July 13th, 2010
WINNIPEG, MB – Half Pints Brewery is getting set to release a new seasonal beer next month.
Rigamarole Rye is a rye-based beer that has been aging in oak barrels for several months. It will be release on August 7th at 9:00 AM with a launch party at the brewery, similar to the events held to launch previous limited edition beers such as Sellout Stout and Black IPA.
In other news, David Ridge of Half Pints tells the Winnipeg Free Press that the brewery a pair of 40-barrel tanks, increasing their capacity for the second time in two years. The brewery can now produce 8,000 hectolitres a year, a more than five-fold increase from the of 1,500 hectolitre capacity the brewery had at opening four years ago.
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba· Seasonal Beers
June 8th, 2010
WINNIPEG, MB – In a recent blog post, owner/brewmaster Dave Rudge of Half Pints Brewing mentions that their next limited edition beer, Half Pints Black IPA, will be released on June 19th.
120 cases of 24 bottles will be produced, and they will be put on sale at the brewery at 9 AM, with a limit of one case per person.
Rudge also notes that the base beer for the Black IPA is their Little Scapper IPA, but with “a boatload of finishing hops in the brew and as such is much more aromatic and oily than the regular Scrapper.”
Dave Rudge
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba
March 4th, 2010
WINNIPEG, MB – Named for Winnipeg’s infamous reputation for having some of the worst potholes in the country, Half Pints Brewing is bringing back their spring seasonal Pothole Porter for another year:
This year’s Pothole is aged with toasted oak spirals, and has a lovely dark chocolate finish. It’s just right for soothing your nerves after the drive home where it’s entirely possible you tried to jerk the wheel like a madman while avoiding your rush hour neighbour’s door panels by a half an inch.
And, if by chance you’re one of those tail-gating, cell phone yapping, text sending morons, now is the time the rest of us get our sweet revenge because you can’t see the crater sized opening in the earth below your soon to be replaced front axle. Victory is sweet so we raise this glass of black darkness to you!
Half Pints will be celebrating the release of this year’s edition with a party at The Lo Pub (330 Kennedy, Winnipeg) this coming Saturday, March 6th featuring two kegs of Pothole Porter – one that has been aged for 2 years, the other from the new batch.
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba· Seasonal Beers
February 7th, 2010
WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Free Press reports that Fort Garry Brewing will be shutting down production of Agassiz Catfish Cream Ale, a brand that they’ve been brewing under contract for several years on behalf of New Manitoba Brewing, the company which owns the rights to the Agassiz name and brands.
Once a full-scale brewing operation, the Agassiz brewery was shut down in 2002, and all brands were retired except Catfish, which was brewed for a time at the now defunct Northern Breweries in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, before production was moved to Fort Garry in 2006.
Due to a new contract to brew two house brand beers for the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant in Winnipeg, Fort Garry no longer has the capacity to brew Catfish. According to Joe Constant, a partner in New Manitoba, preliminary talks are underway with breweries in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but he only gives a 50/50 chance of the brand being revived.
Categories:Brewery News· Manitoba
December 23rd, 2009
WINNIPEG, MB – Inspired by accusations by “beer knurds” that they had “sold out” by releasing St. James Pale Ale, a mainstream golden ale that has become the brewery’s top seller, Half Pints Brewing are preparing the jokingly named $ellout $tout for release in the new year.
Set to be put on sale only at the brewery on January 16th, 2010 – a date which is also the 35th birthday of Half Pints owner/brewer David Rudge – $ellout $tout is an imperial stout brewed with jaggery (a type of unrefined cane sugar) that is currently being aged in wooden barrels. It will be available exclusively in 660 ml bottles featuring a label designed by Darren Merinuk, a Winnipeg artist known for designing posters for local concerts.
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba· Seasonal Beers
November 27th, 2009
WINNIPEG, MB – Half Pints Brewing will be holding this year’s edition of their annual Burlywine Day open house on Saturday, December 5th, 2009.
As the name suggests, the day marks the release of their annual winter seasonal, Half Pints Burlywine, and the 2009 vintage will be available for sale and sampling at the brewery. In addition, a limited number of bottles of the 2008 vintage will be available, along with the equally limited Bourbon Burlywine, which is the 2008 version aged on Bourbon soaked French oak chips.
Half Pints is also encouraging all attendees to “bring a tin for the bin” in support of Winnipeg Harvest food bank, and there will be tours and giveaways throughout the day.
Following the launch, Burlywine 2009 will be available at select liquor stores and bars in Manitoba, as well as a few out-of-province locations.
Categories:Beer Events· Beer Releases· Manitoba· Seasonal Beers
October 29th, 2009
WINNIPEG, MB – To celebrate Hallowe’en, Half Pints Brewing have created a special version of their Oktoberfest Lager called Punk N’ Fest, brewed with the addition of pumpkin pie spices.
The beer will be available a the Hallowe’en party taking place a the brewery on Saturday, October 31st. Doors open at 9 AM, and the day will include live entertainment and treats, prizes for best male and best female costumes, a pumpkin carving contest, and more.
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba· Seasonal Beers
August 9th, 2009
WINNIPEG, MB – To mark their upcoming 3rd anniversary, Half Pints Brewing will be releasing a new edition of Humulus Ludicrous, a double IPA that was originally brewed for their first anniversary in 2007.
The beer will be officially launched on Saturday, August 15th with a tasting the brewery. Bottles will be available for purchase, and brewery tours will be offered.
The brewery also notes that Humulus Ludicrous as well as their Burlywine barley wine are both included in World’s Best Beers, an upcoming book compiled by British author Ben McFarland.
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba· Seasonal Beers
July 18th, 2009
WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Free Press reports that Fort Garry Brewing have brought back Folklorama, an ale brewed especially for the annual Folklorama cultural festival:
Last year Fort Garry Brewery introduced a new Folklorama brew for the festival and in its inaugural year sold out all 26,000 pints. The beer has amber tones and light flavour, say Folklarama officials — it sells for $2.60 at the Liquor Marts and for $5.25 at pavilions.
Buyers of Folklorama beer can “Peel to Win” their collector can for a chance to win a trip for two with WestJet. Additional prizes include 10 pairs of Folklorama Tour Visas (unlimited access) for the 2010 festival.
Categories:Beer Releases· Manitoba
July 16th, 2009
WINNIPEG, MB – Half Pints Brewery have shipped several of their beers to eager drinkers in Saskatchewan and BC:
The SLGA is now listing Bulldog Amber Ale and Little Scrapper IPA with more seasonals to come in the near future. Bulldog and Little Scrapper have also been sent to BC, along with St. James Pale Ale and Sweet Nikki Brown, with distribution being handled by Beerthirst.
The brewery has also announced that their sought-after double IPA, Humulus Ludicrous, will be returning on Saturday, August 15th.
Categories:Beer Releases· British Columbia· Manitoba· Saskatchewan· Seasonal Beers
