A lot of the favorite events are back including a few more including three beer festivals, beer dinners and many more.
Here is a listing of the official and unofficial events that I know of.
Thursday, May 4th
To kick things off the two Cape Breton Breweries of Big Spruce Brewing and Breton Brewing are doing a Tap Takeover Week End from Thursday May 4th to Sunday May 7th at Jamieson's Irish House & Grill on Cumberland Drive in Dartmouth. All 16 taps will be be Cape Breton nectar with each brewery garnering 8 each and on Monday the one with the top sales wins the trophy. The schedule for each day is :
- May 4. Warm up night and Wing Night
- May 5. Official Launch
- May 6. Brewery personnel on site pouring pints, giving away swag and 2 ceilidhs: an afternoon one from 2-5 PM ($2/person) and an evening one 8-11 PM ($3/person)
- May 7. Industry Night with $5 pints for all industry personnel.
- May 8. Trophy awarded.
(Official event, 19+)
Friday May 5th
Cape Breton Kitchen Party at Centre 200 on George Street, Sydney is hosted by Big Spruce Brewing and Breton Brewing. The event features live music by The Town Heroes and Ian MacDougall and Friends. There will be local Cape Breton food vendors and 15 Nova Scotia craft breweries. Each ticket includes 12- 4 oz beer samples, beer bites, and live music. All profits will be donated to Loaves an Fishes. The list of breweries attending are:
Breton Brewing(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Big Spruce Brewing
Spindrift Brewing
Trider's Craft Beer
Saltbox Brewery
Boxing Rock Brewing
Uncle Leo's Brewery
Rare Bird Craft Beer
Nine Locks Brewing
Good Robot Brewing
Garrison Brewing
2 Crows Brewing
Tatamagouche Brewing
North Brewing
Downeast Beer Factory
Ladies Beer League and Hands on Halifax have joined together to offer a unique opportunity during Craft Beer Week to Transport Your Beer in Style. They are hosting a beginners workshop to build a craft beer crate, designed to transport two 32 fluid ounce Growlers. Participants will be introduced to some basic woodworking techniques including basic plan reading, joinery and assembly, while learning to use some of the shop’s tools. There are three sessions avalable
Friday May 5 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday May 7 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Sunday May 7 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
(Official event, Tickets required)
Saturday May 6th
Open Brewery Day is happening at 19 breweries across the province, Get full details here.
The Taste Halifax Beer Bus is doing a Valley Route on May 6th from 10 AM to 4:30 PM for an exclusive first time tour visiting 4 breweries, including Meander River Farm, SchoolHouse Brewery, Wayfarer’s Ale Society and Sea Level Brewery, in the Annapolis Valley during Open Brewery Day. You can join our tour in Halifax, Dartmouth or Lower Sackville for a full day of brewery tours and craft beer tastings. Lunch will also be provided at the Port Pub overlooking the rising tides of the Cornwallis River.
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Horton Ridge Tap Takeover is all happening at Battery Park Beer Bar at 62 Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth from 11:30 AM to close. North Brewing Company and Battery Park Beer Bar will be hosting Al Stewart of Horton Ridge Malt and Grain for an afternoon Malt demo and all day tap takeover. The takeover will feature 19 different beers from 19 different breweries all made with Horton Ridge Malt.
The event is to come and learn what malting is all about. This event will give the industry a chance to shine a light on the amazing work done by a local producer. The fact that Horton Ridge exists is a testament to the growth of the local craft beer industry and the desire of Nova Scotians to drink products that are made as close to home as possible.
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
TAPPED Truro Craft Beer Fest is from 7 PM to 10 PM at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission Complex, 73 Ryland Avenue in Truro, Admission includes access to event, 10 4oz. samples, a TAPPED take home glass, and a voucher for use toward an exclusive after-party beverage.
Food trucks will also be on site, Timber Lounge Hfx mobile will be there to try your hand at throwing a double-blade, a mechanical bull from Forever Memories Equestrian Centre and musical entertainment from E.B. Anderson & The Resolutes.
There will be an afterparty at the Nook n Cranny Brew Pub from 10 PM until 2 AM.
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Sober Island Brewing will be hosting A Salt on the Senses, a cask event from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Henley House Pub in Sheet Harbour. The event features live music and free local mussels. This event will take place next to Sober Island Brewing and staff will be available for brewery tours. Casks are coming from:
Brightwood Brewery(Official event, 19+)
Nine Locks Brewing
Boxing Rock Brewing
Tatamagouche Brewing
Garrison Brewing
Sober Island Brewing
Schoolhouse Brewery
Sober Island Brewing is hosting A Cask Celebration at Henley House Pub And Restaurant in Sheet Harbour from 9 PM to 1 AM. The event features the Quinn Bonnell Band and casks from breweries all over Nova Scotia. Casks are coming from:
Brightwood Brewery(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Nine Locks Brewing
Boxing Rock Brewing
Tatamagouche Brewing
Garrison Brewing
Schoolhouse Brewing
Sober Island Brewing
Sunday May 7th
The 3rd Annual Stillwell Open returns May 7th, celebrating NS Craft Beer Week. Stillwell on Barrington Street in Halifax will be pouring 16 debut beers brewed especially for this event from some of Nova Scotia’s best brewers, served blind, for you to judge and enjoy. Starting at noon drink beers blind and vote for the best one. At 3 PM the winners. Debut beers in competition from:
2 Crows Brewing(Official event, 19+)
Tidehouse Brewing
Good Robot Brewing
North Brewing
Brightwood Brewery
Spindrift Brewing
Boxing Rock Brewing
Hell Bay Brewing
FirkinStein Brewing
Sea Level Brewing
Paddys Irish Brewpub
Lunn’s Mill Beer
Big Spruce Brewing
Tatamagouche Brewing
Breton Brewing
The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery
Brathair Brewing
Brian Harvey
Aaron Spanik
Chris MacDonald
Jason MacDougall
Monday May 8th
RIOT Snack Bar, Quinpool Road, Halifax is hosting Tidehouse vs. 2 Crows A Craft Beer Battle. RIOT Snack Bar will provide a fun 5 course menu paired with beers from both breweries and you have to decide whose beer does it best. The brewers will be there so you can get to know the method behind their madness. Tickets include your meal and beers from both breweries. There are two seatings available one at 5:30 PM and one at 8:30 PM
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Tuesday May 9th
Some of the province’s best mixologists converge for a night of revelry at The Auction House on Argyle Street in Halifax for Beer Cocktail Face Off. Representatives from several cocktail bars will be randomly paired with Nova Scotia Craft Breweries and challenged to come up with the ultimate craft concoction. Attendees will vote on their favourites and a winner will be crowned
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Wednesday May 10th
Seven Bays Bouldering is hosting a pop up beer bar for craft beer week. There will be 12 taps filled by neighbourhood breweries from 2 Crows Brewing, Propeller Brewing and North Brewing. The 244 will grilling up a storm on site with a pop up BBQ (cash only) and there will be live music by Tomi Allen's Global Grooves. Come on by go for a climb and then refuel with some beer, BBQ and live music.
The Timber Lounge on Agricola Street, Halifax is hosting AXEcellent Craft Beer Party that will highlight their craft beer on tap partners.
4:30 – 7:30 PM – Axe Throwing
7:30 – 7:45 PM – Lumberjack Show on the Timber Stage
8:00 – 10:30PM – Beer Trivia
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Thursday May 11th
Uncle Leo’s Brewery, Tatamagouche Brewing and Backstage Brewing present Beer & Bites at New Glasgow Farmer’s Market 115 Jury Street, New Glasgow. It is a fun evening of Craft Beer and food from 12 Breweries and 5 Food Trucks from across Nova Scotia from 5 PM to 9 PM. Brews to be sampled from:
Lunn’s Mill BreweryBites to be sampled from:
Saltbox Brewing
Triders Craft Beer
Boxing Rock Brewing
Garrison Brewing
Big Spruce Brewing
North Brewing Company
Meander River Farm & Brewery
Schoolhouse Brewery
Tatamagouche Brewing Co.
Uncle Leo’s Brewery
Backstage Brewing
Asado Woodfired Grill(Official event, 19+)
The Finest Kind of Food Company
Smokinstien Food Truck
Taco Stiles
Wanna Lick My Plate
Murphy’s The Cable Wharf is excited to be hosting the ultimate beer experience – by bringing you out on the water for an 1.5 hour sailing adventure aboard Tall Ship Silva to tipple some of Nova Scotia’s best craft brews on a Brew’s Cruise.
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Friday May 12th
Full House, the signature event for Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week, is coming to the Multipurpose Room at the Halifax Forum on Windsor Street in Halifax with three sessions over two days on May 12th and 13th from at least 28 breweries. Your ticket includes access to the event, 12 – 4oz. beer samples, and a take-home glass.
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Saturday May 13th
Full House continues with afternoon and evening session
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Sunday May 14th
Good Robot Brewing is presenting the Hangover Triage, a cure from a week of fun. Start your day off with yoga in their beer garden at 11 AM, then treat yourself to a coffee and beer pairing from Bottleneck Coffee, beers from various NS breweries, brunch by Rinaldo’s, and an oxygen bar to replenish your supply. The evening will have an outdoor screening of Dazed and Confused and you are free to wear a bathrobe, pajamas, or whatever other loungewear you typically don on a day after fun.
(Official event, 19+, Tickets required)
Unofficial events
Join Boxing Rock Brewing at The Ship's Galley Pub and Eatery, 156 Water Street in Shelburne from 8 PM - 11 PM on May 6th. After Open Brewery Day gears down head to the Ship's Galley Pub for some fun beer trivia. Get your thinking caps on to win some cool Boxing Rock swag prizes.
(Unofficial event, 19+)
(Unofficial event, 19+)
Big Spruce Brewing is doing a tap takeover at RockHead Wine & Beer Market on Sunday May 7th. Big Spruce Brewing is taking over all 5 taps including their new Hoppy Saison style beer (It's so new - it doesn't yet have a name). There will also have plenty of the new Big Spruce canned product on hand
(Unofficial event, 19+)
The Stubborn Goat Gastropub at 1579 Grafton Street, Halifax will be pouring all Nova Scotian made beers during NS Craft Beer Week May 5 to 12. Beers they will have on tap over the course of the week are:
Bulwark Ciders(Unofficial event, 19+)
Big Spruce Brewing
Unfiltered Brewing & Charm School Pub
Boxing Rock Brewing Company
Downeast Beer Factory
Breton Brewing Co.
Bad Apple Brewhouse
Spindrift Brewing Company
Garrison Brewing Co.
2 Crows Brewing
Tatamagouche Brewing Co.
Good Robot Brewing Company
Tide House Brewing
Wayfarers' Ales
Roof Hound Brewing Co.
Sea Level Brewing
Uncle Leo's Brewery
Nova Scotia Craft Brewing Documentary “Sociable!” has 2 screenings over craft beer week.
- Wednesday, May10th, 7:30pm at the Grace Jollymore Joyce Arts Centre in Tatamagouche
- Thursday, May 11th, 7:30pm at Battery Park Beer Bar in Dartmouth
(Unofficial event, 19+)
The Grand Banker Bar & Grill is hosting Hell Of A Night, the Tap & Kitchen Takeover with Hell Bay Brewing Company is on Thursday, May 11th from 5 PM to 9 PM! The owner and brewmaster of Hell Bay Brewing Company is also a former culinarian, and worked with Grand Banker's Chef to create a menu for the night with items all prepared using Hell Bay Brews. They will also have Live Music with Shawn Hebb performing.
(Unofficial event, 19+)
(Unofficial event, 19+)
