Do we do another introduction where we talk about the weather? Not this time! In an industry that undoubtedly has highlighted the need for safe spaces, equity and inclusion, this past week many breweries took the time to highlight a lot of their hard-working individuals via social media posts, videos, and new brews. Why is that you ask? International Women’s Day was this past Wednesday and we will keep the messaging and themes from that day ongoing through this weekend and with many beer releases highlighted below. The theme for 2023’s International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. “It’s critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.
The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.”
We hope many breweries are trying to influence equity and opportunities in their organizations and not just jumping on a marketing opportunity, as it’s important for true change and honouring the theme of the year.
(Read more about this year’s IWD and theme here)
We did highlight a few special IWD releases last week from Trailway, Island Folk Cider House, Truro Brewing and Hardisty, but check out some new ones below.
Let’s start in Sydney, where Breton Brewing is releasing Wave Rise Tiny Hazy Ale in honour of International Women’s Day. It showcases the Pink Boots hop blend from Yakima Chief that benefits the Pink Boots Society, an organization that supports women and non-binary individuals in the brewing industry. The name Wave Rise comes from the Hymn to Ninkasi, the goddess of beer and brewing. Coming in at 3% ABV, you can expect a light body, with some citrusy, floral and stone fruit aromas from the hops. Cans (featuring a cool design from Breton team member Lauren Musycysn), are available at the brewery and for online orders now. $1 from the sale of each can will be donation to the Every Woman’s Centre in Cape Breton.
The women of Propeller Brewing in Halifax designed, planned, and brewed up their own IWD beer, one they’ve dubbed Spellbound Strawberry Hibiscus Sour. A classic case of, “does what it says on the tin,” you can safely expect a rose-colored sour beer with a light pink head that features plenty of strawberry flavor and a subtle floral note in the background. An on tap-only feature at all of Propeller’s tap room locations, it was a small batch, so quantities are limited.
And we’ll round out our IWD features this week on the Island with the women of Upstreet Brewing who brewed up Peach Kölsch in celebration of IWD. Coming in at 6%, it sees a light grain bill paired with aromas and flavors of peach, dried apricots, and some grainy notes reminiscent of Multigrain Cheerios™. Also brought into play was the use of spunding, a technique that leverages some of the CO2 produced during fermentation to carbonate the beer. This is somewhat of an eco-friendly move (reducing the use of additional CO2) while also producing what many believe is a superior mouthfeel. This one is available in cans from the brewery and no doubt will see tap time at Craft Beer Corner as well. Even better, a portion of the proceeds from Peach Kölsch will go to Angels of PEI, a registered charity started by Anna Cherepanova, a Ukranian woman living on PEI along with her friends Christine Zareck and Wendy DeBoer, to provide funds to support Ukraine through the hardships imposed by the Russian invasion.
It’s been a minute since we first told you that Fredericton’s Trailway Brewing was opening up another location in Saint John, and after months of work their plan has finally come together. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 11th, at 4pm the doors to Union House by Trailway will open to the general public for the first time. And what better way to celebrate that than with the release of a new beer? Out & About Pale Ale is the official house beer of the Union House. A pale ale that sees bready malt paired with soft stone fruit, it’s clean, crisp, and flavorful, while tipping the scales at a very quaffable 5.3% ABV. Of course, you can also grab it in cans at the Fredericton taproom, but we encourage you to give it a try in situ in Saint John. Congrats to Tw on the new opening and bringing their hoppy presence to The John!
Montague, PE’s Bogside Brewing is bringing an entry in their Single Hop series this week. El Dorado is a modern variety known for bringing plenty of tropical fruit character, especially pineapple, to the table and El Dorado Single Hop IPA takes full advantage of that, boasting plenty of pineapple and some mango as well. Solidly in IPA territory at 6%, it drinks lighter than it is, with 35 IBU balancing those tropical notes yielding a very approachable beer. Look for it at the brewery on tap for pints and fills and also in cans to go.
Way down the Annapolis Valley in Lawrencetown, Lunn’s Mill Brewing is celebrate their 6th birthday this week (Tuesday, March 7th, to be exact) and of course they took the opportunity to release a new beer as part of the festivities. Lunn’s Millsner is a Pilsner, for sure, but it is a Czech Pilsner or a German Pilsner? We’re not sure either, but we’re going to try to get our hands on some to make a determination on that. Regardless, it’s super-crushable, with mild bitterness, and comes in at 4.5% ABV, so we (and you) should be able to safely have a couple while you figure it out. This one is available at the taproom, of course, for pints, fills, and cans, and you’ll see it pop up at other places as well, with TAPestry Beer Bar and The Flying Apron Inn leading the way. Happy Birthday from us to the folks at Lunn’s!
Spryfield’s Serpent Brewing has dialled up two new releases for you this week. First up is Modern Viking, a beer in memory of Chris Perks. Described as an “American twist on a classic red ale recipe,” you’ll find plenty of character from the specialty malts used, along with some citrus and a subtle spice note thanks to the use of Perle hops. This one will be on tap as of 3pm tomorrow and you can also get some in cans to go. Next up we have an on tap-only release, Rye of the Storm. Bringing rye to a classic English Porter in an amped up fashion is what this beer is all about, with an ABV of 6.5%. Those who attended the Craft Beer Cottage Party last weekend got a sneak peak of this one and now the rest of us can try it. There was actually a third release from Serpent this week, although it wasn’t a beer: congrats to Glenn and Monica on the birth of Jonah. We’re sure the little one will be hard at work in the brewery in no time!!
Aaaand a couple of quickie notes to see you on your way for the weekend!
In Mount Pearl, NL, Landwash has brought back Prickly Fish, their tiniest beer, in an even tinier form! Still a tasty hoppy beer, but now featuring an even lower ABV at 2.5%! Look for it at their retail location, with distribution happening on a wider scale this week and next.
Burnside’s Spindrift Brewing has a returning engagement this week as well, with Cardinal Red IPA available once again. Built on a base of Pilsner malt, with crystal 45 for character and sinamar for color, the hop side has classic American varieties Chinook, Comet, and Cascade paired up with more modern Azacca. Piney and resinous with a slightly fruity character, firm malt backbone, and plenty of balancing bitterness at 50 IBU.