I just read this article about a new brewery in Rothesay, New Brunswick. Has anyone had a chance to try their beers yet? Article here: http://www.theeastmag.com/2016/11/17/foghorn-brewing-opens-rothesays-first-craft-brewery/
Rothesay is a pretty elite community, kudos to them for getting past the planning and paperwork to open. I'll be in NB over the holidays so I'll be sure to keep an eye out for their stuff. Good things happening in NB now, the industry is growing and there are some people who are starting to move to the head of the class.
It's currently brewery only, with plans to have it on tap at some restaurants and bars soon. They're not currently looking at bottling or canning. I was thinking I wouldn't get a chance to try it, but my Mom suggested a trip to Quispamsis to visit her cousin, so maybe it'll happen.
Yup, I was in SJ for work last week, and dropped by before their soft opening. Good selection of 5 beers, UK/English-inspired (Dry Irish Stout that wasn't quite as Dry as hoped [next batch will be], English Golden Ale, Winter Warmer [molasses and rye, not full of spices]), but a couple of American beers in there too (Session IPA and Am IPA). Thankfully, not all fermented with Ringwood! (People may have been afraid of that, as Estabrooks was Picaroons' former Brewmaster, and they use Rw near-exclusively) Nice spot and feel to it, no food, I believe you can order in your own. They want to focus on the beer. Will be on tap locally starting next weekend, probably Cask and Kettle, Ale House, maybe Barrel's Head, Pepper's and Britt's Pub. Other brewery to look for over the holidays is Loyalist City, they *may* be getting beer out the door before the end of 2016. Setting up on Water Street, Uptown SJ.
I thought Estabrooks looked/sounded familiar. When exactly did he leave Picaroons? Should we expect better or worse quality out of Picaroons now (I haven't been a fan for a few years)? I know their new facility is about to open too.
Esty left Picaroons 2 years ago, and was doing other jobs, including a stint this summer @ Petit-Sault, while everything was getting going with Foghorn. Picaroons: You probably know that their Devon brewery has been churning out beer for a while, I'd guess 6 months, but the new part will be the opening of the brewery to tours and visitors. I don't have an exact date on that just yet, probably in the next 3 weeks. As for quality, I'd say that Esty was doing the best he could under the circumstances there, and when he left, they lost a good brewer (whose full talents weren't able to shine). With the number of other breweries that have since opened in NB, I don't find myself drinking Picaroons these days.
Agreed. Though I don't get to NB as often as I used to, when I do, I tend to enjoy the variety of brewers popping up. I quite like Grimross and would say that Fredericton in as a beer town in general is getting pretty good.
