
Gold: Spindrift Brewing Company - Abyss Barrel o' Cherries
Silver: Boxing Rock Brewing Company - U889 Russian Imperial Stout
Bronze: Garrison Brewing Company - Barrel-aged To Prussia With Love

Trailway Brewing took home two additional pieces of hardware by also winning the Best in Show for their Black Hops as well as 2017 McInnes Cooper Brewer of the year. 

The organizers noted that Petit Sault entered, but DEBA lost their beer so they weren't in the competition.  They also admitted resposibility and apologized to Petit-Sault for their error.

Congrats to all the winners. 

MBR March 10, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition

After a long absence I am back, local brewers have been very busy. 

Boxing Rock Brewing released Stayin' Alive Bock . It is a traditional lager style packed with great malty bready flavours and a terrific mild hop flavour from old-world noble hops. They think they've got a winner and it is 6.8% ABV. 

Garrison Brewing was one of twelve breweries from across the country thet teamed up to make  a collaboration mix-pack for Canada's 150th this year. The brewer line up is Red Racer Brewing,  Last Best Brewing & Distilling, Black Bridge Brewery, Beau's All Natural Brewing, Micro-brasserie Le Trou du diable, Yukon Brewing, NWT Brewing Company, Picaroons Traditional Ales, PEI Brewing Company, Quidi Vidi Brewing, Half Pints Brewing and of course Garrison. Watch out for it on store shelves in May, with special east and west coast 6 packs in select provinces and territories.
They also released DIPA TEST BATCH, CODE NAME: JUICY 2, available now at the brewery.

Lunn's Mill Beer is now Nova Scotia's newest brewery. They opened last week at 515 Carleton Rd in Lawrencetown. They opened with four beers:

Charming Molly - Blonde Ale

Brickyard Red - Red Ale

Lunn's Pub Ale - English Ale

XPA #1 - IPA
Check out their hours on facebook.

Nine Locks Brewing says their Fathom DIPA was super well received and have run out. Look for its return next week.
They have a new beer out too, Vanilla Porter. The smooth, round, full-bodied porter has 3 vanilla additions to produce a massive vanilla aroma. The body exhibits the traditional roasted malt qualities of a great porter with a full palate and dark chocolate notes. The finish is long and dry with a lingering vanilla character. It is a 5% ABV beer.

North Brewing have released Doki Doki Dubbel, a black cherry dubbel. They say "When we think double cherry our minds go to Super Mario 2 (a re-skinning of the Japanese classic Doki Doki Panic). And just like in the game if you down 5 of these there is a good chance you will see an all powerful star man rising up from the ground*." The 7.4% has cherry upfront, raisin and dark fruit. Subtle spice on the finish. Available in growlers now.

Saltbox Brewery is releasing Doppel Bock 1753, “The Winter Beer of Lunenburg County” today. They say it was originally brewed by monks to carry them through the Lenten season.

Spindrift Brewing has three new beers arriving in cans soon. Killick Session Lager and Blueberry Chai Pils will be coming in early spring and Blood Orange India Pale Lager in early summer. More details on releases as I get them. 

Unfiltered Brewing has been busy.
They released Commissar Russian Imperial Stout that was conditioned on oak for 20+ weeks and fortified with JD Shore Black Rum from Halifax Distilling. It is a health 11.6% ABV. 

Next up is Fist of God brewed in conjunction with and for the launch of the feature length sport comedy film - GOON: Last Of The Enforcers which hits the big screen on March 17th across Canada It is Northeast-style that is 8% ABV and described as an oily, juicy, fruity DIPA.

Lastly Double Orange Ale is back today at noon. My favourite beer from Unfiltered is 7.5% Citra SMaSH DIPA.

Thanks for checking out the blog again this week.