‘We try to be original’

Smokehouse Nano Brewery opens new taproom in Berwick

The new taproom in Berwick is buzzing.

Smokehouse Nano Brewery’s taproom at 134 Union St. opened in time for the Valentine’s Day and holiday weekend from Feb. 13-15.

Mike Peters, owner of Smokehouse Nano Brewery, was thrilled to welcome several guests to the taproom within the first five days of the operation opening up to the public.

“It’s been tremendously overwhelming with people coming in,” he said.

“We’re pretty happy with it so far.”

The taproom is located in a well-known building that has

housed many businesses over the years, but it has a new look following extensive renovations that spanned five months.

“It would be like walking into a new building,” said Peters, who noted that it was once home to a popular bakery.

The plan is to have several taps that are permanently part of the lineup at Smokehouse, and some revolving offers to mix things up.

Peters is pleased with the public’s response to the 12 varieties listed on the Smokehouse Nano Brewery website. The options include: brown, red and cream ales, a blonde, IPAs, an APA, a porter, pilsner, lager - and more.

He said top sellers include the Famous Amos IPA, Big Electric Blonde and Cottage Cream Ale. The Red River Rye IPA is a personal favourite for Peters.

“I’ve always been an IPA person,” the brewer confessed.

Smokehouse Nano Brewery does not have a kitchen, but there is a selection of snacks and takeout is permitted.

“The social side of a taproom is probably the most inviting thing for most people that come,” said Peters.

The small-scale brewery started out of a Cottage

Street production building that is commonly known as the old smokehouse in Berwick. The microbrewery has gone from producing four barrels a month in June 2019, to 20 barrels a month this winter. Peters said the upward momentum within the craft beer industry has had a hand in helping Smokehouse expand.

“It’s growing tremendously,” he said.

The Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia website said the industry noted a 49.3 per cent increase in sales from last year, with more than 50 breweries operating throughout the province.

Peters looks forward to the day that the COVID-19 pandemic is a thing of the past, and the taproom’s capacity is not limited to 50 per cent. Plans are in place to have a

Longtime brewer Mike Peters pours a cold one at his new taproom on Union Street in Berwick.

Father-son duo Mike and Andy Peters are encouraged by the support their family’s new Smokehouse Nano Brewery in Berwick is receiving so far.

Mike Peters checks a sample at the Smokehouse Nano Brewery’s original brewing location on Cottage Street in Berwick.

Andy Peters packs up some cans for a retail sale.

Mike Peters stands in the small-batch brewing room he runs out of a Cottage Street building that is commonly known as the old smokehouse in Berwick.