Rockbottom Goes High Tech

Paper drink lists are so 1980's... you know, the age when trees were plentiful and the beer selection in Nova Scotia was anything but.  A lot has changed since then, and the Rockbottom Brewpub has joined a growing trend of replacing them using electronic lists (in this case, with an Apple iPad). This will ensure the list is always up to date, and patrons don't miss out on Nash's latest creation by mistake.

I really hope they installed Tapper on them, as well!

GROWLER WATCH! Propeller One-Hit Wonder Series Returns

Halifax's Propeller Brewing Co. announced that its One-Hit Wonder series will return on February 1, with the release of 2xIPA, a double India Pale Ale. The series will feature a new limited-run brew on the first of each month leading up to the summer, available only in growler format. As for the inaugural offering, 2xIPA is touted as 'a TRUE hop bomb, for TRUE hopheads,' and packs a potent 85 IBUs and 8.3% ABV.

A double IPA was also released last year... could we perhaps expect some favourites to make a triumphant return in 2012? In the spirit of baseless speculation, and of course, to celebrate the return of the One-Hit Wonder series, we thought it fitting to look back at last year's offerings. 

Zwickelbier - An unfiltered lager, this one was gone before we had a chance to sample it last year. We're really hoping for another lager this year!

DiPA (Double IPA) - Interestingly, the DiPA was brewed using Warrior and Cascade hops, while this year's 2xIPA is brewed with Cascade and dry-hopped with Centennial. We're very interested to see how the 2xIPA compares to its predecessor, and also how it stacks up in relation to other local DIPAs, like Hart & Thistle's Rocketman (with which we have a rather interesting relationship).

Bock - Given my propensity for hoppier beers, I was really surprised that this malty beast was my favourite of last year's crop that I sampled. If they bring it bock this year, I promise to stop using 'bock' in such lame wordplay.

Maritime Mild - Brewed using Maritime-grown malt, the Mild was light, easy-to-drink, and delicious. Imagine something with the drinkability of Coors Light that tasted awesome and supported local farmers. Win-win-win.  

So there you have it. We'd certainly be happy if they brought back any or all of last year's brews, but are also intrigued by the potential for something new. I suppose that we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, stay tuned for our impressions of 2xIPA later this week. Get those growlers ready! 

Best. Beer name. Ever.

Today, the Great Canadian Beer Blog reported on the release of a new beer from Gravenhurst, ON - based Sawdust City Brewing Co., named Long, Dark Voyage to Uranus. This 'Uranal Imperial Stout' will see limited release in Ontario, and so isn't particularly relevant to us beer drinkers on the east coast. I'm so impressed by their (inter) stellar name for this beer, though, that I just had to make sure that everyone I could possibly tell knew about it.

Coffee Stout Run Amok?

Apparently Starbucks has been selling wine and beer in select stores in Seattle and Portland, and plan on expanding to other locations in Southern California and Georgia by the end of the year. Not something I can see myself buying at Starbucks any time soon, but I guess it really depends on what types of beer they offer.  

I'm surprised they went in this direction, and not the more logical approach of selling coffee with Bailey's in it.  It would be a licence to print money, especially over the Holidays!

Nash in the News

The Chronicle Herald published an interesting piece on local brewer Greg Nash this morning. I hope it doesn't mean he will no longer be brewing at Hart & Thistle!  Not that there is anything wrong with the Rockbottom Brewery, but it's at least an extra 10 minute walk... uphill.  Oh well, his beer is worth the extra effort.  Definitely looking forward to trying the Russian Imperial Stout he's got in the works!

Size Matters!

Progressive British Columbia is once again leading the charge in a very important issue... making sure you actually get a pint when you order one. While I can't support the authors' misuse of hyphens, it IS an important issue. Maybe they can work on standardizing glass boots next? Or find out how much one of those huge Hoegaarden glasses actually holds!

Anyway, this is something we should stay on top of out East as well.  Anyone run into a situation locally where the pints seem a little light?  Let's us know!

Soccer = Beer?

While never a big fan of soccer, I can definitely agree with FIFA on this one.  Apparently they've made it a requirement that beer must be sold at all FIFA 2014 matches, despite it being illegal to sell alcohol in stadiums in the host country of Brazil.  I had no idea beer was so important to watching soccer.  Maybe it's about time I tried tuning in again?  If beer doesn't make it better, I'll just go back to my favourite sport... curling.  You can enjoy a beer while playing AND it even stays cold while you're out on the ice.  Can't beat that!

West coast invasion?

It would be remiss of me, given my previous post about BC-based craft beer in Halifax, not to note that Granville Island Brewing's English Bay Pale Ale is currently available at the NSLC (you can check here to see if it's available at your local store). I had a chance to visit their brewery in Vancouver a couple of years ago, and so seeing their wares on shelves on this side of the continent hit me with a healthy dose of west coast nostalgia. I'll admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of their Lions Winter Ale, which was available previously (and maybe still) at the NSLC, but I have fond memories of the Pale from my trip to BC, and am certainly looking forward to picking some up. Let's hope that this is indicative of an emerging trend, and as local favourites from Garrison and Propeller gain traction in markets across the country, we are exposed to an expanding variety of great Canadian craft beers here on the east coast.

Let's make like a Tree and... drink?

Just a quick heads-up that Premier Wine and Spirits (Dresden Row, Halifax) is currently stocking a pretty solid lineup of beers from Kelowna, BC-based Tree Brewing Co.. I've tried their Hop Head IPA, which I quite enjoyed, so I was happy to see that Premier is offering this along with their Cutthroat Pale, Thirsty Beaver Amber, and Kelowna Pilsner. It's entirely possible that Premier has been stocking all of these for a while - I don't get out of the Darkside as often as I should - but nonetheless, I felt it was my civic duty to let everyone know that they can find even more great Canadian craft beer in Halifax.

Garrison PiLs released today!

Just a reminder that the Garrison Brewing Company released their seasonal pilsner today!  We loved their offering last year, and look forward to getting our hands on more as soon as possible.  Once we do, a review will be in the works.  Until then, it's probably safe to say a bottle or two would be worth your time.