Garrison Brewing releases “Hipster Viking” Atlantic IPA

Photo from Garrison Brewing 

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing releases “Hipster Viking” Atlantic IPA tomorrow, October 26th. This collaboration is from four breweries spanning three nations featuring original label artwork by award-winning and internationally recognized comic book artist Ben Bishop. The breweries included Mason’s Brewing (Brewer, Maine), Lone Pine Brewing (Portland, Maine), Gæðingur Öl Brugghús (Skagafirði, Iceland) and Garrison Brewing (Halifax, Nova Scotia).   
“We’ve often collaborated with brewery buds locally and nationally, but this time we got to go cross border” said Brian Titus, President of Garrison Brewing. “We’ve wanted to work with Chris from Mason’s for awhile and we knew Arni from Gæðingur was coming to Halifax. Throw in Tom from Lone Pine & there you have it – world peace through craft beer!”.  
Releasing just in time for Hal-Con, Atlantic Canada’s largest Sci-Fi convention “Hipster Viking” is an unfiltered Atlantic IPA at 6% ABV. The beer is hazy and golden in the New England style, with a dank, tropical aroma and flavour. The brew profiles new-age hops Mosaic, Ekuanot and Idaho 7. Hipster Viking releases Friday at both Garrison Brewing and Hal-Con, and next week at private liquor stores. 

Garrison Brewing releases “This Beer Is Toast!”

Photo from Garrison Brewing

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released “This Beer Is Toast!” Saison, a unique brew made with day-old bread from various local, independent bakeries in support of Feed Nova Scotia. They used 250 lbs of plain, rye, multigrain & pumpernickel bread was donated by Birdies Bread Co., The Old Apothecary and Smith’s Bakery. Garrison partnered with Feed Nova Scotia because of their work with food insecurity in the community with $0.50 from each bottle sold being donated as a result.
“This Beer Is Toast!” is a 5.4% saison-style ale, deep gold with light fruity apple and bread-dough flavours and a refreshingly dry finish. The beer is available at Garrison Brewing and next week at private liquor stores.

Garrison Brewing Remakes Wintervention Chocolate Imperial Stout

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing brought back one of last years favourite, Wintervention Chocolate Imperial Stout. Garrison describes it the beer as "delectable strong and dark ale is a real chocolate bomb. Rich bittersweet chocolate aromatics with dark dried fruits and vanilla underneath. Layers of chocolate fudge, malted milk balls and molasses flavors with a bittersweet chocolate finish."
Wintervention is imperial strength and conditioned a month on cocoa nibs. Coming in at 10.5% ABV and 60 IBU it is chock full of chocolatey goodness. Available now at the brewery and making it way to Newfoundland and New Brunswick next month. 

Garrison Brewing Releases Two Seasonal Favourite

Photo from Garrison Brewing

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released two of its well known beers.
First off Hopyard will be returning for a limited time. Available now at the brewery and will follow shortly after at the NSLC. Crafted at the Halifax Seaport but brewed with juicy West Coast hops, this bi-coastal American Pale Ale boasts citrusy and floral aromas and a crisp dry finish.
They also launched their 2018 Cellar Series Barrel-aged Spruce Beer on Friday. Their beloved Spruce Beer, brewed with local spruce and fir tips as well as Crosby's blackstrap molasses hibernated in Ironworks Distillery rum barrels with an amazingly complex and boozy result. 

Garrison Brewing Releases Three Beers

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released three beers over the week end. First off, they are releasing their 2017 version of Spruce Beer. Made with local spruce and fir tips are harvested from Meander River Farms to re-create this historic east coast beer. The evergreen mix adds bold aroma and crisp bitterness while Blackstrap molasses creates a sweet, dark complexity. This year rather than releasing it in the NSLC they will have more limited of a distribution. They will be selling it at their retail store as well as at Liquid Assets in the airport. There will eventually also be some distribution to Newfoundland and Labrador. 
Secondly, they have been sitting on Bourbon barrels filled with last year very popular Imperial Chocolate Stout, Wintervention, for 11 months now are finally releasing the finished product The result is a deliciously complex brew with flavours of bourbon, cacao, cherry, vanilla and coffee. Perfect for the cellar or gifting to the beer lover in your life. 
Lastly, they have Leroy Imperial Brown. This beer was a collaboration with Sawdust City Brewing and is finally bottled, labelled, and ready to go. It boasts a smooth aroma and flavour of molasses bread and milk chocolate with a subtle molasses and dark chocolate finish. 

Garrison Brewing Has Two Kettle Sours on Tap

Photo from Garrison Brewing 

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released a couple of new beers in draft only, so they are on tap at the brewery for samples and growler fills, and they may be at licensees around town.
First is another one of Daniel’s small batch kettle sours, Holy Gose. This one is a nice thirst quenching gose with fruit flavours such as apple, peach, and orange zest, with a light saltiness. The 5.4% ABV beer also has orange zest and sea salt that they describe as having moderate sourness, light salty and fruity character (apple, peach & orange zest) and finishing with a refreshing acidity.
The second sour is La Menta, meaning “mint” in Spanish. It was brewed with mint from Tim Fletcher, a local home brewer and beer judge. The beer has a similar idea as the Saison Froide that Daniel made a couple of years ago. The mint brings that unique “cold” or refreshing character to the beer. It is described as apple cider-like with lime and delicate mint flavor and finishes dry with a refreshing acidity at 5.2% ABV.

Courage (For Gord Downie) Amber Wheat Ale Released

(Halifax & Shelburne, NS) - As announced last month, Boxing Rock Brewing and Garrison Brewing released Courage (For Gord Downie) Amber Wheat Ale today at both breweries. The 2000 bottle limited release beer will be in 650 ml bottles featuring a label art by graphic artist Erin McGuire of his Tragically Hip-inspired artwork ‘By the Numbers’ with $1 from each bottle will go directly to causes close to Gord, $0.50 to Brain Tumour research and $0.50 to Indigenous Peoples Reconciliation. 
Available now at the breweries and private liquor stores in HRM and in limited quantities at the NSLC on November 20th. 

Garrison Brewing 10th Annual Home Brew-Off Details Released

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released the details for the 10th Annual Garrison Home Brew-Off. This year’s style will be Kolsch, style 5B in the BJCP Style Guide. This year’s entry fee is $15 and includes a souvenir glass, one free entry to the gala and a complimentary Growlito and fill with the Garrison beer of your choice. Beer Entries are due by end of day Monday February 12th, 2018. To download the complete competition details go to http://www.garrisonbrewing.com/community/#home-brew-off

Boxing Rock and Garrison Brewing to Collaborate on Tribute to Gord Downie

(Halifax, NS) -  Over the past few months Garrison Brewing and Boxing Rock Brewing have worked with graphic artist Erin McGuire to develop a limited release craft beer based on his Tragically Hip-inspired artwork ‘By the Numbers’. The beer will release in late-November as a true collaboration and fundraiser for the Brain Tumour Foundation.

Erin McGuire with 'By The Numbers'

This summer past, Erin McGuire, faculty with the NSCC Photography program and Graphic Designer, approached Emily Tipton, Founding Partner at Boxing Rock in Shelburne, with the idea of using his original design for a craft beer label. “When Erin first approached me, we set a release timeline for late fall” said Tipton. “Over the past month we’ve been working to fine tune the label and now, with the loss of Gord, things have grown from a fundraising release into a tribute to an iconic Canadian singer we all knew and loved.”
 Emily then reached out to Brian Titus, President and GM of Garrison, to gauge his interest in making this a collaboration. “No question. We’re massive Hip fans and we’re in!” said Titus. “We traded a few emails with the good folks at Boxing Rock and we soon had a style, recipe and brew-day on the calendar.”
Erin’s artwork ‘By The Numbers’ brings all the numerical references from Tragically Hip songs together into one phenomenal piece. “Last fall when the announcement was made that Gord Downie had been diagnosed with brain cancer I was floored. I’m a lifelong Hip fan and this news left me wanting to do something….anything…to try and help” said McGuire. “The poster I made sold out through In Gord We Trust and I wanted to keep doing good with the concept”
Titled “Courage (for Gord Downie)”, the beer will be a refreshing and premium amber Wheat Ale – bold, beautiful and special - just like Gord. Just over 2000 bottles will be produced with a portion of all sales going to the Brain Tumour Foundation.

Garrison Releases Latest Federation of Beer

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing has released Star Trek Borg Ale its latest in their series under license from Federation of Beer. Star Trek Borg Ale is a delicious black ale made with dark munich and black malts. Garrison says "We are the Borg, and this is our ale. Lower your shields, raise a glass, and surrender your taste-buds. Resistance is futile… But, that’s OK because this is the most advanced black ale in the entire Delta Quadrant." The ale checks in at 5.6% ABV and 25 IBU and is available at the brewery. 

Garrison Brewing Welcomes Fall with Three New Beers

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released three new beers this week. First Lemondrop, a part of the kettle sour series Daniel has been concocting at our old plant, is a 5.0% ABV and 0 IBU kettle sour dry hopped with Lemondrop hops. According to Daniel it has an “aroma and flavour of lemon and lemon meringue pie, and finishes nicely with a touch of lemon and pepper”.

After Halifax was announced as the host of the 2018 Canadian Brewing Awards Garrison reached out to Sawdust City in Gravenhurst, ON and wanted to brew something special to commemorate. Leroy is a behemoth imperial brown ale weighing in at 10% ABV and 41 IBU. Aromas of molasses bread and milk chocolate will give way to a smooth flavour of molasses, coffee and finish with massive tones of dark chocolate. As our fall nights get cool, Leroy will provide some warmth.
The Imperial Brown is at the growler program in NB this week end but will eventually be making its way into bottles for a super limited release here in Nova Scotia.

Lastly Garrison has the latest Federation of Beer Star Trek release coming next week: Borg Ale. It won’t be bottled until next week, however they’ll be serving up samples of it at Hal-Con this week end.
Garrison says "We are the Borg, and this is our ale. Lower your shields, raise a glass, and surrender your taste-buds. Resistance is futile… But, that’s OK because this is the most advanced black ale in the entire Delta Quadrant. Created with Dark Munich and Black Malt, this strong dark ale is sure to satisfy your bio-chip". The ale is 5.6% ABV and 25 IBU and will be released in the brewery and at private stores.

Garrison Brewing releases Rise n Stein and Announces Oktoberfest

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing announced this year's Oktoberfest festivities which include hosting them at the brewery in their newly renovated Seaport Hall. 
Hops n Brats will be Friday September 15th from 6:30 PM until 11 PM. The Beer and Sausage Extravaganza will host breweries from across the province who will present their top brands, while you enjoy sausage themed food along with live music. The event features 11 breweries – Garrison, 2 Crows, Big Spruce, Good Robot, Spindrift, Tidehouse, Boxing Rock, Sober Island, North, Nine Locks and Tatamagouche. Tickets are $25 which includes entry, 8 sample tickets and a souvenir glass with additional sample tickets available to purchase on site. 
The next day Oktoberfest opens its gates to the public at 11 AM, with traditional German food, Music and of course Garrison beer all day long. They are partnering with CF Atlantic Canada to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research and care. Satori will rock the house with The Swell Guys, Die Brew-misters and The Roving Steins Oompah Bands. 11AM-5PM the event is free admission and all ages. At 5 PM the Oktoberfest party continues but they switch gears becoming a 19+ party with more dancing, games, food, and of course, beer. The $16 entry includes your first beer.

Finally Garrison has released Rise n Stein Hefeweizen. This weissbier with its straw colour, dry finish and fluffy white head is refreshingly effervescent. It was originally brewed as a one-off for Garrison’s annual Oktoberfest, and went on to win Gold at the 2015 Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards. 5.5% ABV 13 IBU. This year Rise n Stein will be a brewery and private stores exclusive.

Garrison Releases Honey Lavender Ale

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released its seasonal Honey Lavender Ale. The beloved summer seasonal brewed with English lavender harvested from Meander River Farms and wildflower honey from G.G. Smeltzer & Son in Shubenacadie. This year’s brew is clocking in at 7% ABV and 16 IBUs. The beer is available from 10 AM on Friday, August 11th at the brewery with a 650 ml bottle retailing for $6.79. There is a limited amount of draft that will make its way into a few local taps. 

Garrison Releases Three Beers in Cans

(Halifax, NS) -  Garrison Brewing are planning to release three of their brands in 473 ml cans over the next few months joining the trend of cans at Nova Scotia breweries.

Tall Ship Amber has already been released and will be sold in addition to the six pack of 341 ml already in distribution. The cans are currently available at the brewery, private stores in Halifax and will be at the NSLC shortly. 

Seaport Blonde will be out very and will be replacing the 6x341ml Seaport Blonde that they have been doing the past few summers. Seaport Blonde is a light ale with a crisp and refreshing all-malt body with delicate hop aromas.  Purely 2-row and wheat malt. It will be in the NSLC as soon as it’s ready to go as a permanent listing in a 4-pack, in private stores as a single serve, and will also be in NB, PEI and NL as 4-packs soon for the summer.

Their newest beer Juicy! DIPA is going to be a brand new single serve can coming around in mid-July. It will be at the NSLC and private stores (late May/early June) and will follow in NB and NL shortly afterward.  This New England-style Double IPA has a hazy appearance and boasts smooth but intense tropical flavours with Citra, Mosaic, Comet and Ekuanot plus a secret hop Head Brewer Daniel Girard won’t disclose.

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.

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.

Garrison Brewing launches new Star Trek/CBS release – Red Shirt Ale

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing launched their new Star Trek/CBS release – Red Shirt Ale. It is an American Red ale clocking in at 6% ABV and 30 IBUs and will be sold initially at the brewery and private stores and at the NSLC later this month. It is retailing for $6.49 for a 650 ml bottle. Garrison says "Red Shirt Ale was brewed in honor of those brave but ill-fated men and women who donned the doomed red uniform. For them we raise a glass of this strong, other-worldly American Red. This brew boasts a deep copper colour and rich malt flavour, and is exploratively hopped with Millenium, El Dorado and Citra. Celebrate the hopelessly optimistic with a beer worth dying for".

Garrison Brewing releases Rye & Ginger IPA

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing is releasing Rye & Ginger IPA. This quintessential Canadian style IPA, that is 6.4% ABV and 56 IBUs, is described as a deliciously spicy brew perfect for the impending fall season that is brewed exclusively with centennial hops. Light reddish-amber and hazy in appearance, this brew has a combination of ginger candy, toffee, peppery rye malt, and citrusy hop aromas. Tasting will reveal flavours of light caramel, dark fruit, ginger, and a grainy spiciness along with earth and citrus hop flavours. The warming dry finish is a great pick-me-up on a crisp fall night. 

This beer will be available shortly at NSLC stores, private stores, and for the growler program at ANBL beginning September 8^th. It will be available at the Garrison retail location beginning Friday September 9^th.

Garrison Releases Two Beers for Canada Day

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing is kicking off the Canada Day Long Week end with a new beer and and bringing back a gold medal winner. 

Recently Garrison called for its fans to bring in rhubarb to create a community-sourced ale. The "fruits" of their efforts is “It’s Rhubarb Saison!” a summery Saison that comes in at 5.7% ABV.

They are also bringing back Rise 'n’ Stein Hefeweizen that was a gold winning beer at the 2015 Atlantic Canada Brewing Awards. The wheat ale with its straw colour, dry finish and fluffy white head is 5.5% ABV.  

Both will be available at the brewery on tap and the Rise 'n’ Stein in bottles at the brewery, private stores and hitting the NSLC's shelves around July 11th. 

Garrison Brewing releases new IPA

(Halifax, NS) - Garrison Brewing released Hoppy Buoy, a newly re-branded and re-tooled IPA that is taking the previous IPA’s place in stores. It is 6.5% ABV and 50 IBU with loads of aromatic and bittering hops delivering citrusy and tropical fruit aromas, ruby red grapefruit flavour and a balanced malt backbone.
On sale now throughout Nova Scotia.