The 2016 NS Craft Beer Week starts this Friday. A presentation of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, the aim of the week is to showcase the innovative products of its members, and collaborations with bars, restaurants and licensees. With so many different events to keep track of, we thought it would be beneficial to have them all in one place. Scroll all the way to the bottom for a handy calendar and map.
But first, with all of these events going on over the coming days, we can expect to see several new beers (and some returning favourites) from many of the participating breweries. Here’s a taste of what will be joining the many regular-release beers that will be pouring all week…
Big Spruce, Propeller & Tatamagouche…
These three breweries came back together for an organic conspiracy of epic proportions…. Cerberus American IPA. This Certified Organic beer weighs in at 7% ABV, and features massive additions of Ahtanum, Amarillo, Centennial, Chinook, Citra, Simcoe and Zythos hops for an assertive, but not offensive, aroma and flavour. After a sneak peek at Propeller’s Prop’r Cask Night last week, it will be available around the province beginning Friday, including the two Signature events kicking off the week, as well as on tap for growler fills at each of the conspiring breweries. There will also be a limited number of bottles available at Big Spruce and Tatamagouche.
“South” and “North” Collaboration Grogs
There will be two new “Grogs” at the Race the Kegs event on Sunday, May 8th at the Gahan House Harbourfront. Both are collaboration beers – one from the “South” team (Boxing Rock, Garrison, Hell Bay, Propeller, and Schoolhouse), and one from the “North” (Big Spruce, Good Robot, North, and Uncle Leo’s). Details are under wraps on each of these beers for now; you’ll have to attend the event that afternoon to find out for yourself!
We’ve heard rumours of more than a dozen other new beers being launched this week from all over the province, but many of the breweries are keeping mum about the details until after the Stillwell Open or Stubborn Goat Royal Rumble. Keep your eyes open for the 2016 launch of Big Spruce’s Silver Tart, Boxing Rock’s brand new Where There’s Smoke, Meander River’s returning Surf & Turf Strong Scotch Ale, Rudders’ brand new Sweet Georgia Brown Double Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, a whole gamut of Seventh Wave beers from Spindift, the return of Tata’s Deadeye DIPA, and many more.
NS Craft Beer Week Events
Throughout the week
NS Craft Beer @ Roy’s Lounge at Westin Nova Scotia
Daily, throughout the week
Roy’s Lounge is hosting several NS Craft Beer specials throughout the week, including specials on samples all day, May 6-15 ($5 gets you five samples of their NS beer); Craft Beer & Curds Happy Hour 5:00-7:00pm daily; Under the Clock on Us! on Friday & Saturday May 6,7,13,14, with live music and free menu samples.
Free Beer Tastings each afternoon at the private beer stores around town
Check the Social Media of Bishop’s Cellar, Cristall Wine, Harvest Wines, and RockHead.
Friday, May 6
Cape Breton Kitchen Party at Centre 200
7:00-10:00pm
Hosted by Cape Breton’s own Breton Brewing and Big Spruce Brewing, they’ve invited 10 mainland breweries to join them for a night of local live music, Nova Scotia Craft Beer, with Cape Breton restaurants creating some awesome food. More than 10 breweries, food vendors and three musical acts.
Tickets are $60, $30 for designated drivers.
Beer & Beethoven with The Irish Descendants at Halifax Forum (Friday Session)
7:00pm-10:30pm
Beethoven in jeans, a pint in hand? The master would revel in the rousing!
Wear your jeans and come on out for Symphony Nova Scotia’s 25th annual end-of-season fundraising party! Hear great music, sample local craft beer, and try out an instrument at Long & McQuade’s Fun Zone – all in a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere with plenty of pints and loads of fun. Featuring orchestral music from classical to Celtic, special guest performers The Irish Descendants, and a delightful selection of the Nova Scotia Craft Brewers’ finest, it’s sure to be a rollicking good time for all. Come thirsty!
Breweries taking part in sampling May 6th: Big Spruce Brewing, Boxing Rock Brewing, Gahan House, Granite Brewing, Nine Locks Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing
Plus beers from these breweries will be available for purchase: Meander River Brewing, Nine Locks Brewing, North Brewing, Propeller Brewing, Spindrift Brewing
Tickets are $43.99.
10:00pm-2:00am
After the Cape Breton Kitchen Party, drop by the Commoner for more music and great beer. Big Spruce and Breton Brewery are taking over their taps for the evening.
No tickets required.
Saturday, May 7
Craft Beer Week Dinner at Sugar Moon Farm
6:00-9:30pm
Field Guide Restaurant will present a seasonally themed three course meal, thoughtfully paired with the North Shore’s delicious craft beer, including Tatamagouche Brewing and Uncle Leo’s – taking place at the ever charming Sugar Moon Farm.
$55 per ticket, $12 for flight of 4 North Shore Craft Beer
Beer & Beethoven with The Irish Descendants at Halifax Forum (Saturday Session)
7:00pm-10:30pm
More great music by the Irish Descendants and Symphony Nova Scotia!
Breweries taking part in sampling May 7: Gahan House, Meander River Brewing, Nine Locks Brewing, North Brewing, Propeller Brewing, Spindrift Brewing
In addition, beer from these breweries will be available for purchase: Big Spruce Brewing, Boxing Rock Brewing, Granite Brewing, Nine Locks Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing
Tickets are $43.99.
Open Brewery Day: Many of the breweries in Nova Scotia will be open for tours and tastings, and a few have some special events planned as well. Drop by and show them some love! May 7th also coincides with National Homebrew Day, so several breweries have invited members of the Brewnosers in to set up their brewing gear to chat about this fun and rewarding hobby!
Open Brewery Day at Big Spruce
12:00pm-4:00pm
They will be hosting Rolling Bricks Pizza, who will be bringing their roving Wood Fired Pizza Oven for free food, with live music by Angelo Spinazolia. Samples of all of their beers will also be available.
Open Brewery Day at Boxing Rock
12:00pm-5:00pm
Drop by Boxing Rock for free brewery tours and tastings, charity-run BBQ, free cake, music and lots of other fun! Maybe even some axe throwing if the weather holds…
Open Brewery Day at Breton Brewing
9:00am-10:00pm
Breton Brewing is inviting homebrewer Mike Morrison into the brewery for the day. Come by to chat beer, learn the process of brewing, and pick up tips and tricks on brewing your own at home. Free brewery tours all day, as well.
Open Brewery Day at Gahan House Harbourfront
11:30am-4:30pm
Brewmaster Karen Allen will be on-site discussing various brew topics, and local homebrewer Tim Gregory will be helping to brew a batch on their system.
Open Brewery Day at Garrison Brewing
10:00am-5:00pm
Home brewer Mike Edwards demoing the Grainfather all-in-one home brew setup, brewing up a Gluten free Rauchbier. Asado will be on their patio cooking some awesome food, and there will be Maple Beer Bacon Cupcakes for sale!
Open Brewery Day at Good Robot
10:00am-10:00pm
Join Good Robot for the grand opening of the GastroTurf at noon, their new beer garden and frolicking space. Plus, local homebrewer Mike Orr to brew a Chocolate IPA LIVE for your viewing and brewing pleasure. This is a great chance to tour the brewery FREE, meet the cofounders and ask any beer questions you may have!
Open Brewery Day at Granite Brewery
10:00am-8:00pm
Drop by Stairs Street to see what Kevin Keefe is brewing up today!
Open Brewery Day at Hell Bay Brewing
12:00pm-5:00pm, 7:00-9:00pm
Drop by Hell Bay for Open Brewery Day! And stick around for Beer School for Beginners in the evening, 7:00-9:00pm (reservations are required).
Open Brewery Day at Meander River Farm
11:00pm-5:00pm
Drop by the Farm to meet your local brewer and farmer! There will be tours, tastings, and the patio is open!
Open Brewery Day at Nine Locks
10:00pm-5:00pm
Tastings, prizes and tours every hour on the hour 10-5. Bring the family and have some fun!
Open Brewery Day at North Brewing
12:00pm-9:00pm
Drop by North’s locations for a new beer launch, and $2 off growler fills, $1 off 750 fills.
In Dartmouth, brewer Josh Herbin will be on hand from 12:00-3:00 to chat brewing, there will have a home brewing demo going on inside the store.
Open Brewery Day at Propeller Brewing (Gottingen)
12:00pm-3:00pm
Drop by Propeller to watch they brew up the next One Hit Wonder beer, chat with their brewers, tour the facilities, and try some samples of their brews.
Open Brewery Day at Rockbottom
4:00pm-8:00pm
Drop by Rockbottom to learn about brewing ingredients and the brewing process, and check out their sweet brewing system!
Open Brewery Day at Rudder’s Brewpub
12:00-4:00pm
Drop by Rudder’s for tours of their three-floor brewing system, and reduced-price samples.
Open Brewery Day at Spindrift Brewing
11:00am-5:00pm
Drop by Spindrift to check out their brewery, and watch local homebrewers Derek and Kevin brew up something special! There will be sausages from Sweet Williams, and they will be launching the next Seventh Wave that day, Raspberry Session Saison.
Open Brewery Day at Tatamagouche Brewing
10:00pm-5:00pm
Drop by TataBrew for self-guided tours of the brewhouse, and to check out their expanded storefront. They will be selling flights of their beers, and have homebrewer Mark MacKay brewing a pilot batch.
Sunday, May 8
Stillwell Open at Stillwell Beer Bar
12:00-8:00pm
Stillwell invited brewers and homebrewers from across the province to put together their best Session and Imperial beers. During two sessions, each featuring twelve unique beers, look for one-off small batches and brand new beers being launched. They will be served blind (unknown brewer or style), and the public will vote on their favourites. The beers will be revealed as the voting closes, with the favourite beer taking home the title!
12-4pm: Session Beers
4-8pm: Imperial Beers
No tickets necessary, pay-as-you-go.
Race the Kegs at Gahan Waterfront
1:oo-4:00pm
Join the arrival party for collaboration brews from the North and South of Nova Scotia. Craft breweries from across the province have teamed up to face off for this challenge, which includes racing the kegs of their collaboration brews to Halifax Harbour by sail. Live music, pirate-themed food, and pirates, all while enjoying the competing Grogs.
No tickets necessary, pay-as-you-go.
Monday, May 9
Pints and Poses at Boxing Rock Brewing
6:00-8:00pm
The experience will start with 60 minutes of all-levels yoga delivered by Brittany Hachey of Yoga Room of Essence followed by a 60 minutes brewery tour and tasting! A heads up – the beer doesn’t have to wait until the end! So come early, grab a pre-pose pint, and stay to socialize and relax afterwards! It is sure to be an amazing, relaxing night that you wont want to miss!
Tickets are $30, pre-registration is required.
Tuesday, May 10
A Walk In the Park at Battery Park Beer Bar
5:00-10:00pm
This is a new Craft Beer Week Signature Event hosted by the newly opened Battery Park in Downtown Dartmouth. The event begins with an oyster and beer reception, followed by a 5 course dinner where a local chef, brewer and farmer work together to pair each dish. This event will feature new and unique brews. Big Spruce, Boxing Rock, Breton, Garrison, Meander River, Nine Locks, North, Propeller, Spindrift, and Tatamagouche will all be pouring special beers.
Only 40 tickets are to be sold and the price is $75.
Wednesday, May 11
Beer Cocktail Face-Off at The Auction House
7:30pm-10:00pm
Nova Scotia Craft Brewers and some of the province’s best mixologists converge for a night of revelry that will expand your beer boundaries. Representatives from 10 cocktail bars will be paired with 10 Nova Scotia Craft Breweries and challenged to come up with the ultimate craft concoction. Attendees will vote on their favourites and a winner will be crowned!
Big Spruce with Kyle Macaskill (The Auction House)
Boxing Rock with Mark Bradbury (The Bicycle Thief)
Breton with Bret Dodson (Durty Nelly’s)
Garrison with Matt Conway (Stubborn Goat)
Good Robot with Neil Daoust (Shuck)
Hell Bay with Kyla Wright (Gahan House)
North with Steven Cross (Temple Bar)
Propeller with Shane Beehan (Lot 6)
Spindrift with Josh Jackman (Stubborn Goat)
Tatamagouche with Liam Mcneil (Good Robot Tap Room)
Tickets are $20, and include 6 samples, with more cocktails available for purchase once you pick a favourite(s).
Thursday, May 12
NS Craft Beer Royal Rumble at Stubborn Goat
8:00pm-2:00am
A wrestling themed blind showdown of Nova Scotia’s finest Craft Breweries hosted by the Stubborn Goat in Halifax. Breweries will bring their best one-off creations to battle it out in an all out “vote with your throat” showdown. The first keg emptied will win the title of being Nova Scotia’s Craft Beer Heavyweight Champion. In this challenge, if you ain’t 1st, you’re last. This event will run from 8pm – close.
Tickets are now sold out, BUT it is open to the public as a pay-as-you-drink event.
Unfortunately, The Science of Beer at the Discovery Centre has been cancelled due to low ticket sales.
Friday, May 13
Craft Beer Week Brews Cruise – Silva
7:00pm-8:30pm
Sailing and beer: the ultimate Nova Scotia pairing.
Halifax’s beer enthusiasts will be in and out of bars all week to celebrate Craft Beer Week. In connection with the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia‘s Craft Beer Week, Murphy’s is excited to be hosting the ultimate beer experience – by bringing you out on the water.
The purchase of your ticket will include a delicious craft brew of your choice, and a 1.5 hour sail. Cruise through the harbour on the Tall Ship Silva while you enjoy craft beer from around Nova Scotia.
Tickets are $23.50.
Saturday, May 14
Full House Craft Beer Fest (Afternoon Session) at the Cunard Centre
1:30pm-4:00pm
This event will showcase most members of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia. Your ticket purchase includes access to the event, a Belgian-style take-home glass, and 12 beer samples of your choosing. Additional samples will be available for purchase, while food will be available by cash purchase. There will also be entertainment, a pop-up craft beer swag shop, and many other amazing things.
You will be able to taste craft beers from the 21 following Nova Scotia Craft Brewers: Big Spruce Brewing, Boxing Rock Brewing Company, Breton Brewing Co., Gahan House, Garrison Brewing Co., Good Robot Brewing Company, Granite Brewery, Hell Bay Brewing Company, Meander River Farm, Nine Locks Brewing Co., North Brewing Company, Paddy’s Irish BrewPub, Propeller Brewing Company, Rare Bird Craft Beer, Rockbottom Brewpub, Rudder’s Brew Pub, Schoolhouse Brewery, Sea Level Brewing, Spindrift Brewing Company, Tatamagouche Brewing Co., and Uncle Leo’s Brewery.
Tickets are $35, $15 for designated drivers.
Full House Craft Beer Fest (Evening Session) at the Cunard Centre
6:30pm-9:00pm
This event will showcase most members of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia. Your ticket purchase includes access to the event, a Belgian-style take-home glass, and 12 beer samples of your choosing. Additional samples will be available for purchase, while food will be available by cash purchase. There will also be entertainment, a pop-up craft beer swag shop, and many other amazing things.
You will be able to taste craft beers from the 21 following Nova Scotia Craft Brewers: Big Spruce Brewing, Boxing Rock Brewing Company, Breton Brewing Co., Gahan House, Garrison Brewing Co., Good Robot Brewing Company, Granite Brewery, Hell Bay Brewing Company, Meander River Farm, Nine Locks Brewing Co., North Brewing Company, Paddy’s Irish BrewPub, Propeller Brewing Company, Rare Bird Craft Beer, Rockbottom Brewpub, Rudder’s Brew Pub, Schoolhouse Brewery, Sea Level Brewing, Spindrift Brewing Company, Tatamagouche Brewing Co., and Uncle Leo’s Brewery.
Tickets are $35, $15 for designated drivers.
Sunday, May 15
Nova Scotian Kitchen Party Brunch at elements on hollis
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Join elements on hollis for a very special Sunday Brunch on Sunday, May 15. Brunch will literally be a kitchen party, allowing you to join the chefs in the kitchen as you dine.
Sip at a selection of craft beers throughout your meal. elements on hollis‘ culinary team will be serving up delicious Cape Breton inspired dishes. Join us for an Islander’s spin on our Halifax brunch.
Tickets are $35.00. Reservations are recommended (902) 496-7960.
#NSCraftBeerWeek Calendar and Map
For those of you looking for an easy way to carry this list in you pocket, add the following calendar to your to Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal.
Full-sized map on a separate page.
Looks like it’s going to be a great, fun-filled week! Keep an eye on this page, as we’ll be updating the list and calendar as last-minute events are announced. Be sure to get out there and support your local breweries, drink some awesome beer, and be sure to say “hi” if you see us around!