Friday Wrap-Up for March 31, 2023 – News from Big Spruce, Sober Island, Tatamagouche, Tusket Falls, Banished, Landwash, and More!!

Posted by acbbdamian on 2023-03-31
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: Annapolis Cider Company, Banished Brewing, Big Spruce Brewing, Dildo Brewing, Four Rivers Brewing Co., Grimross Brewing, Iron Rock Brewing Co., Landwash Brewery, North Brewing, Ol' Biddy's Brew House, Port Rexton Brewing Co., Rackhouse Brewing Co, Secret Cove Brewing, Sober Island Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing, Together We Brew, TrailWay Brewing, Tusket Falls Brewing, Twin Harbour Brewing. Leave a Comment

Happy Friday y’all! Warmer weather, buds breaking through the snow, patios being shoveled off, it really is beginning to feel like spring! Of course, we’ll have to keep our snowblowers and scrapers close at hand, but let’s hope the worst of winter is behind us. And let us now turn to beer, because that’s why you tune in every week! Oh, and as next week is Good Friday, we’ll be giving you an All Killer, No Filler post next Thursday to set your (hopefully) long weekend up for beer and cider success! (Note to breweries, please hit us up early next week to be included, in case we check out even earlier than usual)

Never ones to do something half-assed, the Fine Family of Big Spruce is celebrating their Tenth Anniversary in a big way this weekend! April 1, 2013 is when the little farm brewery on a hill in Nyanza, Cape Breton first opened their doors, and they’ve been pumping out the good stuff and raising a little heck, ever since! At a time when there were fewer than 20 breweries in the province, and none in Cape Breton, Jeremy White and family purchased a home, planted some hops, and got to work to bring Organic beer to Nova Scotia. Check this interview from 2012 and update in 2013 for a bit of nostalgia on the brewing scene back then… Over the ten years since, they have released well over 200 different beers, fought back against outdated and backwards rules from the province and the NSLC, all while having a heck of a lot of fun. 

They are celebrating in a massive way this weekend with the release of a Birthday Box mixed case of new brews and returning favourites, just in time to kick off Nova Scotia Craft Beer Month. Giving full details on all twelve would be a full hour-read on its own, so we will tease you with the names and info to at least get you ready.

  • Kitchen Party Pale Ale – This is a throwback to the original recipe that they launched in 2013, that has undergone some tweaks over the years. 5.6% ABV
  • Cereal Killer Glenora Whiskey Barrel Aged – Taking their Stout and aging it in whiskey barrels will lend tons of vanilla, wood, and spirit character, without a ton of booziness. 5.8% ABV
  • Canadian Tuxedo – An ode to the denim on denim look, local Organic haskap berries punch up this Brettanomyces-fermented sour beer. 6.0% ABV
  • Bolt From The Blue – Another fruited sour, this time using locally-grown Organic blueberries. 4.5% ABV
  • Snailblazer – Just because it’s low ABV doesn’t mean it’s not full of flavour! A 4.5% ABV Session IPA with experimental HBC 843 hops.
  • Put Me In Kölsch – A dry-hopped pale lagered ale, refreshing and thirst quenching for those days in beer league softball. 4.9% ABV
  • Hug Bunny – A returning favourite Gose, the light salt character keeps you wanting more. 4.0% ABV
  • Blursday – A new release, a 6.6% ABV hazy IPA.
  • Brew Rodeo – Another new IPA, this one uses a cryogenic extraction of fresh, not dried, Citra hops, to capture the just-picked character of the hop harvest, stabilizing it for any-time-of-the-year enjoyment. 7.0% ABV
  • The Cat’s Pyjamas – Another experimental hop IPA, weighing in at 7.2% ABV
  • What Could Possibly Go Wrong – A Double IPA featuring the tropical and citrus New Zealand-grown Nectaron hop. 8.0% ABV
  • Under The Mountain – A Cascadian Dark Ale, aka Black IPA, the winner from this year’s Homebrew Championship, brewed by Alex Hunt. Chinook, Simcoe, and Centennial, for tons of pine and resin on a smooth dark malt base. 6.2% ABV

Wow! What a line-up! The great news is that there are a few hundred of these Birthday Boxes available at Big Spruce, or online for delivery across the province or Canada-wide, going on-sale today at 6 PM (delivery tomorrow), so set your alarms now!

Joining the new releases from Big Spruce is the return of their annual American IPA release, Cerberus. Celebrating the best of Organic ingredients, especially hops, it is hopped throughout the process, including in the kettle and later in the tanks post-fermentation, to give you both flavour and aroma bursting from the can. As always, this is a once a year treat, so don’t delay in picking it up from the brewery, their shop, or better retailers around the province.

If you manage to finish your case of new beer on the weekend, congratulations! But the good news is if you do, or happen to miss out, then you can enjoy any and all of these new and returning releases on draught at Battery Park next Thursday, April 6, as they host Big Spruce for a massive Tap Takeover. From 11:30 until late, Nyanza is taking over the taps to showcase it all to the public. And great news, as Friday is a holiday for most, hopefully you needn’t worry about having to head to work the next morning! Birthday Cake is served at 7 PM, and the Big Spruce Crew will be onsite celebrating along with everyone!

From one island to another, Sober Island Brewing has a brand new release coming out today. A light, dry-hopped Saison, Saison du Sheet Rock is a fun, light twist on a delicious style. We’re happy to bring you the details on this one, as this one brings a malt bill of Pilsen, Vienna and light Munich to bring lightly toasted and soft bready flavours. The hops in this one are all American, which isn’t traditional, but works well with the recipe. Citra, El Dorado and Centennial play up the citrus, stone fruit and a bit of spruciness. The Belgian yeast adds the peppery contrast and brings the dry finish you’d expect from the style. Overall, this comes in at 4.0% and 26 IBU and should be a great take on the style. This debuts at their beer release party tonight (Friday, March 31st) at 7 PM at the brewery, and a cask version will be available at the Together We Brew Beerfest tomorrow. Cans are available at the taproom as well. 

Staying in Nova Scotia, Tatamagouche Brewing has a brand new beer that stays in the Saison family. Peppy is a pink peppercorn and rosehip Saison. This brew was inspired by a family kombucha recipe that has botanical and grapefruit aromas with a tart citrus flavour.  Along with classic Belgian yeast, the pink peppercorn and rosehips were used as a dry “hop” to bring very bright floral, sweet, and berry notes with a peppery aroma. The finish of this 5.9% beer is dry and herbaceous and it is available today in 355ml cans from the brewery and online and may pop up around some private stores as well in Halifax. 

Another brand new beer out of Nova Scotia comes to us courtesy of Tusket Falls Brewing. Something to Say is a Hazy Session IPA that continues with the brewers’ current fascination with New Zealand hops. This 4.6% tropically flavoured beer features Pacific Sunrise along with a bit of Citra. The Pacific Sunrise has hints of lemon and orange flavour with some melon and mango notes as well. This one is available in cans and on tap at the Tusket brewery and will be available in their Halifax Beer Project location soon. 

We’re starting our Newfoundland-themed section now, sharing news from seven breweries from the Rock. Starting out with Banished Brewing, they’ve got a new beer and a fresh release of an old favourite. Private Line is a 4.7% Kölsch that embodies the cool, crisp style with a touch of sweetness from European malts. This is available at the brewery now and will be going to Newfoundland retailers through next week. The Banished crew also has a fresh batch of their Double New England IPA, Intergalactic Puffin, which is the 8% offering of their Puffin line. 

Other news from the brewery is that they’re hiring part-time and full-time positions for retail and bartending positions. To apply please submit a resume & a cover letter to kris@banishedbrewing.ca. 

The second stop on our Newfoundland swing is Landwash Brewery and they’re bringing us Garden Party, a Session IPA. This release coincided with Blue Jays opening day and brings the hope of Spring, Summer and fun, social days ahead. This is 4.2% and available in cans today. 

Bringing in a friend, Landwash has a new collaboration with Baccalieu Trail Brewing. Freeze & Thaw is a Northern German Pilsner to commemorate this time of the year and frosty mornings in Newfoundland.  Staying true to the style, this lager went through a double decoction mash and brings that nice bitter bite and floral aroma from German Spalter Select and Saphir hops. The result is a 5% canned beer available from the regular locations of Marie’s and NLC on the Avalon peninsula, and will be coming to the rest of the island next week. 

Staying in the province, but jumping over to Lab City, Iron Rock Brewing is releasing the second of its cellar series with Le Fer Du Monde. This Belgian-style tripel, a clever play on the name of the ever popular (although now macro-owned) tripel out of Quebec, translates to the Iron of the World. Their take on the style was oak-aged and then bottle conditioned. Expect notes of dark fruit, vanilla, and oak, with a touch of warming alcohol character. This one can be aged for up to three years, or enjoyed fresh (“why not both?” is our suggestion).  Bottles will be available today at the taproom with wider retail distribution next week. 

Dildo Brewing is getting you in the mood for spring with its newest release, Maibock. Their take on the German Helles Bock comes in at 6.5%, featuring Pilsner, Vienna and Munich malt, with the malt sweetness complimented by the spicy notes derived from the exclusive use of Spalter Select hops. Cans are available today around the bay in Dildo and at the downtown St. John’s retail store, with wider distribution via the NLC next week. 

Over on the west coast, Secret Cove Brewing is releasing Ocean Dust, a 4.6% ABV German gose-style ale. Their version includes the traditional additions of coriander and orange peel, with the salt harvested from Newfoundland sea water. Expect a slight tartness, along with orange pith, marmalade and a hint of ocean water. Find it on tap at the brewery now with cans next week at the brewery, and wider distribution to follow.

We’ll finish off the streak of Newfoundland and Labrador releases with this year’s version of Wild Ale from Port Rexton Brewing. This one is co-fermented with two ale yeasts, a cleaner American yeast, and a Belgian Saison yeast, before a secondary fermentation with Escarpment Labs’ Brett D strain. The resulting 6% wild ale is packed with esters and phenols, including banana, spice and floral notes. A small addition of pineapple puree rounds out the fruity fermentation-derived flavours. You can find it on-tap at the brewery now, with cans at the brewery and the St. John’s retail shop. It will see wider distribution in cans across the Province next week. 

Let’s head to Fredericton to start a little Nouveau-Brunswick swing, where Trailway’s newest release is honouring one of beer’s crown jewels, Allagash White, from Portland, Maine. Trailway’s take on the Belgian-style wheat beer, or wit, features bready malt notes, hints of orange peel and coriander (from additions of both items) and a light grassy note from the hops. Main Land is available in cans at the brewery now, with cans hitting the Saint John taproom soon.

Heading way up to Bathurst we find Four Rivers Brewery releasing a special beer brewed on international Women’s Day. Hitting the taps today at the brewery is The Women Brew Too, an IPA brewed, as you might expect, by one of the brew team, Megan Kinsman, along with a group of community-driven women in Bathurst. All proceeds from this one will be donated to Maison de Passage House in Bathurst.

Nanobrewery Twin Harbour, in Saint Anthony/Saint-Antoine on the Eastern shore of New Brunswick, has a couple offerings to talk about this week. First up, fans of their Cap Enragé 6.0% West Coast-style American IPA will be happy to hear that it’s back on tap after a long hiatus. No word on packaging for now, but you’ll at least be able to grab a fill at the brewery. Along with that they’ve also got a new beer they’re calling P’tit Prince, which is a variation on their popular blonde ale, Côte d’Or. Featuring the same grain bill but a different hop combination, it’s a very quaffable beer that should be perfect for the nicer weather that’s sure to come along any time now. Locals know this, but visitors to the area should be aware, Twin Harbour has limited hours (usually Thursday evenings from 6-8pm) and you’ll need to check social media (Fb, Ig) to be sure to know when they’re open!

Barrel-aging specialty brewery Rackhouse out of Nackawic, NB, has a new treat out this week, and, as is de rigueur for this brewery, one that’s been some time in the making. A classic witbier was aged in a former apple brandy barrel for six months, where it both mellowed and took on some tropical flavors of primarily pineapple and passion fruit that should be perfect for the coming patio season. A limited-edition run of 375ml bottles is also expected, so keep your eyes out for that. For now, however, your best bet to try this 8.5% beer is at the Big Axe or Moonshine Creek taprooms and hopefully the Joyce and the Uncorked Tours taproom in Saint John.

Our contractually* obligated** cider content this week comes from Annapolis Cider in Wolfville, where they’ve got a new entry in their Something Different series. Cranberry Mimosa is a play on the classic breakfast cocktail, with a twist, of course. Citrusy, thanks to fresh tangelos and navel oranges which were soaked in AC’s base cider for a few weeks, it’s got a sweetness that is balanced by a crisp finish of grapefruit and orange peel notes. Fresh-pressed cranberry juice complements the citrus backbone and also provides a hint of ruby red color to this 5.3% ABV cider. As with all entries in the Something Different series, this one is only available for pints and fills at the cidery and $0.50 of every fill goes to a charitable cause, in this case, Elderdog Canada.

* Hahaha. We have no contracts.
** Hahahahaha. We have no obligations either.

No new events on the docket to mention, but we trust that if you’re in the HRM area (or willing to travel for beer events) you’ve already got your ticket(s) to tomorrow’s Together We Brew.

Brewery hiring season is kicking into gear as breweries prepare for the hectic summer season.

North Brewing in Halifax is looking to staff up, with several positions available in both the “seasonal front-of-house” and “line cook/prep cook” categories at both their Timberlea and Portland Street locations. Prospective applicants are encouraged to check out all the job details on North’s website under the “Job Postings” link and then follow the instructions to apply.

A couple of quick hits to take you home (country rooooooads):

Fredericton’s Grimross has two beers from different ends of the spectrum back on tap. Hop Blonde is pale, clear, crisp, and refreshing at 6.0% ABV, and Maritime Black IPA is dark, roasty, and dank, with plenty of bitterness in a 6.2% package. Find them both at the brewery packaged in cans to go.

Fans of beer in Lower Sackville can check out their local Ol’ Biddy’s for a new beer this weekend. Their second-ever lager will go on tap on Saturday. They’re being coy with the details at this point so you’ll just have to head down tomorrow and see what it’s all about!

Friday Wrap-Up for March 24, 2023 – News from New Scotland, Bannerman, Banished, Backstage, Propeller, 2 Crows, Rough Waters, Village Green, Tusket Falls, and much more!

Posted by acbbchris on 2023-03-24
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: 2 Crows Brewing, Baccalieu Trail Brewing, Backstage Brewing, Banished Brewing, Bannerman Brewing, Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, Gahan Atlantic Home Brew Challenge, Iron Rock Brewing Co., Modern Brewer's Village Green, New Scotland Brewing, North Brewing, Propeller Brewing, Rough Waters Brewing, Tanner & Co Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing, TrailWay Brewing, Tusket Falls Brewing. Leave a Comment

Another big week for beer releases, with more than a dozen from all four Atlantic provinces gracing our pages; it’s always nice when we can share a little bit of beer love for all of our readers. And remember, for our out-of-region folks, many breweries are still offering Canada-wide shipping, so don’t be shy about clicking through on brewery links to see what they’re offering! Now that we’ve exited the season of deep freezes (fingers crossed), breweries are more inclined to send beer out.

Let’s kick off the week with an overwhelming number of stouts hitting the taps in Downtown Dartmouth. New Scotland Brewing’s Brew Crew has been working overtime the last few months to put together a six-pack of new beers to celebrate “Darkside Days”. On tap tomorrow, you’ll see the return of McCoy’s Contraband, their 8.5% Foreign Export/Tropical Stout. Plenty of malt in here to enhance flavour and body, as was traditional to survive the long voyage from the UK to the Caribbean (just as pertinent now to survive the Halifax-Dartmouth crossings), think molasses and fruitcake, with a hint of sweetness too. While it is on tap now, you’ll be able to enjoy it in cans from the brewery in early April.

Joining McCoy’s are mixed-six of other stouts, in a wide array of flavour alcohol levels. Let’s start with Darkside Sunrise, a 5.2% stout brewed with whole bean coffee (of the “Breakfast Blend” variety), giving major coldbrew vibes with a hint of sweetness complementing the roast from the beans. Continuing the theme is Spread the News, a 5.5% Peanut Butter Stout, the perfect pairing to your morning toast and jam. Hints of dark fruit with a smooth head, and, of course, a nutty finish. It’s time for dessert with Darkside Forest Cake! A 5.5% chocolate cherry stout, blending the best of the base chocolatey stout with a bright fruit character from the cherry addition, it boasts a touch of sweetness and then finishes with tart cherries. 

Continuing your day in this overwrought analogy, let’s gather ‘round the fire for the Gimme Gimme s’more stout. Notes of honey and graham cracker, plus marshmallow vibes, on top of the chocolate and dark fruit from the base beer and a slightly warming 6.5% ABV from this beauty. And finally, coming in from the fire and lounging around the sitting room, it’s time to enjoy a pair of boozier offerings. O Sailor is just 5.5% ABV, but features notes of spiced rum with a touch of vanilla, herbs and spices, plus some black currant too, although this is most apparent on the aroma, rather than any harshness on the palate. Rounding out the group is Anastasia Bluegrass, a Bourbon Wood-aged Russian Imperial Stout. Again shining through in the aroma with vanilla and whiskey being the prominent notes, but not overwhelming the hefty base Imperial Stout, this one is definitely a “sipper” at 9.5% ABV. All six of the brews will debut Saturday at open, and we do not expect them to last the whole weekend, so make trails to New Scotland to avoid disappointment!

St. John’s Bannerman Brewing has a new beer on tap, teasing us with the warmer weather that’s just around the corner (right??). Four-Way Tie is a 5.5% pale ale, dry-hopped with plenty of El Dorado for big notes of pineapple and citrus on the nose and tongue. The grain bill contains a fair amount of both malted and flaked Oats, giving the beer a full body and mouthfeel without significant residual sweetness. Find it, and everything here, on tap and to go in cans at their East Duck location, and coming to local beer stores soon.

Nearby in Paradise, Banished Brewing has a new release that’s all about that feeling at the end of a long workday… Clockin’ Out is a 5.2% Red Ale, perfect for grabbing as you get back home after a day in the mill or on the front lines of retail. Their top-requested style since they opened, they are delivering what the people have demanded! With a touch of roasted barley in the grist to complement the other specialty malts, the German and UK hops provide some light floral and herbal notes on the nose. As always, the cans feature great artwork by Paul George Hammond, with some familiar and new cartoon animals to keep you company as you drown your Sunday Scaries. Available now on Maverick Place, and at the usual retailer spots real soon!

Hey all you Fortunate Sons and Daughters, Look Out Your Back Door, and ask yourself, “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” worse than last night? Well, Backstage Brewing in Stellarton is sure to cancel out any Bad Moon Rising, and make you feel like a Proud Mary (or Marty) with their latest release, the Creedence Coconut Revival IPA. This 5.9% ABV IPA features a bale-full of Azacca, Citra, and Mosaic, with a late addition of coconut right in the boil. Run Through the Jungle, drive through Cotton Fields, and head Down on the Corner to Backstage to grab this beer on tap and in growlers (Hey) Tonight.

Propeller Brewing has been embracing new styles, ingredients, and techniques since their inception in 1996, and their latest release embraces all three! Tundra is a 6.1% ABV Cold IPA, the newish style that was borne out of a bit of a rejection of the super-hazy presentation and full mouthfeel of NEIPA. Using a light grain bill, and fermenting cooler (but not at lager temp), the body is crisp and refreshing. Being an IPA, hops have to be the star of the show and they certainly are here, with the new HBC 1019 hop being used. Notes of Valencia oranges, candied peaches, and honeydew are first and foremost on the nose and palate.On tap and in cans at all Prop Shops now, this beer will also be at some of the private stores soon.

Lots of news from Brunswick Street’s 2 Crows Brewing this week. First up is a remix on the much-loved Jamboree fruited sour, with this version featuring mango, coconut, and vanilla. Starting from the same base of local Pils and wheat malts, in addition to flaked wheat and oats, the beer was first soured with Lacto Plantarum, and then fermented with Escarpment’s Ebbegarden Kveik yeast strain. Post-ferm, a load of mango purée (to the tune of 100 grams per litre!), toasted coconut, and whole vanilla beans were added while it finished conditioning and carbonating. The result is tart, fruity, tropical, and ready for you today! In cans and on tap now, and will be on their slushie machine tomorrow for the full fruit smoothie experience! Sandos will be popping up at noon, with live music in the brewery space starting at 7 PM. More info here.

And in a whole new line for the Dual Corvids is SANS, a line of non-alcoholic beers. They’re dialling in their no-ABV process with two releases this week: the first is Raspberry Sour, which leverages their souring and fruiting experience while producing Jamboree, but on a non-alcoholic base. Lots of raspberry in the glass, for a jammy and tart bevvy. Also now gracing the shelves is Hoppy, a light, fresh, and tropical IPA-kinda non-beer, with lots of Galaxy hops added late in the process to shine through. These are both small test batches, available on tap only, so be sure to pop by soon to test them out and report back to 2 Crows on what you think!

Rough Waters Brewing in Deer Lake has a new beer, named in honour of their Red Heeler Ella, who of course graces the beer’s label. Rascal is a 7.8% Double IPA, packed to the brim with Eclipse and Lotus hops, lending major citrus and pine to the flavour and aroma. Cans are available on the West coast, as well as at their regular distro spots on the Avalon, so head out on an adventure to grab them!

Cornwall, PEI’s Village Green has a new beer on tap this weekend for pints and growler fills, in the perfect “I can drink a couple, yet it has plenty of flavour” category. Polite Pale is a 4.8% pale ale brewed with a blend of English, German, and American hops for a truly complex aroma and flavour. Added to that was a warm ferment of English yeast to express some fruity esters on the nose as well. Pop by tomorrow evening at 7 PM, and you can even try your hand at The Simpsons trivia!

Tusket Falls Brewing has a new beer on tap and in cans this week, available at both their brewery in Tusket and their Halifax Beer Project spot on Gottingen. Differently Wired is a 6.5% Raspberry Sour, fermented using their house sour blend of bacteria, before a hefty dose of Citra and Amarillo was added to complement the vanilla beans, lactose, and the eponymous fruit brought this beauty to fruition (ha!). It features a smooth mouthfeel with a bit of sweetness to balance the acidity from the bacteria and fruit. Head out and grab some today!

Another fruited sour is out in the wild this week, albeit 1,500 km from Tusket, Nova Scotia… Baccalieu Trail Brewing in Bay Roberts, NL is embracing the American Southwest with the release of Cactus Crush. Using Prickly Pear puree, you can enjoy all the flavour of that fruit, without having to pull small needles out of your lips (ask us how we know!). The fruit imparts a lovely pink hue to the beer, and shines through flavour-wise with notes of kiwi, melon, and watermelon, all in a tidy 4.2% ABV package. Available on tap at the brewery now, with cans to go as well at NLC, Urban Market, and Maries in St. John’s today!

Not to be outdone by Backstage and 2 Crows, North Brewing also has a beer this week that features coconut (seems to us some brewers may have been visiting, or at least dreaming of, warmer climes over March break). But there’s more to it than that! Member of the North brewteam Alex Wong was inspired during a trip to Singapore to make Shiok Cream Ale, a cream ale made with coconut and pandan. Pronounced “she-oak” the term is slang for “very tasty” or “delicious” which is what Alex hopes you’ll say about this beer. A tribute to the Singaporean/Malaysian breakfast treat kaya, which is an egg-based custard spread that also features coconut and pandan, this beer aims to be a little sweet but still crushable. Look for a prominent coconut aroma which follows through to the palate along with lemon, nuttiness, and an earthy citrus. Somewhat hazy in appearance, with a slightly-creamy medium body, there’s a light acid balance and a higher-than-usual carbonation as well. This was a pilot batch so it’s limited in quantity and only available on tap at the North taprooms in Cole Harbour and Timberlea.

Fredericton’s Trailway is reminding everyone that they’re not just all about the hops this week with a new batch of Ramifications, their Helles lager. Intended as an all-day easy drinker, you can safely expect a clean flavor profile, round and soft, with some malt sweetness and minimal bitterness in a crushable 5% ABV package. You’ll find this one available at the brewery in Fredericton and in Saint John at the recently opened Union House, as well as in cans to go.

Bucking the recent trend away from mixed fermentation beers are our pals at Tatamagouche Brewing. Trusting their customers will appreciate a well-made example, they’ve brought a second iteration of Glad Alchemy, a mixed ferm pale ale. Described as, “vibrant and bursting with funky flavors,” it is a showcase of the fruity and funky character that can be derived from hops when driven by fermentation with wild yeasts and bacteria. Expect a light and sparkly mouthfeel, a big pop of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, and pineapple, and a bit of vanilla on the finish. This one was conditioned for eight months in neutral oak barrels which no doubt has added a touch of tannins to the mix as well. You can get your hands on this 5.5% beauty in cans at the brewery, and we expect maybe a couple of kegs will make it around the region, but you can also order it online. And to make that even more attractive, Tata is doing free Canada-wide shipping this weekend (March 24 – 26th)!! Just use the code MARCHFREESHIP at checkout.

Rounding out the release news this week we travel to possibly the most remote brewery in our region, Iron Rock in Labrador City. A revised version of the beer they made for Iron Fest 2022, it’s a 3.7% ABV golden-hued ale, a crushable brew that can be enjoyed all afternoon long and into the evening. It’s currently only on tap at the brewery right now, but they’re planning a bigger batch so they’ve got more to share. This one will also be the beer of record at Iron Fest 2023 in August, when Luce Ends, who won the Battle of the Bands event where this beer was released last week, kick off the concert portion of the proceedings.

There’s a big NS beer event on the horizon along with news of a region-wide event that finished up last weekend:

Big congratulations to the winners of last weekend’s 4th Annual Atlantic Home Brew Challenge, by Gahan House. With more than two dozen entries from across the four Atlantic provinces, Al MacLeod reigned supreme with his Herr Dustig German Pils. Al will be brewing a stepped-up version of his brew with Matt at the Saint John Gahan Pub location later this year. Taking First Place in the Altbier category was Ben Hussey with his Atlantic Alt, who also scored some cash for his homebrew. Other successful breweries taking home some dough are Andre Reichel, Robert Schnarr, and Patrick Hogan. Congratulations to Al and everyone who took place, we hear the judging was tight, as the quality of homebrewing continues to elevate across the region!

We’ve got the first beer show of Spring coming up next weekend, with the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia kicking off NS Craft Beer Month with the Together We Brew Festival April 1. Taking place at Pavilion 22 on Halifax’s waterfront, it will see 40 breweries from across the province together again in one place. This is your best chance to do a “tour de province” under one roof, before you plan your beery travels this summer! There are two sessions happening next Saturday, either 2 – 4:30 PM (VIP can enter at 1 PM) session to kick off your evening, or 7 – 9:30 PM (VIP @ 6 PM) to set your night into high gear. Tickets are available here and your ticket price now includes all samples (no individual drink tickets needed anymore!), and for those interested in volunteering before, during, or after the festival, check out the options and sign up here. More details are available here, should you like to review their safety protocols.

Looking to get into the beer business? Breweries are expanding their workforce as they prepare for fast-approaching busy season!
Chester Basin’s Tanner & Co is preparing for a busy summer by hiring for a seasonal full-time Brewery Production and Cellar Assistant. While no previous brewery experience is necessary, an interest in the field and hard working ethic are going to be key to your success. Could be the perfect job for someone looking to get in the Beer Biz on the South Shore! Check out the full job listing and how to apply here!

Friday Wrap-Up for March 17, 2023 – News from Half Cocked, Happy, Garrison, Trailway, Gahan, and More!!

Posted by acbbaaron on 2023-03-17
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: Candid Brewing, Gahan House, Garrison Brewing, Half Cocked Brewing, Happy Craft Brewing, Lone Oak Brewing, North Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing, TrailWay Brewing, Tusket Falls Brewing. Leave a Comment

Welp, let’s get this out of the way. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and yours. While today is a fine day to drink a well-made local stout, we figure any type of beer, cider, or mead will be just perfect to toast the patron saint of Ireland. Plenty of new beers hitting the taps and shelves this week, with local breweries and cideries celebrating the date with live music and events too. So grab a lunch-time beer and read what you can soon be enjoying at your favourite watering hole.

There’s a new beer on tap for pints and growlers at North Grant’s Half Cocked Brewing, perfect for kicking off your weekend celebrations. Jughead is an 8.2% Double IPA, featuring plenty of Simcoe hops in the boil and after. But don’t be scared away, the bitterness is not too high, as aroma and flavour are first and foremost in the beer. Pine and citrus are the order of the day, and clarity in the golden-amber beer is what you’ll spot in the glass. Pop out today, and you’ll also be able to enjoy some holiday food pairings from The Crafty Cooks, the food truck set up steps from Half Cocked’s front door. And for those unlucky enough to not be in the area, fingers crossed that there may be some kegs heading into the big city before too long.

Moncton’s Happy Brewing has a new beer pouring this week, something light and easy drinking, for those who want to enjoy more than a couple this weekend. Flowers is a 4.7% Light Lager, crisp, light, but with craft beer roots and flavour. Using Pilsner malt, as well as flaked rice to keep the mouthfeel nice and crushable, it features a nice dosing of Motueka hops to impart some floral notes with a hint of green apple. Pop by their spot on Main Street for a taste this weekend!

In anticipation of the East Coast Music Awards coming to Halifax May 3-7, the Craft Beer Collective sponsors of the event (Breton Brewing, Garrison, Grimross, Quidi Vidi, and Upstreet), have released this year’s beer, EMCAle, Track 3: Halifax. Brewed at Halifax’s Garrison Brewing, this 4.5% Wheat Ale is hazy as it was not filtered, and features german Hallertauer hops to enhance the grain bill, for a fruity nose and just slight bitterness. Easy drinking in quantity, which is perfect, as the sale of each can will see $0.50 donated to the ECMA to continue to showcase and grow the region’s music community and industry. Find it at Garrison’s locations today, as well as provincial and private stores in the province, with roll out to the other provincial liquor stores in the coming weeks. And better yet, it will be available at all of the venues during the May live music events throughout Halifax!

Back in Nouveau-Brunswick, Trailway celebrated a big milestone last weekend with the opening of their Saint John location, Union House. If you’re in town, let us know how those tasty-looking smash burgers are hitting. The new location isn’t slowing them down from new releases, with two new ones to tell you about this week. First up is the newest addition to the Hu Jon family, Hu Jon Ultra. Fans of low-ABV beers are in for a treat, with this super-session IPA coming in at 1.5% ABV, but still bringing the big hop-forward aromas and flavours you’ve come to expect from Hu Jon. If you’re looking for something with a more traditional ABV, check out their second new release, Touching Base. Originally brewed for last weekend’s Freddy Craft Beer Fest, this one uses the experimental HBC 1019 hop which brings big peach and stone fruit notes and comes in at 5.6% ABV. Cans of both releases are available now at the brewery and through their online store. 

Originating in PEI, the Gahan House brand has spread across Atlantic Canada with locations in all four provinces. Gahan is taking advantage of that scale in their new Gahan House Seasonals series, which will feature small batch beers available only at their restaurants/taprooms. First up is Simcoe IPA, a 6.1% ale brewed out of the Nova Centre location in Halifax. Look for notes of tropical fruit, peaches and pine notes from the Simcoe, Centennial and Columbus hops. This one is on-tap or available in cans to-go from all Gahan locations. 

Up next is a taste of ‘The Good Life’ in Tatamagouche with the release of Dolce Vita. This one started as a Belgian-style saison that underwent a mixed-fermentation before aging in Pinot Noir barrels. Expect an effervescent carbonation from the complex fermentation, with vinous notes from the barrel and pear, honeydew and earthy aromas. The oak barrels also lend some vanilla and almond flavour to the 7.3% ABV saison. 500 ml bottles are available now at the brewery and through their online store. 

We’ve mentioned Phantasm a few times over the last year. This new product is made from NZ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grape skins and releases Thiol precursors in a beer which can then be “unlocked” by particular yeast strains to allow way more tropical and fruity notes to make their way from the glass to your nose. Tusket Falls Brewing has an interesting experiment on the go with two versions of their Next Phaze IPA. Both beers use the same yeast and hop additions, with Idaho 7 in the mash, a Citra whirlpool addition, and a Riwaka dry-hop. The version released two weeks ago stops there, but their newest release was also brewed with Phantasm, presenting an opportunity to try both alongside each other to get a feel for what those extra Thiols can do in a beer. Coming in at 6.4% ABV, both versions are available on tap and in cans at the Halifax and Tusket locations now. 

A quick hit from Antigonish’s Candid Brewing, as they’re getting into the mood with an Irish Red Ale. Sociable is 4.8%, pours a deep red with an off-white head, and is easy-drinking, ready for many raises of the glass this weekend at their College Street taproom.

Hot on the heels of Larger Than Larry, the special batch of Lawrencetown Surf Session Ale brewed up by North Brewing with Team Stillwell for North’s 10th Birthday Party at Stilly HQ, comes another version of Larry, this one more of a junior to LtL’s senior. Lawrencetown Skate Session Ale is a little lighter than regular Lawrencetown, coming in a 4.0% ABV, and features some different hop varieties that yield a floral and fruity vibe in a still-hazy package. Intended to be a perfect après skate beer, this one is being released to benefit the Lawrencetown Skatepark Project, a grassroots effort to get a skatepark built in Lawrencetown Beach. While $0.50 from every can sold will go towards this initiative, North is also getting behind this event in a bigger way by hosting a launch party for the beer on Monday, March 20th, from 6 – 10pm at their Portland Street taproom. No tickets are required, but donations will be accepted and will result in an entry for a sweet doorprize. 

If you’re looking to work in craft beer in the region, we know some folks who are looking for crew!

Just one job to tell you about this week, as Lone Oak is looking to expand their team in Borden-Carleton. With more fermenters on the way, they need some help filling them, and then emptying them, which is where you come in! They are hiring a Brewer to work with Spencer and the gang, as well as a Packaging Technician, as well as a Delivery and Warehouse Assistant. All three positions are full-time, with wages starting at $18/hour. Reach out to LOB directly to learn more and apply!