Welcome to full-on summer here in Atlantic Canada where our region’s breweries, cideries, and meaderies are in the full swing of tourist season and are no doubt are all pulling back-to-back-to-back brewdays for the foreseeable. We don’t have a super long post this week, but there’s certainly a few new things around that a person who loves beer ought to be aware of. So read on and inform your beer buying for the weekend!
East Duckworth’s Bannerman Brewing has a new beer on tap this week, a special take on a traditional Blonde Ale. Starting with a grist of Pilsner and Wheat malts, it was dry hopped with the French Barbe Rouge hop, before spending some time on hibiscus flowers. Offering both a brilliant pink colour and floral notes, the hibiscus complements the fruity ester notes of candied orange and strawberry from the hops and yeast. At 4.5% ABV, it’s super refreshing and light, and is available for pints and growler fills only, due to the small batch size.
New beers and events at Port Rexton this month, located on the Bonavista Peninsula. First up, the return of some fruited seasonal favourites, Summer Anthem and Gluten-Free Kiwi Sour. Summer Anthem embraces the music program at their taproom, accessible via QR code on the cans. What’s in those cans is a Coconut and Lime Milkshake IPA, made with a whole bunch of the aforementioned fruit, as well as lactose and vanilla to complete the dessert-like qualities. Plus, with the hops and brewing technique, there’s a touch of bitterness along with a light acidity to balance the sweetness. 5.8%, perfect for an afternoon delight!
For those who are looking to avoid gluten, PRBC continues to expand their GF portfolio, and the return of the Gluten-free Kiwi Sour will have plenty of you smiling once again. It was brewed with gluten-free ingredients, rather than being treated with additives after the fact, ensuring those who really need to avoid gluten can do so safely. Tart, refreshing, and bursting with kiwi, it will definitely quench your thirst! The 4.5% beer joins the Summer Anthem on tap and in cans at the brewery, as well as their St. John’s Retail Shop.
Those who make the trip to the brewery in Port Rexton today will be able to take part in the “Get Out Of Town” Concert Series, as presented by Lawna Vawnya, with Andrew Smith and DJ Kitty Kells playing from 6 PM tonight. And keep your eyes peeled for more details on next weekend’s 6th Anniversary. On Saturday, July 23, from 12 PM, there will be new beers, old favourites, plenty of food options to complement the Oh My Cheeses! food truck, plus plenty of musical acts that will have you up and on your feet! Keep an eye on their Social Media for more!
Jumping down to PEI, Village Green continues to roll out the new releases with Kylefornia. This 8% DIPA, named for the California-residing brother of a Village Green regular, lives up to its west-coast billing with additions of Crystal and Victory malt added to the base of 2-row. The hops feature a combo of traditional and modern American varieties with additions of Columbus, Cascade, Citra, and Amarillo. Cans of Kylefornia are available at the brewery now, where you can also find it on tap for pours.
Chester’s Tanner Brewing has a new version of their Tart Saison out this week. The tweaked recipe sees the ABV reduced down to 5.7% on their kettle soured and dry hopped take on a French Saison. Expect lots of tropical and citrusy notes with the dry hop featuring the ever popular combo of Citra and Mosaic. Bottles and ours of Tart Saison are available now at both Tanner locations.
Speaking of returning favourites, Unfiltered is releasing a fresh batch of their 7.5% Inducement DIPA today. Expect tons of tropical aroma and flavour from big additions of Mosaic and Simcoe. Cans and growler fills are available now at the brewery, along with pints next door at Charm School.
And in “pretty much open” news, the latest brewery in Nova Scotia is set to serve their first beers in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, The Brewery by Quinn’s has opened their doors at 6273 Quinpool Road in Halifax. Sister to the Quinn’s Arms Pub located a few doors down, the Brewery is currently serving both local and macro beer, while their first releases are finalised. Indoor and outdoor seating, with a full food menu to complement. We’ll have more on the beer and people behind it soon!
A few beery things going on this weekend in the region:
If you find yourself in Fredericton this evening (Friday), head on over to the Joyce for a Meet the Maker tap takeover with Halifax’s 2 Crows Brewing. The event will feature the Joyce’s first ever collab brew, Ode to Joyce. This one uses a similar base recipe to 2 Crow’s regulars Jamboree and Jubilee, which feature a combo of Pilsner malt, wheat malt and flaked wheat/oats, before being slowly soured with lacto and fermented with a kviek yeast. From there, Ode to Joyce saw a conditioning stint with watermelon and kiwi puree and a dry hop with Galaxy. Instead of being forced carbed, the kegs heading to the Joyce were spunded for a gentler, natural carbonation. A small amount was also left behind at the brewery, where it is likely to see the slushie treatment on the recently added beer slushie machine. In addition to being able to grab a pint of this one-off collab, the event will also give you a chance to talk beer with 2C brewer Jeremy Taylor.
If you find yourself in downtown Halifax tomorrow for the Pride parade, why not stop in at Stillwell HQ (the parade route goes right along Barrington St.) for an Alberta tap takeover. From noon until close, the team at Stilly will be serving up beers from the Annex Ale Project, Establishment Brewing Company, Cabin Brewing and Blind Enthusiasm, with a special menu of prairie themed snacks.