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All posts for the month March, 2013

Friday Wrap-Up: PEI Brewing now in NB, Garrison Brew-Off Entries Beat Last Year’s Record and more

Posted by acbbchris on 2013-03-08
Posted in: Atlantic Canada Beer Festivals, Atlantic Canada Beer News. Tagged: Garrison Brewing, PEI Brewing. Leave a Comment

There’s been lots of developments since our first/last Friday Wrap-Up, here’s just a few teasers:

  • PEI Brewing Company’s Beach Chair Lager is now available in NB. It joins their four other listings (1772 IPA, Iron Horse Brown Ale, Island Red and Sir John A’s Honey Wheat). They are also in the midst of major expansions, to open in May.
  • The Garrison Brewing Home Brew-off Challenge closed last week, and there were 69 entries! The judging is taking place now, and the Awards Gala (which coincides with the release of last year’s winning Rye IPA by Kellye Robertson) is Thursday, March 21.
  • Speaking of Garrison, their Ass-Kicker IPA is being released today. I’ll have more details on that shortly. They’ve also got another of their One Hop IPA beers coming soon. Their Comet Pale Ale was VERY popular!
  • The 2nd Annual Saint John Beer Fest is happening April 13th, at the Market Square Atrium. We’ll have a full write-up soon.
  • Bridge Brewing Co. has rejigged their Gus’ 65m Blonde Ale recipe, so it is worth checking out again (or for the first time). And they have kegs back on tap at Gus’ Pub! And their Farmhouse Ale is at Chez Tess.
  • Hell Bay Brewing Co. is in the middle of major expansion and will be opening in the next months.

Wow, and that just scratches the surface! We’ll keep our ears open and fingers a-typing to keep you up to date, gang! Please forward on any tips to your friendly neighbourhood ACBB staff. 🙂 Now go out and drink! Both Rockbottom Brewpub and Hart and Thistle Gastropub in Halifax have some great beers on currently, including a special firkin Saturday at Rockbottom. The last couple have been selling out within a few hours, so better get there promptly at 1pm.

Big Spruce Brewing to open in Nyanza, Cape Breton this month

Posted by acbbchris on 2013-03-07
Posted in: Atlantic Canada Beer News, Profiles. Tagged: Big Spruce Brewing. 2 comments

BigSpruceSignBig Spruce Brewing is in Nyanza, just seconds off the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, NS. Owners Jeremy and Melanie White are getting ready to open this month, so I dropped by recently when I was in the area.

Since our profile on them in the fall, there’s been a lot of activity! They are putting the final touches on their purpose-built building, which is surrounded by acres organic hops plants they use in their beers.

MashTunKettle
Their 7bbl gas-fired QualityBrew brewhouse from DME is all set up, and they’ve done the cleaning and water testing and are ready to brew. They also have a great cold storage room for conditioning their beer in five tanks, as well as storing kegs. Speaking of which, they will have kegs available for accounts in Sydney, Halifax, and parts in between, so their beer will be available to drink across the province. They will also be selling 2L growlers from the brewery as production ramps up into high gear.

What about the beer? They will be starting out with two beer, that Jeremy has perfected after years of homebrewing, an Oatmeal Stout and Pale Ale. Look for seasonal offerings soon, too.

ViewFromTheTop

Later in the Spring, their small restaurant above the brewery will be open a couple of nights a week, by reservation only. The view of the Bras d’Or Lake is spectacular, and I can see this becoming a destination for Cabot Trail travelers and locals alike.

Congrats to Big Spruce, you are a welcome addition to the Cape Breton and Atlantic Canadian Craft beer scene! We’ll keep you posted as the details of their beer releases become available. You can also check out their Facebook Page for pictures and info.

Fredericton Craft Beer Fest this Saturday at the Delta – We’re Going, Are You?

Posted by acbbchris on 2013-03-05
Posted in: Atlantic Canada Beer Festivals. Tagged: Fredericton Beer, Fredericton Craft Beer Festival. Leave a Comment
FCBF

FCBF

Just a reminder that the Fredericton Craft Beer Fest is this Saturday evening. March 9th, 7:30-10pm (VIP ticket holders can enter at 7) at the Delta Fredericton (225 Woodstock Rd, 506-457-7000). Tickets are sold out, but there is a waiting list you can sign up for here.

The list of brewers and beers is available here. There are over 80 beers, many of which are special for the fest, not available at ANBL! And VIP and volunteers are being rewarded with some special beers (VIPs will be able to try the Bushwakker beer, and volunteers will be thanked with a new NB beer).

If you haven’t already organized travel and accommodations, the Delta still has Fest discounted rooms available. At the end of the evening, no need to worry about a cab, just take an elevator upstairs to your room. Sounds like a plan to me! Using the FCBF link will save you up to $70 for the night, so well worth it!

For those of you looking to start the evening off with a great meal, there are a few restaurants in town offering 15% discount when showing your FCBF ticket: The Schnitzel Parlour, The Lunar Rogue and [Catch] Urban Grill.

We’ll be going, hope to see you there!

ps. Sorry for the lack of posts lately. We’re back and better than ever. We’ve got great interviews with Big Spruce Brewing and Tide & Boar Gastropub coming soon!