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