NEW BRUNSWICK’S CRAFT BEER, WINE & SPIRITS
Gerard Comeau may have lost his supreme court of Canada case to transport beer from Quebec to New Brunswick, but if you ask a growing legion of New Brunswick craft beverage alcohol lovers there’s no reason to cross provincial boundaries in search of suds, spirits or even wine. New Brunswick is quickly gaining a reputation as one the country’s best places for craft beer and artisanal spirits. While the wine industry is just starting to get the caché its provincial neighbours have, a number of great step forwards have been made, not least of which was a government move to allow the sale of local products in grocery stores.And it’s not just the main thoroughfares and larger urban centers benefitting from the craft movement, as the industry has been a boost to local economies in small towns across the province.
We asked New Brunswick beer, wine and spirits expert Craig Pinhey to give his picks for some the beer, wine and spirits experiences in the province.
THE ALE TRAIL 5 N.B. microbreweries to visit
“It would be easy to pick many more, but here are 5 terrific destination breweries.”
GRIMROSS FREDERICTON
Although Grimross specializes in Belgian inspired beer, they also make an excellent pils and a really tasty cream ale and pale ale. Their taproom hosts regular music nights.
FOGHORN ROTHESAY
Foghorn makes a range of beers, from dry stout to English style ales and their popular Colonel Winchester IPA. Their taproom is cozy, dog friendly, and super popular with locals.
TRAILWAY, FREDERICTON
New Brunswick's leaders when it comes to trendy, cloudy, hop dominated beer, and they also have a very cool taproom with a deck furnished with comfy chairs.
BIG AXE NACKAWIC
Although in a small town, Big Axe offers a big experience. They have been real innovators, including brewing a beer with locally foraged chanterelle mushrooms. Their newly expanded riverside brewery and taproom will feature food, as well.
PETIT SAULT EDMUNDSTON
One of the best breweries in Atlantic Canada, making great Belgian inspired beers as well as authentic pilsner and West Coast style IPA.The labels on their stubby bottles are very creative and often humorous.
GRAPE ESCAPES 5 N.B. wines you need to try
“New Brunswick’s wine industry is more anchored on fruit other than grapes, but more grape vines are being planted every year. Here are 5 really good NB wines.”
SABREVOIS MOTTS LANDING, LOWER CAMBRIDGE NARROWS
A surprising red, medium bodied, dry and balanced, that reminds one of classic southern European reds like Cote du Rhone. Good “bistro” red.
RIVER MIST RICHIBUCTO RIVER WINE ESTATE, MUNDLEVILLE
Their most successful wine, made from an as yet unnamed cool climate variety from the northern USA. Fresh and fruity.
MASCARET MAGNETIC HILL WINERY, MONCTON
A balanced red blend, anchored on the Marquette grape, which many consider the best grape for making red wines in northern climates.
PREMIUM RED GILLIS OF BELLEISLE, SPRINGFIELD
100% Marquette grapes, a regular medal winner for this lovely winery in the Saint John River Valley.
CRÈME DE CASSIS HAPPY KNIGHT WINERY, KINGSTON
This perennial Gold Medal winning dessert wine made from local black currants is also perfect for cocktails, including Kir Royale.
WELL CRAFTED 5 Great N.B. Spirits
“There hasn’t been as much growth in distilleries in NB as in some other provinces, but it’s starting, and they had the first modern one in Atlantic Canada, Winegarden Estates, established in 1991.”
FILS DU ROY GIN THUJA PETIT PAQUETVILLE
An internationally award winning gin, Thuja is both affordable and delicious, leaning to the heavily botanical side, including some local Acadian cedar, known historically for its scurvy fighting properties.
WINEGARDEN ANIS BAIE VERT
Gold Medal winner at the first annual Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition, this eau de vie has distinct licorice notes.
BLUE ROOF VODKA MALDEN
A farm to table vodka, made from 100% local potatoes, and a silver medal winner at the Canadian Artisan Spirits competition. Clean and distinct.
WINEGARDEN JOHNNY ZIEGLER BRANDY BAIE VERT
A wood aged brandy made 100% from local fruit, smooth and tasty, very similar to Calvados.
FILS DU ROY SINGLE MALT WHISKY PETIT PAQUETVILLE
New Brunswick's first single mat whisky, 100% barley, 3 years old. A sign of things to come.