Atlantic Canada Beer Blog

Happy Friday and welcome to what looks like the first decent stretch of weekend weather this summer (at least for us crazy cats in HRM). We’ve got a bunch of new releases, a handful of events, and what seems like a record number of job postings heading your way. Sit back, relax and crack open your favourite local beverage as we bring you up to speed on all things beer/cider related in Atlantic Canada. 

In case you missed the news, big changes have been happening during the last twelve months for Good Robot Brewing, and we wanted to give you an update. We’ve previously mentioned their plans to open a production facility in Elmsdale, and as they celebrated their Seventh Anniversary in May, they were also packaging their last cans at their original Robie Street location (more on that in a second). Having now moved their brewing equipment off Robie Street and out to Industrial Way, the new facility has offered the capability of new equipment and capacity. One of those new pieces of equipment is a mash filter. Taking the place of a lauter tun (or the combo mash/lauter tun most often seen in local craft breweries), it allows quicker separation of wort from the grain, and more efficient recovery. Neat! They have also added an upgraded canning line, including a tunnel pasteurizer to help keep product shelf stable These additions, as well as more and larger fermenters, will allow them to brew up to 10 times their current capacity, allowing them to expand their reach further outside of Nova Scotia. And while specifics are still under wraps for now, they are interested in partnering with other breweries or drink manufacturers to allow them an opportunity to co-package/brew when capacity allows, giving the opportunity for others to create or scale up production on Good Robot’s facilities. More on that as we learn!

As mentioned above, with the move of the main production facility to Elmsdale, they have also moved their canning line. To mark the end of an era on Robie Street, they set aside the last can of Creature Feature IPA to come off the line, and are auctioning it off for charity. You can bid on the can here (the auction closes June 24th), and all of the proceeds will go to Blk Women in Excellence, their most recent Goodwill Beer partner. Bid early and bid often! Learn more about it here.

And finally, with the expansion to Elmsdale, they will be opening both a retail space and Beer Garden in the coming months, and are adding to their team of misfits. Check the Job Posting info below to learn more, and you may even have a chance to join our pal Kellye Robertson, who has joined GRBC’s Brewing Crew. Congratulations, Kellye!

Delta Force Brewing is back with a third contribution to the Make Peace Not War beer project. Joining the Dry-Hopped Farmshed Sour, Valley Lager and Farmshed Tripel are two more releases, a Farmshed Kvass and a Goose-Shake IPA. The Kvass is a lager beer/kvass hybrid with obvious bready notes due to the Kvass element. This beer is 6.0% and 25 IBU and available in 500ml bottles.

Goose-Shake is an IPA packed with gooseberries, with additions of lactose and vanilla to up the sweetness. This one is also 6.0% and is 17 IBU, also in 500ml bottles. 40% of all proceeds are being donated to Red Cross efforts in Ukraine for this series of beer. Learn more about the beer and project, and order yours today from their website! They’ve also got two beers back in stock, the Operation Sommar Dry Stout and Operation Barrow English IPA. 

Back with a new release out of Cornwall, Village Green has a new IPA out. Delightful! Is an IPA with a blend of classic American “C” hops (Chinook, Centennial, Columbus, Cascade and maybe even some Citra?) and a lovely British yeast to play on all the malt and hop flavours. This 6% IPA is available now from the brewery in cans and on tap.

One of the benefits of being located so close to our ‘Murican neighbours is the opportunity to make a quick trip across the border to sample the vast selection of beers that are available. Up until recently, the pandemic had put a kibosh on this, leaving fans of New England classics like Allagash White high and dry. If you count yourself in that category, you’ll be pleased to hear that Atlantic Canada is getting a new take on the Belgian Witbier with Propeller’s release of White. Available starting today, Prop’s take on the style comes in at 4.8% ABV and 30 IBUs. Expect the hallmark style notes of orange and coriander in what is sure to be a patio favourite. Cans are available now at Prop’s three retail locations, via their online store and at a handful of private stores across HRM.

Lunenburg’s own Shipwright Brewing proudly presents Day Sailor! This new release is a 4.5% easy drinking, crisp, clean Golden Ale, named after a relaxing pleasure-craft. It’s available now in cans and on tap for pints and growler fills from the brewery. 

Be sure to keep an eye on what they’re putting together next door (the old Big Red’s Restaurant), an addition to their existing taproom and brewery. They’re going to expand production, food offering and also a private booking space on the top floor. Stay tuned to their social media for updates. 

The crew at Unfiltered Brewing brings back a fan favourite this week with a banger. Here It Comes is a Double IPA (classic Unfiltered!) featuring Chinook hops. Chinook brings a wonderfully delicious citrusy flavour and aroma to this 7.5% DIPA. All of the hops in the batch are from Duke25, a Nova Scotia- and Quebec-based hop producer. This is available today in 473ml cans, growler fills and pints from Charm School. 

Next up, another returning beer, but this time out of Port Rexton Brewing. Last available in 2018, Flight of the Mango is back! This is a fruited ale made with mangue purée and lactose added. The beer is big on mango for aroma, taste and some nice sweetness throughout. This beer is 4.5% and available from the taproom for pints and also in cans from the brewery and St. John’s retail shop on Saturday. It will also be widely available across Newfoundland next week.  

In cider news, Kentville’s Maritime Express has joined a few other producers in our region in marrying up gin and cider for a refreshing herbal kick. Going the route of ageing the cider for six months in French oak that had previously held Compass Distillers’ gin, you should find this one smooth and crisp, with aromas of fresh apple and juniper. On the palate you might sense some cotton candy and pine as well. This one packs a bit of a punch at 8.3% and has been bottled in 750ml bottles; we suspect this is a limited batch, so if you’re interested it’s best you get to grabbing some.

Up in Bay Roberts, NL, Baccalieu Trail Brewing Co has been busily working away on a top secret project for months, but with the first delivery hitting store shelves, they’re ready to blow the covers off the thing. Inspired by the importance of tourism to the NL economy, BTB partnered up with four unique restaurants in four unique tourism regions in the province to create four sessionable beers that celebrate the beauty and history of Newfoundland. This isn’t just about brewing up some beers and naming them, the label artwork is designed to highlight the attractions of each region, and there’s a QR code on every can that you can scan to be taken to a portal where you can explore those attractions and see food menus for the partner restaurants. The four beers are available as a four-pack, with a very reasonable asking price of $21.50, taxes in. It should be available Island-wide in the next week or so, from many of your favourite craft beer sources. We don’t have information about the beers, but that will be part of the fun for those who grab themselves a set. We can, however, tell you that the partner restaurants are The Old Store Café in Norris Point, Ragged Rocks GastroPub in Bonavista, The Quay Restaurant in Brigus, and The Hub of the North Restaurant and Suites in Greenspond. Whether you’re a Newfoundlander who would like to explore your home province a little more or a visitor looking for beautiful and historic places to go, we suggest grabbing yourself a pack and doing some virtual exploration while you sit and sip!

Let’s give you a few reasons (and ways!) to celebrate this weekend…

After months of planning and preparation, Boxing Rock’s new Test Kitchen and Retail Shop is opening today! Located at 2790 Windsor Street in Halifax, the Test Kitchen shares space with Local Source Market, and will feature a retail space for bottles, cans, and merchandise, as well as growler fills (remember those?). They will also be doing small batch brewing here, testing out new recipes and collaborating with the community to keep bringing you the good stuff. Drop by today after 11 AM to check out the new space, fill up your lifetime-discount orange growler, and if you sign up for their loyalty program, you will be entered into a draw to win one of your own! Plus you’ll have the chance to vote on what you’d like to see brewed on their 100 litre system.

Folks close to the QV Gut can rejoice, as the Quidi Vidi Wharf is opening today for the season. Open 12 – 9 PM daily, from now until Labour Day, visitors can grab beer from Landwash’s slick beer trailer, and pair it with food from Johnny & Mae’s, Quidi Vidi Fish & Chips, and QV Sweet Spot too! And for those not in the gut, there is a shuttle to/from the wharf all day, every day, with hourly runs from the Pedestrian Mall/Alt Hotel, right to the Sugarloaf parking lot (and every 20 minutes to the Dominion on QV Lake).

There’s a fun little tap takeover this Saturday if you’re around St. John’s. The sweet folks from Chain Yard Cider are visiting Bannerman Brewing and bringing 4 of their favourite ciders to share on the rock. They’ll have four ciders on tap (Pink Tartan, Hazy Fraisy, Hopped Up and Foundation) and also some packaged products for sale (King’s Saison, Espionage and more!) at the brewery, as well. 

We mentioned 2 Crows’ The Agenda Grapefruit and Basil Radler last week, but wanted to remind you of the Rhinestone Cowboy-themed release party happening Saturday. From 1 PM, Cafe Aroma Latino will be popping up in the taproom Latin-inspired dishes, with DJ EFFA keeping the party going spinning Honky Tonk tunes from 7 PM until close. Dress up in your favourite outfit and get on down to party!

All this reading making you thirsty to get into the beer biz? We’ve got a bunch of options for you to look at this week.

Montague’s Copper Bottom Brewing is hiring a Production and Operations Manager to join their team. They will be responsible for overseeing the planning, brewing, storage, and shipment of beer across the province (and beyond). While not directly brewing, this person will be helping with planning, forecasting, and making sure everything is running smoothly! Check the link to learn more and apply!

In Cornwall PEI, Village Green is hiring folks to help out in both front and back of house. If you are interested in slinging beer to thirsty patrons, and/or helping to can up beers for folks to take home, this is the right job for you! Especially if you love beer, and are looking to learn more and get your foot in the door. Fire them an email to learn more and apply!

Half Cut Brewing is opening their own taproom on the North Side of Fredericton this summer, and they are looking for folks to sling some beer! Opening in July at 67 Main Street, the taproom will have seating both inside and out, a dozen taps, and also share space with 11th Mile’s Coast Line Pizza, providing Detroit-style pizza and salads. Interested folks should get in contact to apply!

With their big move to Elmsdale, Good Robot is hiring folks to work both in retail and the beer garden. There are about ten openings between the two positions, and you should check out their Indeed postings to learn more and apply!

With school winding down, it is scholarship season for many folks and North Brewing is accepting applications for their 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship. Always advocating and working to be an ally for their community and the wider brewing and craft beer community, this scholarship is wide ranging for any students entering programs related to the brewing industry. The scholarship includes the monetary reward but also guaranteed summer employment at North for the duration of their education. Applications are open until the end of July, so check out the link here and share with any friends and families with students that can apply!

If you’re in Bay Roberts (or know someone who is nearby!) Baccalieu Trail Brewing Co. is seeking a responsible and friendly individual to be a Beertender for the summer. If serving beer to friendly folks is up your alley, you have until June 14th to apply. 

The successful applicant will enjoy serving craft beer to thirsty customers while receiving competitive tips/pay, and working at an awesome brewery in Bay Roberts!

If interested, send a resume via email and a short sentence or two detailing why you’d be the perfect fit for Baccalieu Trail Brewing Co. Or, just drop off a resume in person at the Taproom. 

And a couple last quick mentions afore ye go:

The 902 BrewCast fellas sat down with Michelle Tham, a Certified Cicerone, while she was in Halifax recently, to learn about her lightbulb moment beer, why she hates describing beer as “hoppy”, and how she is using her beer education to travel across the country (and beyond). Grab the latest episode on the 902BC website or in your favourite podcatcher.

Speaking of 902 Brewcast, one of our favourite sources for beers of all kinds is Bishop’s Cellar on the Halifax Waterfront (if you don’t understand the connection there, you should definitely listen to the podcast!). Of course they stock all kinds of tasty beers, ciders, and meads from around Nova Scotia and the rest of the Atlantic Provinces, but they are also a source for beverages from the rest of Canada and beyond, providing us with a chance to sample quality products here at home. This week they’ve got some treats from Germany, largely lagers, in the form of AyingerJahrhundert, an Export Helles, Pinkus Müller Altbier, a “pale” (and slightly tart) Altbier, Pinkus Müller Ur-Pils, an unfiltered German Pils, SchanzenbräuHelles, and Schanzenbräu Rotbier, a red lager. Grab yourself a mixed pack of those and some brats ‘n buns and you can have yourself a proper Deutsch treat!! We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention they’ve got Serpent Brewing’s Mexican Mole Porter in stock!!