Fils du Roy Releases La Grande Barbe Wheat Beer

(Petit-Paquetville, NB) - Distillerie Fils du Roy has released a new wheat beer highlighting one of Acadia's earliest beer pioneers. La Grande Barbe "The great beard’’ is a wheat beer created in honor of Nicolas Denys (1598?-1688). He began growing wheat in Acadia and made plans to build a flour mill and a microbrewery, which he wanted to substitute beer for wine that had to be import.
We do not know a lot of what he look like, except that he had a full, white beard which caused many of the Mi'kmaq to refer to him as “La Grande Barbe".
The 5.5% ABV beer is available now in 750 ml bottles.

Red Rover Craft Cider and Distillerie Fils du Roy to release a Christmas collaboration

(Fredericton, NB) - Red Rover Craft Cider are teaming up with Distillerie Fils du Roy for a very special Christmas collaboration. Inspired by Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, in which Mr. Scrooge is visited by three spirits they have three special releases over the next three Fridays leading up to Christmas. On December 9th PAST ( 7.3% ABV ) will be available that combines dry crab apple cider, vanilla, Crosby's molasses and brandy Fort LaTour. The following Friday PRESENT ( 7.3% ABV ) will be out and is a mixture of their wild blueberry cider infused with Gin Thuya. Finally FUTURE ( 7.4% ABV ) will be out on December 23rd that infuses a semi-dry floral cider with the particular tastes of wormwood from The Courailleuse.
Red Rover has made a limited amount of special wax sealed 750 ml bottles, 200 per style. On December 9th only, customers will have the opportunity to pre purchase all three at a special price of $45 or buy each for $16.50. These will not be listed with ANBL and only sold at the Ciderhouse in downtown Fredericton at 546 Queen Street.

Distillerie Fils du Roy Releases Hommage à 1755

courtesy of Fils du Roy

(Petit-Paquetville, N-B) Distillerie Fils du Roy released a Belgian Strong Ale called Hommage à 1755 (7% ABV 22 IBUs). Described as a pale, bitter, highly attenuated and well carbonated Belgian Ale, showing a fruity-spicy phenolic yeast character, a spicy/fruity-resinous hop profile, and a soft, supportive grainy-sweet malt palate. Fruity, hoppy, bitter, and dry. Initial malty-sweet impression, with a grainy-sweet soft malt palate, and a dry, hoppy finish. Available now at the brewery

Distillerie Fils du Roy releases North Shore Regiment Barley Wine

(Petit-Paquetville, NB) Just in time for Rememberance Day Distillerie Fils Du Roy
released a new Barley Wine called The North Shore NB Regiment. It is an homage to an Infantry Battalion based in Northern New Brunswick that can trace its origins back to 1870.

     The brewery describes the ale as "A showcase of malty richness and complex, intense flavors. Chewy and rich in body, with warming alcohol and a pleasant fruity or hoppy interest. When aged, it can take on port-like flavors. A wintertime sipper." It clocks it at 12 % ABV and 45 IBUs.

    It is currently available at select ANBL in the Moncton Area and northeast New Brunswick as well as the brewery

Maritime Beer Report - August 7, 2015

Hello and welcome to the August 7th, International Beer Day, edition of the Maritime Beer Report. First off I have been reporting the brews news for two years now and would like to thank you all for all the support.

PEI Brewing had a Kiwi IPA on tap for #IPADay and they say it was made by one of their Kiwis, Wax the logistics manager, in honor of our other Kiwi, Big Scotty. This IPA has freshly squeezed kiwi juice and is dry hopped with Citra and Comet. More on PEI Brewing in a moment.

Upstreet Craft Brewing launched their first seasonal beer on #IPADay. White Noize is a white IPA brewed with 50% wheat and generously hopped with Cascade, Centennial, Chinook and Columbus throughout. It weighs in at 7% ABV and 70 IBUs. The name is a tribute to the acoustical din of the tap room. 

Big Tide Brewing celebrated its sixth birthday this week. Wendy brewed their Anniversary Amber Ale again. This time using six types of malted barley an six hop varieties and hoping to get 6% ABV. It will be available shortly. They also launched the first collaboration between Big Tide an Hammond River Brewing, Rhubarbaric Saison. It was brewed with approximately 70 pounds of local rhubarb, pilsner and wheat malt and comes in around 7.1 ABV.

Distillerie Fils du Roy has a summer seasonal called La Messe Blanche. It is a 7% ABV weizenbock that has a great description on the facebook page. Looks like a very refreshing summer beer. The beer was made in the honor of Alexie Landry born in 1721 who officiated white masses, that is to say a mass without a priest for the people of Caraquet.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Pride Sally Pride Apricot Ale will be back on tap starting this Sunday at the Brewtique and at the 2015 Fredericton Pride Festival Beer Garden in Downtown Fredericton. This is a 4.5% ABV beer and it is while supplies last. In honor of #IPADay they had 3 different dry-hopped Yippee IPAs on tap. One was Cascade & Tettnang, one with Saaz & Fuggles and one with Amarillo & Rakau. Picaroons is coming to Halifax and taking over the taps at Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar this Saturday after the Halifax Seaport Beerfest. They are also bringing a special guest HALF CUT Brewing Company.

The Pump House Brewery has Strawberry Wheat now on tap at the brewery in Moncton. Flavoured with local strawberries and a 5.2% ABV.

Big Spruce Brewing released two beers this week, a collaboration and a seasonal. First is Gimme Citra, a single hopped pale ale made with Stillwell Beer Bar. Big Spruce says "Outrageously aromatic, flavourful, and perfect for summer, this will be hitting Halifax yesterday. 36 IBU and 5.5% ABV. Available now at the brewery." Next up is Tip of the Spear Spruce Tip IPA. Also available now at the brewery.

Garrison Brewing was working on a collaboration today while the folks from Great Lakes Brewery and Metalman Brewing are in town

As I mentioned in the Spring, Rogues Roost will be closing by October 1 because its building is being redeveloped. The exact closure date is to be announced. This is sad news but PEI Brewing will be producing a Rogues Roost IPA that will be available in cans and sold in liquor stores across the Maritimes starting in September. Details being released soon.

Stutz Cider has released a new Wild Blueberry cider. It is made from fresh Nova Scotia Apples and Blueberries. It is available across Nova Scotia and is 6.5% ABV. 

Halifax Oktoberfest is looking for volunteers for the 2015 installment if you are interested email beer@garrisonbrewing.com for more info.

Ending with a sad note this week with some bad news from Barnone Brewing. Hugh Campbell, father and business partner passed away. He was a charming man and full of life when I met him. The family has my condolences at this difficult time.

Thanks for joining me again this week and until next time enjoy responsibly. 

Maritime Beer Report - June 5, 2015

Hello and welcome to the June 5th edition of Maritime Beer Report.

Big Axe Brewery says just in time for the camping season, Big Axe is serving up Hatchet blonde ale, weighing in at 4.6% ABV that they say is "light and refreshingly hoppy".

Distillerie Fils du Roy released their spring beer, Stella Maris is now available from their small store in Petit-Paquetville in 750 ml bottles. Stella Maris mean in Latin Sea Star and it’s the name of the star in the Acadian Flag. Their inspiration is from the French beer style called ‘’Bière de Garde’’ that can be translated as ‘’Beer to Keep’’. It’s a malty sweet made from French malt and French hops, the beer has 7.5% ABV.

Picaroons Traditional Ales says Melonhead is back and they would like to introduce Sir Winston Snaggletooth (c/o Jordan Stephens). Melonhead is now on tap at the brewtique in Downtown Fredericton, and will be on the shelves at Alcool NB Liquor now.

Breton Brewing is waiting for art work to officially announce their beer names but has shared them with us in the meantime. Their three initial beers are Black Angus IPA, Stirling Hefeweizen and Sons of Hector Brown Ale. Looking forward to their opening later this month. Remember this is our secret.

Garrison Brewing Company has been hinting at their collaboration for months now. What I can tell you it is an Imperial ESB with Phillips Brewing, Flying Monkey Brewing and Trou du Diable. It will be at the Back lot bash next week end but no time frame on when it will be hitting the brewery and the NSLC, but the are saying this month.
Great Lakes Brewery did a collaboration yesterday with Garrison. It is very secretive and I haven't got any details yet.  Garrison did another collaboration recently, see Meander River news.

Good Robot Brewing Company says on Sunday, they officially release their Crown on the Ground steam beer. From Good Robot "Steam beer brewers traditionally used lager (cold-fermenting, crisp) yeast but lacked the funds for proper cooling equipment, so they let the cool San Francisco harbour winds chill the beer naturally. In other words, a steam beer is a common man's lager, a crisp tribute to Americana and music festivals, something to drink all day in the sun or the Chevy Suburban while jamming to malt-rock bands." On Sunday, they'll be playing tunes in the driveway, Halifax Press will be on site, and there will be games they played at those original festivals.

Hell Bay Brewing Company says OPA (oatmeal pale ale) is available this week at the brewery and on tap at select bars. This is a very drinkable ale, crisp hop profile, at 5% ABV and  49 IBUs.

Meander River Farm  has a new release. Summer solstice IPA 4.5% ABV. A balanced hoppy flavour and aroma from Amarillo, Citra hops and dry hopped with Cascade. It was releasing at the Taste of Nova Scotia 12 Tides event. Look for it at Stillwell and on tap at the brewery all weekend.
Daniel Girard from Garrison Brewing and  brewmaster Alan Bailey are putting their heads together to brew a Strong Scotch Ale with seaweed, peated malt and other special ingredients. A unique brew for "Dinner on the Ocean Floor" with the The Flying Apron Cookery and Avondale Sky Winery, put on by Taste of Nova Scotia. More details as I get them.

On the heels of North Brewing Company and Brooklyn Warehouse's beer dinner during Nova Scotia craft beer they announced a new beer-centric restaurant. They have bought the space where Nectar currently resides which is closing this month.

Propeller Brewing Company launched their newest One Hit Wonder Series - Point Pleasant Pale Ale.From Propeller "This single hopped, crisp and balanced brew is true to the American Pale Ale style. Solely Columbus hops were used for the bittering and aroma additions of this brew, and we feel it displays this hop at its best. Enjoy this sessionable Craft Brew!" It is a 27 IBUs and 5% ABV beer.

Sea Level Brewing released its seasonal Apple Blossom Ale. This is made annually in celebration of the Apple Blossom Festival in the Annapolis Valley. It is made with Maritime Malt, California ale yeast, a hop called Calypso, and infused with apple flavour. It is a light 4.8% ABV and available now in cans or kegs. Limited time only.

Stillwell's Beer Garden is near completion. co-owner Christopher Reynolds is hoping to have a soft-opening on Sunday. Watch their social media for announcements.

The long awaited taps at Bishops Cellar are on the way. The growler fill station's fridge has shipped and construction will start in-store next week.  They estimate they will be pouring 5 local brews in just over 2 weeks.

Thanks for supporting me again this week and until next time, enjoy responsibly.

Maritime Beer Report - May 22, 2015

Hello and welcome to the May 22nd edition of the Maritime Beer Report.

Gahan House Charlottetown is crowning their Homebrew winner on Saturday from 2-4 PM. There will be some entertainment and refreshing craft beer as they judge the final 6 and  crown the 2015 winner.

I mentioned Upstreet Craft Brewing's first two beer last week and now we know their third, Rhuby Social Strawberry Rhubarb Witbier. Strawberry, rhubarb and spice make this witbier slightly tart and always refreshing.

Big Tide Brewing Company now has their collaboration with Acadie Broue, la Gaboteuse II on tap. A Belgian Tripel IPA that is pale in color from the all Pilsner malt, and generously hopped and dry hopped with Amarillo and Simcoe. It's about 70 IBUs, and 9 % ABV, and very well balanced. It won't last long.

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault says she's baaaaack! Their IPA, Soeur Catherine will be pouring at the brewtique today (Friday, May 22nd)! Get out those growlers.

Celtic Knot Brewing was making this years first batch of For Shore Session Ale. This year it will be just slightly bittered with a wee bit of Australian Ella and all the flavor and aroma from Galaxy and a new hop from Germany called Mandarina Bavaria. 

Distillerie Fils du Roy has another beer. Stella Maris is a bière de garde and comes in at a strong 7.5% ABV. Look for new details soon.

Picaroons Traditional Ales had some big news this week. They will be opening a Brewtique in Uptown Saint John on Canterbury Street. They do say the number one priority this year is the new brewery so a timeline is hard to say. They also shared a long term plan is to open it up to have some taps of other small brewery's beer.
They also released Selection Blonde Ale this week. A 4.5% ABV smooth Blonde Ale that's been dry-hopped with a plethora of aromatic Cascade hops. It is a limited release so get it at the brewtique and ANBL growler stations while you can.

Bad Apple Brewhouse says they have Mosaic available in the brewhouse in Growler form. They also have a new Smoked Porter on tap that is 6% ABV.

Good Robot Brewing's next beer is on the way. It is another somewhat uncommon beer, no pun intended. It is a California Common or Steam beer that is 4.2% ABV. 

The Nook and Cranny announced that their first seasonal beer will be a blueberry wheat. They've added Nova Scotia's very own Oxford blueberry juice and now they wait.

Atlantic Beer Festival still has tickets available if you haven't got yours yet. There is a lot of Belgian Beer events are happening all over Moncton next week from Monday to Thursday. Also don't forget about the Lake of Bays Craft Beer Dinner on Thursday from Moncton Beer League .

Last item, it was revealed today that a new brewery is coming to Fredericton in the Tannery. Gray Stone Brewing is the the name but there isn't much else right now. Look for more details as I get them.

Thanks for checking out the news again this week and until next time enjoy responsibly. 

Maritime Beer Report - May 8, 2015

Hello and welcome to the Report for May 8th.

PEI Brewing Company released a teaser this week that a limited release is in the offing. Last year they released Landing Day and now it is time for Setting day. Watch for it soon. 

Big Tide Brewing Company says it now has on tap their new Chocolate Amaretto Porter. It's unfiltered, flavoured with cocoa and Italian Amaretto, with a colour a bit on the light side compared to their other porters and comes in at 4.0% ABV.
They also had a brewing day with Patrice Godin of Acadie Broue brewing la Gaboteuse II- a Belgian style IPA.

Distillerie Fils du Roy says with great pleasure, that the Caraquet Flyer is now available at their boutique in Petit-Paquetville. If you don't remember this is an Ice beer that was ready a couple of months ago but was caught in regulatory issues with ANBL. 

Hammond River Brewing says the Two Rivers India Black Ale, brewed in collaboration with Big Axe Brewery is ready and look for it soon in the regular tap locations. This one is a  7% ABV and 77 IBUs beer.

Picaroons Traditional Ales made it official this week cancelling the Brewers Bash this year but vows to return in 2016. Sad news but I am glad it is only taking the year off. 

Rare Bird Craft Beer officially launched it Red Ale this week  in time for Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week. The Red Ale is now available in more than 35 NSLC stores as well as at the brewery. It weighs in at 5% ABV and 25 IBUs.

The British IPA Conspiracy beer that Big Spruce, North Brewing, Uncle Leos Brewing and Good Robot Brewing did together was heading to carbonation this week. Look for that one soon.

Garrison Brewing Company is presenting Backlot Bash! on Saturday, June 13 at 5:00pm at Halifax Seaport, behind the expanded Garrison Brewery. They say to help launch the new brewery in style they are hosing Canadian sensation USS, multi-ECMA winners Town Heroes, plus Glory Glory and Like A Motorcycle. Live Music, Food Trucks, Tours of the expanded brewery and fresh craft beer & cider! All in support of the Ecology Action Centre.

Good Robot Brewing is opening tomorrow and I for one am very happy. Opening tomorrow at 10 AM for tours and growler fills of the delicious and humorously named beers.

The Nook and Cranny says their brewing system is now installed. Look for the beer to start flowing in June.

Tatamagouche Brewing Company says they have purchased a canning line and look for tall cans coming this summer.

Uncle Leo's Brewery has brought their IPA in the 650ml bottles to the NSLC, check for it near you.

Stillwell Beer Bar will be doing a release party for the Big Spruce, Propeller, and Tatamagouche triple collaboration, Cerberus American IPA, at noon on Saturday, May 9. 

This is the start of Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week and there is something going on everyday. Tomorrow is open brewery day and almost all the breweries and brewpubs are participating so check out times. I will be at all breweries in HRM through the day tomorrow so look for tweets or me if you are out and about.

It is going to be a busy week, until next time enjoy responsibly. 

Maritime Beer Report - December 12, 2014

Hello and welcome to the December 12th edition of the Maritime Beer Report. 

Big Axe Brewery released details on their newest Imperial Pale Ale Wrath of Putin Imperial Pale Ale. This ale is golden amber colour and is brewed with Centennial and Golding hops from Southan Farms. The ale is double hopped to give it a strong hop flavour, aroma and a bitterness of 75 IBUs and has a malty sweetness which provides the perfect balance. It weighs in at 7.5% to get you nice and toasty during the cold season.

Distillerie Fils Du Roy has been distilling great spirits for a few years now in the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick and recently got gear to brew. They have all the approvals and licences except the one to sell in New Brunswick from ANBL. They say this may not happen until the next board meeting in February 2015.They are very positive and hopeful.
In the meantime they released notes on their Caraquet Flyer Biere de glace (Ice Beer). Apparently during the brewing process it is partially frozen with the ice crystals removed making a stronger beer. This process sounds similar to a German Eisbock beer. I will pass on any information I get on their status.

Something I am a huge proponent of is the Community Supported Breweries (CSB) and Railcar Brewing is offering this  for Christmas. For 125.00, 250.00 or 500.00 you support the brewery and get an array of great perks, it is a super gift for a beer lover if you have the means. Get more details at the brewery or on Railcar's facebook page.

Shiretown Beer says that its Honey House Ale made with Charlo's Buckwheat Honey is available at the brewery this week end.

Garrison Brewing Company released its Spruce Beer today. In addition there is a logoed glass for sale and a limited addition gift box. There is a barrel aged edition of last years spruce beer coming out very soon as well.

Rock Bottom Brewpub announced that Brewmaster Jake Saunders has joined their team to eventually take over from Greg Nash when he leaves.

Sea Level Brewing releases its High Street Wee Heavy Scotch Ale in time for Christmas. From Sea Level "A dark ale with a malty aroma followed by a sweet caramel taste with hints of roasted, and toasty flavours. A very approachable easy drinking ale that’s only available when the weather sucks." It is a warming 6.4% ABV. Look for it on tap where fine craft beer is served and in cans at the Halifax bottle shops and select restaurants around Nova Scotia.

Tatamagouche Brewing Company spilled the beans on their holiday brew that is available now at the brewery and at The Ladies Beer League's brunch at Bar Stillwell on Sunday. Say hello to Maple Squash Ale, brewed with Red Kuri squash from Waldegrave Farms and maple syrup from Acadian Maple. This festive ale is 5.1% ABV and is sweet with a hint of spice.

Enjoy whatever you decide to do this week end and as always enjoy responsibly.