The Craft Brewing Capital’s Summer Brews Guide
Fredericton ranks amongst the most taprooms per capita in Canada, with one taproom per 5,400 people – and counting! We have 11 taprooms in the Capital City, all with their own unique spin on traditional style ales and inventive brews; you could say that there is a taste for everyone!
It’s been an especially warm summer season thus far, the sun has been shining most weekends (am I right??) and local breweries are here to bring you refreshing bevvy’s made for the weather – think: fresh, crisp, CITRUS, fruity notes featuring local ingredients like apples, blueberries and rhubarb; all taking thirst quenching to the next level. Clearly this IS the time of year for sipping seasonal craft beer and ciders, whether enjoyed on a local patio, or as a cold and refreshing beverage to accompany you on summer adventures.
We’re here to provide a guide (just grazing the surface really, but a good place to start) on seasonal brews in Fredericton; if summer style flavours aren’t typically you’re thing – no problem, we’re hoppy to tell you about the tried and true favorites from each brewery too!
#FredTapTrail
BUT, before we begin, now is the perfect time to mention the FREDERICTON TAPROOM TRAIL, the first of its kind in New Brunswick! Take a tip from BBC Travel Show Host and adventure travel Youtuber, Mike Corey of Fearless & Far; taste testing local brews is now made more exciting with the #FredTapTrail thrown into the mix! Let us explain: The #FredTapTrail is a passport-style map that allows craft beer and cider fans to choose their own taproom adventure.
Every time you grab a pint or flight at one of the taprooms listed on the map, you will receive a stamp, enabling you to collect exclusive #FredTapTrail swag. Crafty connoisseurs who collect a stamp from all 11 participating taprooms with be entered into the grand prize draw! If you’re not already convinced, we recommend checking out Mike’s latest video of our 5-part series about to eat, see and do in Fredericton this summer, highlighting the #FredTapTrail.
Finally, it’s time to introduce, 11 Fredericton taprooms, each with their own flair for flavour, some only available for now and others that will be there for you year ‘round:
1. Gahan House Riverside
Summer Brew: Beach Chair Lager | 4.5% ABV 12 IBU
An ode to malt and hops: this beer is crisp and refreshing handcrafted lager.
Fan Favourite: Sir John A’s Wheat Ale | 4.5% ABV 15 IBU
A light golden brew made with PEI honey-ish complete with a dry and slightly citrusy body.
2. Graystone Brewing
Summer Brew: The North Pilsner | 5% ABV 25 IBU
“When life gives you a heat wave, find a way to keep cool.” A light-bodied, clean and crisp Czech Pilsner can help with just that!
Summer Brew: The Trek Sour | 5.5% ABV 30 IBU
The flavor is subtle but effective in this mouthwatering vanilla & rhubarb sour.
Fan Favourite: Patagonia Pale | 5% ABV 50 IBU
A medium-bodied American Pale Ale with bold tropical flavour and aroma notes, creating a refreshing beer with a subtle tropical hoppy finish.
3. Grimross Brewing
Summer Brew: Hop Blonde | 6% ABV 23 IBU
Combining the finest German malts with some of the juiciest American hops, Hop Blonde is a hoppy hybrid of classic ingredients and new age techniques, with notes of lime, citrus, and tropical fruit.
Summer Brew: Pride Radler | 4% ABV 5 IBU
Their very -first- radler uses local ingredients from @shoreline and @southanfarms, blended with blood orange and grapefruit juices.
Fan Favourite: Praha Bohemian Lager | 3.8% ABV 29 IBU
They turned back the clocks to a simpler time - of Saazer hops and Bohemian Pilsner malt - to prove that the Czechs have had clean, delicious beer dialed in all this time. Na Zdravi - Cheers!
4. King West Brewing
Summer Brew: Blueberry Blonde | 4.8% ABV 23 IBU
The lemon drop hops give off a light citrus aroma that is perfectly paired with the blissful (& a little tart) taste of blueberries.
Summer Brew: Oatmeal Citrus Pale Ale | 5.2% ABV 18 IBU
A lemony citrus aroma comes from both the hop and zested lemons; the oatmeal helps to add a bit of a creamy texture to the beer.
Fan Favourite: Kölsch | 4.8% ABV 17 IBU
This lagered, German Ale contains floral and light fruity aromas from the hop and a light straw flavour from the pilsner malt.
5. Mama’s Brew Pub
Summer Brew: Cherry Blaster Kettle Sour | 3.7% ABV 12 IBU
Pucker up for this tart palate cleansing ale with a -subtle- hint of cherry.
Fan Favourite: Mama’s Session IPA | 4% ABV 30 IBU
This Indian Session Ale is light, refreshing and brimming with grapefruit hop flavor and aroma!
6. Maybee Brewing
Summer Brew: Lazy River Lager | 4.6% ABV 35 IBU
Ideal for hot weather and family BBQs, this hoppy lager balances the piney bitterness and tropical aroma of El Dorado hops with a firm Pilsner Malt finish.
Fan Favourite: Work Horse IPA | 7.0% ABV 70 IBU
A Bold IPA showcasing New Brunswick hops, with a smooth delivery of clean bitterness and malt complexity.
7. Picaroons Brewing Company
Summer Brew: Dooryard | 4.5% ABV 14 IBU
First brewed in the early days as “Picaroons Canadian Wheat Ale,” this beer has evolved into an all-organic recipe with added coriander and orange peel for this delicious hybrid Canadian German-Belgian wheat ale.
Summer Brews: Melonhead | 4.5% ABV 11 IBU
A crisp Pale Ale infused with natural watermelon extract featuring am adopted cat on the label every year!
Fan Favourite: 506 Pale Ale | 5% 20 IBU
A modern, citrus forward, well-balanced APA. Made from New Brunswick grown grain & hops, just like the 506 Kolsch.
8. Red Rover Craft Cider
Summer Brew: Summer Cider | 7% ABV
One of their original styles, this is a dry English style cider with crisp apple fruit notes and a tart finish that will quench any thirst even on the hottest day..
Summer Brew: Dragon Slayer | 7.6% ABV
A cranberry cider featuring tart, fresh cranberry flavours which come from the fermentation of whole berries. The finished cider is refreshingly dry with a medium body, slight sweetness and tart finish.
Fan Favourite: North Cider | 5.6% ABV
A modern twist on traditional cider styles and proudly shows off the best qualities of our local ingredients with crisp apple, fresh flavours and sparkling carbonation round out this light bodied, easy-drinking Canadian dry cider.
9. The Cap
Summer Brew: Jerry-Faye IPA | 6% ABV 47 IBU
Named after a local musician, this smooth, West Coast style IPA brewed using Cascade hops, with notes of citrus and grapefruit is available ONLY at The Cap on tap – go try it!
Fan Favourite: Just Like Before | 5.5% ABV 38 IBU
This bitter but balanced Citra Pale Ale’s name pays tribute to Fredericton’s vibrant live music community by highlighting The Hypochondriac's fan favourite song, "Just Like Before".
10. Trailway Brewing Co.
Summer Brew: Patio | 4% ABV
An American Wheat beer, dry-hopped lightly with Citra hops providing juicy mango and pineapple flavour and aroma. The malted wheat lends a biscuity, bready quality creating a great balance between malt and hops!
Summer Brew: Good Weather | 6% ABV
Their summertime IPA, brewed primarily with Vic Secret hops. Good Weather showcases fresh, juicy citrus and stone fruit.
Fan Favourite: Beyond Reality Raspberry Wheat | 4% ABV
This is a wheat beer dosed with Raspberries! The resulting beer has great fresh berry character, while remaining dry, crisp, bubbly and very refreshing.
11. York County Cider
Summer Brew: Strawberry Ciderita | 6.5% ABV
A strawberry-lime cider in celebration of the Soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution and of strong women everywhere; makes a great summer bevvy but is available year ‘round.
Fan Favourite: In the Beginning | 6.5% ABV
A traditional yet cheeky dry cider with a tease of apple - crisp and refreshingly clean!
Frederictonians have a knack for taking something great and making it even better; not only do we a multitude of craft alcohol to choose from, we are always coming up with new and inventive ways to add more than just taste to your crafty experience! You can sip your way through the city with the #FredTapTrail, join Second Nature Outdoors for a stand up paddleboard experience on the beautiful Wolastoq River with their Paddle & Pint tour, or take advantage of the Crowne Plaza’s Craft-cation Stay and Play Package that includes a credit to the on-site Joyce Pub (with 36 taps ready to pour Maritime craft brews)!
Our NEW Craft Brewing Capital page is the place to go for updates on events, blogs, experiences and packages from local accommodations all created with crafty lovers in mind.
We hope this blog helps with choosing the perfect craft brews for you this summer. Do you have a must-try, Fredericton made craft beer or cider to share with the world? Let us know below:
