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All posts for the month July, 2022

Hello! Is anyone out there? Is everyone on vacation, enjoying time with friends, family or whatever brings them joy? Well, if you are, and you’re still reading this, or you really just like us so much, we’ll keep the local news flowing. There are a lot of new beers and updates to come this week, so let’s hop right into the latest news.

Propeller Brewing is continuing their 25th Anniversary Celebration with the release of a funky and tart beer in bottles today. Brewed in the before times (2019), the Lambic Style is an ode to the spontaneously-fermented and multi-year blended beers from the Senne Valley in Belgium, for hundreds of years. While Prop’s version was not fermented by the wild yeast in Burnside, they did even better, by using the yeast left in the bottom of some freshly-emptied Belgian lambic beers as the starting point, keeping them in several oak barrels for a couple of years. This permeable vessel allows some oxygen in, and excessive carbon dioxide out, keeping the yeasties happy and chewing away on the complex sugars and starches in the low-hopped wort. After they finished their main fermentation, a few barrels were tapped (with an eye to a different fate for the others left full) and the 6.5% ABV beer was transferred to bottle, where it conditioned further, leading to a lively final product that is ready to drink now, or can be held onto for years to come. It’s available at all of Propeller’s three locations, as well as their online store, as well as Bishop’s Cellar and other private stores in HRM.

Warm up your way-back machine, and point it to Summer 2014 and Spring 2015, and you’ll have a reminder that this is not the first time Propeller has delved into the Lambic-inspired beer, as they have previously released Raspberry, Blackberry, and non-fruited versions of these funky and tart beers. And in case you haven’t already taken our advice, be sure to listen to the 902 BrewCast episode with Cam and Pat from Propeller to learn even more about this release, and some hints as to what is coming for Propeller as they celebrate 25 years, and look to (at least) 25 more! And if you act now, you may be able to snag one of the last tickers for the Propeller Arcade-hosted screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, happening in the parking lot of their Gottingen Street location, Sunday, July 24th. And those looking to nerd out at their Windmill location can sign up for a VIP tour of the brewery for Friday, July 29th.

Keeping with some Dartmouth ties, we’ll move to Spindrift Brewing next, as they go with a brand new release in a fun and unique style. Available now is Otto, a Hemp IPA, named after a certain animated bus driver, dude. We’ll run through the grain bill here and some nerdy details to get you a sense of what’s going on. The malt bill uses pilsner malt, carapils, wheat malt and hemp seed flour. The hops is a dank blend of Simcoe, Columbus and HS Sitiva used in the boil and dry hopping. American Ale Yeast is chosen as the vessel here to carry the two terpene-intensive plants of hops and hemp. Some natural hemp flavours were added to to add some more pungency to this 5.5% IPA. There is no THC or CBD in this beer and it’s available in cans, pints and growlers at both Spindrift locations (Dartmouth and Antigonish). 

Shipping over to Sheet Harbour, Sober Island is releasing Lil’ Skipper, a light summer ale that is 4.3% with a nice dose of flavour. Lower in bitterness, but big in flavour, you’ll find lots of mango and tropical flavour along with a nice dry-hopping of Mosaic to bump up that aroma. This is 23 IBU and will be a staple throughout the summer directly from the brewery or the private stores in HRM.

Plus they’ve got events happening throughout the summer, including a Kitchen Party July 30th in their Beer Garden in Sheet Harbour, and a Boil-up August 3rd. And The Stanfields are lighting up the Beer Garden August 27th. Check their website and social media for tickets and more details.

Going over to Port-au-port, Newfoundland, we’ve got a pair of releases coming out of Secret Cove Brewing. First up is a twist on an existing beer. They’ve turned their flagship Apricot Wheat beer (they’ve dubbed the unofficial “Come Home Beer”) into a sour!  Come Home Beer, an Apricot Mango Sour (now with Mango!) is still 5% but is slightly tart and easily drinkable and refreshing for the summer. This is available at the taproom now and will be canned and ready for distribution across the Island in the coming weeks

Next up from Secret Cove is The Newfie Bullet. This is a lagered ale, Kolsch-inspired, that is easy drinking with a nice touch of fruity esters. It’s 4.5%  and being canned for availability across the island. It’s available now in the taproom

Once in Newfoundland, you might as well stay! Sticking with the island double-release theme, Quidi Vidi Brewing has a new release with the name of My Neighbours’ Helles. This is the 4th year of a collaboration between Newfermenters (Newfoundland homebrewing club) and QV.  This is a traditional Munich Helles with spicy German hop bite and bready, doughy malt flavour. This is a limited release, so get it while you can. It’s available now at the brewery, but will be shipped to the usual stores and NLC across the island.

The second release is a part of a series from the brewery, with Arts & IPAs 07. This one is a Junior IPA that is low on ABV and high on flavour coming in at 2.9%, this is packed with Sabro, Sultana and Mosaic hops. They call it a little juice bomb with a big punch of hops. On the Arts side, Maggie Rex’s wonderful artwork graces the label of this 473ml can available directly from the brewery and their locations

Elmsdale’s newest brewery, Good Robot, has teamed up with a new charitable group this month for the release of Goodwill Beer – Blood Orange and Field Strawberry Blonde. At 4.4% ABV, the beer description is kinda-sorta right in the name, eh? That means we can skip right to their partner in this endeavour, Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia. $0.50 from the sale of each can is going to support their raison d’etre of supporting LGBTQI+ who are displaced, escaping persecution or violence, as well as creating safer communities throughout Atlantic Canada through advocacy, education, and sponsorship. And a heads up for those in the Elmsdale area, they will be opening their Beer Garden July 30th. Open Fri, Sat, and Sun from noon until 11 PM (10 PM Sundays), there will soon be retail sales Wed-Sun when that opens mid-August. Food from their pals at Beefy Weiner.

We’ve got a few returning beers from Paradise, NL’s Banished Brewing. Paradise Town is back, but adding Passionfruit to the Mango, making it a Mango and Passionfruit Sour! It’s 5.5% and a bit more sour than their original recipe, which was more on the fruited sour end. This is available at their retail space and will be headed out to other locations throughout the week.

Back with another tweaked recipe, Space Puffin, a New England IPA, has a new yeast to bring some more haze, closer to what they originally wanted. This is still 6.0% and is available now and going out to retailers this weekend!

Serpent Brewing in Spryfield has a new beer flowing this week, which will soon be available in cans. Ophidian is a Vermouth and Barrel-aged Black Tea infused English Bitter. That is a mouthful, let us explain… Phil Holman of Halifax’s World Tea House previously aged Kenya Oolong and Black Fusion teas in barrels sourced by 2 Crows Brewing. After grabbing all of the barrel goodness, those teas were blended with Earl Grey, and then steeped in Vermouth for even more boozy character. After three days, that infusion was added to the English Bitter to result in a 6.0% ABV beer. On draught only this weekend, cans will be available next week, and a barrel-aged version of Ophidian will be released in the future.

Our pal Chef Stephen Barrett of Seasoned Plate has started a Pints & Plates 2022 effort to highlight the great beer being produced in the province, and some suggested food pairings with which to enjoy it. You can expect to spot two of these per week over the next 3 months, with Breton Brewing and Big Spruce being the first hits this week. You can follow along on the Seasoned Plate Instagram, as well as the direct link above. Check out the website for Chef Barrett’s reviews of local restaurants and bars as well!

Speaking of Breton and Big Spruce, both have new/returning beers worth seeking out (or save yourself the trouble and just order through their online portals), with the Breton Ol’ Mick’s Grapefruit IPA back in cans and draught, while Big Spruce released a new 5.2% German Helles lager at their Nyanza brewery and taproom. Stop in for refreshment!

Launched last night at King Street Beer in Bridgewater, the folks at Saltbox/Lightship/King Street Beer have released Loud and Proud Beer this week in celebration of Lunenburg Pride. The 5.25% ABV beer is light in colour and full of citrus and fruity notes, with minimal bitterness. The Lunenburg Pride organization is an advocacy group, building a more inclusive community on the South Shore, welcoming for all orientations, identities, and expressions.

In case you’re looking for an event to attend this weekend, look no further!

Happy Second Birthday to Island Folk Cider Company! You can drop by their spot in Sydney tonight, from 7 – 10 PM, to enjoy a cask of their base cider infused with fresh strawberry and rhubarb, during their 90s DJ Party. Or tomorrow, pop by from 3 – 6 PM during Music Matinee, and you can enjoy a second cask with Cranberries harvested in Port Morien and Tamarack from Mira Gut. Congratulations!

Looking for some fresh and funky drinks tomorrow? The Stillwell Freehouse is hosting a tap takeover from Toronto’s Burdock Brewery. Known for both soft and understated fruited beers, as well as hoppy ales, there will be plenty of beers on draught, bottle, and in cans. A/C inside, sunshine outside, it’ll be up to you where to sit when they open at noon on Agricola.

Welcome to full-on summer here in Atlantic Canada where our region’s breweries, cideries, and meaderies are in the full swing of tourist season and are no doubt are all pulling back-to-back-to-back brewdays for the foreseeable. We don’t have a super long post this week, but there’s certainly a few new things around that a person who loves beer ought to be aware of. So read on and inform your beer buying for the weekend!

East Duckworth’s Bannerman Brewing has a new beer on tap this week, a special take on a traditional Blonde Ale. Starting with a grist of Pilsner and Wheat malts, it was dry hopped with the French Barbe Rouge hop, before spending some time on hibiscus flowers. Offering both a brilliant pink colour and floral notes, the hibiscus complements the fruity ester notes of candied orange and strawberry from the hops and yeast. At 4.5% ABV, it’s super refreshing and light, and is available for pints and growler fills only, due to the small batch size.

New beers and events at Port Rexton this month, located on the Bonavista Peninsula. First up, the return of some fruited seasonal favourites, Summer Anthem and Gluten-Free Kiwi Sour. Summer Anthem embraces the music program at their taproom, accessible via QR code on the cans. What’s in those cans is a Coconut and Lime Milkshake IPA, made with a whole bunch of the aforementioned fruit, as well as lactose and vanilla to complete the dessert-like qualities. Plus, with the hops and brewing technique, there’s a touch of bitterness along with a light acidity to balance the sweetness. 5.8%, perfect for an afternoon delight!

For those who are looking to avoid gluten, PRBC continues to expand their GF portfolio, and the return of the Gluten-free Kiwi Sour will have plenty of you smiling once again. It was brewed with gluten-free ingredients, rather than being treated with additives after the fact, ensuring those who really need to avoid gluten can do so safely. Tart, refreshing, and bursting with kiwi, it will definitely quench your thirst! The 4.5% beer joins the Summer Anthem on tap and in cans at the brewery, as well as their St. John’s Retail Shop.

Those who make the trip to the brewery in Port Rexton today will be able to take part in the “Get Out Of Town” Concert Series, as presented by Lawna Vawnya, with Andrew Smith and DJ Kitty Kells playing from 6 PM tonight. And keep your eyes peeled for more details on next weekend’s 6th Anniversary. On Saturday, July 23, from 12 PM, there will be new beers, old favourites, plenty of food options to complement the Oh My Cheeses! food truck, plus plenty of musical acts that will have you up and on your feet! Keep an eye on their Social Media for more!

Jumping down to PEI, Village Green continues to roll out the new releases with Kylefornia. This 8% DIPA, named for the California-residing brother of a Village Green regular, lives up to its west-coast billing with additions of Crystal and Victory malt added to the base of 2-row. The hops feature a combo of traditional and modern American varieties with additions of Columbus, Cascade, Citra, and Amarillo. Cans of Kylefornia are available at the brewery now, where you can also find it on tap for pours. 

Chester’s Tanner Brewing has a new version of their Tart Saison out this week. The tweaked recipe sees the ABV reduced down to 5.7% on their kettle soured and dry hopped take on a French Saison. Expect lots of tropical and citrusy notes with the dry hop featuring the ever popular combo of Citra and Mosaic. Bottles and ours of Tart Saison are available now at both Tanner locations.

Speaking of returning favourites, Unfiltered is releasing a fresh batch of their 7.5% Inducement DIPA today. Expect tons of tropical aroma and flavour from big additions of Mosaic and Simcoe. Cans and growler fills are available now at the brewery, along with pints next door at Charm School.

And in “pretty much open” news, the latest brewery in Nova Scotia is set to serve their first beers in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, The Brewery by Quinn’s has opened their doors at 6273 Quinpool Road in Halifax. Sister to the Quinn’s Arms Pub located a few doors down, the Brewery is currently serving both local and macro beer, while their first releases are finalised. Indoor and outdoor seating, with a full food menu to complement. We’ll have more on the beer and people behind it soon!

A few beery things going on this weekend in the region:

If you find yourself in Fredericton this evening (Friday), head on over to the Joyce for a Meet the Maker tap takeover with Halifax’s 2 Crows Brewing. The event will feature the Joyce’s first ever collab brew, Ode to Joyce. This one uses a similar base recipe to 2 Crow’s regulars Jamboree and Jubilee, which feature a combo of Pilsner malt, wheat malt and flaked wheat/oats, before being slowly soured with lacto and fermented with a kviek yeast.  From there, Ode to Joyce saw a conditioning stint with watermelon and kiwi puree and a dry hop with Galaxy. Instead of being forced carbed, the kegs heading to the Joyce were spunded for a gentler, natural carbonation. A small amount was also left behind at the brewery, where it is likely to see the slushie treatment on the recently added beer slushie machine. In addition to being able to grab a pint of this one-off collab, the event will also give you a chance to talk beer with 2C brewer Jeremy Taylor.

If you find yourself in downtown Halifax tomorrow for the Pride parade, why not stop in at Stillwell HQ (the parade route goes right along Barrington St.) for an Alberta tap takeover. From noon until close, the team at Stilly will be serving up beers from the Annex Ale Project, Establishment Brewing Company, Cabin Brewing and Blind Enthusiasm, with a special menu of prairie themed snacks.

We’re firmly into the throes of Summer here in the Atlantic Provinces, and with some lovely sunny weather and dryer air on the way, you’d be remiss if you didn’t get some beers together to enjoy outdoors (y’know, if you’re into that kind of thing). Luckily, our region’s breweries are also fully into the swing of summer, with new and returning favourites hitting the shelves and the taps this week across the region. So read on and see what new treats might be available at your locals in addition to your usual faves.

Let’s start things off in Northeastern Nova Scotia, where Big Spruce and Candid are releasing a new collab called Talus. This 7.4% hazy double IPA showcases the Talus hop, along with some complementary additions of Sabro and Mosaic hops, leading to prominent citrus notes, including grapefruit. Check out the label art for a fun play on the ever popular Wordle, where the breweries add a few more descriptors of the beer. Cans are available now at the Sprucetique and for delivery via Big Spruce’s online store. In more Spruce news, keep your eyes peeled for a new can design for their Tag! You’re It! IPA, which to date has raised more than $110,000 for the Ocean Tracking Network.

We’ve got a special release out of Montague, PE, this week, as Copper Bottom Brewing releases Betty’s Ale, a Golden Ale that has a lot of heart behind it. From the brewery: “Betty, who was affectionately known as ‘Captain Izzy,’ was one of the first women in Eastern PEI to captain her own fishing boat, had a heart the size of PEI, and was the best doggone biscuit maker this side of Kings County.” This golden ale is 5% ABV, very drinkable and approachable (like Betty!) with flaked rice additions to the malt bill,  this adds to a crispier mouthfeel and dry finish, pairing with balancing Columbus hops at 20 IBU. This beer is also being released to help support emerging female entrepreneurs in PEI, with $1 from every can and pint going towards the PEI Business Women’s Association. This is available now in cans and on tap from the brewery. 

A re-release from Halifax’s Propeller Brewing this week, just after Canada Day, but featuring New Zealand hops. NZ Pils (not to be confused with NA Lager), is a New Zealand Pilsner featuring the pairing of hops, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka, native to NZ.  With a nice malt backbone and citrus and white wine aromas, this is 40 IBU and 5.2% and very nice and crispy. Watch for this in cans and on draught at the Prop Shops, and at licensees around HRM. 

And as they continue to celebrate their 25th Anniversary in 2022, July is the time for events to really ramp up, with 90s Karaoke Night at their Quinpool Tap Room on July 16, Propeller Arcade holding a block party screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the parking lot of their Gottingen location (previously Wormwoods Cinema) July 24, and on July 29, you can get the VIP treatment as you tour their Dartmouth brewing facilities to learn about all facets of the design and making of the beer and how it makes it into fridge and/or your glass! Click here to learn more and grab tickets! And hey, if you want to learn about the events, upcoming special release beers, and more, be sure to subscribe to the 902 BrewCast now, so you’ll get the episode with Cam and Pat of Propeller when it drops on #902sday!

In the category of returning beer with a new recipe (new hops, who dis?) we turn to Fredericton’s Trailway, as Shades is an IPA back for another year with a new batch of hops. This year, it’s made with a blend of 100% Aussie hops, using Eclipse, Vic Secret and Topaz which are sure to bring big flavours and aromas of orange, pineapple, pine, with some floral notes as well, in this 6.6% IPA. We can’t wait to stick our noses (with open mouths) in this one. Other people say that, right? Grab this one in cans and on tap at the brewery. 

You may spot this one in the wild this week from Tatamagouche Brewing, Waterlily Belgian Witbier is their take on a traditional Belgian wheat. It’s 4.9% and uses raw wheat, with additions of curaçao orange peel, freshly cracked coriander, and elderflower. Bringing iconic flavours and aromas of citrus and spice, you’ll be able to find this one around the province in kegs and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on any canning and retail releases.

And while we’re talking Tata, a heads up that their collaboration with Dartmouth’s North Brewing, Cool Melon Kolsch, which sees kilos and kilos of fresh watermelon added to the tanks, is set to release at North July 14. To celebrate, North is holding a Tata Tap Takeover at their spot at 899 Portland Street all weekend (while kegs last), with 4 options from the visitors, in addition to the collab beer, and slushies! Stop by to take part in the fun!

It’s Annapolis Royal Pride Day tomorrow, and to celebrate, Annapolis Brewing Company and Lunn’s Mill teamed up to bring us Saisons of Love. A 5.0% Saison with hibiscus, this beer starts in the classic Franco-Belgian style, and then is enhanced with the addition of hibiscus, for floral and fruity notes on the nose (enhanced by the dry-hopping with Mandarina Bavaria), and a lightly tart kick on the palate, finishing dry. Refreshing and fun, the beer is available on tap and in cans today at both establishments.

Let’s head to Nova Scotia’s South Shore, to Lunenburg’s Shipwright Brewing. They have released a cool hybrid of a beer on the weekend, Full Sail Smoked Pale Ale. Drawing on the best of both worlds, Full Sail features Smoked malt in the grist for just a touch of smoke on the palate, while remaining bright and fresh, and at 5.5%, perfect for patio sippin’. Grab it at their spot on Montague Street for pints and cans this weekend!

If you had to pick which brewery has the mostly new releases every week, who would it be? Village Green always seems to be in our weekly posts and this week they’ve got not one, but three! They decided to up the ante on their popular (and tasty!) Modern Bitter, to brew a straight up Extra Special Bitter. ESB is a classic recipe using Maris Otter as the main star of the grain bill, along with crystal and chocolate malts. Balanced with East Kent Goldings and Bramling Cross hops in the boil and then again for some dry-hopping action, this English wonder is 5.3% and available in cans and on tap from the brewery in Cornwall. Joining it is a brand new IPA named Oceanside, weighing at 7.0% and full of classic Cascade, Simcoe, and Amarillo throughout. And for good measure, they’ll be releasing a 5.2% Simcoe Pale Ale this weekend, so be sure to pop by (open 12 – 10 PM today and Saturday, 1 – 6 PM Sunday).

And finally this week, if you recently said to yourself (or your beer buddies) “I need some more short cans for beach/camping/summer/grillin’,” then 2 Crows was listening. Their flagship IPA, Pollyanna is available now in 6-packs in that lovely 355ml format. This beer has evolved over the years, but if you want a 7.3% NEIPA at 64 IBU with mega-juice, haze, and citrus, this one is for you. This 6x355ml format is only available at the taproom on Brunswick Street in Halifax