Hello loyal beer news fans! Apologies for the lack of news last week, we decided that with 4 of us travelling, it was a bit too much to get a post together that day. But we’ve more than made up for it this week, with news from every Atlantic province and surely a beer, cider, or event that everybody will enjoy, although we were obviously challenged in getting it put together in a timely fashion. So let’s get right to it!
The summer of Propeller Brewing’s 25th Anniversary celebration continues this week as they took the opportunity on yesterday’s IPA Day to release 25K IPA. This 6.1% Double Dry-Hopped IPA leverages Amarillo and Cryo Citra for an intense melon and citrus hit on the nose, with a solid West Coast character in the glass. Available on draught at Propeller’s three locations, as well as at licensees around the province (if you don’t see it, ask!). Also available in cans locally through Propeller and the Harvest Wine group, as well as local delivery and nation-wide shipping. Enticing us even more is what the “25K” name represents: teaming up with industry partners, they will be donating 100% of the proceeds of the beer to Feed Nova Scotia, which will exceed $25,000! More than just a food bank, Feed Nova Scotia’s goal is to increase food security through food distribution, education and collaboration throughout the province. We can certainly get behind that! Check out Jenell and Pat on Global with more on the beer and charitable component.
Let’s keep the charitable beers rolling this week, with Big Spruce in Nyanza releasing their 2022 Black is Beautiful beer, Toasted Coconut Jamaican Rum Barrel-Aged Foreign Extra Stout. Wow, quite a mouthful! And the beer is too, with this Foreign Extra Stout (think full-body and bold) seeing toasted coconut in the boil, and then hanging out in Jamaican Rum barrels for more than 6 months, picking up both wood character as well as plenty of rum booziness from its previous tenant. 100% of the proceeds of Black is Beautiful are going to African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent, a coalition building strength and health across African Nova Scotian communities and working to forge a renewed working relationship with government that creates conditions for all African-descended people in Nova Scotia to thrive. And you can learn more about Black is Beautiful, the international charitable collaboration entering its third year, in this short documentary. Only available through Big Spruce, pop by their taproom and retail shop overlooking the Bras D’Or lakes, or for home delivery (nationwide shipping too) on their website.
While you’re there, also check out their other new release, Ykpaïha. Styled after a classic European Pilsner, Ykpaïha features Zlato Polissya hops throughout, grown in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. Those hops lend fresh herb and light floral notes with a slight earthy undertone, reminiscent of Noble hops grown elsewhere in Europe. Available now in cans and on draught.
Mount Pearl’s Landwash Brewery released a funky beer, months in the making, in late July, and we want to be sure we told you about it ASAP so you don’t miss out… Funk Island 2022 began life as a pale wheat ale back in the winter, which then had a second round of fermentation in wine barrels with Brettanomyces, a familiar yeast to those into traditional Belgian or French beers. With the light base beer giving the yeast a lovely stage upon which to shine, it features notes of hay, orange blossoms, and strawberries. And as the 4.9% beer was packaged with a bit of yeast and fermentable sugar present, it has developed a lively and tight carbonation in the bottle, and will be perfect for storing to see how it further develops. Currently only available at the brewery on Commonwealth Avenue, it should be available at a few other retail shops in the region in the coming weeks.
And just released this week in celebration of Regatta Day (sorry to those who may have lost at Roulette Tuesday night/Wednesday morning!), is Pearl Swirl, their new Milkshake IPA series. The first release is Pearl Swirl: Lemon and Apricot, which is chock full of lemon, drinking like a lemon meringue pie! Named after the Mount Pearl Curl hairstyle, look for this on tap at Landwash now, with cans coming next week.
From one island to another, Lone Oak Brewing, based in Borden-Carleton (and now Charlottetown with their Brewpub location), has released a charitable and collaborative beer in Monarch Kolsch. The 4.7% ABV lagered ale is light and refreshing for these warmer months, with a touch of fruity esters with a hint of spicy character. Every can sold will see $1 donated to the Island Nature Trust, whose mission is to protect natural beauty and habitat on the Island, including the land and flora that the Monarch Butterfly loves. Pop by the Brewery or Brewpub (the only places Monarch is available) this weekend to grab a four-pack, drinking for a great purpose!
Moncton’s Tire Shack Brewery is releasing a new beer they’ve been tweaking behind the scenes since January. Strawberry Vanilla Shake IPA is a 100% vegan take on a milkshake IPA. Milkshake IPAs typically use lactose sugar to add sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel. Tire Shack has replicated that with a secret ingredient that opens the beer to a wider audience of drinkers. Dry-hopped with Enigma, expect big notes of strawberry jam and vanilla ice cream, but without having to worry about popping a couple of Lacteeze first! Available now at the brewery on tap and in growler fills and cans to go!
Back to Newfoundland and the Avalon Peninsula, Bannerman Brewing is releasing Future-Proof, the brewery’s first cream ale. This one started with a grain bill of Pilsner malt, flaked barley and corn before a light hopping with several European hops. Cream ales combine the fruity esters from an ale yeast fermentation, with the crisp drinking experience of a lager. Future Proof, coming in at 4.8% ABV, is available now at the brewery on Duckworth. While you’re there, you’ll also find Eclipse, their Sabro/Eclipse hopped IPA, back in stock. And finally, don’t forget to bring your Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Brewery Passport for a stamp. Bannerman is participating in the promotion this summer, along 18 other breweries and 1 cidery and 1 distillery, as part of the province’s Come Home 2022 Summer.
Halifax’s, and now Elmsdale’s, Good Robot Brewing has a new beer on their Drinkubator line, a Milk Stout. Leveraging their taproom visitors’ opinions and enthusiasm, the Drinkubator program lets folks vote and decide which beers will get a bump up from a small pilot batch to a more wide release. Notes of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla abound in this beer, maybe great for enjoying around a summer evening fire (when allowed, burn safely, folks!). On tap on Robie Street only, for now…
And while you cannot (yet) grab this one at their Elmsdale Beer Garden location, a reminder that it is open and ready to serve its thirsty neighbours. Located at 14 Industrial Way, the Beer Garden is open Friday to Sunday, noon to 11 PM (noon to 10 PM Sunday). Their retail shop out there is set to open soon, operating Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 8 PM (opening at 10 AM Friday and Sunday).
Heading west to the “other Lawrencetown”, Lunn’s Mill has two new releases to share with you. First up is It’s A Session IPA, which as you may have guessed, is a session IPA. Coming in at 4.3%, it is the first release in their new Lazy Brewer series. Up next is Not Your Bock, their take on a German Maibock. Expect some grainy sweetness and a hint of spice, along with an ample 7% ABV. Both beers are being released next Wednesday, August 10, at the brewery’s Lawrencetown and Bridgetown locations. These two will also be on tap for pints and growler fills.
Lunenburg’s Shipwright Brewing has released Bell Ringer Red, in support of the campaign to save the bell from the iconic Lunenburg Academy. This one was designed by Shipwright owner Adam Bowers, who also happens to be a former student of the academy. Look for a malt-forward drinking experience that includes notes of caramel and toffee. Bell Ringer is available now at the brewery on Montague Street.
Back to the Avalon one more time, where in Paradise, NL, new brewery Banished has a brand new DIPA pouring from the taps. Jim Time is an ode to the man who was responsible for keeping their opening as close to on-schedule as it could be given the pandemic circumstances. Described as a, “tractor driving, F1-watching, Adirondack-sitting, BBQ-loving legend,” Jim was also known for only drinking DIPAs, which made it an easy decision as to how to honour him. At 8% ABV, it’s got some serious kick, and no doubt a pretty significant hop kick as well. Packaged in cans, you can grab it from the brewery and other places where you find Banished beers.
Some beery things happening in the big city this weekend and next:
As things continue to return to something like the normal we knew before the pandemic, we’re starting to see the return of such novelties as big beerfests. First out of the gate in that regard, at least in the HRM, is the Seaport Beerfest, back for the 12th iteration of the event, 14 years after the first one in 2007. This year taking place entirely out of doors in front of Garrison Brewing’s Seaport location, 25 Maritime breweries are represented (19 from NS, 3 from NB, and 3 from PEI) along with some treats from Ontario, Quebec, Europe, and Maine. There are also cideries and meaderies represented, and this year sees the advent of FizzFest, which means you’ll find a wide selection of Ready-to-Drink hard seltzers, sodas, and cocktails as well: plenty of options for the non-beer drinkers in your social circle as well. The first of four sessions was held last night and was attended by our own Aaron and Chris, who can attest to it being a great time. If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and taste some beers (or other beverages), tickets are still available for the three remaining sessions, tonight, 7 – 10 PM, Saturday afternoon 2 – 5 PM, and Saturday evening, 7 – 10 PM. Lots more information, including a link to a list of everything that will be pouring, is available in the FAQ section of the event website.
Next Friday, August 12th, a reunion of sorts will take place in Halifax, as Stillwell will welcome their old friends from legendary Toronto beer destination Volo. As many know, some of Stillwell’s leadership learned the ins and outs of the industry at Volo, laying the groundwork for the creation of the Stillwell Empire. Since that time Volo has begun making their own beer and wine and they’ll be bringing a bunch of it for us to try and enjoy. The event will run from open to close at both The Freehouse and HQ, with slightly different taplists at each spot. You can find a full list of what’s available in this Ig post.
As is often the case at this time of year, lots of our region’s purveyors are looking to supplement their staff during the busiest season for suds.
Up first is Tusket Falls, who are looking to add a combination role of Server and Social Media Manager to the team. If this combination sounds like it would be a fit for you, you can send in your resume via email. Next up, one of the region’s oldest breweries, Picaroons, is looking for a Production Brewer for their Roundhouse location in Fredericton; full details are available here. Tatamagouche Brewing is hiring both Cellar and Store positions, part-time and full-time, year round and seasonal. No experience is required, just a great attitude; you can learn more by emailing for full info or just go ahead and submit a resume. Landwash is hiring multiple folks on a part-time basis for their taproom and events; they’re hoping to people who have availability during afternoons and weekends. Full details are available at this link. And lastly, but not leastly, Bishop’s Cellar is looking for both full and part time staff to join their warehouse team. Benefits include a staff discount on wine, beer, and spirits; find out more or send in your resume using this address.
Being off meant we missed a couple of things last week; here’s a couple that should still be around:
Grimross Brewing in Fredericton has a beer made from in-province ingredients. Spring Runnings has malt from Maison Fils du Roy, and Mt Hood hops from Lakeview hops. Packing a bit more punch than usual for a blonde ale, this one comes in at 6.5% ABV.
In Wolfville, Annapolis Cider has a new one, aptly named Blueberry Crabapple. A sparkling, off-dry cider coming in at 7.4% ABV it’s features fresh-pressed local blueberries and a splash of tart hyslop crabapple juice to balance the sweetness. Even better, $0.50 from every refillable bottle sold will go to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.