Happy Friday folks! You did it! You survived 2021! We hope you were able to figure out on your own what/where to drink these past few weeks as your faithful blog authors took a much-needed break. With big weather hitting the entire region this weekend, let us get you up to speed on what’s newly and recently released in the region from the great breweries and cideries keeping our fridges and bellies well-stocked. With the latest wave hitting our region hard, consider grabbing something quickly from their curbside or take-out options, or take advantage of the local delivery or shipping options some producers have returned to/never stopped.
Let’s start you off with one of those breweries offering local delivery to the HRM region, Delta Force Brewing. Their latest release of Operation Stronghold is available for contact-free delivery right now. First brewed early 2020, and again in 2021, this quasi-West Coast IPA weighs in at 6.0% ABV and features a load of hops throughout, for citrus and tropical aromatics and flavours on a sufficiently bitter base. Grab a few to take advantage of their free-within-1hr-radius-of-HRM delivery, or better yet, build yourself a mixed 6-pack with the other beer available on their site. And a reminder that The Other Bean and Bishop’s Cellar are also carrying a variety in stock, so support those fine folks at the same time. 🙂
Moncton’s Tire Shack Brewing is continuing their Hip Hop Series today with the release of Hip Hop Version 7: Azacca. This series keeps it simple, focusing on a single hop per release, to allow it to shine through unfettered, allowing both the brewery, and we drinkers, to get a better idea of what it offers. Azacca is coming in hot, with massive flavour and aromatics of mango, pineapple, and other tropical fruit, with a hint cayenne spice. It’s available today at the brewery on tap and to go in cans and growlers. Check their site for their other offerings too!
Catching up on some recent releases from Halifax’s Propeller Brewing, who finished the year off strong with two releases in the second half of December… First released in early 2021, their Denali IPA is back again. Featuring the eponymous Denali hop, think massive citrus character, with a hint of pine, while remaining smooth and drinkable at 6.0% ABV. And surpassing even that massive peak is Leviathan Triple IPA, a 10% beast of a beer, in the extra-big-Hazy style. Tropical and dank on the nose and tongue, its aggressive bitterness is mellowed with the addition of lactose. Both are available in cans at all three Propeller locations and for local delivery and Canada-wide shipping (taprooms are currently closed). Also look out for them at private stores, with the Denali on NSLC shelves any day now.
Tatamagouche Brewing is celebrating the return of ski season at their local Ski Wentworth with Apres Cream Ale. At just 4.5% ABV, it’s supremely quaffable in volume, especially while soaking those sore joints in a hot tub. Available at their shop as well as for delivery and shipping online.
St. John’s Bar Brewdock has a tap feature on the go from Fredericton’s own Trailway Brewing. With 8 different options pouring this weekend, they are featuring those from their hazy/hoppy line (Luster, Hu Jon Hops, Day’s Done), as well as fruited and darker options like Velvet Fog and Beans. Plus Brewdock has the East Duck Block Party 2.0 collab a-pouring, the tea flower Saison, brewed with their pals across the street at Toslow and Bannerman Brewing. You can always check what’s pouring on their website!
Attention Homebrewers, it’s time for another competition! Smokehouse Nano Brewery in Berwick is hosting their inaugural Homebrew Competition, inviting all amateur brewers in the area to put together their best Strong Bitter (BJCP 11C) beer. Your signup gets you a tshirt, glass (full, natch), and 5kg of Maris Otter malt, thanks to their sponsor, Brew Culture. Check out the details on their website, and good luck to all entrants!