Press Release: Coffee and Louisbourg300 – It’s Full Steam Ahead!

Guysborough, N.S.  – A special blend of coffee is being launched today at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site to recognize 300 years of Louisbourg and France’s role in bringing this beverage to the New World in the 18th century. 

The Full Steam Coffee Company roasted coffee beans over an open fire at the historic site along with Parks Canada and Fortress Louisbourg Association to officially launch “Louisbourg 1713 – French Roast”. 

Louisbourg was one of North America’s busiest seaports and France’s centre of trade and military strength in the New World. Coffee soon became a staple in the fortress town with 40 per cent of Louisbourg’s inventories listing coffee or coffee equipment.

“Coffee was an important beverage in 18th century Louisbourg, and we’re so pleased to partner with Full Steam Coffee Company and Fortress Louisbourg Association to bring the story of coffee to life during our Louisbourg300 celebrations,” said Chip Bird, Field Unit Superintendent for Parks Canada’s Cape Breton Field Unit. “This will allow Canadians to connect with the Fortress of Louisbourg in a meaningful and tangible way – and with a great cup of coffee!”

The commemorative coffee will be featured at one of Louisbourg300’s upcoming events, CultureFete which runs from July 26 to 28. On July 28 visitors can sample the new blend, participate in coffee roasting demonstrations and talk with Full Steam’s roaster about the art and science behind perfectly roasted beans. 

“We are honoured to be working with Fortress Louisbourg Association and Parks Canada to commemorate such an important milestone in our nation’s history,” said Glynn Williams, Proprietor, Full Steam Coffee Company. “It was a learning experience to trace the routes of modern-day coffee culture to the early days of coffee’s introduction to the New World in the 1720s by the French. We trust that through this blend of certified fair trade organic coffees from around the world, we have captured the flavours and aromas of natural-grown coffees roasted on the seacoast in the pristine natural environment of the times.”

Louisbourg 1713 – French Roast is available at the on-site boutiques at the Fortress of Louisbourg, on-line at fortressoflouisbourg.ca or fullsteamcoffee.com and at many fine retailers and groceries throughout Atlantic Canada.

“Offering this high quality, locally roasted coffee for sale in our gift shop and online helps us meet the needs of our visitors who are often looking for authentic, local products with a unique story or a special connection to the place they just visited. This blend has both.” said Mitch McNutt, General Manager, Fortress Louisbourg Association.

For more information on Louisbourg300 activities, visit www.louisbourg300.ca

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About Parks Canada

Parks Canada is the largest provider of historic and natural heritage tourism in Canada. Through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians, as well as people from around the world, to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery of our treasured natural and historic places.www.parkscanada.gc.ca/louisbourg

About Fortress Louisbourg Association

The Fortress Louisbourg Association provides visitor experience opportunities that ensure the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is recognized locally, nationally and internationally as a premier destination, immersing visitors in an unforgettable experience of life in an 18th century colonial fortress. The Fortress Louisbourg Association operates on-site food and retail services, delivers visitor experience opportunities including the children’s animation program, youth apprenticeship program, drum and fife program and after-hours programs, recruits and manages volunteers and engages partners to enhance access to visitor experience opportunities.
www.fortressoflouisbourg.ca

About Full Steam Coffee Company

Full Steam Coffee Company, as part of the Authentic Seacoast Company, was born from a vision – to restore the proud trading legacy of a seacoast village in Nova Scotia and to create sustainable jobs in the community, by producing a fine cup of coffee. From the roaster on the historic Guysborough harbour, the Full Steam Coffee Company embodies the fresh sea air, industrious people and proud determination that has kept this seacoast village alive over the past four centuries. 
www.fullsteamcoffee.com; facebook.com/FullSteamCoffee;twitter.com/FullSteamCoffee

Contacts:

Kelly Deveaux
Communications and Public Relations Officer
Parks Canada
902 578-2791
kelly.deveaux@pc.gc.ca

Doug Anweiler
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Full Steam Coffee Company
902 533-2078
doug@authenticseacoast.com