On to Nova Scotia + Uncle Leo's

Rounding down from Fredericton it seems that Shiretown is the only NB brewery missed but it is up toward the Gaspe peninsula - sounds like a trip for next year.

Coming into Nova Scotia the first stop before the beaches is to find some local beer. Well it doesn't get more local than Uncle Leo's.

Having read about this brewery opening only a couple weeks ago the excitement of new Canadian beer grew.

Karl and Rebecca have a great story. He's originally from Nfld, she's a local and they've been around Pictou long enough for both to be called locals

Technically, the brewery is in Lyon's Brook, just outside of Pictou. The name is an homage to Karl's actual Uncle Leo who used to brew beer.

We pulled up and were fortunate to meet both of these people and taste both of their current brews.

In this quaint old barn Karl is brewing a red ale and an ipa. Both brews are very drinkable and personally I quite enjoyed the ipa. Not overly hoppy it is surely to gain popularity in the area

If the complete friendliness of this couple wasn't impressive enough, the constant influx of locals and tourists was. With the future goal of producing some of Uncle Leo's original recipes, it looks like a promising endeavour.











http://uncleleosbrewery.ca/

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A little beer surprise in NB capital

So after leaving Picaroons brewtique I was determined to locate Grimross brewery.

Looking at their Facebook page (https://m.facebook.com/pages/Grimross-Brewing-Co/110264115801307?id=110264115801307&_rdr) I had trouble locating an address, but I was determined, so I called

Luckily it was still the lunch hour and I got a hold of Stephen Dixon, owner and head brewer. Turns out they brew out of Pucaroons brewtique for now. So I turned around and went back to the brewtique.

I got in and asked around and ran right into Stephen. A quick introduction from him and about his beer and he directed me to the fridge they sell out of

Relieved I didn't need to travel more and excited to try new beer I bought the only one they had ready - a farmhouse ale

It didn't take long to open it and enjoy. A great little operation going on there with great beer. Also producing Cheval D'Or and a stout, Stephen is inspired by Belgian and French beers.

Also having partaken in their first beer bash (Picaroons hosted a beer bash last week) Grimross is well on their way to greatness.




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To Fredericton

Well once St John was drank dry, well not really, it is off to try the beer taps of Fredericton
Excitement built as I knew much of the Picaroons brewery, a former Canadian Award winning Brewery of the year and we had experienced some beers at a Halifax Seaport Festival one year. As we entered Fredericton the brewery's address was Googled and Siri led me to a spot away from the main part of town. Experience has taught me that when this happens the brewery acts strictly as a work place and no tasting room or tap room exist and again, this held true.
Stopping anyway I spoke with brewers and asked the best place to get the beer and it turns out they have a 'brewtique' on the main strip in town.
I then asked to use their washroom and in it hung a poster for Buswakker in Regina. I inquired about it and they said 'They make great beer' - and they do
Siri 'recalculated' and off we went. Entering the brewtique I was saddened again in that there were no taps - only bottle and swag sales. I would return for bottles but was very hungry and thirsty. The good people directed me to a wonderful nearby restaurant with Picaroons on tap and all was well in Fredericton once again
So which beer?
Well they brew a number of recipes but the favourites were their Dark and Stormy, Dooryard summer ale and Simeon Jones amber.
Packed the car with these ones as the beer cannot be found out of New Brunswick yet. Hopefully one day we will see them in Alberta liquor stores.








http://www.picaroons.ca/
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Big Tide in St John

Don't mean the ocean's response to the moon and sun, but the brew pub in St John

Walking around the city looking for Big Tide I came across a little sign sticking out from a wall. To be honest, I almost walked right by and that would have been a shame and black mark on our country-wide collection of brewery visits.

Popped in for a pint and stayed for a bite. Started with a sea worthy ipa and had time for an Irish red, this pub does beer well.

When in St John make sure stop in for a couple of beers at Big Tide - unfortunately more Canadian craft beer we can't get in the prairies









http://www.bigtidebrew.com/

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Moosehead in St John NB

So continued the NB travels into St John and there are a number of patio pubs looking out over the water. A great set up of walk ways and watering holes.
I researched for the one that fit us the best and the St John Ale House (http://mobile.dudamobile.com/site/saintjohnalehouse?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saintjohnalehouse.com%2F#2618) did not disappoint. A great selection of maritime and other Canadian craft but the best was their cask made only for them by Moosehead. A New Brunswick staple we've always been a fan of the lager and the history but to be treated to a Moosehead cask condition ale is a beer traveler's treat for sure
Stop here when visiting St John, drink Moosehead on a hot day (of course I stopped in the main building too) and for goodness sake drink the local beer!







http://www.moosehead.ca/

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Location:St John NB

Lots of laundry to do ...

So as posted I hit Laundromat espresso cafe in search of Acadie Broue and it wasn't on tap at the time. With great disappointment and sad puppy eyes I explained who I was and why I was there. They were polite enough to listen to who but the cross country search impressed them and they told me of the tap they had.

First tap ever of Celtic Knot Brewing (https://m.facebook.com/CelticKnotBrewing?id=131634277023047&_rdr) out of Riveriew, outside Moncton.

Yet again, Laundromat Espresso is the only tap pulling this nanobrewery too! I Love this place!

Oh the pale ale? Great. A favourite style of ours and this one had a great aroma and finish




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Moncton's surprise

Ah yes Moncton. Who knew you'd hold such a gem. Had the delight of tasting some of Acadie Broue beers at a Halifax seaport beerfest (http://www.seaportbeerfest.com/) and swore someday I'd find them. This day came but as a surprise.

According to Acadie Broue's Facebook (https://m.facebook.com/pages/Acadie-Broue/176759632361301?id=176759632361301&_rdr) the beer can be found at Laundromat Espresso so I went. Well turns out this is the only place pulling a tap of this nanobrewery and the place is awesome. So nice they changed a cask for me so I could try the saison and it was delicious

I wasn't sure there was a reason to go to Moncton, but this is it (https://m.facebook.com/pages/Laundromat-Expresso-Bar/133734576637538?id=133734576637538&_rdr)







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Moncton - from expected to surprised

We've been to east coast on a beer adventure before but with new breweries popping up so much we thought it time to go again. Having sort of by passed New Brunswick before the logical first stop was Pumphouse in Moncton

We've had their beer before (you can get their Blueberry Ale, scotch Ale and Fire Chief's Red in Alberta - even seen their cadian cream ale) but this time we stopped at the pub.

Able to enjoy lunch with my family and the Muddy River Stout for the first time. Love stouts and this was a good one. Good chocolate and espresso notes.
Great visit and a long time a coming!





http://www.pumphousebrewery.ca/


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Maritime craft adventure

I know, I know. It's been a long while and I just expect you to just come running back. I think for a while we didn't really have much to say this past few months. There's been beer advancements but nothing we were so excited about. Well it's changed. On vacation and found new beers - even for us. So here we go .... Off to the maritimes


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Location:New Brunswick