Saturday, April 29, 2017

MBR April 28, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Loads of news this week in the area for the last week of April.

Red Rover Craft Cider released Blossom Cider. They partnered with a Fredericton based music and art festival called Flourish Fest and developed this cider as an exclusive for venues in the area. The semi-dry cider is 7% ABV and has the tasting notes of Hibiscus with lots of tropical fruit with a hint of coconut on the finish. It will be available at the Ciderhouse, Graystone, Capital Complex and various venues in Fredericton. Red Rover says to watch Stillwells in Halifax as a few kegs were shipped there. 
Their Summer Cider was awarded a gold medal for best in class (Modern Dry) at Great Lakes International Cider and Perry (Glintcap) . Their Barrel Reserve #2 also was awarded a second place in its class (Specialty). A big congratulations. 

Battery Park Beer Bar is hosting a tap takeover of Upstreet Craft Brewing on Thursday May 4th. Watch the tap reveals on social media and taps start flowing at 11:30. 

Graystone Brewing teamed up with Foghorn Brewing to create The Roxie collaboration. It is an American Wheat Ale that is 4.5% ABV and 35 IBU and is now o tap at both locations.

Grimross Brewing released its Scratch #4 beer. It is a Vienna Lager and is now on tap at the brewery. This is their second attempt at a Lager style beer. Grimross says this beauty checks in at 5.1% ABV and has a nice light malty taste.

Johnny Jacks Brewery released Smokin' Amber and its bottles hit the shelves this week at Oromocto ANBL.

Railcar Brewing has closed for renovations until further notice. The reason for this is they are moving to their own building in the old Pharmasave building at  694 Perth Main Street. Stay tuned for more details and opening information. 

Trail Way Brewing have released their summer seasonal Patio. Trail Way says "Patio offers up all the best attributes of German pilsner and malted wheat, while being balanced by the freshest citra hops we could find. A completely crushable, dry, balanced, flavourful American Wheat beer." 

Dieppe's first nanobrewery will be opening this fall. Serge Nadeau and Serge Basque will be opening Cavok Brewing. More details soon. 

Murphy Hospitality Group is opening its third Gahan House Restaurant and Brewery in September on Prince William Street. It will feature a 120 seat dining room, 30 seat seasonal outdoor patio and 7 barrel DME brewing system. The restaurant will also feature an oyster bar with a variety of fresh, local oysters, and a retail shop. Rumour is it is at the old Jungle Jim's locations at 87 Prince William. 

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

Friday, April 28, 2017

MBR April 28, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


Lots happening in the Nova Scotia beer world as we wind April 2017. 

Good Robot Brewing will have its Beta brew release on Sunday, April 30th for 'A Night at the Hog's Head'. Butterbeer uses a "buttload" of lactose as well as wheat malt and has a full-bodied, creamy Scottish ale with Saaz and Tettnang hops, honey malt, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla extract. They also tell me Tom Waits for No One Stout is back on tap. 

Big Spruce Brewing released its Tim's Dirty American IPA in cans have hit the shelves at the brewery and Bishops. Should be in the NSLCs top stores soon.


Boxing Rock Brewing has announced a new collaboration beer created with Finest Kind Food food trailer that will be at the brewery over the summer. Finest Kind Pale Ale is 5.3% ABV and 35 IBU beer that will be launching at Boxing Rock on May 6th. Finest Kind Pale Ale is available now in 650 ml bottles at the brewery, and in growlers at the Seaport and Alderney Farmers Markets.
They are also releasing Dark as Keji Black IPA soon. There are no release details for the 6.5% beer at the moment but I will get them to you soon.

Meander River Farm and Brewery released its first new beer in a while. Double IPA is 8% ABV and uses 100% Citra hops. Available at the brewery!

Schoolhouse Brewery throws open the doors to their new facility starting on Saturday. Drop by and see their new spot at 40 Water Street in Windsor.

Uncle Leo's Brewery has revealed its schedule for releases at the NSLC. Their IPA, Sunburst and Ceilidh Ale will be in the NSLC next month. In the Fall the Ceilidh will be replaced with the Altbier and with the Smoked Porter in the Winter.

Tidehouse Brewing has Red Right Return Red IPA on tap today.It is a 6% darker coloured IPA with Falconer's Flight and Cascade hops. 

As I mentioned Wayfarers' Ale Society have three of their beers in cans. Hellene and One-Eyed River Hog and have started have hit the shelves at Bishops Cellar.

Malagash Cidery has its first two ciders out. One is called Beehaven, it is a dry cider that has been infused with a bit of honey after fermentation, it has a bit of a sweetness due to the honey. It is 7% ABV and is in a 750 ml bottle and is $14 (includes the $2 deposit).  They also have a brute which is a dry cider and is also 7% ABV and $13 including the deposit.  After next week they will have Heritage blend ready. This is the sweeter cider which is 5.5% ABV and will run $12 including the deposit. All of the ciders have over 20 varieities of apples and no added refined sugars.  You can get them at Vista Bella Farm  now but they can only accept cash for now. They will also be selling at Tatamagouche Brewing tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. 

Battery Park Beer Bar is hosting Upstreet Craft Brewing from PEI for a tap takeover next Thursday, May 4th. Watch for the reveals over the coming week and beer will start following at 11:30 AM.

On May 4th-7th at Jamieson's Irish Pub will be having a Cape Breton tap takeover with Big Spruce Brewing and Breton Brewing. Go see the best of what Cape Breton has to offer with a special black and tan draft using Big Spruce Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout and Breton Brewing Stirling Hefeweizen.

May is going to be a huge month for craft beer in Nova Scotia so rest up. 

Saturday, April 22, 2017

New brewery opening in Elmsdale NS


(Elmsdale, NS) - Chill Street Fresh Beer and Cider Market announced they are opening in in June. The brewery will have four 10 BBL SmartBrew tanks and will be a store within a store open inside Sobey's at the Elmsdale Shopping Centre. President Barry MacLeod said he wanted to bring the brewery to the traffic as opposed to trying to bring traffic to a brewery by opening the first brewery inside a grocery store in Canada.
Chill Street aims to offer more that beer and cider offering education, pairing information and beer related merchandise. The core offerings planned are Blueberry Wheat, Pilsner, Pale Ale, Honey Brown Ale, White IPA and an Apple Cider. There will also be several seasonal offerings through the year. 
The store will have access from inside Sobeys as well as its own exterior entrance for patrons to exchange or refill 1litre grunters and 1.89 litre growlers or grab a cans or a crowler. 
I asked President Barry MacLeod why the name and his reply was Chill Street is about recognizing what is important, hanging with friends and family, slowing down and relaxing. 
Watch for reveals on their Facebook page on updates and branding. 



Garrison Brewing Releases Mon Cerise Collaboration Beer

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released Mon Cerise on Friday. It is a colossal collaboration bringing together the old guard and new blood of HRM’s craft brewing scene. Garrison, Good Robot, North and Spindrift collaborated and brewed this Cherry Belgian Lager as part of Garrison’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.  Aged on sour cherries, this highly effervescent, reddish-amber Belgian lager has a ton of complexity.  It has a slightly tart, mellow cherry aroma, but sweet maltiness from Munich and Crystal additions.  Clean and crisp, with tart cherry flavour layered over sweet malt character.  It is draft only at the Garrison retail location for samples and growler fills, Spindrift, Good Robot and Battery Park. It is a 5.4% ABV and 12 IBU beer.

MBR April 21, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Happy Earth Day, here is the beer news for this week 

Johnny Jacks Brewery have released Viking Ale in a bottle conditioned version. That means it is unpasteurized and not artificially carbonated, a natural live product which contains yeast for a slow secondary fermentation in the bottle. This process provides a wonderful fresh flavours and a pleasant, natural effervescence. 

Mama's Brew Pub have released Great White Ale. Described as a super creamy wheat beer has tons of citrusy notes with just a hint of coriander. Available now. 

Picaroons is launching this years Dooryard Summer Wheat Ale on Saturday April 22, Earth Day, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. The beer is sporting a new label this year and launch will be in Picaroons' new events space at the brewery on Union Street. They will also have Dooryard available to sample and/or purchase for $5 for a 16 oz pint.
The new label was illustrated by Lise Hansen from Bonfire Stories, the image is inspired by an actual photo they found at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (*Credit line: George Taylor fond P5-479). Simply entitled “Musicians on a raft, playing banjos on the river above Fredericton”, the photo was almost definitely taken in the 1890s. 
The beer will continue to be made with organic malts and hops but will no longer be certified as being organic due to rising costs and requirements to be certified. 

The Pump House Brewery have released their sticky beer. Albert County Maple Ale is a malty amber ale with a twist - it's brewed with fenugreek and locally produced dark maple syrup, lending it a pleasant complexity with hints of maple to the brew. It has a soft mouthfeel with a smooth, clean finish. The beer is 5.0% ABV.

Savoie's Brewhouse announced Herons Nest Honey Brown will be rebranded as Herons Nest Honey Porter within the next several months but the recipe itself has already moved in that direction. The Reason being, they will be coming out with Savoie's Nut Brown Ale for an Acadian project with Fils du Roy and several other breweries. Savoies Nut Brown Ale will be their brown moving forward.

Trail Way Brewing brought out their seasonal Dunder, their Aussie-hopped pale ale. They say this brew is ultra-tropical - think tropical fruit, banana, bubble-gum. They say it was a small batch and so unfortunately distribution will be limited. Find it while you can for this batch. 

The Moncton Craft Brewers Collective Tap Take over is Saturday at the Tide and Boar Gastropub. There will be offering Flights so you can try as many was as possible. Acadie-Broue, Verger Belliveau Orchard, Beckwith Road Brewing, Celtic Knot Brewing, Bore City Brewing, Flying Boats Brewing, The Pump House Brewery and Tide and Boar will all have beer on tap.

That is all for now, have a great week. 

Friday, April 21, 2017

MBR April 21, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


For the maritimes it seems like spring forgot us but Earth Day is tomorrow and it is a very busy beer news week. 

Garrison Brewing released their Sugar Moon Maple for the season. This beer is brewed with Nova Scotia maple sap from Sugar Moon Farm. Dark-amber colour with a clear maple aroma and toasty, caramel and maple flavours. The term Sugar Moon was originally coined by Native Americans for the sugaring season. The beer is 6.3% ABV and 17 IBUs and is available at the brewery and NSLC stores in 650 ml bottles for $5.95
They also have Mon Cerise out today. It is a colossal collaboration bringing together the old guard and new blood of HRM’s craft brewing scene. Garrison, Good Robot, North and Spindrift collaborated and brewed this Cherry Belgian Lager as part of Garrison’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.  Aged on sour cherries, this highly effervescent, reddish-amber Belgian lager has a ton of complexity.  It has a slightly tart, mellow cherry aroma, but sweet maltiness from Munich and Crystal additions.  Clean and crisp, with tart cherry flavour layered over sweet malt character.  It is draft only at the Garrison retail location for samples and growler fills, Spindrift, Good Robot and Battery Park. It is a 5.4% ABV and 12 IBU beer. 

Unfiltered Brewing has brought back two of their most popular beers. Front Line Rocker described as massively juicy and mind-shatteringly hoppy and sStill their fastest-selling beer (8% ABV 100+ IBU). Also in time for summer Daytimer, the kettle-soured Berliner Weisse, dry-hopped with Mosaic for a blast of tropical goodness (3.4% ABV).

Good Robot Brewing says Day of Beer and Vinyl (National Vinyl Day) will see the release of their five-month-aged barleywine, Mississippi Goddam. It's a dark, rich, vinous, with a super caramel-fruitcake nose to it, at 12% ABV.
Work With Whatcha Got Gruit Earth Day Ale is coming out on Sunday, April 23rd, made with all-organic Horton Ridge grain (both summer and winter malts) all-NS hops from Fundy Hops (Chinook and Centennial), maple sap, maple buds, and toasted yellow and paper birch from Erica's neck of the woods off the St. Margaret's Bay Road.

Heritage Brewing now officially own the building at 19 Kirk Street in Yarmouth. They say "In 6-8 weeks we should have all renovations completed and, with luck on our side, be selling beer". 

Schoolhouse Brewing will be officially opening its new larger facility in downtown Windsor on April 29th. This will be the start of regular retail hours at the 40 Water Street that will house the 10 BBL brewhouse, retail space as well as a taproom. Future plans include serving full pints, once they have a beverage permit, that will include six Schoolhouse taps and three other taps from Nova Scotia breweries for onsite consumption as well as bands and vinyl nights at the brewery.

Tatamagouche Brewing have Russian Imperial Stout back on the shelves. It is their gold medal winner at the Canadian Brewing Awards last year.

Tidehouse Brewing released a new beer today that they're calling "Oat 'n a boat". Oat 'n a boat is a super crushable (cool guy talk for easy drinking) light bodied Jarrylo APA. They say the  5.5% ABV beer is "Crisp, with subtle notes of banana, pear and fruity spice".

Uncle Leo's Brewery have renamed Winterschlaf to Ceilidh Ale and released it in cans. Uncle Leo's is slowly changing over to canning from bottles. 

Wayfarers' Ale Society are going to offer three of their beers in cans designed by us with the help of a local Horton High School artist Brianna Darton. Look for Ruby Ale, Hellene and One-Eyed River Hog in cans coming soon.

Another new brewery is getting ready to open in Elmsdale this summer. Chill Street Fresh Beer and Cider Market is hoping to open in June in their own spot but inside Sobey's. They will be a welcome addition to Hants County, look for details on their brewery to start being released immediately. 

2 Crows Brewing has a couple of events coming up this week end. Tonight is a Tap Takeover at The Stubborn Goat GastropubLook for 8-10 beers on tap, beer sampling with special pricing on beer flights. 
Brewer's Brunch with 2 Crows Brewing also at The Stubborn Goat Gastropub on Saturday. It is a ticketed event that includes four 12 oz Beers from 2 Crows as well as four food pairings (with dessert!). Tickets are $39.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Argyler Lodge is hosting Brewer's Kitchen Party with Boxing Rock tomorrow in Argyle NS. It is a four course meal, each course paired with a beer from Boxing Rock and entertainment by Aldric Robicheau. This one will run you $45 per person. 

The Grand Banker Bar & Grill is hosting Winemaker Vs. Brewmaster V on April 29th. It is a taste-off between Hanspeter Stutz, of Grand Pré Wines and Emily Tipton of Boxing Rock Brewing, who will each receive Grand Bankers culinary team's five course menu in advance, with the mission to put their best pairing forward for each course and present them to diners.It is beer vs. wine and you are the judge. Vote with a beer cap or a wine cork after each pairing. It includes five wines, five brews, and five courses. $95 + tax & gratuity. 

Lastly, our favourite craft beer bar Stillwell has a tap takeover from Danish gypsy brewery To Øl Beer tomorrow from Noon to the kegs blow.

Have a fantastic week end and week and i will be back next week. 

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Picaroons launches Dooryard Ale for 2017

(Fredericton, NB) - Picaroons is launching this years Dooryard Summer Wheat Ale on Saturday April 22, Earth Day, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. The beer is sporting a new label this year and launch will be in Picaroons' new events space at the brewery on Union Street.
They’ll have some local snacks provided by Locavore Foods, they’ll have some washer toss, Urban Teaching Farm Project ,The Ville Cooperatives Community Gardening Initiatives as well as spinning records, Picaroons will also have Dooryard available to sample and/or purchase for $5 for a 16 oz pint.
The new label was illustrated by Lise Hansen from Bonfire Stories, the image is inspired by an actual photo they found at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (*Credit line: George Taylor fond P5-479). Simply entitled “Musicians on a raft, playing banjos on the river above Fredericton”, the photo was almost definitely taken in the 1890s. 
The beer will continue to be made with organic malts and hops but will no longer be certified as being organic due to rising costs and requirements to be certified. 

Schoolhouse Brewing opening new Brewery


(Windsor, NS) - After years of operating in Falmouth Schoolhouse Brewing will be opening its new larger facility in downtown Windsor on April 29th. This will be the start of regular retail hours at the 40 Water Street that will house the 10 BBL brewhouse, retail space as well as a taproom. They have also teamed up with Bullfrog Power to support clean, green and renewable electricity.

You can bring your own or grab a pre-filled growlers at the brewery or they will fill any clean growler (22, 32, or 64 oz or 0.65, 950 or 1.89 litre). On tap will be four ounce samples of the first draughts brewed on site of Principal Ale, Chequers Ale and Scotian Export. In addition they will  also have bomber bottles of all the first draughts and Big Red Schoolhouse.
Future plans include serving full pints, once they have a beverage permit, that will include six Schoolhouse taps and three other taps from Nova Scotia breweries for onsite consumption as well as bands and vinyl nights at the brewery.

The opening hours are:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 3.20 - 8
Wednesday - 3.20 - 8
Thursday - 3.20 - 8
Friday - 3.20 - 8
Saturday 11 - 8
Sunday 11 - 8

Saturday, April 15, 2017

MBR April 14, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Hope everyone is well stocked up for the long week end, it is a very slow news week but understandable given the large amount of releases as of late and of course the weed end.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault released John Glazier SMaSH (single malt and single hop) , which means one variety of malt from MaltBroue and one variety of hop from Aroostook Hops. Now available on tap at the brewtique.

Foghorn Brewing released Skeeter, an Imperial Amber Ale that comes in at 5.7% and 40 IBUs. They say it is Malt-forward with a nice bitter streak. Available now.

The Moncton Craft Brewers Collective will be taking over the Tide & Boar Gastropub on April 22nd. Only Beer From the Collective will be on tap, brewers will be hanging out at the bar will be pouring flights of beer.

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

Thursday, April 13, 2017

MBR April 13, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


Welcome to the April 13th edition of the Maritime Beer report Nova Scotia edition. Spring is here, the Leafs are in the playoffs and all is right in the world. 

Schoolhouse Brewery is having a soft opening on April 26 and 27 from 7 PM to 9 PM with regular hours starting on the 29th.Regular hours are 11-8 week ends and 3.20 (when school is out) to 8 PM week daysfor retail. There will be a Facebook event posted next week. Regular hours would be 3.20 (when school is out) to 8 . The tap room, once open will increase the open hours.

2 Crows Brewing has a tap takeover on today at Battery Park Beer Bar. Here is the full tap list that ncludes four beers that will be released for the very first time at the event. 
1. Pollyanna - Wild NE IPA
2. Liesse - Table Beer
3. Pecadillo - Oat Pilsner
4. Innisfree - Rustic Saison
5. Midnight Mood - American Dry-Hopped Porter
6. Fantacity - Witbier
7. Lil' Miguel - Aztec Milk Stout
8. Linnea - Finnish Imperial Stout
9. Neon Nights - Strong Brett Beer with Burnt Citrus
10. Shakedown - Brett Porter
11. Crosswired - Wine Yeast + Wild Yeast Pale Ale
12. Smackwater Jack - Quince Farmhouse Ale
13. Parklife - Double White IPA with Brett - Brewed in Collaboration with Battery Park
14. CASK - Smooth Sailing - Azacca and Belma American Pale Ale

Good Robot Brewing is releasing a beer to celebrate Earth Day next week end. the gruit ale (Work With Whatcha Got Gruit) featuring only organic grain (both summer and winter pale 2 row from Horton Ridge Malt & Grain) only NS hops (Fundy Hops centennial and chinook) along with red maple sap and buds, white and yellow birch bark (toasted and toasted), harvested by Erica Fraser in the patch of woods by her house. To be released Sunday April 23d at noon for their Earth Day Hangover event. (They have a Beer & Vinyl event on actual Earth Day). Also with heather tips, but they came from Scotland and in a package, which Erica says is less interesting.
Erica says she will "likely only be doing beta brews that feature locally harvested or cultivated ingredients from here on in, so you can expect them to get more and more strange, and hopefully delicious."
GRBco also has Goseface Killah and Leave Me Blue are back on tap.

After about two years of brewing at Nook and Cranny Brew Pub management has decided to expand their brewing capacity and are introducing Salty Dog Brewing Company brand. The brewing for Salty Dog will remain in the Nook and Cranny using a SmartBrew System comprised of four 5 BBL fermenters and when the new company opens next door at 615 Prince Street in late May they will also have tasting room, retail space as well as growler fill ups. Owner Derek Forsyth says it will be the "same great beer, new name – and lots of new flavour experiences coming your way".
Expect to see the Salty Dog brand to be available on May 15th at the Nook and Cranny and BellyUp BBQ & Grill and a few select Truro establishments will have the beer on tap around the end of May or the first of June.
Look for them to brew Pale Ale, Blueberry Wheat, IPA, Vanilla Porter, White IPA, Coffee Stout, Black IPA, Session Ale and a Cider. The first three beers on the list will be available in 473 ml cans as well as on tap and available for growler fills on June 1st.

North Brewing Company released Malternate Reality today. A multigrain IPA brewed with spelt, wheat and oats. Dry hopped with Azacca, Belma and Columbus. Full bodied, with notes of juicy peach, pineapple and passion fruit. It is available in both both shops now. 

Sea Level Brewing released its seasonal Acadian Cross Extra Pale Ale, 5.5% ABV. The beer is to commemorate expulsion of more than 2,000 Acadians from Grand-Pré in 1755. 

Trider's Craft Beer has been very busy of late and released White Ogre as they say "for all you Hop lovers asking for an IPA" This White IPA is a cloudy wheat beer with nice citrus flavours, coriander, and "hops hops hops". It is a one time brew so get it while it's here in 500ml stubbies and Growler fills.

Wayfarers' Ale Society has a couple of new beers out. The River Piglet is a 4.8% ABV and 28 IBUs pale ale that has a full aroma but less bitter IPA and the Sassy Ginger which is a light beer with a bite and ginger follow through taste. Get them at the brewery now. 

Have a great long week end and see you next week. 

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Salty Dog Brewing Opening in Truro

(Truro, NS) - After about two years of brewing at Nook and Cranny Brew Pub management has decided to expand their brewing capacity and are introducing Salty Dog Brewing Company brand. The brewing for Salty Dog will remain in the Nook and Cranny using a SmartBrew System comprised of four 5 BBL fermenters and when the new company opens next door at 615 Prince Street in late May they will also have tasting room, retail space as well as growler fill ups. Owner Derek Forsyth says it will be the "same great beer, new name – and lots of new flavour experiences coming your way".

Expect to see the Salty Dog brand to be available on May 15th at the Nook and Cranny and BellyUp BBQ & Grill and a few select Truro establishments will have the beer on tap around the end of May or the first of June.

Look for them to brew Pale Ale, Blueberry Wheat, IPA, Vanilla Porter, White IPA, Coffee Stout, Black IPA, Session Ale and a Cider. The first three beers on the list will be available in 473 ml cans as well as on tap and available for growler fills on June 1st.


Friday, April 7, 2017

MBR April 7, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Happy April everyone, although the nice weather hasn't quite found us yet the beer producers are very busy. 

Bagtown Brewing After a successful soft launch on April 1st they are having a Launch Event Saturday on April 8th from 8 to 10 PM.
The whole team will be at  Ducky's pub to celebrate their official launch party with some great beer and live music. The doors will be open to the ticket holders from 8 PM with the doors opening to the general public at 9 PM. Tickets are expected to go fast so buy them as soon as you can.

Red Rover Craft Cider has a new cider they will be releasing next week. Orchard Reserve 2016 is a English Extra Dry cider that is a warming 7.2% ABV. Red Rover carefully chose the best apples NB has to offer for this craft cider. A slow fermentation followed by ageing for six months enhances the subtle spice and delicate honey notes of their favorite heritage Russet and Crab apples. A total of 400 bottles were produced and will be sold only at their Ciderhouse and Farmers Markets for $16.50.

Big Tide Brewing says they will be bringing some really special beer for this year's Saint John Beerfest. They will have their Down East Brewing Awards Gold Medal winning Chocolate Amaretto Porter, their collaboration with Petit Sault Malobiannah Gruit, and Crystal One-fifTEA, brewed especially for the event. This 5.9% ABV light golden, refreshing, crisp and citrusy ale was brewed with pilsener and wheat malts in the grist. An incredibly smooth bitterness and flavour comes from the kettle addition of Saint John’s very own King Cole Tea (celebrating 150 years), complimented with the delicate and citrusy flavour from bergamot and marigold in Earl Grey. They worked with Darlings Island Farm on the test batch to determine the best hops to enhance the floral and citrusy flavours from the tea, and 12 IBUs come from late editions of mild, herbal Saazer and wonderfully aromatic Crystal hops.

Flying Boats Brewing launched Stagecoach Amber Ale this week. It is named after the early pioneering stagecoach transportation services linking southern NB towns and villages. This beer will be launched at the Saint John Beerfest this Saturday April 8th but will also be available at the Saint John Ale House, Britt's Pub and Eatery, as well as the Barrel's Head in Rothesay. Kegs are also destined for the James Joyce Pub and Graystone Brewing in Fredericton, and Ducky's Pub in Sackville. A collaboration brew with Craig Pinhey, this Amber Ale imparts a heavy caramel flavor together with a unique raisin-like characteristic and bittered with NB grown Cascade hops and is 5.5% and 29 IBUs.

Graystone Brewing is donating $1 from every sale of Ridgeback IPA in the taphouse and at The Capital Complex to their neighbours The Royal Canadian Legion leading up to the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.
They also have a new beer, Alpen IPL. It is an amber India Pale Lager with ample bitterness and a clean, soft mouthfeel that weighs in at 6% ABV and 70 IBUs.

Loyalist City Brewing says that after some great feedback from their local beer drinkers, and new inventory, they have made some adjustments to their hop series base recipe. They were finally able to line up a reliable supply of the infamous “Vermont” yeast strain, and will now be using it to ferment all their hop series beer. The Vermont strain produces a fruity ester profile reminiscent of peaches and light citrus that complements the hop profile in American and New World IPAs nicely. However, what this strain is undoubtedly best known for is the resulting cloudiness in the beer that follows when hops are added during primary fermentation resulting in the classic New England IPA appearance. They have also bumped up the alcohol content and hopping rates in their hop series to produce a beer with more body and increased hop flavor and aroma.
First up in the revised Hop Series is Summer, an Australian hop produced from the Saaz lineage. Summer is a distinct hop used primarily for its balanced citrus and stone fruit flavor and aroma. When used for dry hopping, the finished beer has pleasant apricot and melon notes. Summer’s flavor and aroma profile are complimented nicely by the esters produced from the Vermont strain to result in an easy drinking and unique New England IPA with 5.5% ABV and 65IBUs.

Maybee Brewing has a new beer for the summer weather. Tailwind Session Ale is a New England Style session IPA with Mosaic hops and Vermont Yeast. It is a crushable 4.8% ABV session IPA just in time for the nice weather. Available now.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says it is that time of the year again and they need your cat's face. Send them a Hi-res picture to compete in their Melonhead Cat Contest where your cat could be on this years Melonhead label. Check out the details on facebook.

Savoie's Brewhouse announced the a couple of new wheat beers. Heron Island Orange Wheat and Restigouche River Raspberry Wheat, both 5% ABV, will be released next Friday at the brewery.

Trailway Brewing debuted a brand new Porter. They say "Think pale chocolate, roasted, coffee with a medium body and a relatively dry and crisp finish keeping this highly drinkable. Like a good cup of coffee!" It is the first Porter brewed at Trailway and this brew will not be canned but instead will be making it's way around the province for next week's growler program but there will be kegs in the tasting room of the 4.7% ABV ale.

That is all for this week, have a great week end and see you next Friday.

MBR April 7, 2017 - Nova Scotia Edition


Baseball is here but spring seems to be taking her good sweet time. Here is the beer news for you for the first week of April.

2 Crows Brewing is tapping their one-and-only keg of Sunny Days, a sunflower seed brett saison on Saturday at noon. Brewed with sunflower seeds that the brewer Jeremy malted himself, and fermented with a combination of brett brux and a funky saison yeast. The beer is 7.1% ABV and  27 IBUs and will be available by the glass only.
Don't forget 2 Crows Tap Takeover at Battery Park Beer Bar on April 13th. 

Garrison Brewing is having a five course dinner at harbourstone sea grill and pour house on April 27th. each course will be paired with and IPA. $55.00 gets you a ticket to this event. 

Lazy Bear Brewing has released a couple of new beers. The Once-Over IPA is a 5.8% ABV dry hopped with Cascade, Chinook and Wild Turkey. 
They also released Folly wild IPA that comes in at 6.2% ABV. It has lucious tropical fruity flavor and aroma.

Schoolhouse Brewery have three brews under their belt at the new brewery and one has been released. Chequers Porter was first out of the gate and has been making its way to taps. Lots of news on the way real soon. 

Spindrift Brewing has its Gold Medal winning Barrel of Cherries ready for sale. It spent 12 months in red wine oak barrels, racked on sour cherries, put in 1100 bottles and labeled. It is on sale at their taproom for 12.99 by the bomber.

Trider's Craft Beer says the sap is flowing at Hidden Mountain Maple Farms, which means that spring is finally here and with it brings Maccan Maple Beer. Available now at the brewery. 

The crew from Heritage Brewing were checking out Meander River Farm Brewery this week. they area a new and coming soon to Yarmouth. I will be talking to them soon. 

That is all I have for this week. Watch for news soon on Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week and have a great week. 

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Bagtown Brewing opens in Sackville NB

(Sackville, NB) - I recently talked to Robbie Baxter, President, of Bagtown Brewing about New Brunswick's newest nanobrewery. The new Sackville brewery is student owned and operated spawning from a senior commerce course at Mount Allison University. The company was conceived about a year ago and after many months of hard work it has come to fruition. They also acknowledge some great help from Tatamagouche Brewing and Flying Boats Brewing.

Bagtown will initially brewing one beer following the credo do one thing and do it well on a 10 gallon system at a space in Sackville Commons & Coworking (former fire hall and RCMP detachment). 

Their first beer is Wobbly Duck and is a medium bodied English Pale Ale with a low carbonation. It is golden in colour with a moderate hop aroma and a mild bitterness. You will be able to taste a mix of fruity, earthy and malty flavours with a smooth finish.

After a successful soft launch on April 1st they are having a Launch Event Saturday on April 8th from 8 to 10 PM. 

The Bagtown Crew (Photo by Jillian Edwards)
The whole team will be at  Ducky's pub to celebrate their official launch party with some great beer and live music. The doors will be open to the ticket holders from 8 PM with the doors opening to the general public at 9 PM. Tickets are expected to go fast so buy them as soon as you can.

Fredericton Craft Beer Festival Celebrates Five Years


Photo by Chris Stapleton Photography
Fredericton Craft Beer Festival celebrated its fifth successful year last month. The festival had two sessions on Saturday March 11th where 58 breweries from six provinces poured over 220 different beers, ciders, and meads. Over 5200 litres of beer was served to about 1,750 people. The event has become as popular with brewers as craft beer fans as a week end to reconnect and meet brewers from around the region. 
Their slogan says "It's all about the beer. Pure, simple." but it also raised over $20, 000 dollars for charities including primarily Diabetes Canada with additional amounts to Wounded Warriors Canada, NS Down Syndrome, Heart and Stroke and Children's Wish.  
Hats off to Lloyd Chambers, Nicole McCarty their army of 50 loyal volunteers and promoting good beer and good deeds. 
Mark your calendars when it returns on March 10, 2018. 

Saturday, April 1, 2017

MBR March 31, 2017 - New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Edition


Here is the beer news for March 31st for New Brunswick.

Bagtown Brewing is excited to announce that their beer is finally available for the public to taste. Join the Bagtown team tomorrow night, April 1st, at Ducky's pub where Wobbly Duck will be on tap for the first time. Beer will be served starting at 8 PM but there will be a very limited supply available for tomorrow's tasting. If you can't make it tomorrow night don't worry, their official launch party will be announced next week. 

Big Axe Brewery has its latest beer on tap at the brewery today and tomorrow. Stone Maple Amber is made with 100% maple sap from Stone Family Maple Products of the historic Pokiok sugary. 

Big Tide Brewing has released their Sunset Raspberry Wheat and it is available on tap and in growlers. They say this 5.8 ABV and 19 IBUs wheat beer is refreshing and delicious.

Foghorn Brewing has added Bob's Your Uncle English IPA to the lineup. It is 6.5% and 65 IBUs and at the brewery now.

Picaroons Traditional Ales has a Oak aged Winter Warmer on tap now. They've just kegged off the last 1000L Winter Warmer for the season, though this 1000L has been sitting on Oak for 2 months. Picaroons says "Expect hints of black cherry and vanilla from the use of French oak in this beer's conditioning. Subtly boozy, this beer is a perfect fireside sipper to get you through these first few cold days of spring before the truly warmer weather hits". It's now on tap at The Picaroons Roundhouse and Picaroons Brewtique in Fredericton, on tap at The Picaroons General Store in Uptown Saint John , and on tap at The 5 Kings Restaurant & Picaroons Brewhouse in St. Stephen. Try this limited oak aged Winter Warmer while it's available. 

I will be back next time.