Seaport Beer Fest Set to Break Records in its 11th Year

(Halifax, NS) -  Halifax Seaport BeerFest is back for its 11th year and is bigger than ever. The festival returns to Cunard Centre to welcome over 5000 beer fans as well as a record number of producers at 113 and record number of beer, ciders and mead at 370 with 56% of the brands offered not being available in the NSLC or at private stores in Nova Scotia. 

Local content has nearly doubled over last year with Atlantic Canadian beers with 122 available plus 24 in new TAP LOCAL! booth.

Ciders are up 68% adding to the 42 gluten-free options for a total of 42 GF options.
Breweries from 8 provinces and 20 countries will be represented with the all-new TAP LOCAL! booth run by Brewnosers and  Ladies Beer League will feature 8 rotating taps for maritime beer they could literally only get 1 small keg of. 

Tasting sessions include: 

• Aug. 11th, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
• Aug. 12th, 2 to 4:30 p.m. 
• Aug. 12th, 7 to 9:30 p.m. 

All regular sessions are $45 per person in advance ($50 at the gate/festival box office). Prices do not include tax and applicable surcharges.

Tickets for the Halifax Seaport Beerfest are on sale now. Advance tickets are available at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office in the Scotiabank Centre, at 19 Superstores throughout Nova Scotia, by phone at (902) 451-1221 / 1-877-451-1221 and online at ticketatlantic.com.

The Halifax Seaport BeerFest welcomes back Prostate Cancer Canada Atlantic and Adsum House for Women and Children as the official festival charities, with a portion of net event proceeds helping to support both of these worthy causes.

Maritime Beer Report - July 18, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for July 18, 2014.

Mitch Biggar from Railcar Brewing Company released this distressing news "Due to a recent board (late June) of directors meeting NBLC informed us today that we will not be able to obtain our Brewery Agency Store license which allows us to sell to the public for offsite consumption until we have sold 100 HL during 12 months through NBLC first.

This is a major show stopper for us so we may close before we even open. As our business plan accounted for direct sales from Brewery."

This I feel is unfair to Railcar and counter-productive to business in New Brunswick. It is unfair to change the rules without notice for any business. There is a petition started by Southan Farms stating "Allow microbreweries with applications into the Province to sell beer on-site to the public for consumption off-site to proceed under the old regulations in place when the application was made." I have this pinned to the top of the Todd the Beer Dude facebook page, I signed it and I encourage you to as well to help out Railcar.

Celtic Knot Brewing announced that they have new fermenters which will allow them to double their output and experiment with some new one offs and recipes.

Grimross Brewing has released their new beer "Summer Serendipity" and it is in the fridge at the Brewtique now. The say the notes are "Floral sweet lemongrass aroma, tropical fruit taste and subtle hop bitterness".

Rare Bird Craft Beer released Maple Ale this week. It uses fresh sap from local maple farms went in to make this new brew. They say "we add a nice balance of hops and malt along a hint of fresh local maple syrup and spice to create a copper coloured, light-bodied ale that celebrates the bounty of our Nova Scotia forests." It is currently available the Rare Bird Pub in Guysborough on tap at Stillwell Beer Bar in Halifax with a more locations coming. This beer is 5.5% ABV.

Big Spruce Brewing noted that their tasting lounge and deck is screened in from the bugs, some bad ass doors, and flights of samples of our beers. Opening very soon. They also said the brewery was smelling like the zest from 40 grapefruits. From Big Spruce "All this heat has inspired a new beer, Pump Le Mousse, a grapefruit wheat beer, coming soon from Big Spruce." I very punny name again, if you don't know what I am talking about, look up the french translation of grapefruit.

Garrison Brewing Co. showed Daniel with some lavender from Meander River Farm this week. Does that mean Honey Lavender Ale will reappear this year? Perhaps at the Seaport Beerfest?  

Propeller Brewing Company and Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar announced Brews and Brats Tap Takeover for Sausage Fest on Tuesday August 19th from 6:30pm to 11pm.  Propeller Brewing Company will takeover all eight taps at Lion & Bright Café Wine Bar with One Hit Wonders and specialty brews. The team in the kitchen will be serving from an inspired menu featuring the the mighty sausage. As well a live DJ will keep the room lively all night. a mere $15 gets you in the door and a ticket for your first beer. As well you will take home an official commemorative Sausage Fest glass. Tickets are for sale on Local Connections Halifax website.
Propeller Brewing Company has also restarted their Open Tours at their Gottingen St brewery. The tours are on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30pm (July 9th -September 1st). No booking is required for open tours, just show up and have a great time. Arrive early as space is limited.

Ladies Beer League is also working on an event for Sausage Fest with Boxing Rock Brewing with a twist. They are looking for you to create a cask. You pick a Boxing Rock Beer, add some ingredients and share it on their facebook and you may win a shirt.

Halifax Seaport Beerfest has opened the call for volunteers for the August 9th and 10th event. You will receive all kinds of perks! Learn more and sign up at http://seaportbeerfest.com/interested-volunteering

Like to say thanks to everyone that said hi to me at the Picaroons' Brewers Bash last Saturday. It was an exceptional event and I think everyone really enjoyed it. Hats off to the organizers and all the volunteers.

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

Maritime Beer Report - June 13, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for June the 13th, 2014.

The Gahan House started pouring the new Cranberry Wit this week. It was the winner of the first annual homebrewer's challenge and was created by Ryan Palmer and Lee Nicholson.

Big Tide Brewing Co. wanted to celebrate the fact that they will soon be open for brunch, and the restoration of a nearby urban gem, and the beginning of camping season, Tin Can Coffee Porter will be on tap soon and it is brewed with local Java Moose coffee. They used the base recipe from their chocolate porter which is 2 row, chocolate, carafa and caramunich malts‎, and lightly hopped with nugget and Willamette hops. In the mash they used Java Moose dark roasted coffee and also added fresh brewed coffee at flame out. They were a little worried about bitterness so they added some vanilla to smooth it out but just a hint. It will be served unfiltered and will be about 5% ABV and about 45 IBU's. They also recently released a blueberry ale that is a seasonal favorite at Big Tide. It's a cream ale base with blueberry juice added. Brewed with 2 row and Munich malts. Lightly hopped with saaz hops and is about 5% ABV.

There will be two new summer seasonal beers released soon at Hammond River Brewing. The first one is a Hawaiian Pale Ale and expect this one to be available within the next week at the normal local establishments. The Hawaiian Pale Ale is brewed with fresh pineapples and is a slightly hoppy pale ale.  It's 56 IBUs and 5.8% ABV. The second one is a Blueberry Ale made with only real blueberries and no extract and should also be available within the next week. It's a mild 14 IBUs and 5.1% ABV.  Since he uses real blueberries, it's slightly purplish in colour. 

Bad Apple Brewhouse shared news on their new beer the Mosiac DIPA and the story behind it. From Bad Apple "The name of this beer represents my sons affliction of Mosaic Down Syndrome, and also at the same time is a display of the not so common Mosaic Hops. The hops give the beer a unique and complex blend of floral, tropical, fruity notes. Making it an easy drinking DIPA at 8% ABV. By doing our part to help the groups who make life better for others we are donating all of the proceeds from this beer to the Down Syndrome Society of NS and also Camp Brigadoon." The beer is available now in multiple formats at the Brewhouse, and further abroad later. They issued a special thanks to the local support, as they gave the first bottle to representatives from Brigadoon Village and NS Down Syndrome Society.

Garrison Brewing Co. released its popular Sugar Moon Maple and they say it is now available in their retail store and coming very soon the the NSLC, ANBL and four Halifax private stores! This strong ale comes in at 6.3% ABV

Propeller Brewing Company says you can now find six packs of their award winning Bohemian Style Pilsner at select NSLC stores.

There are many events coming up over the next few months starting with a couple next week end.

The Ladies Beer League is celebrating their 1st Beerthday party on Friday June 20th. There are asking everyone to join them The Wooden Monkey in Dartmouth at 7:30. They are bringing some cask-conditioned ale from their friends. Big Spruce is sending Double Dry Hopped All night Kitchen Party, North Brewing is bringing a Farmhouse Ale and Garrison Brewing has a Sticky Toffee Pudding Birthday Cake. It is pay as you go and they will have brand new LBL swag and merchandise for sale.

Stillwell Beer Bar released a few of the casks coming do the Garrison cask takeover event on June 21st.
Cask 1  Spiceman's Session Saison - Spiced Belgian-style Saison with Spiceman's Casia buds and Wild Voatsiperifery Pepper.
Cask 2 - Christmas in June - Pale Spruce Ale with Meander River Farm's Lunch Box Pale Ale and Garrisons Spruce Beer.
Cask 3 - Summit Buzz - Vanilla Expresso Brown with Spiceman's Vanilla Bean and Javablend K2 expresso.

Picaroons' Brewers Bash announced the list of who is attending the July 12th event in Fredericton NB. In all there are 62 brewers attending from all ten provinces and one territory. For the full list check their facebook page or my blog.

Harbourstone Sea Grill & Pour House is having another beer pairing dinner, this time with North Brewing Company. Six beers from North Brewing Co. will be paired with delicious and savoury creations from Chef Ted Young. Some teaser samples: Belgian Blonde paired with orange scented lobster dip with sweet potato chips as well as the Strong Dark Belgian with chocolate covered cherries with Mexican pot au creme. Tickets are on sale now through eventbrite. 

Tickets for Halifax Seaport Beerfest are now on sale. Tickets allows you to sample from 275 unique beers and ciders plus listen to great live music in a fun atmosphere. Delicious local food also available for $5.00 or under. New this year, both Saturday sessions will have a VIP option. VIPs will have one hour early access to the site, limited edition sampling glass, panel discussion and guided tasting with our guest speakers. Also new this year is a cask beer pavilion. Tickets are $45.00 to any of the three sessions or $50.00 at the gate. The VIP tickets will cost $65.00. 

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

News Release - Halifax Seaport BeerFest: Atlantic Canada’s largest beer festival is back for its 8th year, August 8 & 9. Tickets on sale this Friday at 10am!

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Halifax Seaport BeerFest: Atlantic Canada’s largest beer festival
is back for its 8^th year in Halifax, August 8 & 9

Tickets on sale this Friday at 10am!

(Halifax, NS) - Halifax Seaport BeerFest: Atlantic Canada’s largest beer festival returns for its 8th annual “Beer on the Pier”. The event will take place at the Cunard Centre on Halifax’s Waterfront, Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9.

This year the festival will showcase exclusively craft beers, premium imports and ciders. Over 275 unique brands from 110 participating breweries, representing the best from local producers, national and 15 other countries.

Attendees have three sessions to choose from. The first session is Friday evening from 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., the second is Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and the final isSaturday evening from 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. New this year, both Saturday sessions will offer a special VIP option. A limited number of festival-goers will enjoy a panel discussion and exclusive beer tasting with special guests and visiting brewers’ plus early access to the festival floor.

Local Maritime beer features prominently in this festival and this year will be no different. "Last year saw an explosion of new Nova Scotia craft brewers and all came out to sample and talk with attendees,” said Brian Titus, festival co-founder. "With upwards of 10 breweries slated to open in 2014 there should be plenty of new local beers."

New to the festival this year is the Cask Beer Pavilion. Seaport BeerFest is pleased to partner with Bar Stillwell and Ladies Beer League to profile the amazing world of Real Ale/Cask Beer. Local brewers will create unique and tasty cask-conditioned beers to be tapped on site.

Once again, the Halifax Seaport BeerFest will profile a number of great beer regions and nations. The popular Irish Craft Beer Village will profile beers and ciders from some of Ireland’s best independent producers shipped direct from Dublin. Other great pavilions will include, Maine, Ontario and Quebec. There will also be an amazing selection of premium imports from Belgium, Germany, England and the Czech Republic.

This year, the event is proudly hosting two special beer guests. The first guest is
Nick Pashley, author of Notes on a Beermat: Drinking and Why It’s Necessary and Cheers: An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada. Born 13.6 miles from the Harveys Brewery in East Sussex, Pashley is a longtime member of the Campaign for Real Ale (UK). He is also a founding board member of Toronto Beer Week and CASK! Toronto, an organization bent on promoting cask-conditioned ale.

Well-known for his erudition and sardonic wit, Pashley has written comic material for Dave Broadfoot and three governor-generals. He has also written a humour column for the University of Toronto Bulletin for fifteen years. A long-time resident of Toronto and a connoisseur of pubs and publishing, he now devotes his time to hosting literary events and writing his next book.          

The second special guest is Stephen Clinch, co-founder and co-owner of Trouble Brewing and part of the second wave of Irish craft breweries pushing the boundaries of beer in Ireland over the last five years. Started in 2010, Trouble Brewing produces diverse and interesting beer styles, many of which have not previously been produced in Ireland. Trouble Brewing moved locations in 2013, expanding its brewery and continuing to produce outstanding beer from only natural ingredients. His love for beer is matched only by his love for sport. If he is not in the pub, sampling the latest brew, he is in a park somewhere playing soccer.

The Halifax Seaport BeerFest is also pleased to present local live entertainment during each session. DJ Stilldrunk returns to spin tracks on Friday evening, Saturdayafternoon features acoustic duo, Tyler Key & Trevor Conrad and Saturday evening will feature one of the hottest DJ’s on the East Coast, DJ Savory.

Local food vendors will be on hand offering mouth-watering and beer-friendly cuisine, including the Waterfront Warehouse Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Stubborn Goat Gastropub and Bramoso Gourmet Pizzeria.  All food items are priced at $5 or less with gluten-free options available.

Tickets for the Halifax Seaport BeerFest go on sale this Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at select NSLC locations throughout Nova Scotia. They may also be purchased through the Ticket Atlantic box office, by phone at 451-1221 (1-877-451-1221) and online at ticketatlantic.com/. All sessions are $45 per person in advance ($50 at the festival box office). VIP tickets (Saturday only) are $65 per person. Prices do not include tax and applicable surcharges.

New this year, a Festival Box Office at Cunard Centre will be open from noon until 10 p.m.on Friday and Saturday for cash sales only. Tickets at the onsite box office are limited as sessions do sell out.

The Halifax Seaport BeerFest welcomes back Prostate Cancer Canada Atlantic as the official festival charity, with a portion of net event proceeds helping to provide men and their families with support and information about prostate cancer. For more information, visit: prostatecancer.ca/

For full event details on the Halifax Seaport BeerFest, visit: seaportbeerfest.com/,like on Facebook: /HalifaxSeaportBeerFest and follow on Twitter: /@seaportbeerfest

Maritime Beer Report - May 16, 2014

Hello and welcome to the Maritime Beer Report for May 16th 2014

Hammond River Brewing announced they are brewing two summer seasonals. The first one they are currently working on is a Hawaiian Pale Ale brewed with fresh pineapple and they posted a picture of all the pineapples this week. The other is a Blueberry Ale that will be brewed with fresh blueberries. The Blueberry Ale will be a purple beer since it's brewed with real blueberries, so it won't be your typical Blueberry Ale. I can't wait to try it.

Seems like from now until October there will be a beer festival somewhere in the Maritimes. Picaroons' Brewers Bash tickets will be going on sale starting 10 AM on Tuesday.May 20th at the Cedar Tree Cafe in Downtown Fredericton, or online at http://brewersbash.picaroons.ca/. Get them fast as they will not last.

Hell Bay Brewing Company released their latest iteration of R.I.P.(A.) ver. 3.0. This one is supposed to be slightly maltier, with biscuit notes, and citrus on the hop end. It weighs in at 7.2% ABV and 70 IBUs.

Meander River Farm and Brewery's big day is tomorrow. Saturday is your chance to grab Nova Scotia's newest microbrew. They will be selling growlers of their Lunch Box Pale Ale and some of your favourite farm products. For tomporrow only, $5 for a MRFB branded growler and $5 for the fill. They'll be open from 10-5 and I will be there to get some. They also say to be sure to share your visit from Saturday's opening on social media and tag them to receive $1 off your next growler.

Uncle Leo's Brewery says that due to the busy summer season approaching this will be their last weekend at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market. They go on to say "If you bought a growler from us you can either keep it as a keep sake, return it this weekend at the market or keep it and get it filled at another Brewery (call ahead to make sure they will fill another Brewery's growler)." Don't forget you get your Uncle Leo's fix at Premier Wine & Spirits, Bishop's Cellar, Harvest Wines and Cristall Wines.

Halifax Seaport Beerfest, which is August 8 & 9 this year, said that tickets for the 8th annual event will go on sale beginning June 13th. This Atlantic Canada’s largest gathering of craft beer, imports & cider with over 275 unique products available for sampling and discussion. In addition to the beer there is local music, food and new VIP sessions with guided tastings and early entry.

Lastly but not least the oldest beer fest in the Maritimes, the 9th annual Atlantic Beer Fest, is happening in Moncton two weeks from tomorrow on May 31st. I talked to Scott MacLeod, one of the organizers last week and he offer a few tidbits for me to share with you. There is over 175 beers and ciders coming from eastern Canada and New England. There will also be food vendors to for the expected 3000 people that will attend one of the two sessions on the 31st. Scott also shared several brewers coming but asked me to only share a few as a full list will be in the Moncton Times-Transcript on May 24th. There are several exciting brewers for Quebec and Ontario including 10 offerings from a favorite of mine Le Trou du Diable, Muskoka Brewing from Ontario, all the way from BC Howe Sound Brewing, Belfast Bay Brewing bring a Lobster Ale and most exciting for me Smuttynose Brewing Company. There is also free buses to and from areas to Agrena A sponsored by ANBL to provide a safe ride. Something new this year, The Moncton Area Beer League is offering VIP tickets that provide Tapetizers and a couple special beer at Pumphouse, then limos out to a private entrance where you by-pass the line,after the session you get limoed back downtown. As of this afternoon there are four tickets available for $65 per ticket available from The Moncton Beer League. If you have trouble email me and I will forward it to the organizer.Moncton Area Beer League and the Atlantic Beer Festival will donate all proceeds to Support to Single Parents Inc. ~ Support aux parents uniques inc.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my report again this week, enjoy the long week end for my Canadian fans and until next time enjoy responsibly.