FREDERICTON, NB – Picaroons Brewing is teaming up with Fredericton’s Garrison District Ale House to launch a new cask ale program.

The first Picaroons beer to be offered using this traditional serving method is a version of the brewery’s award-winning Yippee IPA which has been dry-hopped with Amarillo and Cascade hops. It will tapped at the Garrison at 4:00 PM today (Thursday, February 2nd).

The same beer will also be available in take-home growlers at the Picaroons Brewtique, conveniently located next door to the Garrison in downtown Fredericton.

VANCOUVER, BC

In addition to its house brands Albino Rhino Pale Ale, Albino Rhino Signature Lager and Albino Rhino Wheat Ale – which are brewed under contract by Whistler Brewing for Western Canada locations, and Muskoka Brewery for Ontario – the restaurants are now offering the following:

British Columbia: Phillips Blue Buck Pale Ale, Phillips Slipstream Cream Ale, Howe Sound Devil’s Elbow IPA, Howe Sound King Heffy Wheat Ale
Alberta: Alley Kat Full Moon Pale Ale, Alley Kat Aprikat
Manitoba: Fort Garry Pale Ale, Fort Garry Dark Ale
Saskatchewan: Paddock Wood 606 India Pale Ale
Ontario: Muskoka Brewing Cream Ale, Mill Street Tankhouse Ale, Mill Street Organic Lager, Cameron’s Auburn, Steam Whistle Pilsner

VANCOUVER, BC

The main commemorative beer for the event is Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout from Howe Sound Brewing. Described as “an Imperial ale, inky black, with roast flavors and curious essence of licorice at 10% alc,” Megadestroyer is limited to 700 litres and will available on draught exclusively at Alibi Room, and in bottles at select stores.

Other beers at the event will include:

• 2009 Oud Bruin by Iain Hill, Yaletown Brewing
• 2009 Pothole Filler Imperial Stout by Franco Corno, Howe Sound
• 2010 Old Cellar Dweller Barley Wine by Jason Meyer, Driftwood
• Alibi Dungeon Aged Barley Wine by Derrick Franche, Brewhouse at Whistler
• The Grand Imperial Espresso Stout by Conrad Gmoser, Steamworks
• The Roach IPA by Gary Lohin, Central City
• Thor’s Hammer Barley Wine by Gary Lohin, Central City

The event kicks off at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, with all beers available on a first come first served basis.

VICTORIA, BC

The ban stems from a rule instituted over 50 years ago that banned brewers and distillers from owning “tied houses”, i.e. bars or taverns where their product was sold. The intention was a protect small breweries and distilleries from being blocked from entering the market by larger companies, but Thomas and others argue that the law now has an opposite effect.

Thomas says that he’d like to see the rule relaxed to allow him to offer at least a couple of Lighthouse beers at the bar, but there has been no indication that the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch are considering any changes at this time.

TORONTO, ON

Here’s the description of the book as provided by the publisher, Key Porter Books:

In beerbistro Cookbook, writer Stephen Beaumont and chef Brian Morin show how you can take your beer to a whole new culinary level. Covering everything from getting to know your ales and lagers to appetizers, mains, cheese, beer cocktails, and even beer pastry, first-timers and foodies will find something to whet their appetites and wet their whistles.

Informative sidebars provide tips and hints on everything from how to pour beer to what glassware to pour it into. True-to-life photos will take you behind the scenes to see exactly how these mouth-watering dishes are made. They will make you hungry for more.

Recipes include: Blonde Ale Vegetable Pakoras, Grilled Porter, Pulled Pork Quesadillas, Curried Butternut Squash and Ale Hummus, Drunken Portobello Mushroom Sandwich, The Ultimate Frites, Apple Ale Back Ribs, Navajo Spice Rubbed Oatmeal Stout Chicken, Maudite Onion Confit, Beer Butter Tarts, Beeramisu, Stout Macadamia Nut Brownies, and Beerscream.

TORONTO, ON

The book will retail for $42, but can currently be pre-ordered at Amazon.ca for $25.20.

(Note that the cover image on Amazon.ca, which was previously displayed here, is not the final cover. According to Stephen Beaumont, “It’s still way too early for cover art”.)