The Annapolis Brewing Company opened recently in Annapolis Royal. Local business owners and entrepreneurs Danny McClair and Paul St Laurent have turned their love of craft beer and homebrewing into a professional endeavour. We chatted with Danny and Paul to learn more about their beer and plans for the future.
How did you get into the world of beer?
There is something to be said about holding a local glass of craft beer and smapling the diverse styles that are being produced on a smaller scale.
What made you decide to take the step into opening a brewery?
Like many others, we have been homebrewing for years and our product has been sampled by many. We always get “Where can I get this?”
What is the culture or ethos of the brewery?
Brew with 5 ingredients- Water, Barley, Yeast, Hops and LAUGHTER
Can you tell us about the beers you have available?
Our current beer lineup is:
Acadian Honey Brown: 5.4% ABV, 20 IBU
Ceasefire IPA: 6.3% ABV, 50 IBU
Fenwick’s Blonde: 4.8% ABV, 14 IBU
King George Porter: 5.5% ABV, 34 IBU
McCormick’s Blonde: 5.3% ABV, 21 IBU
W & A (Windsor and Annapolis) Railway Rye IPA: 6.7% ABV, 60 IBU (dry hopped with Citra).
What are your plans for distribution?
Our current model is growler and keg sales. We do not have a retail location at the moment, but people can reach out to us via social media to request their favourites. We will have a table at the Annapolis Royal Farmers and Traders Market in the future, too.
Where can folks grab a pint of your beer?
We are on tap at Ye Ole Town Pub in Annapolis Royal and Horton Ridge Malt and Grain in Hortonville, NS.
Have you had any assistance from other breweries in Atlantic Canada?
Craft brewers in Nova Scotia are like family and are always happy to assist. The crews at Lunn’s Mill and Bad Apple Brewhouse have been a great help out of the gates.
Where do you hope to see your brewery in the next 2-3 years?
We plan to be on a 5 BBL system in early 2018 with plans to expand to a new building by the end of 2019. That location with have a taproom so visitors can enjoy our beer right on-site.
Can you tell us about your brewhouse system?
We currently brew on a 1 BBL (120 litre) system from Spike Brewing, with 600 litres of fermentation capacity. We will be expanding the brewhouse to a 5 BBL (600 litre) system by Spring, with 1800 litres of capacity.
Do you have a favorite beer style, beer, or brewery you enjoy drinking?
Our favorite style is IPA. This beer style provides for so many varitations in colour, hops and taste.
How about favourite style or ingredient to brew with?
We like them all!
How can folks connect with you online?
Website: http://www.annapolisbrewing.com/
Twitter: @AnnapolisBrewCo
Facebook: @AnnapolisBrewing
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are excited to join the Nova Scotia family of craft brewers. Cheers!
Thanks to Danny and Paul for getting us up to speed with their operations in Annapolis Royal. Grab a pint of their Ceasefire IPA or W & A Rye IPA at Ye Olde Town Pub and Horton Ridge now, and we’ll keep you up to speed with their expansion in the spring. Welcome to the NS Craft Beer family, Annapolis Brewing!