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Friday Wrap-Up for April 26, 2024, The Final One – News from Around Atlantic Canada

Posted by acbbaaron on 2024-04-26
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: Baccalieu Trail Brewing, Banished Brewing, Bannerman Brewing, Big Spruce Brewing, Breton Brewing, Copper Bottom Brewing, Foghorn Brewing, Godspeed Brewery, Landwash Brewery, Port Rexton Brewing Co., Tanner & Co Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing, The Stillwell Freehouse, TrailWay Brewing, Upstreet Craft Brewing. Leave a Comment

We’ve known you all of our lives, at least that’s how it seems… Since Canadian Beer News had their last post in December, the fellows here at ACBeerBlog have been hemming and hawing around how much longer we can do these Friday Wrap-ups. With so many breweries in the region and ourselves with kids, family, and life, we needed four people to keep this going the last few years and recently we’ve gone back down to three. We all love beer (still!) and we all love the friends, memories, trips, and community we’ve found thanks to beer across Atlantic Canada and beyond. From reading this blog, to writing for this blog, our families probably still have no idea what we’re talking about, but we are grateful for our readership and the ability to be part of this community.

Our thanks to everyone who helped us in one way or another over the last decade. Greg Delaney for starting this mess, Shawn Meek for his years of writing (even when he had a day job and a brewery side hustle), and Devon Gillis for his couple of years of contributions. All of the brewery staff who we bugged over the years for “the nerdy info”, often at inopportune times, and especially those who probably didn’t have “marketing and communications” in their job description. But especially the readers, of course; although we honestly have no idea how many people actually were reading, we had to assume there were at least a few, and that’s why we kept doing it.

What will we do now, at least on Thursday nights and Friday mornings? Probably a lot less typing. And frantically scanning social media. And complaining about how many beers 2 Crows released that week (Happy Birthday Jeremy, you made us quit! 😘). And telling Chris to, “stop looking now, we’ve got enough dammit!” The blog site isn’t going away, but you’ll probably find it gets a bit of an overhaul in the coming weeks. At the very least we’d like it to remain a record and a resource for folks going forward. We’ve also talked a bit about writing some of the pieces we never found the time to write; things about the industry, trends, opinions, brewery profiles (‘member those?!), etc. We make no commitments whatsoever, though, of course. Our social media accounts will remain, at least Instagram anyway, so if you’re looking for us, that’s probably the best way to go. Now, on to the news!

When Tatamagouche Brewing takes on a style they haven’t done before you can generally rest assured that they’re going to do it well, and we have every reason to suspect that such will be the case with their latest foray into Continental beer styles with Altbier. A classic German style, “alt” in fact translates to “old” as in, “this is the beer we used to make (before we started making lager).” Consistent with the style, you should find Tata’s version to have plenty of malty character, with biscuit and graham cracker leading the way thanks to generous use of German malts, balanced with enough hop bitterness and character from local Styrian Goldings hops to keep it from being cloying. Cold-conditioned to ensure a crisp finish, this 4.9% mahogany beauty is available in cans and will no doubt make an appearance on tap at better beer bars. Couple that with a “fresh” release of their Solitude Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, and you’ve got a full meal of Tata to enjoy this weekend!

Copper Bottom Brewing, hailing from Montague, PEI, also has a beer this week based on a traditional style that will hopefully usher in the warmer weather. Pursuit is a 4.0% Kolsch, a style that hails from Cologne Germany, and is the basis for many “Lagered Ales”. In a time that the concept of lagering and bottom-fermenting yeast was taking hold in the country’s breweries, those in Cologne were made to swear an oath to stick with the traditional ale yeast, which is top-fermenting. To compete with the crisp and clean lager beers available, however, the resourceful breweries would ferment with ale yeast, but then lager, or “keep”, the beer to keep the fruity ale character in check. Much like in 17th Century Cologne, Copper Bottom’s is also supremely drinkable, light, refreshing, and crisp. The Hallertau Mittelfruh and Saaz hops lend a touch of Old World character to the clean base of Pilsner and Vienna malts. On draught and in cans at the brewery now, and making its way across the province this weekend!

Straight outta Rothesay, Foghorn has a brand new release to satisfy your need for a summertime thirst quenching hazy IPA. Sundog is a New England-style IPA that brings all the hazy and tropical vibes you want for the summer. The malt bill for this is a blend of 2 row and Pilsner along with some oats for a smooth and beefed up body. The hops are a mix of Citra, Eclipse and HBC 1019 and the New England Ale yeast brings it all together. The beer will be available in 473ml cans on the shelves at ANBL for the next few months but they already have plans to brew it again as spring turns to summer. It’s 6% and 20 IBU, so look for it if you’re in New Brunswick for the summer!

Terp alert! With April 20th in the not so distant past, Landwash has a new dank beer called Best Buds. That could describe your blog boys, too 🙂 This beer is a very dank west coast IPA with some earthy and pine notes from CTZ, Cascade and Bru-1 hops. This beer features an addition of Pineapple Express terpenes which have a tropical, pungent, pine and fruit aroma. There are no THC or CBD products in this beer, but the flavour and aroma should be right on point! The beer is 6% and available in cans from the brewery. 

In Charlottetown, PEI, Upstreet Brewing has a new beer from their Staff Brew series of beers that are conceived by members of their staff. This time it’s Ace who’s responsible, a friendly face at both the taproom and Craft Beer Corner. Described as, “jam in a can,” the simply named Raspberry Beer is a 5.0% light pale ale dosed with raspberries for an ideal sunny summer afternoon tipple. Find this one pouring at both Upstreet Island locations and also available in cans to go.

Bannerman Brewing, of Duckworth Street in downtown St. John’s has a brand new dark beer with a twist for us this week. Nine Lives is a porter that was brewed with the cats of the Bannerman staff. (Those of us who have cats know that their contribution was probably watching in disinterest and occasionally knocking something off something else) Starting with oats for mouthfeel and chocolate malts for roastiness on top of a traditional barley malt base, this one saw some aging time on blueberry and dark currant purées that contributed notes of dark fruit and berries to complement the chocolate and biscuit malty notes. Find this 4.8% gem in cans and on tap for pints and fills at the brewery and taproom.

Across Conception Bay from St. John’s we find Bay Roberts and Baccalieu Trail Brewing Co, who have a new malty one of their own to mention. Clock Tower Munich Dunkel is, well, a Munich dunkel. For those unfamiliar, it’s a dark lager style, built on a base of largely Munich malt, lightly hopped, and generally fermented cool with a Saccharomyces pastorianus strain of yeast. In this case the team at BT added a single decoction mash to bring a little extra magic to the proceedings. Named for the clocktower bells to which historic brewers would sync their mash times, this one provides the yin to the yang of Baccalieu Trail’s lighter Helles or High Water Munich helles. At 5% you’ll find there’s plenty of opportunity to consider the malty flavors, low bitterness, and crisp finish. Grab it in cans from the brewery and, we expect, anywhere else you find Baccalieu Trail beers.

North Sydney’s Breton Brewing is back with another fruited sour beer in their Let’s Jam series. Let’s Jam Cherry Lime Sour is… well… a 4.0% sour that pours a lovely pink hue, and is bursting with flavours of cherry and lime. Tart, light, and refreshing, cans and draught of LJCLS are in the taproom now, with home delivery an shipping province-wide from their website.

If you’re out and about in Halifax’s North End tomorrow, you will definitely want to pop in to the Stillwell Freehouse to check out their tap feature from Toronto’s Godspeed Brewery. This excellent Japanese- and Czech-inspired brewery rarely makes it this far east, so you should take advantage when the opportunity presents itself! Open from noon, there will be seven Godspeed beers pouring, including the debut of their Kiri, a 5.1% Belgian Witbier. 

After recently opening ticket sales for the Newfoundland Craft Beer Festival, Banished Brewing has also announced that they will be hosting Banished Fest in July. On July 12th and 13th, the taps will be featuring breweries from across North America on the go, with beers from Badlands, Dunham, Lone Oak, 2 Crows, Trailway, Stillwell, Other Half, and half a dozen more. Each brewery will have a dedicated tap or two during the event, and as one keg kicks, it will be replaced by another beer from the same brewery, and will be rotated between sessions, so that there will be a new roster each time. Those in the Golden Growler club will have the opportunity to fill up on any leftover beer at the end of the weekend (should there be any!). Tickets for the three sessions are now available, grab them quickly before they disappear!

Though they’re still probably best known for their hoppy stuff, Trailway Brewing in Fredericton has very much diversified their offering in the last few years and their Czech Pilsner Yada Yada has been a big part of that. Those who love it can rejoice as it’s back in the fridges and back on the taps, with biscuit-y malt, lively carbonation, and a balancing bitterness in a 5.0% ABV package.

Big Spruce has three…Three…THREE beers returning for your enjoyment this week. Canadian Tuxedo is their 6% haskap berry-infused sour ale, this time with some additional funk from some swimming time with Brettanomyces. Blursday is a favorite hazy IPA of many, coming in at 6.6% and bursting with mango, papaya, and lychee. Wrapping things up is What Could Possibly Go Wrong, an organic double IPA at 8% based around the relatively new Nectaron hop known for imparting passion fruit, stone fruit, and pineapple characters. These are all available in cans from the source and elsewhere you get your Spruce fix.

On Nova Scotia’s South Shore, Tanner & Co. Brewing is re-releasing their Kuitbier, a traditional Dutch style of beer from the 16th century. Made with oats, wheat, and barley, much of it local, it’s got a smooth malt character paired with subtle herbal notes. Canned and ready to go from Tanner retail, it’s 4.7% ABV.

A business lasting fifty years is something to be celebrated, and Port Rexton is doing just that with their release this week. Their 5.0% Golden Ale, released seasonally, is sporting a new label designed by the folks at St. Michael’s Printshop, an artist-first print studio in St. John’s, celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. Their facilities include studio and exhibition spaces, printing and lithography services, for both established and emerging artists. Support two local businesses that support their community, with one tasty beer! Available now in Port Rexton and at their St. John’s Retail Shop, with cans and draught further afield real soon!

Thanks for reading this far, and for following along over the last twelve years of near-weekly posts! Remember, this isn’t goodbye, it’s, “We have confidence you can find a great locally-made beer near you, now go out and grab it!”. We’ll still be coming to your inbox, and the blog site, with brewery Profiles and other news on occasion, so “See You Later” until then! Aaron, Chris, and Damian

Friday Wrap-Up for March 15, 2024 – News from CBANS, Big Spruce, Breton, Hardisty, Truro, Burnside, Village Green, Banished, Trailway, and more!

Posted by acbbaaron on 2024-03-16
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: 2 Crows Brewing, Banished Brewing, Bar Brewdock, Battery Park, Big Spruce Brewing, Black is Beautiful, Breton Brewing, Brew Culture, Burnside Brewing Company, Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, Escarpment Laboratories, Hardisty Brewing, Lone Oak Brewing, Modern Brewer's Village Green, O'Creek Brewing, Off Track Brewing, Quidi Vidi Brewery, Shoreline Malting, Stillwell Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing, The Harbour Brewing Company, TrailWay Brewing, Truro Brewing Company. Leave a Comment

[ed. Once again we’re posting our Friday wrap-up on Saturday. Real Life™ is a thing; whatchagonnado?]

Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend! There are a lot of events going on at your local bars, pubs, and breweries, so make sure you show them some love instead of just going to the provincial liquor store and grabbing some Guinness! We won’t be listing all of the events and parties for Paddy’s Day (then we would never get out of here!) but be sure to check your local spots on social media to see if they have anything on the go. Let’s dive in!

We’ll start this week in Nova Scotia where the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia has released their annual fundraising collaboration beer, Together We Brew. This year representatives from member breweries gathered at Stillwell Brewing on Kempt Road in Halifax to brew a Dortmunder-style export lager. Using all-Canadian ingredients from Brew Culture, Shoreline Malting, and Escarpment Labs, it was brewed back in January before being given eight solid weeks of lagering time. Coming in at a comfortable 5.8% ABV, it’s got plenty of malt character, floral hop aroma, and a soft balancing bitterness, and it’s an excellent everyday beer and a great one to share with friends and show off the quality of NS craft beer. It’s available now in 473ml cans at NSLC locations and select breweries around NS.

If you’re the sort who keeps track of these things, or just a long time craft beer drinker in NS, you no doubt know what’s coming next. The release of the Together We Brew beer always heralds the coming of CBANS’ signature event, also called Together We Brew. This year taking place at Pavillion 22 at the Halifax Seaport you’ll find some 40 Nova Scotia craft breweries pouring their wares. Even better, they’re doing away with the tyranny of sample tickets, so maybe you won’t have to pick and choose quite as much (although you’ll still be expected to drink responsibly). Two sessions will be held on April 6th, one in the afternoon from 2 – 4:30pm, and one in the evening from 7 – 9:00pm. As always, VIP tickets are available that allow an extra hour of early tasting and a special souvenir tasting glass, and Designated Driver tickets are also available. All the relevant information and links to ticket purchase can be found on the event page at the CBANS website. Hope to see you there!

In 2022, an open-ended collaboration called Black Is Beautiful was created to support the efforts of the National Black Brewers Association in growing Black brewers across the US (and hopefully beyond). A recipe for an imperial stout was provided to breweries who wished to participate along with additional assets (label design, collateral). Each brewery pledged $1 (or more) from every can sold to the cause. This year it’s happening again, with Weathered Souls Brewing providing the recipe for a hazy IPA, Stout Collective providing the label design, and Blue Label Packaging Co even fronting the labels (breweries need only pay shipping). Nyanza’s Big Spruce Brewing is the first Atlantic Canadian brewery (that we’re aware of) to sign up and take part. Their version of Black Is Beautiful Volume 2 was released this week, following the published recipe pretty closely on the malt side, with 2-row malted barley, white wheat, Vienna malt, oats, and barley flakes (all organic, natch) building a solid base. Veering a little bit from the spec, the Spruce team went 50/50 with modern classics Galaxy and Mosaic for the hops, all of them added in a post-temperature reduction whirlpool and dry hop. The result is described as, “courage, bravery, and allyship wrapped in an unbelievably badass beer.” True to the spirit of the collaboration, Big Spruce will be spreading the proceeds between NBBA and longtime Big Spruce partner the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition (ANSDPAD). Grab it in cans at the brewery and, we’d imagine, other places you’ve historically found Big Spruce beer.

Missed in last week’s round-up of beers brewed for International Women’s Day was an entry from Breton Brewing in Sydney, NS. Bearing the same name as previous IWD beers brewed at Breton, Waves Rise, it is in the champagne IPA (a.k.a. brut IPA) style, which generally describes a hoppy beer with a rather light body. Leveraging the Pink Boots hop blend from Yakima Chief, it boasts aromas of peach and stone fruit and aims to please both hop lovers and lighter beer lovers alike. Find this 5.8% gem on tap and in cans at the taproom, as well as other fine drinking establishments around the province (we spotted it at The Narrows in Halifax ourselves earlier this week!).

Another IWD beer we missed last weekend is a collab between Truro Brewing and Cole Harbour’s Hardisty Brewing. Wicked Roots is a dark ale that features root beer-inspired herbs and spices, including sarsaparilla, licorice root, star anise, and wintergreen. Hardisty even went so far as to serve it with vanilla ice cream as a float last weekend for their IWD celebration! We’re not sure if that’s still available, but this 5% beer was pouring at both breweries’ taprooms and a  portion was also canned (although we’re not sure if cans went to Hardisty).

In the Burnside Industrial Park area of Dartmouth we find the pseudonymous Burnside Brewing has a new one pouring this week, the latest in their Brew Lab series of smaller batch experimental beers. This time around the Burnside team experimented with a traditional Czech brewing process, namely single decoction, to produce a traditional Czech Pilsner. Also boasting malt from Czechia, Czech Pilsner #1 comes in at 4.6% ABV and is hopped with traditional Saaz, retro Sládek, and new school Bohemie, yielding a spicy, herbaceous, and citrus-tinged hop aroma to pair with its rich maltiness and balancing bitterness. Find this unfiltered and golden beer on tap and in cans at all three Burnside properties.

Village Green in Cornwall, PEI, released a new IPA this week, one that harkens back to the IPAs of yesteryear, with a chewy malt body, plenty of bitterness, and of course, big hop flavour and aroma courtesy of large additions of Citra in the kettle and for dry hop. Dubbed Undead IPA, you shouldn’t find it scary, but you might find it has notes of marmalade, candied citrus, and ripe stone fruit in this 6.8% beer. Find it at the brewery now on tap, and hopefully in cans to go.

Up in Newfoundland, two of the Rock’s best beer spots have teamed up for a collaboration. Bar Brewdock of East Duckworth Street in downtown St. John’s grabbed themselves some tickets to Paradise and visited Banished Brewing. On their mind was brewing up a big ol’ juice bomb to remind themselves of the summer days they hope aren’t too far away. If you’re familiar with the Banished oeuvre, this one started with a similar base to Makes Sense, but amped up to reach double IPA proportions. To that was added Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Cascade hops, including all three in a double dry hop. Finishing at 8.5% ABV, it’s truly hazy, with bitterness on the low end, a deep orange color, and plenty of citrus character that’s maybe even a little reminiscent of Five Alive™. Find it on tap at the brewery and at Brewdock, of course, and it’s going out to retailers in cans as well.

Staying in Newfoundland, but out to Quidi Vidi, where Quidi Vidi Brewery has a light new hoppy brew available. Glad Hands is the product of the sixth annual collaboration between the QV and Newfermenters Homebrew Club. Starting with a beer competition, it turns into a bottle share where all comers can sample eachother’s wares. Jamie Osborne provided the recipe for this one and it’s an easy drinking session IPA. Smooth and refreshing, it’s got plenty of citrusy aromas from the hops in a, “it’s quite alright to have another,” 3.9% package. It’s a limited edition, so grab it on tap at the QV taproom or pick up some cans to go while you can.

Over to New Brunswick where, in Fredericton, Trailway Brewing has a beer returning that hasn’t been seen in well nigh two whole years. You may remember the moment in the sun of the milkshake IPA, which generally marries the hazy IPA style with fruit and lactose to produce something not quite beer-like, but also definitely beer-like. Not the kind of style you’d find yourself banging four of in an evening, but certainly something that can scratch a (possibly weird) itch. This iteration of Velvet Fog is 6% and features cherry and mango flavors along with the sweetness of lactose and plenty of hops; it’s soft and round, and almost smoothie-like on the finish. Available in cans at the taproom in Fredericton and Union House in Saint John, you’ll also be able to pick this up at ANBL locations in coming weeks as well.

Only one event this weekend, but it’s a doozy and it’s already started!

If you’re in Halifax, you may have seen the news of the triple tap takeover between Tatamagouche Brewing, 2 Crows Brewing, and Lone Oak Brewing a few weeks ago and have been jealous of all that great beer in one place. Well today you get your chance. Starting today at open and running all the way to close, those three breweries will be doing it all again at Battery Park in Dartmouth. Will you find green beer? Probably not. Will you find a selection of fresh and delicious beer from some of the region’s best breweries? You sure will. Maybe we’ll see you there!

And a couple more things afore we go:

You down with P-O-G? Yeah, you know me! [ed. Alrighty there, Milhouse] 2 Crows Brewing has a new version of the Jamboree Sour Series, but this one features passionfruit, orange, and guava additions. Using a puree of passion fruit, pureed mango, orange puree along with the orange zest and juice, this is really just for summer.  It’s 4.8% and canned now, available at both 2 Crows locations and with certain NSLCs will be carrying this as well. 

Moncton’s O’Creek Brewing isn’t taking their foot off the pedal any time soon: they’ve got three new beers pouring this week. Czech Affair is a returning favorite, a Czech pale lager, Kozak Lager, brewed in partnership with the Ukrainian Club of Moncton (some proceeds contributed to the Ukrainian cause), and Sunny Brae Coffee Stout, which was brewed with coffee from local roastery Sunny Brae Coffee. All three are pouring at their taproom, but if you’re in Halifax with no plans to be in Moncton this weekend, you may still be able to sample some O’Creek, as Stillwell HQ has been pouring some of their wares of late.

Unfortunately this week we again need to finish with some sadder news. Off Track Brewing in Bedford announced this week that they will be closing on April 28th (or when they run out of beer). Bedford’s only brewery, they built themselves a taproom on Rocky Lake Drive that fostered a vibrant community spirit. Additionally, The Harbour Brewing Company in Musquodoboit Harbour has announced that they are for sale and will be ceasing current operations once they run out of beer. We raise a glass to the teams at both locations wish them all the best, whatever their futures may bring.

Friday Wrap-Up for February 9, 2024 – News from Tanner, Tire Shack, Boomstick, Boxing Rock, Banished, Tusket Falls, Breton, Unfiltered, Trailway, Big Spruce, Village, Green, Saltbox and More!

Posted by acbbdamian on 2024-02-09
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: 2 Crows Brewing, Banished Brewing, Big Spruce Brewing, Boomstick Brewing, Boxing Rock Brewing, Breton Brewing, Burnside Brewing Company, Garrison Brewing, North Brewing, Propeller Brewing, Saltbox Brewing, Tanner & Co Brewing, Tire Shack Brewing, TrailWay Brewing, Tusket Falls Brewing, Unfiltered Brewing, Village Green by Modern Brewer. Leave a Comment

We don’t know about you folks, but we blinked and somehow we’re already a third of the way through February; maybe last weekend’s snow did something to accelerate that. Speaking of which, many breweries in the region lost some business days to getting dug out, so bear that in mind when you’re picking up beer for the big foosball game this weekend (see more on that below). Also coming up soon is Valentine’s Day, which really has nothing to do with beer unless you want it to. Anyways, enjoy this week’s round up of beer news in Atlantic Canada.

Chester Basin’s darling, Tanner & Co has a brand new beer available this week, dipping into the dark and delicious end of the spectrum. At 5.7% ABV, Oatmeal Stout is robust, with roast, coffee, and chocolate notes coming though thanks to the dark malts used in the mash. The addition of oats helps smooth out the mouthfeel, lending a wonderful creamy texture. The ensemble will have you looking forward to that next sip (and next pint!). Available now in both their Chester Basin brewery location, as well as their Chester taproom, and for delivery online through their shop, too!

Speaking of dark and roasty beer, Moncton’s Tire Shack has brought back their Belgian Coffee Quad this week. Melding the biggest of the Belgian styles, known for its dark fruit, caramel, and a bit of sweetness, with some great coffee roasted by nearby Down East Coffee. That combination, as well as the 9.0% ABV, will have you praising the heavens for this lovely brew. Pop by 190 John Street to see their recently expanded taproom, and grab a pint and cans before this seasonal disappears.

On to Corner Brook, where Boomstick Brewing calls 55 West Street home. They’ve decided to kick up the hops in a big way with the release of Double Knit ImperialIPA. A light base of Pilsner malt and flaked wheat supports the absolute jumbo weight of hops used in the beer. Idaho 7, Simcoe, and Mosaic have been knitted together for multiple layers of tropical, citrus, resin, and much more. On tap right now, available in cans as well, with those being distributed on the Good Beer Highway across the province soon!

It being February, the annual Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl is up and running on the South Shore of the province, and, as is traditional, the craft brewers in the area are getting involved. This week we can tell you that Boxing Rock Brewing has put together a new brew for the occasion this year, with a name that’s a riff on one of their most popular beers. Shuck Off is a blonde ale coming in at 5% ABV. Although they’re describing it as “LOBSTERIFIC” it contains no actual lobster. That said, with a light and crisp body, it’s the perfect refreshing pairing for rich, and often garlic-butter-soaked lobster! Check out all the events at the official website linked above and grab yourself some Shuck Off at all Boxing Rock locations.

It’s time for the Superb Owl Section of this post. Many breweries have some deals on now until Sunday February 11th. You like deals? We like deals. You like the Superb Owl? We do, too! Check out your favourite local craft breweries offering some special deals for the big game. These deals are directly from the breweries, so go to the source for your stuff if you can. 

Breton Brewing

  • Lager –  Mixed 4 Pack (473ml) for $12
  • Lager – Mixed Flat (24 x 473ml) for $50
  • Black Angus IPA – Two 355ml 6 Packs for $30

2 Crows Brewing

  • AC Light Lager – Flat (24 x 473ml) for $50

Garrison Brewing

  • Tall Ship Light – Case (12 x 355ml) for $25

Propeller Brewing

  • Prime Lager – Flat (24 x 355ml) for $40
  • Azacca – Flat (24 x 355ml) for $50

Burnside Brewing

  • Toller Lager, Gold & Lite – Case (12 x 355ml) for $22

Trailway Brewing

  • Fetch Lager – $4 off a Case (12 x 355ml)

North Brewing

  • 15% Off – Newsletter code

REMINDER: Not every brewery is big enough to produce beers like this that can be brewed in quantity and sold at minimal margin or even a loss to drive cash flow. So by all means, spend some of your craft beer dollars on these deals, but maybe save a couple of simoleons to pick up something from a smaller producer for whom every can counts?

We’ll take a minute to highlight one big party going on Sunday evening, up in Paradise, NL, where Banished Brewing is doing up The Banished Bowl, with tailgate starting at 6pm leading into a private watch party. Tickets for the event are $45 each, which includes entry, 2 beer tickets, 1 meal ticket, a take-home mug, and exclusive access to additional beers from Toronto’s Bellwoods and Halifax’s 2 Crows. One of the Banished joints you’ll be able to enjoy this weekend is the return of Makes Sense, their hazy IPA, which is, “ultra fresh and tasting insane.” So Making Sense is nonsensically good, apparently!!

Here’s our last few quick hits to send you on your way for the weekend. Go Ninefs!! Yay Chiefers!! Happy Tay Tay!!

If you know anything from the last couple of years of craft beer trends, it’s that Lager is Life. Tusket Falls Brewing have two locations in Tusket and Halifax, and both are featuring three new lagers. While they brew up a new one in the tank now, they currently have Czech Pils, German Pils and Helles all on tap. The Czech is featured on a Lukr side pull and all beers are available at both locations. Let your noses and tongues pick up the classic hops of Saaz and Hallterteauer Mittelfruh along with classic continental malts from Raven and Weyermann. They’re hoping to have these available all the time, so check them out if you’re around either location.

As mentioned above, there’s a deal on some Breton Brewing lagers for a football game. If you’ve been following along with their Light Lager series, you’ll be happy (or sad) that this is the fourth and final release. Breton Lager #4 is a Light Lager at 4%. That’s all we can tell you! It’s crisp and light and available now, and as part of one of their Superb Owl deals mentioned above. We’re looking forward to seeing which of the light lager variants will be the go-to for a bigger batch to feed summer thirsts across Cape Breton Island and beyond.

Halifax’s Unfiltered Brewing has a re-release a few years after its debut in 2021. This is a memorial brew to the late Paul McKinnon and Battleship PM-67 is back and available now as a tribute and memorial to the brewery’s late friend and patron. This double IPA is made with the Cryo Pop hop blend (from Yakima Chief) and is packed with tropical tastes and flavours, including pineapple, peach, and grapefruit. This is 7.5% and available at the brewery on tap and in cans. 

Break out the Silver and Black (no the Raiders aren’t in the big game!) because Bearstream is back: Trailway Brewing’s tasty West Coast IPA is back with some tweaks. Still using classic West Coast hops, this new batch beefs up the malt bill to add some toastiness and doughy body not traditionally in the style. Still piney, resinous, and citrusy, it still has the West Coast bitterness, but with a bit more malt balance in a 7% package. It’s available now from the brewery and online. 

Faithful patrons of Nyanza’s Big Spruce will be excited about the latest beer returning to taps and cans. Amärzen Grace is back and this Märzenbier is true to the traditional German lager style. German for “March Beer”, this beer is a malty, full-bodied lager that is very drinkable with notes of toffee and dried fruit. It is 6% and available on tap for growlers and pints and in cans from the brewery (in-person or online!).

The returning favourites keep on rolling as Village Green brings back one of their classic brews, Dark Mild. Forever drinkable at 3.5%, the beer has a good body with notes of chocolate and a nice sweet malty-drinkable everlasting flavour. Get this one on tap or cans to go from the Cornwall, PEI brewery.  

From the Saltbox Brewing crew, we’ve got news of a brand new location launching this summer. In addition to their other Nova Scotia taprooms in Wolfville, Mahone Bay, Bridgewater, and Lunenburg, this will be a Tantallon Taproom at the Shining Waters Marina. More details will be arriving soon, but this planned partnership will launch later this year.