What’s Brewing at Some of Fredericton’s Favourite Craft Breweries?
As a longtime appreciator of beer, it took me a bit to come around to the craft beer side. Once this former Keith’s girl tasted a proper IPA, it was a revelation! I *had* to try them ALL! Since I’ve gained an interest in it and have seen the wide array of beer styles and flavours out there, if anyone tells me they don’t like beer, my response is always, “You just haven’t tried the right beer yet”. One reason I remain grateful to live in Fredericton, the Craft Beer Capital of Atlantic Canada, is that so many of the very best imbibables are right here, in my own backyard.
Our local entrebrewneurs have consistently delivered new and increasingly complex flavours and blends, garnering recognition and awards along the way. They’ve not stopped short at being innovative with their beverages, either. There’s new and exciting stuff going on in their spaces too! Many Fredericton adult beverage producers have even gone the extra mile to include local ingredients in their crafty creations. Red Rover Craft Cider has “carefully chosen the best apples NB has to offer” for their Orchard Reserve, and the 506 Pale Ale and Kolsch by Picaroons is brewed with New Brunswick grown grain & hops.
If, like me, it’s been a while since you’ve ventured from your home, protocols have been put in place that make it safe to venture out with your bubble, or roll solo and make new friends between table spaces!
Here’s what’s new, what’s on tap for winter brews, and a taste of some new things percolating among my personal favourite top 3 brewers in the city!
NUMBER 3: Grimross Brewing Co.
WHAT SETS THEM APART
I have long loved this great taproom for how they’ve embraced the live music scene, adapting their space to accommodate fantastic shows, put on in partnership with Roots & Soul Music Promotions. While they’ve made some changes to the taproom since the last time I’ve been there, seemingly to make the best use of the space they have for production in the current (mercifully temporary) absence of live music, the laid-back ambiance remains.
WHAT TO GET BEFORE IT’S GONE
Their specialization in Belgian-inspired beers, with a focus on creating their own unique blends -- it’s rare that they’ve had a “Scratch Batch” that I didn’t love -- and keepin’ it fresh has made them a local favourite for many. Their go-to brews, Cheval D’Or and Maritime Cream Ale among them, are augmented by relevant seasonals. One of my particular favourites among these are the Baltic Porter, a sumptuous dark chocolate treat with cherry and raisin undertones. Terrific flavour with a smooth aftertaste that’s as comforting as a crackling fire on a chilly night (and just as warming, with a higher alcohol content).
One of my other favourites for dark, wintry beers is their Tmavý Pivo (that’s Czech for Dark Beer, pronounced ‘tuh-MA-vee PEE-vo’). If you love a good dark roast coffee, rich chocolate, and that hug-from-the-inside molasses goodness of brown bread, this is such a beautiful beer!
Add to these their other wintry go-to’s – Pugnacious Porter and King’s Horn Vienna Lager -- and you’ve got a righteous 4-pack for a night in, or a tantalizing flight to enjoy while relaxing with your bubble in the taproom.
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Small scale and COVID protocol-compliant live events are back, baby! Trivia nights start back up March 4 and will be happening every Thursday from 7-9PM, and live music is being booked starting in April.
Number 2: Maybee Brewing Company
WHAT SETS THEM APART
For me, Maybee and my #1 on this list are actually more of a tie. From the beginning, they haven’t necessarily stuck to one style of beer, making it an awesome spot to sample, or to get together with friends whose tastes vary as far as their beer preferences. Being able to watch the brewers work away from the taproom is pretty cool too! In February they celebrated being open for 5 years. Time flies when you’re cooking up luscious libations.
There is space for bubbles to have a seat and enjoy their beer fresh from the taps – from a solo sipper with their dog to tables for 2, 4, or bubbles of 6. And what could make that even better? Sipping from your own hand-made pottery stein, of course! While not the only place in town that offers a Mug Club, theirs is the one I know of whose membership is up for renewal as of March 1. Get discounts, access to advance releases, free beer on your birthday, keep your giant pottery mug at the end of your membership term, and more!
WHAT TO GET BEFORE IT’S GONE
One of the first local breweries to do a collaboration with another brewery “from away”, I was so excited to see that Lakeview Amber Ale was on tap! This batch is based on the recipe developed and brewed with Geaghan Brothers from Bangor, ME, and it’s their first to include hops made right here in the area – Lakeview Hops out of Harvey, NB. That pine flavour that gin- and IPA-lovers like me adore serves up a short-lived bitterness that gives way to a clean, crisp sweetness with hints of caramel and pineapple.
Alongside this delicious draught, seasoned pro and flavour powerhouse Stonehouse Tripel, and Black IPA offering Hold Me Closer Tony Danza go very nicely. The latter became a personal favourite thanks to the name alone…then the flavour solidified it.
Newcomer Heard Tell Lager rounded out my flight this trip. It’s rare that I truly enjoy a Pilsener, but this delicious lager is made with Pilsener Malt, and I’m far from mad at it. A light, refreshing brew to cut the heavier, darker options on this girl’s flight was a welcome switch-up!
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO
A nice Saison has been champing at the bit to be birthed, and should be making its way to the taps in the next month or 2. Expansion into the neighbouring space is also expected to be completed in the near future, giving more space for private gatherings and an additional lounge area for sipping with your Steady 10. Food trucks will start up again in April as well, so you can soon enjoy sips and nibbles in the warmth of the springtime sun on the expanded patio space that was added last year!
Shameless Personal Preference Plug: If Maybee can bring back my all-time favourite, the brown kettle sour Owd Bob, this could be the tie-breaker!
HONOURABLE MENTION: Picaroons Roundhouse
Pics is the OG craft brewery around these parts. They’ve grown into the historic Roundhouse space at the Northside base of the walking bridge, and have revolutionized Fredericton’s Patio Season with their amazing pet-friendly Dooryard area overlooking the river! Having an amazing restaurant, 540 North, on-site is another win for the largest taproom in the city. Add to this the newly re-imagined loungey space of the taproom side and you’ve got a triple-threat! Gorgeous caramel-coloured curved leather couches, a new elevated seating area, historic sports equipment and stylishly appropriate light fixtures suspended from the ceiling, and local art available on consignment makes this space feel equal parts hugely spacious and comfy-cozy. Your bubble will be well comfortable here, any season.
Their Winter Warmer is their take on a barley wine, and its popularity as a mainstay on the craft beer scene speaks for itself. A dark and smooth glass of roasty-toasty goodness is exactly what the doctor ordered!
Picaroons is also the exclusive distributor of Fredericton Taproom Trail BrewBucks, the new craft currency that can be used at any of the taprooms across the city! Available in $5-$20 denominations, pick up your BBs and set off on an adventure to explore the city on the 10 participating locations on the awesome Fredericton Taproom Trail network, while getting a taste of the craft life with your friends! Fat bike, regular bikes, 2 feet and a heartbeat – you can tackle any amount of the #FredTapTrail on any given day, any way you like. Get your Tap Trail map, get a stamp with every pitstop you make, and turn them in at The Joyce downtown for amazing Tap Trail swag!
NUMBER 1: TrailWay Brewing Co.
WHAT SETS THEM APART
I remember when TrailWay launched at King Street 5 Decembers ago. I wasn’t a stout-lover, and their Whitney Coffee Stout made me a true believer. Their specialization in IPAs inspired by popular craft beer makers in SoME (southern Maine) was where they found their niche, and seeing them grow from there has been enormously gratifying. As a hops-lover, gimme IPAs and sours and I’m a happy lady. Seeing so many new iterations that aren’t as heavy on the hops means great options for non-hops-lovers too!
WHAT TO GET BEFORE IT’S GONE
Rotating seasonal options and newcomers always make for more reasons to visit regularly, so you’re never missing out on what’s new. Today’s lineup has some options I’ve not seen, not having been here in a while. I’m intrigued by Ramifications, one of the German-style offerings they’ve had on tap following last year’s Oktoberfest success. It’s a Helles, a crisp, malty-sweet offer not far-off from the Pilsener territory (which Yada Yada has covered at TrailWay). Who’d have thought? 2 pleasant Pilsener-adjacent surprises in one day! Another German offering, Alternate Side, is up on the board as well.
Next on my flight is Threads, a new Sour that does not disappoint! To quote Luke, it’s: “Sour, but not so sour that the second pint hurts”. It’s their first sour IPA, and features citrus and peach flavours in abundance.
Right alongside a great sour or IPA, I love a good collaboration, and De L’Autre Boutte to Here is simply a fantastic one! TrailWay’s collab with Lagabière brought about this flavourful DDH (Double Dry-Hopped) IPA. If you’ve never heard of Lagabière Brasserie Artisanale either, they’re based across the border in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC. A delicious bit of crafty heaven, and a nice cross-border union.
Last but not least, the Voyager DDH DIPA (Double IPA) made with Galaxy hops and a bit of Citra has become so popular that friends from outside the province put in orders with their friends to pick some up when it’s available – the mark of a great option when there’s near-and-far demand like that!
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO
With TrailWay’s 5-year taproom anniversary coming up, and the success of previous years’ block parties and Oktoberfest, I have no doubt this Northside darling will continue to create new opportunities for safe AND fun gatherings, any time of year.
Fredericton’s breweries have demonstrated huge staying power overall, quickly becoming *the* gathering place for beer lovers, dog lovers, boardgame lovers, cycling enthusiasts, and everyone in between! The businesses listed are in no way the only options around town, they just happen to be my personal favourites. Take a trip on the Fredericton Taproom Trail to discover your own new favourites, and experience Fredericton in a whole new way!
