Beer Events

Halifax Beer Weekend Wrap-Up – Stillwell Beer Bar Opens and Ladies Beer League Cask Event at Stubborn Goat

Posted by acbbchris on 2013-11-19
Posted in: Beer Events. Leave a Comment

What a busy weekend for good beer in Halifax!

Subway station ambiance

Stillwell’s New York subway station ambiance

Firstly, Stillwell Beer Bar (1672 Barrington) opened its doors officially Saturday. The space has seen many changes since our sneak peek only a month ago. The ten hightop tables give plenty of room to sit while enjoying a pint under the tall ceiling. The well-designed bartop also has plenty of room for people to sit or stand while contemplating their next beer. The 12 taps mounted along the chalkboard wall are arranged from light to dark, as is the beer they are dispensing, and they were turning over quite quickly during the weekend. The well-chosen keg list were from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec (the first time Dieu Du Ciel! and Trou du Diable have been on tap in Nova Scotia, I believe), and about 30 different bottles highlighted the best available in the province. The beer engines at the left of the bar were working overtime on the weekend, dispensing beer from local breweries Granite, Garrison and Propeller.

Twelve taps of great Maritime and Quebec beer

Twelve taps of great Maritime and Quebec beer

To complement the excellent beer, the food has to be world-class as well, and chef Graeme Ruppel has risen to the occasion. All of the food items were created to pair with the beer you are drinking, so the focus is on snacks rather than large meals. Highlights are the excellent fried chicken, Baotzel (sweet potato-filled pretzel) and icing sugar-dusted Beignets. The Sunday morning breakfast sandwich with a runny egg, Oulton’s smoked bacon and spicy “Atari” sauce was a hit as well.

Downstairs to the arcade machines

Downstairs to the arcade machines

The atmosphere downstairs was that of a New York subway station, with tiled walls and benches to match. A small space to chill with friends while awaiting your turn on the pinball machine, which was quite popular all weekend. Be sure to visit this new favourite for craft beer lovers in Halifax. They are open 4pm-2am Mon-Sat (closed Tuesday), and 11-11 Sundays.

On Sunday, the Ladies Beer League held their Cask Event at The Stubborn Goat. We attended the afternoon session, and had a wonderful time catching up with friends from far and wide.

Picaroons, Boxing Rock and Big Spruce Casks

Picaroons, Boxing Rock and Big Spruce Casks

The seven casks brought by the brewers were a great diversity of styles, including the Dark Cream Ale from Hell Bay Brewing, Zythos and Chinook dry-hopped IPA from Propeller, Winter Warmer from Garrison, and Smoked Porter from Picaroons. The standouts for me were the Crafty Jack Brown Ale from Boxing Rock, Belgian Apricot IPA from Bridge Brewing, and the winner of the Ladies Choice, the Glenora Whisky-Infused Stout from Big Spruce Brewing.

Bridge and Garrison casks

Bridge and Garrison casks

The Goat was a great venue, as the upstairs was dedicated to the event, while the downstairs was still open for other patrons (and for a post-fest pint), and the full kitchen was open to bring up some nourishment to keep us going.

Once again, congratulations to Stillwell on their opening. Be sure to check their Twitter feed for up-to-date beer lists. And congrats to the Ladies Beer League and Stubborn Goat for the great cask event.

Fredericton Poutine Fest Wrap-Up and Early Details on 2014 Fredericton Craft Beer Fest

Posted by acbbchris on 2013-11-13
Posted in: Beer Events. Tagged: Fredericton Craft Beer Festival, Fredericton Poutine Festival. 3 comments

frederictonpoutinefest

The ACBB was fortunate enough to attend the Fredericton Poutine Festival this past weekend, held at the Delta Fredericton. There were two sessions to the Fest: an afternoon all-ages session, and an evening 19+ session. Both sessions had poutine from four different restaurants, while the evening session also featured local and foreign beer.

Delta Fredericton's Braised Beef Poutine

Delta Fredericton’s Braised Beef Poutine

First, let’s talk poutine! The four poutine providers were Delta Fredericton, King Street Ale House, Kings Arrow Arena Canteen, and ReLiSH Gourmet Burgers. Each had a unique take on the classic poutine recipe of New Brunswick Potatoes, cheese curds and gravy. The Delta served theirs topped with braised beef, while the King Street Ale House had two options: smoked chicken or brisket. The Kings Arrow Arena also had two offerings: Newfie poutine (topped with turkey dressing) and Montreal-style smoked meat. And ReLiSH brought an epic poutine consisting of Angus beef and peppercorn gravy, with lobster-infused donair sauce and mini shrimp, with a squash chip garnish. Wow! During both sessions, attendees were encouraged to vote for their favourites, and the winner was Kings Arrow Arena! This small canteen dreamed big, and overwhelmed the attendees with the quality of their poutine.

Kings Arrow Arena "Double Double" Poutine - both Montreal smoked meat and turkey dressing

Kings Arrow Arena Award Winning “Double-Down” Poutine – Montreal smoked meat and turkey dressing

The beer offered during the evening was also excellent, highlighting both local and foreign beers. Steve Dixon from Grimross was pouring his Belgian Rye IPA and Pugnacious Porter. Fellow Fredericton brewery Picaroons had their Yippee IPA, 104th Regiment Brown, Blonde Ale, and newest seasonal Winter Warmer. Moncton brewery Pump House had their Cadian Pale Ale, Scotch Ale, Firechief’s Red, and Premium Lager. McAuslan Brewery had their St. Ambroise Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout and Apricot Wheat. McClelland Importers were pouring their Affligem, Erdinger Dunkel, Fruli, and Stiegl.

Grimross Pugnacious Porter

Grimross Pugnacious Porter

The organizers of the Poutine Fest have also given some preliminary details on their 2014 Fredericton Craft Beer Festival. It will be held March 8th, 2014 at The Fredericton Convention Centre on Queen Street in downtown Fredericton. Check out their Facebook event for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Fest. The 2013 Fest was a great time, with over 100 beers available, and we’re sure 2014’s will be even better. Tickets for the Festival will be on sale in December, just in time to stuff some stockings. Cheers!

Devour Craft Beer Film Festival Taking Place Nov 13-17 at Paddys Irish Brewpub in Wolfville

Posted by acbbchris on 2013-11-07
Posted in: Beer Events. Tagged: Paddys Irish Brewpub. Leave a Comment

FilmFestivalBanner

Paddys Irish Brewpub in Wolfville is hosting the Devour Craft Beer Film Festival, November 13-17. Over the course of five days, they will be showing three great beer films at the Brewpub. I spoke with General Manager John Fitzgerald about the Festival, and what attendees can expect.

ACBB: Please tell us about the films being screened at the Devour Craft Beer Film Festival.

John: The three films are: How Beer Saved the World, The American Brew and American Beer, and all three will play during every screening.

How Beer Saved the World – This show traces the important role that beer has played in human history from the probable origins of the first beer at the dawn of history to the development of a special beer for use in zero gravity space missions.

The American Brew – American Brew is a celebration of beer culture and history in North America. From European immigrants bringing brewers over with early settlers, through the prohibition and up to the sophisticated micro brewing industries of today, it’s enlightening, fun and goes well with a warm flagon of your local mash. Not likely to turn your Chardonnay sipping mother-in-law into a growler guzzling curmudgeon, but just about as interesting as it can get for us, the converted masses. Sit back, feet up and get educated on the cold stuff.

American Beer: a bockumentary – This movie is half roadtrip, half educationally hilarious jaunt through 38 of America’s craft breweries with five friends on a mission. That mission is to learn about beer, the craft brewing industry, and what makes it tick. Along the way they are educated and of course run into several mishaps. The film is a true testament to the American Craft brewing industry and the struggles that all the brewers and breweries go up against trying to educate the public and fight corporate America for their piece of the pie.

ACBB: How much is admission to the Festival?

John: Tickets to each screening are $10+HST, and are available at the Brewpub. That price includes a pint of beer, finger food buffet, a tour of the brewery, and of course the film! More drinks and food from the kitchen will be available during the screenings.

ACBB: When and where will the films be shown?

John: Showtimes are Wednesday Nov 13 and Thursday Nov 14 @ 6pm, Friday Nov 15 @ 9pm, Saturday Nov 16 @ 1pm and 9pm, and Sunday Nov 17 @ 1pm. The films will be shown in the Brewer’s Room on the second floor of the Brewpub. The Brewpub and kitchen will be open throughout, for those not attending the screenings.

Thanks to John for the great information. You can buy tickets in person at Paddys Irish Brewpub at 460 Main St, Wolfville, or by calling 902-542-0059. They are giving away a pair of tickets to the Festival on Facebook, so click to win!