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Friday Wrap-Up for July 21, 2023 – News from North, Change is Brewing, Iron Rock, Big Spruce, Timber Ship, Propeller, Breton, Candid, Big Axe, Banished, Port Rexton, Trailway and more!

Posted by acbbchris on 2023-07-21
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: Banished Brewing, Big Axe Brewery, Big Spruce Brewing, Blood Brothers Brewing, Breton Brewing, Candid Brewing, Change Is Brewing Collective, Dildo Brewing, Half Cocked Brewing, Halifax Seaport Beerfest, Hammond River Brewing, Iron Rock Brewing Co., North Brewing, Off Grid Ales, Port Rexton Brewing Co., Propeller Brewing, Route 19 Brewing, Seasoned Plate, Timber Ship Brewing, TrailWay Brewing. 1 comment

How do you like this heat and humidity folks?! Are you sticky and icky and sweaty gross? You’ll forgive us for being predictable if we suggest that the best treatment (‘cause there’s no antidote) for weather like this is beer and cider. Luckily there are plenty of new releases and re-releases on the go at our region’s breweries to keep your tastebuds interested and your weather-induced discomfort minimized. We encourage you to check out your favourite brewery’s facilities this weekend, whether that be in air-conditioned comfort, enjoying sunshine on a patio (your results may vary depending on your location), or commiserating regarding the lack thereof. Hey, at least you’ll have beer!

Starting with the week off, we start with some cultural news out of Halifax as the 40th Africville reunion kicks off on Friday July 21st and lasts for a week. While you can check out all the events here (it’s for everyone!), North Brewing and the Change is Brewing Collective is re-releasing Deep Rooted, a brown ale in celebration of Africville. The ale itself is inspired by the molasses and brown sugar used by black elders in the brewing process back in the day. This one is 5.7% and will be available at the reunion tonight, and at North Brewing now. Every can sold will contribute to the Africville Museum and Change is Brewing. Stay tuned for more CiBC news, as they are going to be busy in August, too!

As part of the Come Home to Wabush celebrations this weekend, Iron Rock Brewing has released a special beer to commemorate the town’s history and future. 1967 Inc Blackberry and Blueberry Sour marks the year the Town of Wabush was incorporated, and features the abundant local fruit growing around town. At 4.5% ABV, it’s light and refreshing and a beautiful shade of pink, and shares the story of the town to all who will see it. Come Home has a special place for Brian and Dave Hurley of Iron Rock, commemorated on the can, “In loving memory of our Aunt Roma Hawco and each dedicated resident who built our community. – Come Home to Wabush 2023. From the earth, we prosper.” Grab it at the brewery on tap and in cans, as well as at many of the events happening during the week’s festivities.

There is no question one of the very interesting recent style trends in North American Craft Beer is the Light Lager. Whether you think they’re a sad acknowledgement that craft beer has to compete on macro beer’s terms, whether you cite them as a craft victory for showing that “light lager” doesn’t have to mean ‘insipid’, or whether you just know that a light lager is the perfect, “Can we just drink some fuckin’ beer,” beer, Big Spruce is the latest brewery to have you covered. Camp Spruce will happily accompany you from your après lawnmowing sluice at the garden hose, through grilling up dinner at the BBQ, all the way to dousing the campfire and crawling into your tent. At an even 4%, it’s going to be crisp and clean and go down with a smoothness. Packaged in 473ml cans, you can grab a few (or a flat!) from the brewery or order for delivery.

Returning out of Miramichi’s Timber Ship Brewing, Scruples SMaSH is a limited-time can release named after an old Opera House in Miramichi. The 3rd floor of the Opera House had a bar named “Scruples” and this beer is in honour of that. Brewed with Maris Otter malt and Azacca hops, this is meant to mimic the pineapple flavour of it’s house cocktail, the Grog. This is 5.6% and 40 IBU. Grab this one from the brewery today. 

Veering away from the seasonable summer crushers that dominate the scene at this time of year, Halifax’s Propeller has something completely different on the go this week. Wild Ale is, well, a wild ale, fermented with a less cultivated, and thus less predictable, strain of yeast. Presenting a base crisp and bready malt character, you’ll find layers of flavor in the form of ripe orchard fruits, a decided tartness, and some funky and earthy notes. As it was barrel aged, you’ll no doubt detect some tannins and maybe a hint of sweetness as well. Reasonably light, at 4.7% ABV, this will be one to savor and consider. Bottled in 500ml bottles, you can grab one at any of the four Prop Shops (including the newly opened Bedford location, which is now open for sitdown pints!) or at Bishop’s Cellar.

Nova Scotia has some badass tourist destinations and one of them is Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. But the magic of its restoration would be incomplete without the life that is breathed in by the historical recreators and the other folks of the Fortress of Louisbourg Association. Sydney’s Breton Brewing knows this well and has teamed up once again with the Association to produce another batch of Île Royale Saison. Based on a grist of wheat, oats, and rye, and an additional fermentable contribution of molasses, it was fermented with the Ardennes yeast strain for a classic dry French saison character, with notes of spice and hints of fruit. Fairly light, at 4.8% ABV, it’s available in cans from the taproom and home delivery in CBRM (home delivery in HRM next week), you can also find it pouring on draught at the La Taverne Storehouse at the historic site itself.

Chef Stephen Barrett, aka Seasoned Plate, is the chef friend to breweries and cideries across the region, has teamed up with Antigonish’s Candid Brewing to bring us Sun Kissed Strawberry Saison. Available now on tap and in cans at the brewery, this 5.5% ABV beer started life as a spicy and fruity saison, thanks to the Belle Saison yeast from Lallemand, before a healthy dose of Strawberry purée was added. Be sure to check out SP’s continuing Pints & Plates series, where each week he pairs a unique recipe with a Nova Scotian beer and brewery. This week’s feature is Spiced Chicken and Hummus with Off Track’s Universal Soldier Kolsch.

Hot off the heels of last weekend’s Big Axe Craft Beer Festival, Big Axe Brewery has still managed to pump out a new release. Brewed, “in honor of our Troops who serve and have served,” Green Eyed Pale balances malty character with hop-derived elements of candied orange aromas and fresh fruit and citrus pith flavors. When sweet malt meets citrus and a firm bitterness it sounds like a classic American Pale Ale to us! This 4.8% ABV beauty is pouring on draught or available in cans to go at the BAB taproom, and you’ll also be able to find it on tap at various local restaurants.

Straight out of Rothesay (that’s in New Brunswick), Hammond River Brewing has a few returning beers with a couple of lagers. Seeng Light is a 4% lager featuring Basmati rice and Seeng Strong is a 7.2% lager with more malty notes. Pick these up from the brewery now.

Heading up to Newfoundland, to Paradise, no less, we find Banished Brewing has a new batch of Out the Gate pouring, the first since last year, and one of the brewery’s first recipes. An Abbey Ale, sans abbey or monks, it manages to carry on the stylistic tradition of malt flavors paired with candy and bubblegum notes. Falling neatly into the “Singel” category, at 5.3%, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a simple beer; in fact at that ABV we figure there’s an opportunity to contemplate the complexity that happens when malt, hops, and especially Belgian yeast strains get together and make magic. This one’s on tap at the brewery and packaged in cans for both the Banished retail shop and wider distribution in the area.

Staying on the Rock, we have plenty of news from Port Rexton Brewing Company who are celebrating seven years in operation this weekend! With their Birthday Bash happening tomorrow, they are releasing 7 Cherry IPA. The 5.8% ABV IPA has a medium bitterness and clean character, that doesn’t get in the way of the cherry flavour and aroma. Available on tap and in cans at the brewery Saturday, and across the island starting next week. We’ve got the full rundown on the Bash in last week’s post (hourly rotating tap all day!), with even more details on the Lawnya Vawnya Concert, Screen Printing, and plenty of food options, on their Insta page. The fun kicks off at noon and goes all day/night!

You won’t have to wait, however, for a returning summer favourite this week in the form of Port Rexton’s fruited ale, Flight of the Mango. Packed with mango purée and sweetened with lactose, this one is bright orange and hazy with a full mouthfeel, and plenty of mango aroma and flavor. Weighing in at just 5% ABV, despite the sweetness you can expect it to be quite crushable. Grab some cans or a growler fill to go from the PR taproom, or sit and contemplate a pint (or maybe pints). It will also see wider distribution to the usual Port Rexton retailers in the coming weeks.

OG Ales, of Magaguadavic, NB, is continuing to bring new beers to pair with their dome experience on Magaguadavic Lake. Out this week is Overcast, a session IPA at 4.4%, that brings a light and refreshing mouthfeel paired with luscious tropical hop flavors of pineapple, mango, and passionfruit all of which are balanced by a firm bitterness courtesy of some Chinook hops from nearby Lakeview Hops. Although that one is only pouring in the taproom, their Solstice red IPA, 5.5% ABV and with a west coast vibe, sounds like it’s been reworked a little and is not only available on-site but is also packaged in cans and headed to the ANBL.

A new one out of Fredericton’s Trailway is a collaboration release with Toronto’s Blood Brothers Brewing. This one actually came out with its first release two years ago, but they’re back with another iteration. Whales All Day is an 8.5% Double IPA packed with Riwaka, Mosaic and Sabro hops. It’s got huge notes of pineapple, stone fruit and grapefruit. This is available at the Fredericton and Saint John’s tap rooms. And check their job listings for your chance to become part of the Trailway family, whether it’s in the brewhouse, selling their beer, or helping to tell people all about it! More info here, and send in your resumes to info@trailwaysbrewing.com.

Dildo Brewing has teamed up with Piatto Pizzeria to craft an Italian Pilsner, which has hit their taps and shelves today! Brewed to complement the pizza and cuisine available at Piatto, the herbal and citrus hop notes shine come through for a balance to the acidity from the tomato sauce on the pies. This beer is rolling out to NLCs and C-stores over the weekend, and will make a great evening in as part of a takeaway bundle coming soon to Maries stores too!

We’ve already told you about the events happening this weekend at Port Rexton, 2 Crows, and the Stillwell Freehouse & Beergarden this weekend, so be sure to check out last week’s post for the full scoop. 

Half Cocked Brewing is celebrating their Sixth Anniversary in North Grant tomorrow, July 22nd, with a good old-fashioned Hootenanny! Opening at noon, they’ll have plenty of great food options from The Crafty Cooks, including fish tacos, cheddar sausages, and pulled pork sandwiches. And of course, you need great music at any party, so from 3 PM, their stage will be full with The Ceilidhmen, The J-Walkers, and Shane Arsenault. Plus a dozen beer options a-flowing, including a couple of new beers to wet your whistle. If you’re not able to be there, we feel bad for you! Congratulations to the Half Cocked Team!

We’re getting you ready for the return of the largest festival of next month, Halifax’s Seaport Beer and Fizz Festival. Plus we’re going to give you a chance to win your way in!!

Atlantic Canada’s largest celebration of Beer, Cider, Soda, RTD, and Seltzer is back again in three short weeks! Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest is returning to the Halifax Waterfront for its fifteenth year Thursday August 10 through Saturday the 12th. Fingers crossed for great weather, as it will be outside, but we can tell you the most excellent news that they have been able to return to an all-inclusive ticket price, thanks to some fierce negotiations with NS Alcohol and Gaming. While the finalized list hasn’t yet been finalized, we know there will be more than eighty producers and hundreds of different beers, ciders, seltzers, sodas, and everything in between, representing Atlantic producers (yes, four breweries from Newfoundland will be pouring: Bannerman, Ninepenny, Port Rexton, and Quidi Vidi), as well as those from across the country and our neighbours to the South in Maine (Baxter Brewing, Lone Pine, Mason’s, Portland Zoo, and Sebago). Now spanning three days, with the Thursday evening session being perfect for those who’d like to start their weekend *just a little bit earlier*. We’re happy to provide a note to your employer, should you need it!

Ticket pricing for the sessions are quite reasonable, with advance tickets for Thursday night being only $35 (+ fees & taxes), and Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening only $45+. If you’re the kind of person who likes a bit of extra time on the floor to chat with the brewers, or maybe hit the special brews that may run out a bit early, VIP tickets are available for every session for only $20 more, allowing you entry an hour early and a special glass to keep! Find all of the details at the Seaport Beerfest website.

We want to help get you in the door, so we will be running a contest on Instagram to win your way into the VIP Session on Thursday! All we ask is that you put up a post, reel, or story of a beer or cider you’ve enjoyed recently, and tag us (@ACBeerBlog), Seaport Beerfest (@SeaportBeerfest). We’ll have more info on our IG page, plus plenty of ideas to get you started! The contest will be open until 11:59 PM July 27, and we’ll announce the winner of the pair of VIP tickets to Thursday’s session in next week’s blog post.

We end this week with tragic news from Inverness that Dallas Lewis, Brewmaster of Route 19 Brewing, passed away. An employee since the beginning, and publicly credited by Route 19 with brewing, “every single batch of beer we ever made,” he was a valued teammate and community member. Brewing is a tough job and it is a special person who can turn it into a fulfilling career. Though we didn’t know him personally, he was a part of the greater Atlantic Canada beer community and we’ll be raising a glass to Dallas; we humbly suggest you consider doing the same. We also note that there is a GoFundMe that has been set up in Dallas’ name to benefit his family.

 

Friday Wrap-Up for June 23, 2023 – News from Change is Brewing, Propeller, North, Bishop’s Cellar, Smokehouse, Big Spruce, Bannerman, Banished, and More!

Posted by acbbdamian on 2023-06-23
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: Banished Brewing, Bannerman Brewing, Big Spruce Brewing, Bishop's Cellar, Change Is Brewing Collective, Dildo Brewing, Gahan House (Halifax), Lone Oak Brewing, North Brewing, OG Ales, Propeller Brewing, Smokehouse Nano Brewery. Leave a Comment

Happy Friday (evening) y’all! A bit late posting today due to some staffing issues (get chris to bore you about the trip shenanigans next time you see him), but we are bursting/over-stuffed with beer news today, so let’s get right to it! Remember, as always, to enjoy responsibly and be kind!

We’re actually starting off today not with a beer, but something just as flavourful, and important, from our friends at Change is Brewing Co. You’ll remember them from previous collaborations with Boxing Rock Back to Birchtown, 2 Crows Good News and Great News, Good Robot Blackberry Freedom, Lake City Forest Glory, and North Brewing Cherry Brook Wheat and Deep Rooted Brown Ale (which we’ve heard is coming back again soon!). This week they teamed up with Propeller Brewing, who have been creating non-alcoholic sodas for many years, to release Wabanaki Soda. Starting with Grade A maple syrup from Indigenous-owned Wabanaki Maple, mixed with herbal birch extract, and fizzed up and bottled by Propeller! The label was designed by Change is Brewing’s own Jayme-Lynn Gloade, a member of Millbrook First Nation, inspired by a headdress made up of rays of sunlight, and celebrating Indigenous History Month. Bottles of Wabanaki Soda are available at all Prop Shops now, with the majority of proceeds going to Wabanaki’s Bareroots Initiative, working to reforest the region that they call home. We’ll have more on Deep Rooted’s launch in July, which will highlight the Africville 40th Reunion, as well as the folks from Change is Brewing who are curating a special running of the Elevate and Explore Black Nova Scotia tour, with beer as the theme! Congratulations to the Collective!

Speaking of the Change is Brewing Collective’s previous, and future, partners North Brewing, they have brought back another charitable collaboration this week. Black Lives Matter Golf, a locally-formed group with the goal to raise funds and awareness to break down social and economic barriers to make a more inclusive environment for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour in golf. With buy-in from Grandview, the NS Golf Association, and Golf Canada, and now $1 from every can of BLMG to further their cause. Brewed to be supremely quaffable, whether on the course or not, this blend of North’s Lawrencetown Session and BYOB, cans of the 3.8% BLMG are available now at all three of North’s retail locations, and hopefully at a few golf courses this summer too!

And congratulations are in order to North, who are one of the recipients of a Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation, and Impact “Accelerating to Zero” $20,000 Grant, which they are using to design and implement a closed-loop system for reclaiming CO2 in the brewing process. While yeast generate lots and lots of Carbon Dioxide during fermentation, most of it is lost out of vents to prevent over-pressure situations. Later on, CO2 is either captured after most fermentation has completed, or added back during the condition phase, to provide the refreshing carbonation we enjoy. With that early-generated gas stored, it could be used later on. While the idea sounds simple, there are many factors to keep in mind during the operation, which this grant will help to suss out out.

The waterfront jewel of Halifax’s independent liquor stores, Bishop’s Cellar (hey, does anyone else hear an echo?) continues to celebrate 20 years in business with another community collaboration. This time, Propeller Brewing has stepped up to the plate with a riff on Propeller Pilsner, a beer that Bishop’s has sold since their opening day way back in 2003. Starting with the OG Prop Pils recipe, they kept it unfiltered in the kellerbier style and then put a modern twist on it with a dry hop of new school continental hop Saphir, which is known for aroma notes of strawberry, bergamot, and lemongrass. Packaged in 500ml bottles with a lovely design, Cellarbier is available today from both Bishop’s Cellar and all of the Prop Shops in the HRM.

Halifax has already seen one rural brewery come to the city in a big way with the Tusket Falls Beer Project having opened on Gottingen Street last year, and we’re seeing another one follow suit this week. From down in the Annapolis Valley in Berwick, Smokehouse Brewery is growing their brand and their capacity in one fell swoop with the opening of their Agricola Street Brewery & Taproom. While they will continue to operate their nanobrewery and taproom in their hometown, they’ve got a shiny new taproom in the city, complete with a new brewing system. The spot will have 20 taps, with craft beer, cider, and seltzers all made by the Smokehouse team, including five IPAs, some occasional taproom exclusives, and, of course, all your regular faves both for pints and cans to go. Hours will be 12pm – 10pm Sundays to Thursdays, and 12pm – 12am Fridays and Saturdays. No kitchen on site, but expect pop-ups to start in a few weeks along with the launch of an outdoor patio. Maybe stop by this weekend and check out the latest addition to what is becoming a burgeoning craft beer scene in North End Halifax, at 2710 Agricola Street!

Oh I’m the type of guy that likes to roam around / I’m never in one place I roam from town to town. So sang Dion in 1961 with his tune, The Wanderer, which was used as the theme of the classic 1979 street gang film, The Wanderers. Why is this relevant to a beer blog? Because there’s a new beer from Big Spruce out of Nyanza called The Wanderers and we can’t think of any other possible inspiration for the name! Somewhere between a dry hopped golden ale and a session IPA (or maybe those are just two viable descriptions), this one was double hopped with plenty of Citra, sure, but that big citrus hop aroma doesn’t negate the delicate floral and spice notes that are also very much presence. On the palate, look for lemon, pear, and cracker character leading to a crisp and dry finish. And at only 4% ABV this is one you’ll be able to sit and contemplate a few of without worrying about going overboard; just be sure to watch out for Ducky Boys!!

In Newfoundland, specifically St. John’s, the gang at Bannerman is ruing the terrible weather they’ve had so far this summer, but are hopeful that the sun and warmth scheduled for the next few days aren’t the only respite they’ll get all season. That said, they’ve got a brand new beer for you to enjoy in the sunshine, a collaboration with Iceberg Quest, an ocean tours operation with locations in St. John’s proper and on Iceberg Alley in Twilingate. Undertow is a tropical, fruity, and sessionable pale ale brewed with plenty of flaked and malted oats for a soft and creamy mouthfeel. Featuring tropical Galaxy and dank Strata hops, you should expect plenty of overripe fruit character balanced with a bit of a cannabis note. The goal for this one was to produce a beer that could be refreshing and sessionable during a day on the water, natch, and at 5.5% and plenty of flavor we can’t see why it wouldn’t be. Try it at the brewery on tap or in cans to go. And when you stop in, you’ll also be able to try their fresh off the packaging line Overripe, a brand new 6.8% IPA primarily hopped with HBC 1019, lending big notes of peach, candied orange, and pear. No cans just yet, but plenty to enjoy on draught or growlers to go!

West of St. John’s, in Paradise, NL, you’ll find another ‘B’ brewery, namely Banished Brewing, who are celebrating the onset of summer with one of the most summery styles: the fruited sour. Paradise Town – Apricot is the latest edition of the Paradise Town series of sours, and as you can imagine, it features the soft, sweet stone fruit character of apricots paired with the thirst-quenching character of a kettle sour. At 5.5% it’s not going to weigh you down too much, and it should pair very well with summery fare. Grab it now at the brewery on draught or in cans, and look for it to see wider distribution at other retail outlets starting next week.

Back in Halifax, Gahan Nova Centre has released another variant of their foeder-aged Table Beer. Initially sitting in the foeders that last saw the cherry and plum version for a good six months, pulling some of those extant flavors, it was then aged a further 6 weeks on Nova Scotia strawberries and rhubarb. Boasting bold fruit flavours and a tart finish, you may also sense subtle vanilla and rosewater notes in this very light and crushable 3.5% ABV beer. Packaged in bottles, you’ll find it for sale at the Nova Centre location as well as the PEI Brewing Company taproom, Gahan Port City (Saint John), Gahan Riverside (Fredericton), Gahan Hub City (Moncton), and the OG Gahan Pub (Charlottetown) and you can also expect it to reach Gahan Harbourview in St. John’s next week.

In PEI beer news this week we have a new one from Lone Oak. Rose Eh is a foeder-aged saison that was brewed in collaboration with Dildo Brewing Co up in Dildo, NL. Aged on Marquette grapes from Carmody Cove Vineyard, it’s got a gorgeous rose color. Boasting a light acidity and a dry finish, we also expect you’ll find some yeast character and some tannins from the wood. But the only way to know for sure is to try it! Look for it at all the Lone Oak locations, from the mothership at Borden-Carleton, to the Milky Way tap room and beer store, to their new spot in Cavendish!

We told you last fall that Off-Grid Ales, known more formally now as “OG Ales” underwent an ownership change. This weekend marks the opening of their new taproom in Magaguadavic, on route 635, on the family homestead of co-owner Tallyia. Still brewing with solar power and net carbon-neutral, the business includes not only the brewery and taproom, but a luxury domed camping experience on the shores of Magaguadavic Lake. If you’re in the area, do stop by and check out their lineup of sustainably crafted beers, enjoy some food from Quack Smoke Shack, who will be on-site all weekend, and maybe give some consideration to an extended stay in one of their domes (19+, no pets, but oh boy do they look lovely!!)

Dildo, Newfoundland’s eponymous brewery (and museum!) is once again hosting their annual Lager Fest for 2023. On Friday, July 7th, from 7 – 10pm, they will be pouring lovely lagers that they themselves have made as well as others from producers both local and far-flung on the Rock. If you’d really like to get your drink on without worrying about arranging a DD, a shuttle service is available for up to 44 folks provided by NL Bus Tours and picking up at the Walmart on Kelsey Drive in St. John’s (pickup at 5:30pm, drop-off at 12am). There will be plenty of musical entertainment and sample glasses provided to ensure you can taste everything available. Tickets are $75. Meanwhile, in preparation for the fest, or simply your own at-home lager drinking, we present Dildo’s three rules for maximal lager enjoyment:

  1. Don’t freeze your taste buds! Avoid serving your lager ice-cold. If beer is too cold, it can dull the flavours. Allow it to cool to the ideal temperature for optimal taste.
  2. Say goodbye to the bottle! Always pour your lager into a glass. This simple step releases the enticing aromas and allows the CO2 to escape, enhancing the full flavour experience.
  3. Engage your senses! Observe the colour, appreciate the aroma, and savour the taste. Engaging multiple senses enhances the overall beer-drinking experience. Cheers to the sensory adventure!

Friday Wrap-Up for April 21, 2023 – News from Propeller, Garrison, Landwash, Good Robot, Dildo, Horton Ridge, Baccalieu Trail, Timber Ship, Chain Yard, Long Bay, and lots more!

Posted by acbbchris on 2023-04-21
Posted in: Friday Wrap-Up. Tagged: Baccalieu Trail Brewing, Banished Brewing, Bar Brewdock, Chain Yard Cider, CODA Ramen, Dildo Brewing, Garrison Brewing, Godspeed Brewery, Good Robot Brewing, Hell Bay Brewing, Heritage Brewing, Horton Ridge Malt & Grain, Landwash Brewery, Long Bay Brewery, Propeller Brewing, Saltscapes Expo, Sober Island Brewing, Tatamagouche Brewing, The Stillwell Freehouse, Timber Ship Brewing, TrailWay Brewing. Leave a Comment

Hello Beer, Cider, and Mead fans! We hope you’ve had a great week and are able to look forward to a restful weekend. For those in Nova Scotia, may we give you some insider information that this weekend’s Saltscapes Expo may be the least expensive booze-fest going, as your ticket inside will allow you access to dozens of Maritime producers pouring samples of their wares. Just watch out, you may end up buying a hot tub or booking a ticket to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon while there!

One of the attendees at Saltscapes will be Propeller Brewing, who will no doubt be featuring their brand new fruited lagered ale. Tango is a tropical twist on the Kölsch style from Cologne, fermented as an ale, but conditioned cool, a.k.a. lagered, to ensure a crisp finish. Dialing up this beer even further is the addition of tangerine and pineapple extract, along with even more tangerine goodness via concentrate. The result is a juicy and citrus fruit-forward 4.8% beer that remains light-bodied and thirst quenching. Available in cans and on tap at Propeller’s three locations. And soon to be Four locations, as construction at their new taproom and retail spot on the Bedford Highway continues at breakneck speed!

Fellow “Class of ‘97” brewery Garrison Brewing has brought back a super-popular fruited sour in the hopes of ushering summer in just a little bit early. Mango Dragon Fruit Sour pretty much lays it out in the name, but let’s get you a bit more info…starting from a light base of Pilsner and wheat malts, after the souring and fermentation, mango and dragonfruit flavours were added, along with hibiscus, for a vibrant colour, to give you a fruit-salad-worthy experience of both light acidity and a sweeter finish. Cans of this 5.0% creation are available at their shops, the private stores in town and at the airport, and coming soon to the NSLC.

A pair of new releases from Mount Pearl’s Landwash this week, starting with the release of their International Women’s Day beer, Aunt Nance. Brewed on March 8th with the many women of Landwash, this 6.0% sour IPA was hopped with Cashmere, Monroe, and Barbe Rouge. Named after Nancy Riche, a social activist and labour organizer from Newfoundland, who was recognized as an Officer of the Order of Canada, and an all-around fighter for the under-heard and -represented. Proceeds from the beer are going towards local organizations that help women and marginalized people fight barriers to success, as Aunt Nance would want. Cans and draught available now!

A two-fer from Landwash as they have another new release named after another famous Newfoundland resident, Titus the Bear. Currently residing in the Durrell Museum in Twilingate, where Head Brewer Alex hails from, who also designed the beer recipe. This Pale Ale is chock-full of Citra and Columbus for major pine, citrus, and even a bit of dank character (4/20 was yesterday!) from terpenes. Again, grab cans and draught from the brewery, and at better beer shops in the area.

Miramichi’s Timber Ship Brewing has plenty of news for us today, so let’s get right to it! First up is a brand new beer release, Sister Marie Raspberry Sour. This 4.3% sour is bright red and filled to the brim with flavour from the eponymous fruit, all on a lively tart and refreshing base. Named after Sister Marie Inconnue, who arrived at French Fort Cove to help those displaced during the Acadian Expulsion. Caring for those ill and wounded, Sister Marie was also trusted with families’ valuables, hiding them from the British. While she was ultimately caught and interrogated to give up the details, she never did, and was unfortunately murdered by beheading. It is thought that she still roams French Fort Cove in search of her head. Wherever the truth of that lies, we can tell you that her beer is available at Timber Ship’s location at 2374 King George Highway, Unit 2 (around back, aka Below Deck) now!

And big news for fans of Timber Ship is that they have recently upscaled from their original brewkit to a larger 3.5 BBL (400 litre) Blichmann Engineering system, allowing them to more than double their capacity. Look to their social media as they post updates on their first brew session (maybe even today!), as well as the build-out of a patio to soak up the sun this summer. They will be extending their hours of operation too, of course, with those coming together in May!

Continuing their Category line of IPAs, Good Robot has released Category 6 IPA this week. Think traditional American IPA, slightly hazy, and full of citrus, melon, and peach. Leaning on Idaho 7, Amarillo, and Topaz hops to do the heavy lifting in this 6.0% ABV beer, the bitterness helps to cleanse the palate, so try pairing it with spicy food or the BBQ. Keep your eyes peeled here for the details on Category 7 coming next week, completing the Perfect Storm 4-Pack!

Back to Newfoundland for a pair of Dildo releases. First up is Tropical Smoothie Sour, a 4.3% sour beer absolutely crammed full of mango, pineapple, and passion fruit purees. It also saw the addition of homemade marshmallow fluff to give it a bit of sweetness and body. Closer to drinking a fruit smoothie than beer, but we’re here for it! Grab it on tap at their spot on Front Rd in Dildo, as their St. John’s location is closed for a bit of renovation. And keep your eyes open for their new Hoppy Mixed Pack, which includes the Tie One On WC IPA, 1933 New England IPA, as well as a couple more!

Horton Ridge is known for their Malt house, and their own beers reflect that… Except when Al is out of town, then Connor and Steve can brew whatever the heck they want! Hence the birth of Al’s Away IPA. The latest version of this IPA is out now, and you can even keep tabs on Al and Jan as they enjoy Barcelona, on the Al’s Away IG page. Cheers to still having fun in the brewhouse (and away from it)!

Baccalieu Trail Brewing in Bay Roberts has a new low ABV beer on the taps and in cans today, perfect for refueling at the end of a morning of surfing or hitting the trails. Hang Tight is a 3.5% ABV hazy Session Pale Ale, inspired by the local surfing community. Featuring Mosaic, Idaho 7, Simcoe, and Sultana hops used late in the kettle, pineapple and citrus are the name of the game as you grab the next wave before the sunset. Available in cans at Marie’s and the other private shops on the Avalon.

Halifax’s Chain Yard Urban Cidery has a new cider on tap and in cans this week. Using a blend of cider apples from the Annapolis Valley, blended with a separately-fermented Dolgo crabapple, and allowed to condition for twelve months before packaging. Plenty of ripe apple aromatics meld with some floral notes, on a medium tannin base. Cans of this 6.3% cider can be purchased directly from their Agricola Street taproom today!

Finally, in Rothesay, Long Bay is releasing a hybrid beer, using a lager yeast, fermented at warmer temperatures traditionally used for ale yeasts. This beer then went back to the lager route with an extended cold conditioning, before seeing a generous dry-hop of a new experimental hop from Washington State’s Yakima Valley. The best part of all of this is that the final beer comes in a tiny 3% ABV package, meaning you can easily enjoy more than one, and all of the mango, guava and citrus notes from that dry-hop. Mild Sedation is available now at ANBL stores in the Saint John area, and should see distribution across the province later next week. 

Get out for a hike or bike ride this weekend, and bring some local craft beer along. If you’re looking for events, here are a few for ya!

Sober Island in Sheet Harbour is celebrating their 7th Anniversary tomorrow, April 22nd, with live music, a pizza truck, and plenty of great beer a-flowing! Located right on Highway 7, their taproom will be hopping from noon onward, and they are welcoming Dominic’s Cucina to set up in their lot to sling some freshly-made pies from 1:30 until 6:30 (or until sold out). Also at the brewery is Andre Pettipas, who will be playing 2 – 5 PM. Congratulations to Becky and the whole SIBC crew!

A reminder about the Godpseed & CODA Ramen takeover at the Stilly Freehouse event this Sunday, April 23rd. While the Ramen Reservations from 5PM are sold out (sorry!), those who are looking primarily for beer satisfaction can rejoice that the Freehouse will still be opening at noon and pouring draught and cans from Godspeed. And before the kitchen transforms into a boiling ramen factory, you can enjoy your faves from their regular menu too. Also, it’s Cellar Sunday, with 25% off bottles from the cellar. Gather a group to try a few of the cool lambics or stouts from away, or do your own vertical of some local beers. We may even see you there!

And next weekend, you’re going to want to be on East Duck to celebrate the Second (or is it Third?) Anniversary of Bar Brewdock. They are pulling out all of the stops for this April 29 event, as they have brought in great beer, wine, and cider from across the province and Canada, as well as lambics from Belgium, for an evening of great cheer. This is a one-price, drinks included, ticketed event, so be sure to grab yours before they are sold out!

We’ve got a few job postings today, both on the mainland and Newfoundland, so if you’re looking, hopefully something tickles your fancy!

Banished Brewing is looking to hire an Assistant Brewer to help out Head Brewer Duncan. You’ll be involved in all aspects of the beer production, including cleaning, packaging, cleaning, transferring, cleaning, brewing, and cleaning. Sounds like a great gig! You could even become a famous Instagram Star! Reach out to Banished via the interwebs, or better yet, pop by the brewery/taproom on Maverick Place this weekend to learn more and submit your resume.

Hell Bay Brewing in Liverpool has recently celebrated their 12th Anniversary (Congratulations!), and they are looking for someone to join their ranks for the summer. If you’re interested in both the Front- and Back-of-House life in a brewery, this may be just the job for you: the successful candidate will be working as a Server and working retail, assisting on packaging days during the canning, labeling, as well as filling and cleaning kegs. Reach out via email to learn more!

Just down the road in Yarmouth, Heritage Brewing is also looking to add to their team, with two positions currently open. They are looking for a versatile person to work in the brewery, as well as a delivery driver and to attend events around the province. They are also looking to add to their taproom/retail crew, to take on those responsibilities. Drop by the brewery at 250 Main Street to submit your resume.

A few more quick hits before we dismiss you for the week!

Speaking of Banished above, they have released a fresh and ever-so-slightly tweaked Space Puffling this week. Part of their Puffin New England IPA branding, this is just 4.0% ABV, but punches well above its weight in flavour and aroma, this one is on tap and in cans at their shop and at better spots around the city. Banished has also decided to release one of their brewhouse projects to the rest of us… Sparkling Water is something the folks have been enjoying for a while whilst working, taking their local Paradise water, double-filtering it, and adding some salts and a touch of acid, before carbing it up. Think of it as Newfoundland mineral water! No extra flavouring added to the current batch, but they are definitely considering that in the future.

Tatamagouche has brought back the Kitty Clyde Double IPA. At 7.8% ABV, this Double IPA is light on bitterness, but full of citrus, peach, and passion fruit from Vic Secret and Galaxy. Draught and cans from Tata’s taproom, online shop, and private stores soon.

Fredericton’s Trailway has brought back their Urban Sabrero, a 6.0% Double Dry Hopped IPA. As the name implies, this is made exclusively with Sabro hops, so think pina colada in a can! On draught and in cans at your usual haunts.

We’ve kept you long enough, Dear Reader, so please go out and enjoy your beer!