Hi, I've spent some time browsing this forum and appreciate all of the advice that I've found. I'm elated that at the end of the month I will be embarking on a road trip from Vermont to Cape Breton for two weeks of funded thesis research. I know, they're paying me to do this, can't believe it myself. A few components to my post: I know of Big Spruce and Breton Brewing (as well as the Glennora Distillery and Eileanan Breagha Vineyard) as far as CBI locations go. Are there any spots I'm missing? Any pubs that have tap lists worth traveling for? I also know that Nova Scotia as a whole has a high number of breweries per capita, and I'm guessing that some of them are producing great beer that we just don't hear about in the States. I'll be passing through Moncton and St. John before hitting Nova Scotia, and then I'm taking the most direct route to CBI, so Truro, New Glasgow, and Antigonish are places I'll drive through. Are there any awesome breweries in any of the places I mentioned and/or are there bottle shops that sell a good variety of Nova Scotian breweries? Lastly, my research involves recording oral history, so if there's anyone in CBI who would like to meet up for a pint (or even an IP trade, I could bring some VT goodies), just send me a message! I'll be around during the last week of May and the first week of June, and I'll be traveling over most of the island, specifically in Inverness County, seeing the Highlands National Park, and visiting Sydney and surrounding towns. Thanks for any help, can't wait to visit Cape Breton!
Best place to start is to look at the Brewnosers's Good Beer Map. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1VyKyXD344i0uwV3sEicBT0-SdPs This is last year's map for the Good Cheer Trail, so it's not complete but does show some wineries/distilleries in NS. http://www.novascotia.com/eat-drink/good-cheer-trail Beer in NB and NS is sold through government stores and breweries. The government stores sell mostly macro stuff but are starting to carry a bit more year-round craft offerings. The best stuff is generally sold at breweries themselves. There are four private stores in Halifax. If you are able to spend a day or two in Halifax, that's where you're going to get the biggest variety of NS beers - Bishop's Cellar and Rockhead for bottles, Stillwell for beer bar, several breweries/brewpubs for general consumption. Saint John has a decent beer bar (Saint John Ale House) and brewpub (Big Tide). Moncton has a fair number of options, Tide & Boar probably being the best beer bar option. Just take a look at the breweries and see what they offer, but keep in mind that many smaller breweries in NB/NS do not bottle/can. Truro beer scene is skippable, there's a brewpub in Antigonish (Townhouse) that has one or two house beers. Basically your best beer is going to be in CB. For IP trades, I'm sure several people on the brewnosers.org forums will be willing to take Vermont beer off your hands. Probably some brewers too When crossing the border into New Brunswick, you are allowed 8.5L of beer (approx. 24 x 12oz) per person of legal drinking age (19+). An amount beyond that can be brought in, but you have to pay duty and they might give you grief if you have no receipts. Duty is fairly high, perhaps somewhere around 100% of the purchase price. This is for Canadians returning to Canada, I'm assuming the same applies to travelers coming in but you may want to check before driving. Trying to sneak booze past border patrol is just not smart, since the US/Canada border would flag you for any future trips. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifcrc-rpcrc-eng.html Driving around the Highlands should be on your bucket list for sure. If you have any questions let me know!
