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All posts for the month February, 2012

Update #2: I originally posted this story late Wednesday night and have revised it early Thursday morning based on additional information I received via email from P.E.I. Brewing Company.   Updates to the post are made in italics and include a different pic.

Update #1: (literally minutes after posting this), noticed on Twitter that Gahan has confirmed it is now on the shelves in Moncton:  Well – it’s official – we’re on the shelves in Moncton – the attached pic is from the North Mountain Rd store-enjoy NB!                    https://twitter.com/#!/GahanBeer/status/175052994646249474/photo/1                )

There have been rumblings on Twitter that major news was coming from Gahan Brewery in Charlottetown P.E.I.  One of my informants  (thanks PEI Beer Guy) sent along a link highlighting several pieces of news.

Gahan Beer is in the process of shipping its beer over to New Brunswick for the first time.   The article does not confirm which beers are available but another informant tweeted me (thanks @MeekBrewingCo) indicating that he noticed empty spots for both Honey Wheat and Island Red (one of my personal favourites, although admittedly it is a long list) on a NB Liquor store shelf.  I have since received confirmation from the P.E.I Brewing Company that these are in fact the two listings that are available in New Brunswick.

It also appears that the company will be re-branded as the P.E.I. Brewing Company (the company had previously been known as Murphy’s Brewing Co.).

The company plans to sell a new kind of beer, which wasn’t named in the article, on the Island and across Canada under the P.E.I. Brewing Company label.  In related news, the new beer is expected to be canned.  The P.E. I. Brewing Company has confirmed that a new brew which is not currently currently in production (I have no confirmation as to which type of beer) will be canned and distributed by the P.E.I. Brewing Company.  To my knowledge, this would be the first canned offering from  an Atlantic Craft brewery (Pump House does own some equipment but has yet to distribute its beer in cans).

For the most up-to-date information check out their Facebook page.

As per an article on the CBC website, proposed reforms to NB Liquor will give the private sector a large role in province wide liquor distribution in a report created for the Provincial Government.   The report does not call for total privatization but has two broad recommendations.  The two recommendations are for NB Liquor to examine its existing operations as well as explore opportunities with third-party groups including potentially strategic alliances with other regional liquor boards.

Other recommendations listed in the report include setting up liquidation stores in areas close to the Quebec and United States borders which generally offer far lower prices for their products.  The possibility of more specialty stores such as beer stores was mentioned as a possibility as well.

The deadline for submission for this year’s Garrison Brewing Ultimate Brew-Off has come and gone and as per their Facebook page  a very impressive 62 RYE IPA entries were received.

Due to the volume, they’ll be going through 5 / day in order to test them all (sounds really rough, let me know if I can help!).  As per the contest entry form, all entries will be reviewed and receive an evaluation for Garrison Master Brewer Daniel Girard.  The top 4 entries will then by judged by a group of BJCP certified judges.

Awards will be presented on Thursday, March 22nd with finalists asked to bring samples of their brew for attendees to sample.