Friday, October 3, 2014

Maritime Beer Report - October 3, 2014

Hello and welcome to the October 3rd edition of the Maritime Beer Report. 

PEI Brewing Company has welcomed its Sydney Street Stout back to its shelves. Be on the look out for this, one of my favorites.

Big Tide Brewing Company now has its Pumpkin Ale on tap. They say to get it while you can and its Indian Beach Pumpkin Ale should be ready mid-week. They brewed another batch of pumpkin this week but no more fresh hops though. 

Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault had Bob LeFrais available this week at the brewery, it is Bob LeBoeuf made with the fresh hops grown in Grand-Falls.Quantities of this are very limited.

Celtic Knot Brewing says for those who missed it the first go round Tide and Boar tapped a fresh keg of "Ring of Fire" smoked jalapeƱo and habanero beer for a limited time. Celtic Knot is now brewing a "Caledonia Scottish Ale". Brewed as a 70 or a heavy depending on what you prefer and will come in around 3.8% and guaranteed to be a malty quaffer.

Bad Apple Brewhouse has been quiet but busy this summer. They sent me a quick note to tell me what they are up to. They brewed a Cucumber Mint Beer called Operation Green Ring that is a 5% ABV, a 7% wet-hopped IPA called Terroir and they filled 2 red wine barrels with Black & Tackle and these should be ready around Christmas time.

Big Spruce Brewing has made Das Sprucebier! An Oktoberfest Amber they brewed especially for the Marion Bridge Oktoberfest on Saturday at the Mira Centre, 4037 Gabarus Highway from 3pm to 10pm. They released a small amount at the brewery. It is 5.9% ABV and 23 IBU and was brewed with 100 % imported malted barley from Germany.

Garrison Brewing Company has released its annual wet-hopped ale, 3 Fields Harvest Ale today. They also released its new Double Jack Imperial Pumpkin ale. This 8.0% ABV dark amber ale is made with local pumpkins from Howard Dill's Pumpkin Farm.

Rockbottom Brewpub made some beer changes this week. Thulsa Doom is out so they are putting on the Insidous Black IPA and they have also run out of our Jacktar stout for a bit so they will have a lovely London Style Porter on for a bit.

Atlantic Canadian Beer Awards are this week end. They will be judging 166 beer entries in 15 categories from 27 Breweries & Brewpubs on Saturday. Public events are a beer and food pairing event on Saturday afternoon, the awards gala on Sunday evening at The Stubborn Goat and the Ladies Beer League is having a book launch with Mirella Amato on Monday at Lion and Bright.

Bar Stillwell has announced another exciting event on October 18th. A NB Nano tap takeover highlighting seven breweries from our neighbor to the north. There are two sessions and the cost is 15.00 and that will get you a t-shirt and your first drink. There will be several styles on the taps that we've never poured before, including a young lambic, a berliner weisse and and an all-brett beer.

East Coast Beer Tours has adjusted their beer tour and cut the price in half to try to attract more people They've downsized the bus to a 28 passenger mini-coach. It's the same number of tickets but no tables or mini kitchen in the back and as a result, there is no space for a live musician or to offer/prepare food or beverage service while en route. They will still going to be visiting Meander River, Paddy's Brewpub and Bad Apple Brewhouse where you will still get to sample their beer and talk with the brewers.There will be a light snack provided at Paddy's and a BBQ in Berwick with some local sausage and pork. It is a great deal for 50 bucks check it out.

Tomorrow is City Harvest 3.0 and Halifax is teaming with great deals. I wrote a quick guide for beer lovers to highlight some of the beer stops. Check it out here

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



Thursday, October 2, 2014

A Beer Lovers Quick Guide to City Harvest 3.0


On October 4th the third installment of City Harvest is happening in Halifax and with about 100 businesses participating I have listed the highlights for beer lovers to help plan your day.

A stop at North Brewing Company on Agricola Street will get you a  $1 off 750 ml growler fills, $2 off 1.89 l growler fills and 10% off merchandise. 

Stubborn Goat Gastropub on Grafton is offering $2 Cask Beer Samples and a backdoor $5 Mac & Cheese, take a selfie with the Mac from 11-4  to win free stuff

Premiere Wine & Spirits on Dresden Row is having tastings of Tsingtao & Tiger Beer and they are giving away free Tsingtao glass to first 100 people.

Garrison Brewing at the Halifax Seaport is releasing its 3 Fields Harvest Wet Hopped Ale and Double Jack Imperial Pumpkin Ale. While you are there you can grab a Meatball Sandwich from Getaway Meat Market.

Bishop's Cellar at Bishop's Landing is celebrating Nova Scotia farm wineries & local Craft Beer with samples of wine & craft beers.

Obladee Wine Bar on Barrington Street has Nova Scotia Red or White wine, paired with Nova Scotia Cheese for $12 or a local craft beer with a local smoked sausage for $10.

There is a lot to see and sample but it is all about supporting local, watch for tweets as I work my way around Halifax.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Son Vita Restaurant launches new menu and beer

After being in business for a couple of years Son Vita Tapas is now Son Vita Social House. What is the difference? Previously it was mostly a Mediterranean inspired restaurant that was a great place to eat but most wouldn't consider it a place to hang out. Now it still has a lot of Mediterranean fare but added is food from other of Hamachi's restaurants and traditional pub fare. The change in the menu was also accompanied by big screen televisions in the bar area and loads of Nova Scotia beer. 


The restaurant has always been focused on local food so adding local beer was a logically extension. I got to try several of the new menu items and they are all a hit, if you are in the Larry Uteck area give it a try.