Seaport Beerfest - the juicy details

[LiverDance]

Does anyone know when the nslc will have the new beers out for this event?

[meg_media]

Did a quick search on NSLC's website, and they have Muskoka's Mad Tom IPA in seven stores (Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford only). Gahan House Island Red Amber Ale is in the same seven stores. But for some reason, the other ones aren't coming up in the system ... where's Shipyard? Maredsous?

[jeffsmith]

It's a shame that NSLC isn't spreading the love across the rest of the province…

[chalmers]

Thanks for the heads up, Meg. Will need to grab some Mad Tom while it lasts. And I noticed the St. Ambroise IPA is at NSLC too, had missed it previously.

[meg_media]

My pleasure, man! The beers -like Mad Tom IPA - are on the shelves for the month of August. Since we're only two days in, I may look up more festival beers at the end of the week. (LOVE St. Ambroise!)

And I agree, Jeff, it would be great if the beers could be featured outside the HRM. It was the NSLC's call on where to place the limited edition beers.

[mr x]

I looked at Troy Burtch's dinner Thursday, but decided against it.

I'm biting my tongue heavily on that. The beer choices made the decision to not go very easy. Clearly aimed at the beginner and not the enthusiast. 2 fruit beers for 5 courses? 3 if you consider that the IPA is made with Pineapple juice, 4 given that the Rickard's will come with Orange. Maybe if one was a lambic. And pairing the same beer with 3 different choices for course 3 and 4? Okay, so I guess I'm not biting my tongue.

Still deciding on the Brunch but I think I will try to make it. Wouldn't mind more detail on what will be available beyond Maxwell's regular line-up.

That Brussels line-up has got to aimed at BMC drinkers...I guess...maybe...?

Not very appealing anyway. I've got two carboys of fruit lambic I could force carb and sell them, lol.

[mr x]

It's a shame that NSLC isn't spreading the love across the rest of the province…

Is it possible to get a local NSLC to order something like that on an individual basis? I know that they will bring in non-stock beer in Merigomish on request, but it's high volume BMC, so it might be different with this stuff...

[jeffsmith]

Is it possible to get a local NSLC to order something like that on an individual basis? I know that they will bring in non-stock beer in Merigomish on request, but it's high volume BMC, so it might be different with this stuff...

Might be worth a shot, but I'm guessing if it's not a BMC product chances are pretty slim. There's one gent that I've spoken to at both of the NSLC's here in town and he said he's been fighting the good fight in Amherst for a couple years to get some different craft/micro on the shelves. Pretty good chance he was just blowing smoke up my ass though.

[chalmers]

call Stephen Bordl @ the NSLC @ 450-6752

[akr71]

call Stephen Bordl @ the NSLC @ 450-6752

Thanks! Between myself & Jeff I am sure we can reach the 1 case minimum...

[jeffsmith]

Between myself & Jeff I am sure we can reach the 1 case minimum...

Shouldn't be a problem there!

[mr x]

Are they going to do something for you?

[chalmers]

So, for those of you who went, what were your thoughts?
I volunteered Friday night. Things got off to a bad start, as I never received my marching orders and details in an email from the volunteer organizer. Luckily I read some things over ratchet's shoulder when I was dropping off some beer so I knew when to show up. The confusing signage the night of the fest screwed the two of us up: everything said to hang out in Garrison and wait.
I was serving at the Maine tent, and all went very smoothly: good selection of breweries and beer, didn't have too many disappointed customers (except when we ran out of the Blueberry beer).

I went to the Saturday Brewer's brunch at Maxwell's. I was maybe expecting something more: the brewers walking around and chatting with folks there (which Daniel from Garrison did), but the 2-3 brewers I saw were just recovering from a late night. The brunch for $2 (or free for volunteers) was great: 2 eggs, bacon, toast and fries went well with my DDC! Aphrodisiaque (they were out of Peche Mortel).

I attended the Saturday afternoon session, and was very happy with the crowd: no drunken frat boys/girls, and it did seem like it was not too crowded. Would be interested in finding out the attendance numbers. I was absolutely thrilled to see Hell Bay and Acadie-Broue there, had a nice chat with both guys. They are both willing to show us around their breweries, so I think we should try and organize a field trip to either the South Shore or Dieppe. Loved the Tintamarre (Saison) and Bringue (American Brown) from Patrice, much better than the only other beer of his I had tried (at the Garrison brew-off announcement). Other standout beers were the Smash'd Blueberry from Shipyard (still not available at the NSLC), Malediction (sweet stout from Saint-Bock), and I did like the Hawaiian IPA from Spearhead (didn't get any pineapple from it, but did find it to be aromatic and bitter). Was disappointed by the Atomic Smashbomb IPA: got plenty of bitterness, but nothing on the nose. I suspect the beer on tap would be much better.

[Jayme]

I had the Smashbomb at both the beerfest and in Toronto the following day - it didn't travel well. The citra hops really came through when I had it straight from the store. I also brought some home with me and the plane ride made it more like what I remember trying at the beer fest.

[PEIBeerGuy]

I'm surprised there have only been two post-fest posts. Is everyone still hungover a week later?

Did the NSLC only add two of the fest's beers to their temporary listings? (BTW, if anyone wants to bring me a Mad Tom and a St. Amb IPA, that'd be cool by me)

[chalmers]

They have also added the Smashed Blueberry from Shipyard. Use the NSLC search to find it near you (but not you, PEIBG, sorry).

[BobbyOK]

I'm surprised there have only been two post-fest posts. Is everyone still hungover a week later?

Did the NSLC only add two of the fest's beers to their temporary listings? (BTW, if anyone wants to bring me a Mad Tom and a St. Amb IPA, that'd be cool by me)

On vacation last week so less time in front of a computer. I have to say my comments pretty much mirror those that Chris made. Saturday wasn't crowded, the line-up set up was a bit screwy but the "two stage" line-up seemed to keep things moving and it took little time to get in. What I liked - there were actually more new to me beer there than I was able to try. I also liked that they had most of the big brewers near the entrance and the band so I never had to go near them and the crowds seemed to stay more in that area. On the downside, Pump House was in that section so I forgot to try their lager.

I saw some criticism about the price of admission being too high. I don't think it was too pricy given the number of new beers you can get. I do think I prefer the Mondial style ticket system so you can take your time rather than try and rush to get everything, and I think 3 hours is better than 2 and a half, but $40 for 20-25 beer I couldn't otherwise get locally is a decent price.

[BobbyOK]

They have also added the Smashed Blueberry from Shipyard. Use the NSLC search to find it near you (but not you, PEIBG, sorry).

They also have Maredsous Tripel and Mill Street "Mini Pub", a mixed 6 pack with 1 Tankhouse and some other beers that will make you wish you just bought a 6 of Tankhouse - Lemon Tea, Stock Ale, Organic Lager, Pilsner, and a not so good Ginger Beer.

Did anybody try the Palm Speciale at Seaport? I didn't realize it was there until I saw it in the program afterwards.

[Jayme]

some other beers that will make you wish you just bought a 6 of Tankhouse - Lemon Tea

They had the Lemon Tea beer at NSLC a month or two ago and yes - I entirely regretted buying it. I've been toying with the idea of adding some tea to beer for a while and this made me change my mind. However, last week I tried a green tea beer from Great Lakes and it was awesome. You could just barely pick up on the green tea in it which was a good balance. It was also extremely refreshing.

Did you buy the mixed pack or just sample them at the beer fest?

[chalmers]

I think he bought it, cuz I didn't see the Ginger beer at the fest (I was looking for that one specifically).

Anyone get the Maredsous? I've bought a bottle, but not cracked it yet.
Still some Smashed Blueberry @ Bayer's Lake. Picked up another bottle last night to share with a non-beer friend. He loved it.

[BobbyOK]

I bought the mixed pack. Found it odd they brought that in when it wasn't all available at the festival. The Pilsner wasn't there either if I recall correctly.

Maredsous was nice. Not as complex as the Trappist tripels but quite tasty.

[PEIBeerGuy]

some other beers that will make you wish you just bought a 6 of Tankhouse - Lemon Tea

They had the Lemon Tea beer at NSLC a month or two ago and yes - I entirely regretted buying it. I've been toying with the idea of adding some tea to beer for a while and this made me change my mind.

I kind of echo the thoughts on that six-pack. I was just happy to get something on PEI with three new-to-me beers in it. That being said, I have had their lemon tea beer twice now. Last December, I thought it was very good. Out of this six-pack, I didn't care for it. Didn't taste like the same beer at all.

In my mind, when I start up my imaginary brewery, I will brew a beer with tea - mainly to name it after the lady who, years ago on PEI, poisoned all of her children by putting match heads into their tea. You know, when I write it... it doesn't sound like as good of an idea as it was in my mind...
Either way, I'd call it "Minnie McGee's Killer Tea Ale" or something like that.

[PEIBeerGuy]

Still some Smashed Blueberry @ Bayer's Lake. Picked up another bottle last night to share with a non-beer friend. He loved it.

I have someone from New England visiting PEI who's going to do a mixed 2-4 trade with me today or tomorrow. He's bringing a couple of Shipyard brews. After looking at the Smashed Blueberry's info on their site, I wish it was one of them! Oh, PEILCC... darn your piss-poor piss-beer selection...

[JEH]

I picked up a couple of the smashed blueberry last night from the bayers lake lc, and unless there were some out back it did not seem like there were a lot left. Loved the beer though! Had one last night and am looking forward to having the other this evening.

[GAM]

There were lots on Barrington last weekend.

Sandy