NS Craft Beer Pack
Every spring, the Craft Brewers Associations of Nova Scotia (CBANS) hosts a Craft Beer Week packed with amazing craft beer tastings and events that take place throughout the province. This Spring Singles Sampler is a great way to discover, or rediscover, some of our local craft brewers through some of their new offerings in-store this season.
Nova Scotia’s fourth annual Craft Beer Week takes place May 5-14, 2017. Visit the Nova Scotia Craft Brewers Association website for details on the event.
Here are six of some of the newest, limited-time-only listings in NS craft beer, found in select stores this April through June:
1. NS Craft Collaboration Ale
CBANS is going back to its Scottish roots with the spring release of the first ever province-wide Collaboration Ale, just in time for NS Craft Beer Week! With so many great brewers and marketing minds involved, it’s no surprise that the resulting Collaboration Ale is exceptional. This Scottish ale is deep amber in colour and exhibits rich, sweet caramel maltiness, a touch of fruit and a crisp, dry finish. Best of all, proceeds from the beer go toward funding CBANS initiatives throughout 2017 and beyond.
2. Boxing Rock Over the Top Cranberry Sour Wheat Ale
Founded in 2012 by two engineers with a passion for beer, the Boxing Rock Brewing Co. is located in Shelburne and uses their 17HL brewhouse to make exciting beers, both innovative and traditional. Their latest offering at NSLC is a collaboration with Karen Allen from Gahan House and is the first sour mash beer to be brewed and packaged in NS. Refreshingly tart and awesomely sessionable, this beer features Nova Scotia cranberries to dry out the finish and add a subtle depth of flavour, also giving it an amazing colour.
3. North Brewing Gus’ 65 Metre Ale
New to the NSLC, North Brewing brews their beers in the communities of North End Halifax and downtown Dartmouth. This beer, named for the fact that their North End location sits just 65 metres from the community staple of Gus’ Pub, is a Belgian Blonde ale which delivers flavours of citrus, spice and a smooth wheat finish. The bottle features a label showcasing the artwork of local artist Jillian Jackson as part of their latest artist series.
4. Spindrift Blueberry Chai Pilsner
Located in Dartmouth, Spindrift produces classic lager styles - a beer style largely missing from Nova Scotia's craft beer scene. Featuring chai tea from the World Tea House in Halifax, this brew is based on a cask offering that Spindrift brought to several beer festivals last year. Due to high demand from customers, they’ve now canned it as a limited time offering from April through June.
5. Nine Locks Watermelon Blonde
Dartmouth’s Nine Locks was created by two cousins who shared an enthusiasm for craft beer and saw an opportunity for a brewery in their hometown. What better way to get a jump on the upcoming spring than with the fresh flavours of their Watermelon Blonde ale? This brew, new to the NSLC for a limited time only, has just a slight hint of watermelon and the same light, refreshing flavours of the Nine Locks Dirty Blonde ale.
6. Tata Brew Hippie Dippie Pale Ale
Tata Brew is a family owned and operated microbrewery located in the heart of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. In 2014, they converted an old butcher shop into a community brewery where they make small batches of tasty, handcrafted beer. This unfiltered pale ale is approachable, refreshing and organic. The Ahtanum hops lend floral and spicy hints to an earthy pine aroma.
Visit your local NSLC for more great selections from Nova Scotia’s craft brewers.