Tire Shack Brewing

All posts tagged Tire Shack Brewing

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Is this a natural time for a beer news lull? Maybe! But there is always news out there and we are happy to bring it to you. We feel for our breweries in the Pictou/New Glasgow/Stellarton area that were mostly out of power for over two weeks with Hurricane Fiona. Just as with any of your other local businesses and community members, keep your heart and mind open to all of those around you. You could even bring them some beer, or get some for yourself! Watch the weather, relax after some turkey and drink what you like, or try something new…now onto some news for you!

‘Tis the season, and North Brewing is getting into the Pumpkin SZN swing with Sweater Weather, a Pumpkin Spiced Amber Ale and North’s first ever pumpkin beer! They started out by roasting out those pumpies before adding a selection of seasonal spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and ginger in the fermenter. It came out at 5% and is nicely spiced, malty and drinkable. It’s available now in cans from all North locations and on tap as well. 

Keeping our feet firmly planted in the pumpkin patch we find Serpent Brewing also has a gourdy new release, fresh out of Spryfield. Today they’re releasing Pumpkin König Tripel, sticking with their Belgian-inspired backbone and a mostly traditional Belgian Tripel style, but with the addition of a touch of pumpkin spice. Using traditional amber and biscuit malts, with the aforementioned spices and some simple candy syrup to clean it all up, it’s got a nice body, while staying dry and drinkable. It’s 7.5% and available to go in 500ml bottles and on tap for pints and growlers. This is very limited in bottle stock, so don’t wait for Halloween!. 

Staying in season, Tatamagouche Brewing is bringing back their seasonal Lagerhosen in a 355ml format and with a festive new label. Originally released over 8 years ago(!), you probably already know that it’s an Oktoberfest-themed lager, but were you aware that it picked up silver at the 2014 Atlantic Canadian Brewing Awards? Crisp and refreshing at 4.5% it’s brewed with Halltertau Mittelfrüh hops for classic spicy and floral notes.

Also new and available today from TataBrew, and in collaboration with Derado’s Pizzeria for their anniversary, is Saucy, a Cerveza with a basil addition inspired by the classic pizzeria. The beer is 4.5% and pairs perfectly with all the fare from Derado’s. Both of these releases are available online and in-store. 

Pulling a different thread of connections between beer news items we’ll switch to geography. On the North Shore in the Antigonish area you’ll find Half Cocked Brewing who have a new 4.5% lager-ish release available. Pip is a Pseudo-American Lager that is canned and available now from the brewery in 355ml cans. 

Taking a rip over to Moncton, Tire Shack has their big banger monster sized triple IPA back for Spooky Season! Killed by Death is a 10% TIPA absolutely loaded with a luscious, juicy mix of Citra, Mosaic and Vic Secret hops. Look for citrus and tropical fruit along with some dankness on top of a big body with some alcohol bite. It’s available now in cans and on tap at the brewery. 

Straight out of Deer Lake, NL, Rough Waters has a new Daydreamer IPA out now and soon to spread across the western part of the island. Featuring a powerful hop blend of Vic Secret, Sabro and Mosaic, it’s smooth and balanced with some bitterness but still has a full, hazy body at 5.2%. It’s available from the brewery now and in Deer Lake, Corner Brook and Pasadena over the coming days, with distro to the eastern part of the province in the following week. 

Jumping across to Bay Roberts, Baccalieu Trail is jumping into the low ABV lager game with the release of Baccalieu Light. The brewery has been experimenting with different light lagers over the last 8 months, making tweaks and improvements along the way, and has landed on a recipe worthy of its core lineup. Featuring a grain bill of Pilsner malt and flaked corn and hopped exclusively with Saaz hops, Light comes in at a sessionable 4.3% ABV. The first batch is currently flowing from the taps at the brewery, with a larger run of cans currently conditioning for release in a few weeks. 

In what has the look of an annual event, Sourwood is once again releasing two collabs with Baddeck Forks Chef Bryan Picard of Bite House fame. First up is a Pet-Nat made from a blend of wild apples to the tune of 5.3% ABV. Expect a hint of sweetness and a pleasant carbonation from the bottle conditioning. Field Blend Pet-Nat is available in 375 ml bottles. The pomance from those wild apples was then combined with water to extract the remaining sugars and fermented as a Piquette style cider, with the signature low-ABV of the Piquette method. Feral Apple Piquette features a more neutral acidity and comes in at 1.9% ABV. You can find these two releases at the Sourwood taproom, through their online store or via the fine folks at Bishops Cellar. 

Skipping straight over Hallowe’en and getting an early start on stocking stuffers this year is Dartmouth’s Lake City Cider. Featuring a stocking hat-clad take on their duck logo on the outside of the bottle, the inside looks to bring a taste of winter. Off-dry (or semi-sweet, depending on your preferred terminology), and 6.8% ABV, it’s bolstered by a blend of cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg, and dried orange peel. A limited edition, Spice Up Your Life is available in 750ml bottles via Lake City’s online store, a great gift for the cider lover in your life, or maybe you’ll want to grab one and dream of cooler nights to come yourself.

Just one event on the go in the next week, as the last (we think!) of the region’s Oktoberfest events 

If you’re in Charlottetown next weekend and you’re looking for something to do involving beer, check out PEI Brewing Co.’s annual Okto-beer-feast celebration. A two-day extravaganza of German-inspired food stations, live entertainment, and activities, tickets are $30 plus taxes and fees per session and include a 24oz. stein and one fill. Friday evening’s festivities run from 5pm – 12am, while saturday’s start earlier, of course, at 2pm and also run until midnight. Beers and ciders will be on tap from Gahan and the food stations will run on a token system. Activities will include some competitions where the winners will receive Murphy Hospitality Group gift cards. Full details for each day can be found at the ticket purchase links for Friday and Saturday.

A few newsbites before we go. 

Upstreet has a fresh batch of Blue Meanie Blueberry DIPA available at its Halifax and Charlottetown locations. Coming in at 8% ABV, expect notes of blueberry jam, lemon, pineapple and a hint of tartness.
We’ll leave you with a quick hit from Dieppe where CAVOK is releasing a lovely new fruited sour, Mission Rhubarbe  Canneberge. This 4.9% sour was fermented on local cranberries and rhubarb and is available now on tap and to-go in growers or crowlers.

Prost! With the weather turning a bit chillier this week, and the unfortunate massive rainfall felt in a few places around the region, we’re hit with the reminder that it can’t be summer forever! Thankfully there are plenty of new and returning beers and events on the go now that will help distract us from the inevitable. Read on to learn more!

Good news to those of us thirsting for more pale ales and lagers, Stillwell Brewing has opened their retail location at 3670 Kempt Road this week! Current hours are 10 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday, and may adjust slightly going forward with demand. Right now they have fresh cans of Stilly Pils German Lager and Best Bitter English Pale Ale, with their Kompakt Kolsch coming before the end of the month. Their website has been updated with latest offerings and delivery is an option for those unable to get down to their new spot. Congratulations to the StillyBrew team!

Shelburne’s finest has a new release available now. Fusion is a Cold IPA and is the first of the style for Boxing Rock. The beer is crisp, clean and uses new world hops to bring big tropical and stone fruit flavours and aroma. The finish is very clean and dry and is very crushable for a 6.5% IPA. This beer is available in cans now at Shelburne and their new Halifax (corner of Almon & Windsor) locations, and will be hitting the Halifax private stores in the coming weeks. 

Just in time for the turn of the weather, 2 Crows Brewing is back with a change to Classic, their dry stout. The new recipe now joins AC Lager and Terra, as now using 100% Atlantic Canadian grown ingredients. The hops are Golding variety from New Brunswick, malt sourced from PEI (with some extra roasting of the malts in-house to achieve the right level!). This is still a 4.1% easy drinking, classic dry stout with a dark, roasty character. There is a new label design as well, but still look for that tall, dark, and handsome can. This will be more widely available than its previous release; now available from the brewery, but it will be in the NSLC starting in early October, along with the private stores in HRM.

More from 2 Crows (never ones to skimp on news and details!) this week, as they’ve got an event today (September 16th) starting at 7 PM as they host a 2nd annual fundraiser for Team Daigle. Tickets for the event (2 Crows and 4 Curlers) are $25 at the door and include your first pint and an entry to win some prizes.The event also has a special small-batch release for the fundraiser. Hammer Time Lager is a 4% lager that should taste a bit familiar, like AC Light Lager, but this has been dry hopped with Azacca and Galaxy. Sign us up for that delicious beer and support your local curlers before they hammer down on the curling season kicking off next week!

Montague’s Copper Bottom Brewing is celebrating the return of the 70 Mile Yard Sale this weekend with their 70 Mile Yard Ale! An American-style Wheat Ale, it is fresh and light, with orange peel added to enhance the citrus character even more. Available on tap and in cans, at 5.0% and just 15 IBU, this one will be perfect for taking a break between stops to check out the offerings at the more than 120 vendors from Point Prim to Strathcona!

This weekend is absolutely chock full of even more events in our region, check them out below. And as always, if we’re missing a new release, event, or something else you think our readers would like to know, reach out via social media or email!

This weekend, Halifax is even more beer-ful than usual, as the re-imagined Nova Scotia Craft Beer Festival is back! Taking place outside this evening, and tomorrow afternoon and evening, they are taking over the Salter Block at 1521 Lower Water Street, the lot across the street from the Brewery Market. Presented by the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, which represents breweries from all across the province, 40 breweries will be pouring their latest and greatest creations, while live music or DJs keep your toes tapping. Your ticket allows access to the Salt Yard vendors next door. In case you didn’t win in our giveaway last weekend, and haven’t yet grabbed your ticket, fear not, there are still a few available online! And, in a first for the Fest, attending breweries were given the option to sell beer to go! Nice to see that beer is now given the same consideration as the wine and whiskey shows. 🙂

Moncton’s Tire Shack is getting into the Oktoberfest celebrations for the next three weekends, as they host their own ode to that biggest of ‘Fests. First up is the return of Helles Yeah!, their Helles Lager, fresh off a win at the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards. You can get in the spirit of grabbing one of their limited edition 1 litre Oktoberfest Mass, just $20 including your first pour of HY!. And pals from Euston Park Social will be in the tap room with their fresh and fun food offerings, each Friday from 4 PM, and Saturday from 1 PM, until Oktober 1st.

This is shaping up to be a busy weekend, as Lr Sackville’s TAPestry Beer Bar is kicking off their Oktoberfest, which is running a full 2 weeks to coincide with Wiesn, aka Munich’s celebrations, . They’re tapping a dozen small batch German beers from across Nova Scotia tomorrow, with a noon start for their Beer Club Members, 2 PM for the general public. Complete with warm bretzels on Saturday, and live music from 6 – 10 PM, there will be plenty of good fun and cheer to complement the bier pouring freely from the taps. Tune into their Social Media for the taplist and updates on the goings ons for the event on until Oct 2, including a way to try the beers today, a day early!

Over on Barrington Street, Stillwell Beer Bar is hosting Matron Fine Beer for a takeover tomorrow, September 17th. From noon til late, they’ll have 9 different offerings on tap, from their Bobo farmhouse Wheat, Muff Darkbier, to a few IPAs including the Vanguard collaboration with Bellwoods. For those who may not make it down for the big day, there are cans of a few of the offerings (Janky IPA, Leisure Landbier, Vanguard IPA, and Deece IPA) that will be available beyond the weekend (if you’re lucky!).

A few more things before we sign off this week…

Could you read about Oktoberfest beers all day? That doesn’t sound so bad, especially if you can get out and about to drink some, too! Grimross has Märzen-bier available today. A malt-forward, classic, crisp German lager, this is an annual release from the brewery at 5.6% with a lovely Bavarian-inspired label. This is available in cans and on tap at the brewery, but will also be available at restaurants and ANBL locations around New Brunswick. 

Sticking with the Oktoberfest theme, Trailway has Festbier re-releasing this week. Like a lighter version of a Märzen, this is an Oktoberfest Lager made with a full German malt bill and German yeast. Cans are available now at the brewery and also on their Lukr side-pull tap for pints. The beer is 6%, deep gold in colour with a malty richness, this beer is perfect for the cooler fall weather and still easy drinking.

The crew out of Greenwich keeps staying in the weekly blog (that’s good!) and this week they’re back with a re-release, as Delta Force Brewing brings us Operation Jug!. This is a classic farmshed Saison and the beer was open fermented in a former milk jug. The result is a 5.2% floral, spicy and crisp ale, keeping in the Saison tradition of easy drinking for the post-work refreshment. This is available now in 500ml bottles from their online shop

A very small bit of news for you prompt Friday afternoon readers, Unfiltered Brewing currently isn’t doing growler fills for a few days due to some technical issues. They’ll let the people know when they’re back up and running. Doesn’t affect cans or enjoying pints at Charm School next door, however!

Friday, here we are again! We’ve made it another week, so let’s drink a local beer to celebrate. Here are just a few suggestions of what’s new and returning in the fridges and on draught in our region.

Unfortunately, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine marked its 6th month anniversary this week, with many casualties and more than 6.5 million Ukrainians displaced by the continuation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. On a happier note, this week also saw the Independence Day of Ukraine, celebrated on August 24th. In Halifax, that meant a flag raising ceremony to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the country’s independence from the Soviet Union. And in Dartmouth, Brightwood Brewery launched Stand with Ukraine, a lagered ale with a major charitable component. Through the UNITED 24 platform, Brightwood is donating $4 from every can of Stand with Ukraine to urgent medical aid and the rebuilding of the country, which will take decades. Currently only available in their brewery and retail shop at 35 Portland Street, it may be available for delivery or shipping on August 29th, should there be any stock remaining.

Paradise NL’s Banished Brewing is continuing their Puffin series with the baby chick version of their core Space Puffin, with this week’s release of Space Puffling. In the same hazy and juicy New England IPA vein, it forgoes a bit of alcohol in the tin (4% ABV), without sacrificing anything else. Massive mango and citrus on the tongue and in the nose, with only a hint of bitterness on the palate. Both Space Puffling and Space Puffin are available at their retail shop on Maverick Place in Paradise, and at local retailers around St. John’s and beyond.

Nyanza’s Big Spruce Brewing is celebrating the warmer days with the release of Tan Lines, a 6.7% Apricot Milkshake IPA. Stone fruit character abounds in this smooth beer, with a sweet finish thanks to the vanilla and milk sugar in the brew. On tap at their taproom spot, and look for it around the way this weekend too. And now for something completely different… Hoom is Where the Heart is is their 4.9% English Pub Ale, brewed with local ingredients, including a high portion of the malt coming from Horton Ridge Malt House, and all of the Challenger, Goldings, and Fuggles hops grown in Big Spruce’s own Organically-farmed hop yard. Available on tap and in cans at the brewery and online, look out for (or demand!) this on a beer engine/hand pump the next time you visit your local pub!

Tanner & Co in Chester Nova Scotia has another expression in their search for interesting and unique flavours, opting for a return to honey as the fermentable. Just Honey is 5.9% ABV sparkling mead, made with locally sourced product from The Little Bee Farm in Auburndale just a few kilometres down the 103. Light and spritzy, bottles of Just Honey are available at Tanner’s locations in town and at the brewery down Hiltz Road. At both locations you’ll also be able to enjoy the return of their dry-hopped Czech Pils, Most. Using the eponymous hop throughout the brewday, and then again for an extra burst on the nose, the 5.7% Most is available on tap and in cans for pickup at their spots, or place an order for delivery at their online shop.

Deer Lake’s Rough Waters has debuted a new beer in partnership with the upcoming Rough Waters Gravel Grind. Mechan-Enkel is a low alcohol (4.3%) beer brewed originally by monks, in the Belgian Singel/Single/Enkel style. Pilsner and Wheat Malt make up the grist, with a nice touch of citrus and spice from the belgian yeast, give complexity to this beer fit for enjoyment after a long slog on the bike. Speaking of, registration to the October 1st event is open until September 12th, so if you’re looking for a wild few hours in the woods around Humber Valley, sign up now! And if you suspect you’ll need some liquid encouragement beforehand, cans of Mechan-Enkel are available at the brewery to take-away today.

Let’s get you up to speed on a few returning beers before we let you go this week…

Staying in Newfoundland, we’ve got two returning beers from Bannerman Brewing. First up is Shore Leave, their 5.2% dry-hopped sour that features Mosaic hops and sees conditioning on blood orange and pineapple purree. Expect lots of tropical fruit flavours that meld nicely with the beer’s acidity. This week also sees the return of Negative Space, their take on a cold IPA (fermented with an ale yeast, but cold conditioned like a lager). This one has a distinct west coast hop profile using the three-C’s of Cascade, Centennial, and Citra. Both are available on tap now on Duckworth Street. The brewery’s canning line is currently down for maintenance, so keep on eye on their social channels to see when you may be able to grab these to go.

Despite the unwavering humidity, there are signs everywhere that the turn of the season is around the corner. Christmas displays are out at Costco (!), Halloween stores are popping up in abandoned Sears locations, and pumpkin beers are starting to roll out of the tanks. Potentially first to the finish line is Breton Brewing with their 5.5% ABV Spiced Up Pumpkin Ale. Expect hints of cinnamon sugar with prominent notes of pumpkin pie. Cans are available now at Breton’s two taprooms, for delivery via their online store, and should be hitting the shelves at the government monopoly next week.

Ok, so, we technically have a tie for the earliest pumpkin beer release. Propeller’s Pumpkin Spiced Ale is out today, featuring pumpkins from Windsor farmer Howard Dill. The spice mix for this 5% ABV take on the style includes cinnamon, nutmeg and clove that combine for the comforting pumpkin pie aesthetic. It’s available now at Propeller’s three retail locations, for delivery via their online store, and will also make an appearance at the aforementioned NSLC.

Just one event we heard about this week, but it’s fixing’ to be a doozy!

Last week we teased the Tatamagouche Brewing tap/cask takeover happening at the Stillwell Freehouse this Saturday (August 27). Consider this your official reminder that the Freehouse will be featuring 12 taps and 6 casks of core and special Tata brews, along with some cellared kegs of their big beers rotating through the taps. 

We have two breweries hiring this week, in Moncton and Halifax! If you’re looking to continue your brewing career, or just kicking it off, check these out!

Moncton’s Tire Shack Brewery is looking for a Brewer to join their ranks as they expand their facilities this summer and fall on John Street. They are on the search for someone who has brewing experience, and looking for a change of scenery, and flexing their creative juices. There’s always something new in the tanks at Tire Shack, and they are hoping the right candidate will fill that role right away. Offering a competitive salary and plenty of help to get situated in Moncton, they encourage anyone interested to reach out via email with a resume and any questions!

Halifax’s 2 Crows Brewing is on the search for help behind the scenes, in a Bookkeeper/Admin Assistant role on a part-time basis. Additionally, there are two openings for part-time Taproom Server/Packaging Assistants, especially important jobs to ensure the beer in the taps flows smoothly into cans! Learn much more, including wages and how to apply, on their website.