The Craft Brewing Capital’s Fall Brews Guide!
We poke fun at words like “pumpkin spiced latte,” scribbled across café sandwich boards at the crack of September but let’s face it, FALL TASTES GOOD and craft beer is no exception! No, you are not “basic” for looking forward to the shift in flavours that arise come autumn - like the season’s come and go, we’re ready to say bye-bye to our summer brews (see you next year!) and say hello to fall favorites. Bonus: 2020 patio season has been extended!
#FredTapTrail
BUT, before we begin, now is the perfect time to mention the FREDERICTON TAPROOM TRAIL, a fun way to get a sip of the traditional style flavours and inventive brews that make our craft breweries some of the best around! Here’s how it works: 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 wondering where to being your fall #FredTapTrail journey in Fredericton, take some tips from from BBC Travel Show Host and adventure travel Youtuber, Mike Corey’s video, Local Fredericton Taprooms: A Beginner’s Guide OR read our blog by a craft bevvy connoisseur from Uncorked Tours about how to make the most of a craft brew adventure in Fredericton.
Fall flavours are fan favorites when it comes to locally brewed beverages, so here’s our list of seasonal brews and must-tries from Fredericton’s 11 taprooms:
1. Gahan House Riverside
Seasonal Brew: Gahan Pumpkin Ale | 5.8% ABV 25 IBU
Brewed with premium malts, pumpkin pie spice and everything nice (ie: brown sugar) this is the perfect brew for adding some warmth to a chilly, autumn evening.
Must Try: Iron Bridge Brown Ale | 5.3% ABV 25 IBU
This medium to full-bodied brown ale has a smooth roasted malt flavor with a chocolate finish that earned a gold medal in the 2015 Canadian Brewing Awards.
2. Graystone Brewing
Seasonal Brew: Into the Woods Brown Ale | 5% ABV 26 IBU
A medium-bodied English Style Brown Ale with subtle hints of caramel and chocolate. Into the Woods Brown Ale is well-balanced, rich in flavour and aroma.
Must Try: Ridgeback IPA | 7% ABV 72 IBU
A full-bodied West Coast style IPA with substantial hop bitterness and notes of citrus and pine.
3. Grimross Brewing
Seasonal Brew: Oktoberfest Märzen-bier | 5.6% ABV 27 IBU
Long-lagered over summer but looking more like fall with its amber color; this brew is rich with malt and noble hop flavours.
Must Try: West Coast IPA | 6.5% ABV 80 IBU
A beautiful marriage of fruit and pine! This new, full-flavoured and dry IPA presents a clean, yet complex blend of pine, flora, berry and vanilla.
4. King West Brewing
Seasonal Brew: Strawberry Vanilla Sour | ABV 4.2% IBU 16
King West’s 100th beer is a sour brew with Lemondrop hops, notes of strawberry and a hint of vanilla.
Must Try: Amber Ale | 5.6% ABV 24 IBU
A full-bodied red ale that will leave you feeling like royalty!
5. Mama’s Brew Pub
Seasonal Brew: The Atlantic Great White | 4.1% ABV 14 IBU
This Belgian style wheat beer has notes of honey, orange, and spices that taste just like autumn.
Must Try: British Brown Beard | 5.5% ABV 20 IBU
A dark and rich British Porter with a punch of chocolate + coffee flavour; finished with a hint of bitter hops.
6. Maybee Brewing
Seasonal Brew: Sumac Witbier | 4.7% ABV 15 IBU
This tart Belgian-style wheat ale is brewed with locally foraged Sumac berries. This perfect fall beer has notes of honey, cinnamon and cardamom - Mmm!
Must Try: Clockwork IPA | 8.3% ABV 93 IBU
This Double IPA reveals rich stone fruit and citrus notes, a clean and balanced malt profile with a light, caramel finish.
7. Picaroons Brewing Company
Seasonal Brew: Harvest Ale | 5.3% ABV 63 IBU
This is a very special beer that is brewed during harvest season, with fresh, local hops! floral and earthy aromas, with pine, apricot, and spice flavours are waiting for your taste buds.
Must Try: 506 Kolsch | 4.6% ABV 15 IBU
A New Brunswick twist on a German tradition, using imported German Pilsner malt and a helping of local two-row barley, this beer is dry with a clean, crisp finish.
8. Red Rover Craft Cider
Seasonal 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.
Must Try: Fall Cider | 7% ABV
Don’t be fooled by the name – thankfully, this cider is offered all year ‘round! This semi-dry cider with subtle spices and cinnamon aroma has a flavour that is reminiscent of apple pie.
9. The Cap
Seasonal Brew: Some Dads Stout | 4.5% ABV, low IBU
This American-Style stout named after the owner of The Cap’s very own band is sure to keep you warm and cozy no matter the weather!
Must Try: 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.
Seasonal Brew: Oktoberfest "Festbier" | 4.5% ABV 15 IBU
Festbier is dry and crisp with a caramel sweetness that makes for easy drinking; a malt-forward crusher that is truly built for festival drinking, this brew is currently only available on tap @ Trailway.
Must Try: Seeing Citra | 6% ABV
This juicy beer is gleaming with citrus, tropical mango and passionfruit, subtle melon and peach. Soft, round, smooth and tasty as can be.
11. York County Cider
Seasonal Brew: Tequila Ciderita | 6.4 % ABV
This cider is a combo of the fan favorite Strawberry Ciderita and, you guessed it, TEQUILA! Enjoy a combo of strawberry, lime and tequila that just may be better than an actual margarita.
Must Try: Ginger Snap | 6.5% ABV
A staple cider at any time of year, this spicy and refreshing ginger brew deserves a special appearance in your glass this fall.
We hope this blog has helped warm you up to the task of taking a fall brew taste tour in Fredericton! To stay up to date on events, blogs, experiences and packages from local accommodations all created with crafty lovers in mind, check out the Craft Brewing Capital page.
Do you have a must-try, Fredericton made craft beer or cider to share with the world? Let us know in the comments below!
