Summer Craft Beer Round Up!

We’re in the dog days of summer, but there’s still time to discover a new go-to patio brew. Whether you reach for something hoppy, fruity, or crisp and refreshing, our province’s craft beer industry is bursting with thirst-quenching beers for you to sip on all summer long.

If you’re in need of some inspiration, we’ve compiled this guide to some notable Nova Scotian summer beers. Warning: don’t read while thirsty!

Garrison Brewing Co.: Mango Dragonfruit Sour

A can of Mango Dragonfruit Sour. Image curtesy of @garrisonbrewing (instagram)

Image courtesy of @garrisonbrewing (Instagram)

Garrison Brewing Co. uses maritime malt, grain and specialty hops from around the globe to create a modern twist on classic beer styles. Additionally, they use local add-ins such as flowers, fruit, and herbs where possible to bring lively flavours and aromatics to their brews. With its home base in the bustling Halifax Seaport and a taproom in the Quinpool District, you’re never too far from a refreshing pint.

Mango Dragonfruit Sour

5% ABV
$4.85/473ml can
Sweet, refreshing, and mildly sour, this mango, dragonfruit, and hibiscus infused beer brings bold colour and flavour. This beer boasts tropical flavours and floral aromatics- perfect for a sunny afternoon at the Seaport patio! Order online through the Garrison website, enjoy at the Seaport or Oxford taprooms, or purchase at your local NSLC.

Tatamagouche Brewing Co.: Dekorum Light Beer

Dekorum cans. Image curtesy of @tatabrewco (Instagram)

Image courtesy of @tatabrewco (Instagram)

Tatamagouche Brewing Co. is a family owned and operated brewery in charming Tatamagouche. Housed in a converted butcher shop, the brewery is certified organic and specializes in unpasteurized small-batch beers. Each batch is hand-crafted and focuses on traditional beer styles.

Dekorum Light Beer

2.9% ABV
$3.50/355ml can
This light beer is perfect for a Saturday spent gardening or a breezy afternoon on the beach. Available as a classic lager, or in bright summertime flavours such as blood orange, mandarin, and lime, Dekorum is a great summer thirst quencher. Dekorum can be ordered online through the Tatamagouche Brewing Co. online shop or enjoyed fresh in their taproom.

Good Robot Brewing Company: Robot Radler

A can & glass of Rasperry Radler. Image curtesy of @goodrobotbrew (Instagram)

Image courtesy of @goodrobotbrew (Instagram)

Established in 2015, Good Robot Brewing Company has been breaking the traditional boundaries of the craft beer industry with their experimental brews and funky brand image. With a taproom in Halifax’s North End, Elmsdale, and by the Halifax Commons, there are plenty of places to enjoy refreshing Robot pints this summer!

Robot Raspberry Radler

4% ABV
$4.99/473ml can
This blond ale is blended with fresh raspberry juice to deliver a jammy yet refreshing sip every time. Juicy and bold, this beer was brewed with the summer sun in mind. Enjoy at any Good Robot location, order online from the Good Robot online shop, or purchase at your local NSLC!

Church Brewing: Mayflower IPA

Image courtesy of @churchbrewingco (Instagram)

Located in a 200 year old renovated church, Church Brewing has been creating heavenly craft brews since 2019. Specializing in German style beers, the brew team incorporates North American brewing techniques to create bold IPA’s, decadent stouts and porters, and refreshing goses and fruit sours.

Mayflower IPA

5.8% ABV
$4.99/473ml can
The Mayflower brings together two iconic beer styles: the North American IPA and Belgian White (witbier). Brewed with toasted coriander, this refreshing beer boasts notes of passionfruit, papaya, mango, and pineapple with herby aromatics. Enjoy at the Church Brewing beer garden, order from the Church Brewing online shop, or purchase at your local NSLC!

Boxing Rock Brewing C0.: Hunky Dory Pale Ale

Image courtesy of @boxingrock (Instagram)

Boxing Rock was founded in 2012 by two chemical engineers, and has its main brewery in Shelburne. Their ethos is to honour tradition while challenging assumptions, and they achieve this by focusing on quality and consistency. With another taproom in Halifax, Boxing Rock has a beer for everyone – even if you aren’t a beer drinker!

Hunky Dory Pale Ale

5% ABV
$3.95/473ml can
Bright, crisp, and refreshing, this pale ale begs to be enjoyed on a sunny patio. Floral and fruity notes balance enjoyable bitter flavours from the hop blend. Order online from the Boxing Rock online shop, enjoy at the Halifax and Shelburne taprooms, or purchase at your local NSLC!

Sober Island Brewing Co.: Wave Breaker IPA

Image courtesy of Tourism Nova Scotia

Using all locally sourced ingredients (even down to the well water used in the brewing process!), Sober Island Brewing Co. has been brewing from-scratch craft brews since 2015. Sober Island focuses on tradition and quality in their beers, while ensuring the craft beer industry is a welcoming and open space for brewers and enthusiasts in all forms.

Wave Breaker IPA

6.3% ABV
$5.00/473ml can
A West Coast style IPA, the Wave Breaker boasts hints of mango and tangerine from the hop selection used in the brewing process. This beer has a balance of bitterness and body, proving to be a refreshing IPA for the summer sun. Enjoy a pint or as part of a flight at their Sheet Harbour taproom, or order online from the Sober Island online shop!

Propeller Brewing Company: Yutopia Summer Ale

Image courtesy of @propellerbeer (Instagram)

Founded in 1997, Propeller is one of the province’s oldest craft breweries. What started as a home-brew hobby has become a household beer name in the province, bringing classic beer styles while still leaving space to experiment with flavours and aromatics. With their original Gottingen taproom still a fan favourite, Propeller now has two additional taprooms (Quinpool Road and Bedford Highway) as well as a retail location in Dartmouth.

Yutopia Summer Ale

5% ABV
$17.99/4pk 473ml cans
It’s in the name! The Yutopia Summer Ale was brewed with sunny patio afternoons in mind. Blending flavours of yuzu citrus and white peach, this ale is bright, refreshing, and a perfect summer thirst-quencher. Available to sip on or in growlers at any Propeller taproom location or through the Propeller online shop!

Saltbox Brewing Company: Essential IPA

Image courtesy of @saltboxbrewingcompany (Instagram)

Saltbox Brewing Company aims to tie local tradition and history with traditional craft brew styles, while creating a new story for their community by providing a gathering space and beer to come together for. Each product tells a story in keeping with the Nova Scotian storytelling tradition – the Essential IPA honours essential workers and first responders who provide care, aid, and compassion to their communities.

Essential IPA

6.3% ABV
$4.98/473ml can
An impactful IPA with citrus and tropic fruit notes, this is a perfect summer thirst-quencher. Brewed in the West Coast IPA style, this bold brew is the perfect example of blending tradition with a Maritime twist. Enjoy at any Saltbox location, order through their online shop, or find it at your local NSLC!

—