Hart and Thistle Brewer's Blog

Madman - IPA

2012-01-08T20:06:00.003-04:00

Born on January 10th 2012

Our latest creation hits the taps Tuesday January 10th 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

Madman India Pale Ale is hoppy as balls.

Weighing in at a mere 7.0% ABV and 75 IBUs, the Madman is heavily hopped with Palisade throughout the boil with a little Cascade thrown in for good measure then dry-hopped with insane amounts of Citra. It sports all the lovely qualities we look for in an IPA; dank, juicy deliciousness.

Enjoy!

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.2 P/1.071
IBUs ~ 75
Hop Rate – 6.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.0 %
Hops - Palisade, Citra, Cascade
Colour ~ 7.8 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Munich, Crystal 15, Carastan

Rocket Man - DIPA

2012-01-05T21:48:00.003-04:00

Born on January 5th 2012

Introducing...

Rocket Man, a Double India Pale Ale

Rocket Man is brewed exclusively with Cascade hops weighing in at 186 IBUs and 8.0% ABV. Hammered with 8.5 lbs per barrel of hops you really should drop in for a true taste of the Cascade cultivar.

On tap now!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.5 P/1.072
IBUs ~ 186
Hop Rate – 8.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.0 %
Hops - Cascade
Colour ~ 6.9 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Munich, Crystal 15

Imperial ESB Collaboration Ale

2011-12-07T22:41:00.001-04:00

Well folks, myself and Bobby Zacharias of Propeller Brewing Company teamed up in a mind-meld to come up with a signature beer that represents both the Hart and Thistle and Propeller Brewing Company proudly. It's like no other beer that has been brewed in either brewery before yet is a perfect representation of both our styles.

Packaged in limited run, 500 ml ceramic-screened commemorative bottles, this one's a keeper!

Imperial ESB Collaboration Ale sports the meaty body, colour and firm bitterness of Propeller's delicious flagship ESB. Add a little touch of Nash into the mix for an unfiltered, mind-twisting 8.5% ABV with some heavy-handed late and dry-hopping and voila! Imperial ESB Collaboration Ale will rock your world.

Launching at the Hart and Thistle Tuesday December 13th @ 5:30 p.m.

After the launch the beer will be available at Propeller, on draught at the Hart and Thistle, and in bottles at select local private agency liquor stores.

We anticipate it selling out in a hurry so get on it before it disappears!

Cocoa Hops rev 1.10197 - IBA

2011-11-12T16:51:00.003-04:00

Born on November 12th 2011

On tap now at the pub we have our latest revision of India Brown Ale - Cocoa Hops! It's a perfect combination with our lovely fall weather sporting hop forward flavours and a solid malt backbone hinting of its dark chocolate colour. Get on it!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 16.4 P/1.067
IBUs ~ 100
Hop Rate – 6.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.4 %
Hops - Citra, Columbus, Cascade
Colour ~ 23 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Dextrin, Carastan, Melanoidin, Carafa III

Hyperhidrosis - DIPA

2011-10-30T19:51:00.007-03:00

Born on October 31st 2011

Okay folks, here's our latest double IPA hop bomb whipped up with some of those very special hops utilized in the one and only, the luscious - Hop Mess Monster v.2.0. You know the ones..... they smell like armpits and taste like sweat! No wait, my beers aren't the slightest bit salty! Really though, it's only a certain team of professional beer judges that could possibly pull comments like that out of their ass (see below).WTF does sweat taste like anyways, besides salty I mean?

And so here it is..... Hyperhidrosis DIPA, a pit-bomb brewed for and dedicated to the judging team at the 2011 Canadian Brewing Awards. Yup, you guys that sat in on the first round DIPA judging table. 0_o Oh and I have a tip for the judges too, the next time the crack of your ass is getting all wet and sweaty go ahead and have a big ol' lick, maybe, just maybe that will help get your palate in check.

Hyperhidrosis is tawny, dank and delicious with that long lupulin-draw we all seek and crave so get on it while it's fresh!

On tap Monday October 31st @ 11:00 a.m.

Enjoy!

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.8 P/1.073
IBUs ~ 100+ (293 theoretical)
Hop Rate – 7.3 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.5 %
Hops - ?? and ?? (Cannot.Divulge.Secret.Sweat.Hops.)
Colour ~ 5.5 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Munich

For any amateur brewers out there wanting to enter your beers in a competition for the sake of gaining valuable feedback from judges comments and score sheets, you may want to think again although I expect you'd see more professional and qualified results even at the homebrewing level. What you see below are the results from a National competition for professional brewers that pay a lot of money to vie for a medal. Just sayin'.

And now, on to the goods - the judges comment sheets from the 2011 Canadian Brewing Awards for North America's hoppiest beer ever brewed (that's right, I said hoppiest. Not the most bitter, that is after all, an entirely different thing), the one and only Hop Mess Monster v.2.0.

Click on the thumbnails...

Irreverence - Harvest Ale

2011-10-05T20:29:00.003-03:00

Born on October 8th 2011

Joining the party Saturday October 8th @ 2:00 p.m. for Nash Bash 2011...

Irreverence - Harvest Ale, a wet-hopped red ale.

Harvest season is upon us and with it comes the wet-hop harvest ales. I may be the last one in the region to release my wet-hop harvest ale but I'm sure you'll agree it was worth the wait. That's right, you can taste the fresh hops in this one. Irreverence. It's not the hoppiest harvest ale I've made but the fresh hops do come through nicely, a great quaff with lovely balance, superb aromatics and flavours hinting toward its deep colour.

Now I don't know about you folks but come this Saturday I'm going to be a bit disrespectful and drink it! There's no better way to celebrate the hop harvest and the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.5 P/1.060
IBUs ~ 50
Hop Rate – 16.4 lbs/bbl (wet weight)
ABV - 6.0 %
Hops - Cascade, Chinook
Colour ~ 14.7 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 70, Munich, Melanoidin
Adjuncts - Roasted barley

Brewmasters Birthday - Nash Bash 2011

2011-10-01T11:29:00.003-03:00

Saturday Oct. 8th 2011 - 2:00pm 'til Close

The good folks down at the Hart and Thistle have decided to graciously honour my 29th birthday (again) by offering up some fantastic beer-inspired food and I'll add to the fun by tapping some Ghosts Of Beers Past so come on down for a taste of the elixir. Nash Bash 2011 will showcase beer and food with balls!

We will also be blessed with several hours of live entertainment from our handsome, talented friends and local superstars - Bruce and Jay MacKinnon commencing at 3:00pm.

We start Saturday at 2:00pm when we'll be tapping our first Ghost Beer. At 5:00pm we'll be tapping a keg or two of the one and only, the elusive and delightful, the flavourful and ballsy Hop Mess Monster v.2.0 - Imperial Pale Ale aka Messie. The aged and luscious Commissar RIS will also make an appearance along with a few more wicked treats.

Should be a blast so come on down folks!

The Schwarz - Porter

2011-09-28T09:47:00.001-03:00

Born on September 27th 2011

On tap today at the pub we have our latest - 'The Schwarz' porter. It's an easy drinking black brew, roasty with a clean clean finish derived from a cold fermentation and conditioning period. May The Schwarz be with you!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.4 P/1.059
IBUs ~ 35
Hop Rate – 0.7 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.8 %
Hops - Citra, Cascade
Colour ~ 32 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Carastan, Black patent, Carafa III, Munich

High Voltage - DIPA

2011-09-06T23:31:00.000-03:00

Born on September 7th 2011

Ladies and gentlemen,

The moment you've been waiting for! Introducing.....

High Voltage - Double India Pale Ale

Here we have our latest, greatest hop bomb headed straight for your glass so watch out. Yup, I did it again - covered up all the flaws in my beer with hops! Thank god for hops otherwise my beers would be, well, hopless! Thankfully this isn't the case as you'll want to soon see (and taste) for yourself. This is one glorious hop bomb so be sure to head on down to the pub for the lupulin rush you've been craving while it's fresh and dirty.

On tap Wednesday Sept 7th @ high noon. Get on it!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 16.8 P/1.069
IBUs ~ 100+ (265 calculated)
Hop Rate – 8.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.8 %
Hops - Citra, Cascade, Columbus
Colour ~ 6.8 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Crystal

Weezen Hammer - Weizen

2011-08-28T21:21:00.010-03:00

Born on August 29th 2011

The Gingerman.... I mean.... Ji Hombre ginger Saison is gonzo, sold out! On it's heels we have another slightly unusual yet extremely tasty weizen, introducing...

Weezen Hammer

On tap at the pub Monday August 29th at 11:00 a.m.

Fermented with Lallemand's Munich yeast Weezen Hammer is full, round and soft with a nice tartness delivered by the malted wheat. Enjoy our last week of summer by getting on it!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13.7P/1.056
IBU's - 13
Hop Rate – 0.085 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.0 %
Hops - Nugget
Colour – 5.0 SRM
Malts - Wheat, 2-row, Melanoidin

Immaculate Concoction - APA

2011-08-16T19:29:00.004-03:00

Born on August 18th 2011

Hitting the taps at the brewpub on Thursday August 18th @ high noon we have....

Immaculate Concoction - American Pale Ale

My latest release is an APA of stunning proportions. Hopped to double the levels of most Canadian IPAs at 5.0 lbs per barrel this is one tasty little morsel for the beer-heads. Hell even common folk might find it enjoyable clocking in at a tiny yet mighty 44 IBUs and 5.7% ABV.

Find god through beer.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 13.4 P/1.055
IBUs ~ 44
Hop Rate – 5.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.7 %
Hops - Columbus, Cascade, Citra, Nugget
Colour ~ 6.8 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Carastan, Dextrin

In your glass, again.

Ji Hombre - Saison

2011-08-11T19:43:00.020-03:00

Born on August 12th 2011

Ji Hombre ginger Saison hits the taps tomorrow Friday, August 12th at high noon. This beer truly is a culinary delight.

Fermented with a classic French yeast strain that's full of character, dubbed '3711' by Wyeast and rumoured to be from a tiny craft brewery in France - Brasserie Thiriez.

I am however working on making it Halifax's own Saison yeast strain, I've kept this going since last years La Souris Saison with a little help from some trusty Chlorine Dioxide and a local homebrewer - Mr. X (nobody really knows who he is), kudos for the help! He worked up the original slurry and brought me the yeast cake from his 10 gallon batch. After re-pitching batch to batch I wintered the yeast cake from Orange Sunshine Saison and gave it back to him this spring, he meticulously worked it up again, washed it up and brought back another cake from his 10 gallon batch. I made a starter out of it with 22 lbs of LME (liquid malt extract) in 60 L H2O then dumped 650 L of wort on top of it at high krausen the following day. Good times! I intend to keep this going for years to come so it'll be fun to see how it changes over time, or not.

For those not familiar with Chlorine Dioxide yeast washing or proper yeast management techniques, you can learn more about it here and here.

I hammered Ji Hombre with fresh ginger in the kettle and again in the finished beer so if you don't like ginger stay away! Citra hops were used for bittering then it was heavily hop-bursted during the last 5 minutes with both Amarillo and Cascade for added punch. The beer is intensely fruity, citrusy, spicy, bready, silky, peppery and gingery all at the same time, fruit and ginger dominate. If you like food with flavour you'll love this French-Spanish-Ginger Saison.

Please enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13.2 P/1.053
IBU's - 18
Hop Rate – 2.2 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.3 %
Hops - Citra, Amarillo, Cascade
Colour – 4.6 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Munich

YEAST STRAIN: 3711 | French Saison
A very versatile strain that produces Saison or farmhouse style biers as well as other Belgian style beers that are highly aromatic (estery), peppery, spicy and citrusy. This strain enhances the use of spices and aroma hops, and is extremely attenuative but leaves an unexpected silky and rich mouthfeel. This strain can also be used to re-start stuck fermentations or in high gravity beers.

Ji Hombre!

The Preacher Man's Wife - IPA

2011-07-29T23:01:00.002-03:00

Born on July 29th 2011

On tap NOW at the Hart and Thistle....

The Preacher Man's Wife India Pale Ale is a brew of immaculate and tasty proportions. Brewed with the tiniest handful of the lovely Citra hop cultivar with their low cohumulone content for bittering make for a smooth well integrated brew. The rest of the brew has been pummeled with 50% Cascade and 50% Columbus cultivars, and finally the wort was fermented with Nottingham ale yeast creating something really fucking tasty so get on it, take your best shot at evangelical drinking.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 16.3 P/1.067
IBUs ~ 70
Hop Rate – 3.9 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.0 %
Hops - Citra, Columbus, Cascade
Colour ~ 6.8 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Crystal 15, Munich, Dextrin

Preacher Man's Daughter - Hefeweizen

2011-07-23T10:32:00.004-03:00

Born On July 22nd 2011

Introducing...

The Preacher Man's Daughter.

On tap now at the brewpub - A unique weizen with a full, soft, well rounded, luscious and tart profile. A perfect quaffer for our 2 weeks of summer so get on it while it's hot.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13.2P/1.053
IBU's - 11
Hop Rate – 0.08 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.8 %
Hops - Nugget
Colour – 6.6 SRM
Malts - Wheat, Pale Ale, Munich, Melanoidin

Son of A Preacher Man - IPA

2011-07-13T09:37:00.001-03:00

Born On July 13th 2011

Son Of A Preacher Man - India Pale Ale hits the taps today, Wednesday July 13th 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Our latest IPA is infused with copious amounts of the Citra, Columbus and Cascade hop cultivars with a malty backbone to balance it out. All praise the Preacher Man.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 16.1 P/1.066
IBUs ~ 67
Hop Rate – 3.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.0 %
Hops - Citra, Columbus, Cascade
Colour ~ 6.6 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Carastan, Munich, Dextrin, Crystal 15

Catholic School Girl - Saison

2011-07-05T15:57:00.002-03:00

Born On Tuesday July 5th 2011

Catholic School Girl Saison hits the taps today, Tuesday July 5th at 5:00 p.m. It's a farmhouse style ale brewed with loads of Citra and Amarillo hops, fresh ginger and a ton of oatmeal. Intensely fruity and spicy at the same time with a refreshing somewhat dry finish. Have at 'er before or after a brief chat with the Preacher Man IPA.

As always, please enjoy responsibly.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13.3 P/1.054
IBU's - 24
Hop Rate – 2.1 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.3 %
Hops - Citra, Amarillo, Newport
Colour – 6.3 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 75
Adjuncts - Flaked Oats

Preacher Man - IPA

2011-06-26T22:38:00.005-03:00

Born on June 27th 2011

Preacher Man - India Pale Ale hits the taps at 11:00 a.m. Monday June 27th.

This is a little beauty of a beer brewed in classic West Coast tradition, read LOTS of hops. I threw some redneck calculations into my spreadsheet for a big pale ale and voila. Technically an IPA albeit a little one at 5.5% ABV, bittered to double IPA levels with calculated IBUs at 83 and hop-bursted to IPA levels at 3.5 lbs per barrel it's a refreshing little quaffer with some insanely satisfying qualities.

Everyone needs a little chat with the Preacher Man now and then so come on down!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 13.6 P/1.055
IBUs ~ 83
Hop Rate – 3.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.5 %
Hops - Citra, Nugget, Amarillo
Colour ~ 7.0 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Carastan, Munich, Dextrin, Melanoidin

Citra Nation - DIPA

2011-06-14T13:43:00.004-03:00

Born on June 14th 2011

Citra Nation - Double India Pale Ale hits the taps today, Tuesday June 14th @ 5:00 pm. Brewed with ALL Citra hops, this is another single hop San Diego style DIPA with a fairly simple malt bill to let the hops shine through. Deliciously zesty!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.8P/1.073
IBUs ~ 100
Hop Rate – 5.7 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.0 %
Hops - Citra
Colour ~ 5.6 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Munich

Tony Danza - Stock Ale

2011-06-04T12:39:00.004-03:00

Born on June 5th 2011

Tony Danza stock ale hits the taps at the pub Sunday June 5th at 11:00 a.m. This brew is similar to the one and only 1913 Stock Ale, except I've changed up the malts, and changed the hops, and the ABV is higher, and the... well okay, it's a totally different beer, but it tastes and feels similar. Being the little beer that it is, the 65 IBUs make it quite refreshing so get on it while the sun is shining!

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 15.3P/1.062
IBUs ~ 65
Hop Rate – 1.8 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.3 %
Hops - Palisade, Newport
Colour ~ 8.5 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 150, Munich

Messie Reigns...

2011-06-03T23:42:00.004-03:00

Ladies and gents...

The public have spoken...

Hop Mess Monster V.2.0 has SOLD OUT! This has been an epic response, selling out in almost half the time of any beer I've tapped at the Hart and Thistle. 7 days of bliss.

An overwhelming response to a stunning and epic beer, most likely the best I have ever made. I am totally humbled. Thank you!

Hop Mess Monster v.2.0 - ImPA

2011-05-21T14:46:00.019-03:00

Born on May 27th 2011

On tap Friday May 27th 2011 at 5:00 p.m. we have the final release in the I.S. Series:

Hop Mess Monster v2.0' - Imperial Pale Ale.

Doubling the meager yet mighty 533 theoretical IBUs of the original Monster, v.2.0 clocks in at 1066 theoretical IBUs with a lighter but equally satisfying 9.2% ABV. The beer has been marred with pure hopdonkulous deliciousness and insanity, just because we can. Messie reigns as Canada's most aggressively hopped beer, possibly the hoppiest beer the world has seen but honestly who cares. The beer wasn't designed to win any contests, rather for the full-on unforgettable experience of palate-numbing, artery dilating quantities of iso-alpha-acids and hop oils in your glass that you won't soon forget. This is insanity sauce.

Brewing the Monster was a challenging process with tremendous wort loss, there were no extracts used. It's been infused with hop pellets as well as whole hops throughout each stage of the brewing process totaling just over 18.5 pounds per barrel. The beer is a testament to just how wonderful these glorious flowers can be when properly utilized - it's been mash-hopped, first-wort-hopped, bitter-hopped, flavour-hopped, aroma-hopped, hop-bursted and dry-hopped again and again, no matter what you call it, there's a ton of hops in there. And in case you're wondering why I've downgraded the ABV to 9.2% from the 11% ABV of the original last year it's because I couldn't fit any more malt in the mash-tun, it was literally full to the top with the massive quantities of hops added.

For the nay-sayers out there:
If you don't like hops I honestly don't care, in fact, nobody does. You don't see me commenting on your blogs asking why the hell you've used so much dairy product in your chowder, why so many peppers in your Szechuan dishes or what the hell you think you're doing deconstructing and bastardizing classic French cuisine. Nor will you find me shitting on your parade for infusing a ton of anchovies into some insane creation because I dislike them. Food has no boundaries once you break away from traditional classics, beer is food. Think about it.

Messie v.2.0 is a liquid hop delivery vehicle exactly as it was intended to be. Yes, I like my food with flavour.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 19.8 P/1.082
IBU's - 100+ (1066 theoretical)
Hop Rate - 18.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 9.2 %
Colour ~ 7 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Munich
Hops - Chinook, Citra, Columbus, Nugget, Summit, Amarillo

In your glass, again!

Fire & Rain - Smoked Porter

2011-05-19T23:53:00.001-03:00

Born on May 20th 2011

Fire & Rain - Smoked Porter

Our latest hits the taps Friday May 20th at 11:00 a.m. It's black and smokey from the infusion of beechwood smoked malt, black malt and roasted barley. Dark caramel malt lends a richness that keeps calling you back in for another sip. After 40 days of maritime rain this dark brew instills the will to live so get on it! Ale's what cures ya.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.8P/1.060
IBUs ~ 29
Hop Rate – 0.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.0 %
Hops - Newport
Colour ~ 39 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 150, Black Patent, Munich, Rauch (smoked)
Adjuncts - Roasted Barley

Messie Returns....

2011-05-11T13:54:00.001-03:00

Well folks as unbelievable as this may seem, the one and only Hop Mess Monster has been spotted near the Halifax waterfront again and this time she's been eating steroids!

Ugly as all get-out and as tasty as a lupulin gland could possibly be, the Monster returns with a serious vengeance, and soon. Clearly the first incarnation of Messie wasn't hoppy enough with a subtle 11 lbs per barrel hop-rate and a meager 533 calculated theoretical IBUs. Hop Mess Monster v.2.0 sports stunning proportions of hopdonkulous lupulicious goodness for each and every one of us - doubling the original it clocks in at a mind-twisting, palette-numbing 1066 calculated theoretical IBUs with an unheard of 18.5 pounds per barrel hop-rate. For the homebrewers out there that's over 3.5 lbs of hops per 23 L of beer.

Prepare your palettes for something you won't soon forget.

Stay tuned.....

From the Summer 2010 Issue of Taps - Canada's Beer Magazine

Tiny Dancer - IPA

2011-04-29T22:12:00.015-03:00

Born on April 30th 2011

And now, the continuation of the Insanity Sauce Series with installment II....

Tiny Dancer is a single hop India Pale Ale of tiny proportions, well mostly. Okay okay, it's tiny by comparison to some IPAs you'll find crafted at the Hart and Thistle. But don't let the lack of calculated IBUs or the meager 6.4% ABV fool you, Tiny Dancer is packin' a mighty and flavourful punch from copious amounts of the Glacier hop cultivar being infused during its inception. I have to say, for a smaller IPA there's a lot going on in this beer. Wonderfully complex with layers of flavours, so much so that one might say it's insane. Think green tea, honey, candy, citrus, grass, blossoms, spices and herbs. Hold me closer.

As with any beer, this is not suitable for consumption at a royal wedding so get that idea out of your head right now.

Tiny Dancer hits the taps Saturday April 30th at 11:00 a.m.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.8P/1.060
IBUs ~ 57
Hop Rate – 4.4 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.4 %
Hops - Glacier
Colour ~ 6 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Dextrin, Melanoidin

Insanity Sauce Series

2011-04-29T14:32:00.003-03:00

1814 Porter is gonzo, sold out! Too bad, it was really tasty and well-loved, oh well. Moving forward as always I may have to make another black beer soon. Never look back.

I'll have the next installment of the Insanity Sauce Series on tap shortly so stay tuned for the details on that one. And most importantly - thanks for drinking!!

Hoptacular - IIPA

2011-04-19T18:01:00.007-03:00

Born on April 21st 2011

The Insanity Sauce Series [ISS] begins. Right here, right now.

Hoptacular double India Pale Ale launches Thursday April 21st @ high noon in a spectacular display of fiery hop-goodness-in-a-glass. My first version of insanity sauce is sure to satisfy like a volcano of hops in your mouth. Hopped at a rate of 7.8 lbs per barrel with calculated theoretical international bittering units of 425 and a mind-numbing 8.6% ABV, Hoptacular IIPA might just alter life as you know it forever. The beer is all about balance.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 18.5P/1.076
IBUs ~ 100+ (425 calculated)
Hop Rate – 7.8 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.6 %
Hops - Summit, Newport, Chinook, Columbus
Colour ~ 7.3 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Carastan, Dextrin, Melanoidin

Maritime Malt Bomb - IPA

2011-03-27T12:16:00.003-03:00

Born on March 29th 2011

Ladies and gentlemen, back by popular demand....

....we have another India Pale Ale of gigantic and tasty proportions. 'Maritime Malt Bomb' IPA is yet another SMaSH brew, this time around the 2-row malted barley being 100% Maritime grown taking us one step closer to an all local product.

I've utilized a variety of hop cultivars on this one technically making it a different sort of SMaSH, the 'Single Malt and Several Hop' sort. Now, some of you that are familiar with my IPAs might be wondering what on earth I am doing calling it a malt bomb and an IPA in the same sentence. The fact is this is a dedicated maritime malt beer as well as a bomb, a 7 lb per barrel calculated theoretical 279 IBU hop-bomb to be more precise. And so there we have it, Maritime Malt Bomb hits the taps this Tuesday March 29th at 4:00pm. Prepare yourself for a hop-bombing. So fresh, so hoppy, so luscious.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.2P/1.071
IBUs ~ 100+ (279 calculated)
Hop Rate – 7.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.0 %
Hops - Glacier, Newport, Nugget, Columbus
Colour ~ 7.5 SRM
Malts - 2-Row

In your glass....

1814 Porter

2011-03-21T13:46:00.005-03:00

Born on March 22nd 2011

On October 17th 1814, over 1,470,000 L of Porter at the Horse Shoe Brewery burst out of several vats flooding streets in St. Giles Parish, London, England. The tsunami of black beer destroyed several buildings and eight people lost their lives. Read the complete and incredibly detailed account of the disaster right here.

To commemorate this horrific loss of life and beer we have '1814 Porter' on tap at the pub Tuesday March 22nd at high noon.

The complete recipe for this beer is posted right here.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.8P/1.060
IBUs ~ 36
Hop Rate – 1.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.3 %
Hops - Celeia, Summit
Colour ~ 29 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Carastan, Munich, Melanoidin, Black Patent, Carafa III

- The London Beer Flood Wiki right here.
- Excellent read on the history of Porter from Michael Jackson right here.

It's Hoppy Tuesday

2011-03-15T13:51:00.008-03:00

It's Tuesday again folks and you know what that means. Okay maybe some of you don't know - every Tuesday evening from 5:00pm until close the Hart & Thistle handcrafted beers are discounted by $2 per glass. We also have some great munchie specials to pair up with the beers on the cheap. This incredible phenomenon is commonly known as 'Hoppy Tuesday'.

Tonight I'm tapping something special for y'all - an aged keg of the one and only Doppelgänger imperial smoked porter fortified with Smokehead single malt scotch whiskey which was originally tapped last October, now don't go too crazy on it, it's 9% ABV. Read more about the beer from my original post here.

Some of you may have been expecting to see the new all Cascade IPA on tap but... Houston, we have a problem! There's a god-damned bug in my beer so I put it straight down the drain. The English ale yeast strain I used decided it was time for a little diacetyl-bomb action. I suspect I picked up a bug along the way somewhere which, can happen to the best of us when least expected. Meanwhile please accept my apologies for the lack of hops on tap until I can have the next upcoming beers conditioned and on tap in a week or so. After all, life is far too short to drink mediocre beer.

At the Taps

2011-03-12T19:24:00.001-04:00

Hop Storm has sold out! That was 17.5 days of bliss-in-a-glass.

Oh well, we'll have something new and tasty on tap in the coming days so stay tuned....

Hop Storm - DIPA

2011-02-21T11:13:00.005-04:00

Born on February 22nd 2011

HOP STORM eminent - Lupulin warning in effect

At the taps Tuesday Feb 22nd 2011 at 5:00pm we have 'Hop Storm' double India Pale Ale. This is another SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hop) brew, but not really - the new hop utilized here 'Falconer's Flight' is actually a blend of several hops including Simcoe, Citra, Sorachi Ace, a new numbered only hop cultivar and several other Northwest varieties.

Hammered with 7 lbs of hops per barrel, this is a massive, massive taste of the new hop blend that doesn't disappoint. If you like hops, be sure to get on this one.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 18.5P/1.077
IBUs ~ 100+ (235 calculated)
Hop Rate – 7.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.7 %
Hops - Falconer's Flight
Colour ~ 7.5 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale

Hopunion LLC will be contributing proceeds from each Falconer’s Flight™ purchase to the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation. The unique hop blend was created to honor and support the legacy of Northwest brewing legend, Glen Hay Falconer, more info below.

It is with great pleasure that Hopunion LLC announces the release of Falconer’s Flight™, an exclusive proprietary hop blend created to honor and support the legacy of Northwest brewing legend, Glen Hay Falconer.

In celebration of Glen’s cutting edge style and the ever-evolving nature of the craft beer industry, Hopunion has developed Falconer’s Flight™. This novel proprietary pellet blend is comprised of many of the Northwest’s most unique hop varieties and is perfect for any Northwest-style IPA. Each hop has been hand selected for its superior aromatic qualities, imparting distinct tropical, citrus, floral, lemon and grapefruit tones.

To honor Glen and support his legacy, Hopunion LLC will be contributing proceeds from each Falconer’s Flight™ purchase to the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation.

Falconer's Flight™ is a proprietary pellet blend comprised of many of the Northwest's most premier hop varieties including the highly acclaimed Citra™ and Simcoe® along with experimental hops and numerous other NW varieties.

Usage: Dual (great bittering qualities and fantastic aroma profile)
Description: Tropical Fruit, Citrus, floral, lemon and Grapefruit character
Alpha Acid: 10.5%
Beta Acid: 4.3%
Cohumulone: 27%

Bacon-Off 2011 Recap

2011-02-09T10:48:00.003-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen....

And the BIG PIG Trophy goes to.....
Alan McKay with his 'classic' bacon! That's right, no crazy flavours just plain old good bacon. I heard that was some good shit. However, I didn't get a taste! Ya hear me Alan? Congratulations brother, a well deserved win, but be warned - I'll be gunnin' for you next year. You can follow more of Alan's charcuterie adventures on his blog right here: http://www.urbanhippy.ca/

Both 2nd and third places both went to yours truly! 2nd place for my Cinnamon bacon and 3rd place for my Rosemary bacon.

A 3rd entry from yours truly was decided as the 'Brewnosers Choice' for my Carribean Bacon.

Congratulations again to Allan and everyone else involved. I'm looking forward to seeing you all make total pigs of yourselves again next year! Extra big thanks to the Brewnosers Beer Appreciation Club and of course the team of judges; Jeff Pinhey, Zane Kelsall, Bruce Keith and John Carpenter.

Here's a couple action shots from the event. Click on the photos to enlarge...

Bent - Brown Ale

2011-02-07T14:53:00.004-04:00

Born on February 8th 2011

Our latest brew to hit the taps on Tuesday February 8th at 4:00pm is 'Bent', a wee brown ale infused with Guatemalan Finca La Soledad and the rare Ethiopian Wollondi espresso beans. Huge kudos go to Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters and Zane of Two If By Sea Cafe for hooking us up with these fabulous coffees.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.6P/1.059
IBUs ~ 19
Hop Rate – 0.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.0 %
Hops - Celeia
Colour ~ 21 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Carastan, Crystal 150, Chocolate, Carafa III, Dextrine (CaraPils)
Other - Guatemalan Finca La Soledad, Ethiopian Wollondi Coffee Beans

At the Taps...

2011-02-06T16:02:00.007-04:00

Well folks, our 90 Degree IPA sold out last night! A sad sad day indeed. All is not lost though, we still have the delicious Commissar RIS on tap.

On Deck we have a new Brown Ale infused with some very special coffee beans that will be coming online within the next couple days.

Behind that we have another monstrous DIPA SMaSH brew, this time brewed with the recently released hop blend from Hop Union - Falconer's Flight. Calculated to 235 IBUs and pummeled with over 5 lbs/bbl we are going to have a true taste test of this new hop blend.

Here's some info about the new hop blend to chew on while we're waiting....

It is with great pleasure that Hopunion LLC announces the release of Falconer’s Flight™, an exclusive proprietary hop blend created to honor and support the legacy of Northwest brewing legend, Glen Hay Falconer.

In celebration of Glen’s cutting edge style and the ever-evolving nature of the craft beer industry, Hopunion has developed Falconer’s Flight™. This novel proprietary pellet blend is comprised of many of the Northwest’s most unique hop varieties and is perfect for any Northwest-style IPA. Each hop has been hand selected for its superior aromatic qualities, imparting distinct tropical, citrus, floral, lemon and grapefruit tones.

To honor Glen and support his legacy, Hopunion LLC will be contributing proceeds from each Falconer’s Flight™ purchase to the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation.

Falconer's Flight™ is a proprietary pellet blend comprised of many of the Northwest's most premier hop varieties including the highly acclaimed Citra™ and Simcoe® along with experimental hops and numerous other NW varieties.

Usage: Dual (great bittering qualities and fantastic aroma profile)
Description: Tropical Fruit, Citrus, floral, lemon and Grapefruit character
Alpha Acid: 10.5%
Beta Acid: 4.3%
Cohumulone: 27%

Bacon-Off 2011

2011-02-02T11:00:00.012-04:00

We're hosting Halifax's 1st Bacon-Off on Tuesday Feb 8^th 2011 7:30pm at the pub! That's right, a bacon-making competition. Imagine, sweet sweet bacon coming in any flavour you can imagine, cured with spices, herbs, exotic sugars or infused with your favorite booze.

Grab some pork belly, cure it, smoke it, bring it. It's just that simple!

Entry guidelines:

- Must be pork belly bacon.
- Entries should be turned in by 6:30pm

- Submit a minimum 1 lb 'chunk' unsliced bacon
- Up to 4 different bacons per person may be entered

- No commercially sold bacon permitted

- Competition is open to all, from the pro Chef to home Charcuterie nut

- Pork belly must be federally inspected meat

Judging will be based on flavour, salt/sugar balance, appearance and creativity with the main focus based on overall impression.

* One of our chefs will prepare all entries for judging

* 4 Judges will determine the overall winner

* Brewnosers Choice Award as selected by members of the Brewnosers beer appreciation club

* Winner receives bragging rights (come on, it's bacon!) and of course - the trophy for your mantle

From the latest issue of MacLean's Magazine:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/01/no-holding-the-bacon/

No holding the bacon

Demand and prices are soaring. Even the pork-belly futures market is at risk.
by Nancy Macdonald on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 9:00am

Maybe it was the Wendy’s Baconator, an alarmingly thick hamburger packed with six strips of bacon, with sales of over 25 million in the first two months after its debut in 2007. Or it could have been Baconnaise: yes, that’s bacon-infused mayonnaise. Whatever the cause, by the time the recipe for “bacon explosion”—a barbequed brick of meat wrapped in two pounds of the crispy treat—appeared on the Internet in 2009, North America’s love affair with bacon was in full swing. The artery-clogging side dish had already inspired everything from new desserts, doughnuts and liquors to alarm clocks that wake you with the smell and sizzle of the real thing. Fast-food restaurants, of course, offer it atop a range of calorie-, fat- and sodium-soaked burgers, wraps and breakfast sandwiches. Even high-end restaurants have made it a big part of the menu, while bacon-wrapped asparagus and dates are popular cocktail treats.

All this demand has sent prices soaring. In fact, bacon currently retails for more than pork chops and ground beef, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. And the wholesale price of pork bellies, the stuff used to make bacon, rose 72 per cent last year. Traditionally, demand for bacon drops off during the winter months, and producers store and freeze pork bellies. “Bacon tends to be a seasonal food—BLT sandwiches are a popular summer meal,” says Tom Cawthorne, director of hog marketing at R.J. O’Brien & Associates, a Chicago-based brokerage firm. But these days, pork bellies are being produced and sold immediately, leaving the pork-belly futures market, which bets on future frozen supplies, in jeopardy.

The weak U.S. dollar is also adding to demand, says Cawthorne. “American producers are shipping a lot,” he says, “mostly to China and Russia.” And key overseas exporters are facing supply problems of their own. An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea has forced a 15 per cent cull of its hog population. Meanwhile, a dioxin contamination in Germany has resulted in a temporary ban on both hog and poultry exports.

But if you thought all this spelled good news for Canada’s pork producers, think again, says Manitoba Pork Council chair Karl Kynoch. The animals eat like, well, pigs, he explains, and feed costs are through the roof, with corn at $6 per bushel, up from $3.50 last June. “That’s really eating into profits,” says Kynoch, adding that producers are “losing on every hog they produce.” And grain prices, he fears, could jump another 15 per cent, fuelled by high demand for everything from ethanol to sweeteners.

So consumers should expect retail prices to remain high, says Cawthorne, especially as more and more choose to “make it bacon.”

Now here's a little bacon porn to get you into the spirit! Mmmmmmmmm. Bacon good.

Brewers' Dinner - Wed Feb 9th 2011

2011-01-27T21:40:00.005-04:00

Ladies and Gents, it's time for a wee feast!

Please keep in mind this is a scent-free event so please, no perfumes, colognes or other scented product.

Our latest beer dinner will showcase three of our own fine handcrafted beers and our welcoming beer of choice this time around is from the one and only Brewdog in the form of 5 a.m. Saint.

Come on down for an evening of great food, friends and beer. For 35 bones per head you just can't go wrong!

*When: 7:00PM Wednesday February 9th 2011

*Where: The Hart & Thistle: 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS T.902.407.4278

*Tickets: $35.00 per person plus tax and gratuity - Call 902.407.4278 for reservations

The Menu:

Welcoming Beer | Amuse Bouche
- Brewdog 5 A.M. Saint -

Charbroiled Red Fish | Soft Polenta | Smoked Vegetable Broth
- 90 Degree IPA -

IBA Braised Coco Rabbit
Seasonal Vegetables | Chefs Potato
- Ink'd IBA -

Eggnog Gelato Imperial Stout Float
Gingerbread Pudding | Commissar RIS Reduction

Commissar - Russian Imperial Stout

2011-01-17T02:52:00.018-04:00

Born on January 17th 2011

Here it is folks, the moment we've been waiting for...

Commissar Russian Imperial Stout hits the taps today, Monday January 17th 2011 @ 4:00 pm. Three months in the making, fortified with bourbon, infused with vanilla beans and aged on oak this is sex in a glass. It's rich and luscious and at 10% ABV not to be messed with.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 22.9P/1.097
IBUs ~ 97
Hop Rate – 2.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 10.0 %
Hops - Columbus, Centennial, Sorachi Ace
Colour ~ 55 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal30, Crystal 75, Melanoidin, Chocolate
Adjuncts - Roasted barley, Dark Candi Syrup
Other - Bulliet Bourbon, Madagascar vanilla beans, Oak Spirals

Inspiration for the name comes from Russian revolutionist and later to be People's Commissar and founder of the Red Army Leon Trotsky who was taken prisoner here in Halifax by the British military in 1917 then held at a concentration camp in Amherst, NS until his release some time later. Read Trotsky's own account of the ordeal in his 1930 autobiography 'My Life'

90 Degree IPA

2010-12-23T22:02:00.003-04:00

Born on December 24th 2010

On Christmas Eve day, December 24th 2010 we have our latest hop sandwich '90 Degree IPA' on tap at the pub. It's big and bold, it's aromatic and bitter, it's orange and sticky but best of all it's hoppy as balls just the way we like 'em!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.7P/1.073
IBUs ~ 84
Hop Rate – 6 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.4 %
Hops - Simcoe, Cascade, Citra, Cluster, Columbus
Colour ~ 8 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 70

And here's a great tune to help get you all into the holiday spirit...

Natalie Portman's rap SNL | Viral/Other | SPIKE.com

Uncensored version found right here.

Ahhh Natalie, we love you.

I Am A....

2010-12-12T13:27:00.001-04:00

It'sa Hoppy Tuesday

2010-12-07T15:26:00.001-04:00

Well it's Hoppy Tuesday again folks! At the taps this week we've pulled out an aged keg of our Orange Sunshine and it's tasting fabulous. For those that haven't had it, it's a Saison, a French style farmhouse ale brewed with the Citra hop cultivar and Curacao orange peel.

We also have our new India Black Ale - Ink'd on tap tonight so come on down.

Sadly, Lupulin Rush is SOLD OUT, GONZO!

Ink'd - IBA

2010-12-04T19:54:00.011-04:00

Born on Dec 4th 2010

Our latest beer to hit the taps at the brewpub is Ink'd - an India Black Ale - or for those that prefer the Black IPA designation, here it is, the Maritimes first real Black IPA. It's hoppy as all get-out with a big ol' malt backbone keeping it nicely balanced, there are some interesting caramel and mocha-like notes hinting of its darkside.

Interesting read on the creation of this new style at this link.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 16.5P/1.068
IBUs ~ 56
Hop Rate – 4.6 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.4 %
Hops - Simcoe, Chinook, Citra, Sorachi Ace, Columbus, Centennial
Colour ~ 28 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 30, Crystal 75, Carafa Special III, Melanoidin

Style Guidelines:

"American-style India Black Ale has medium high to high hop bitterness, flavor and aroma with medium-high alcohol content, balanced with a medium body. The style is further characterized by a moderate degree of caramel malt character and medium to strong dark roasted malt flavor and aroma. High astringency and high degree of burnt roast malt character should be absent. Fruity, floral and herbal character from hops of all origins may contribute to aroma and flavor.

Specifications:
Original Gravity = 1.056 - 1.075 (14-18.2 ºPlato)
Final Gravity = 1.012 - 1.018 (3-4.5 ºPlato)
Alcohol by Volume = 6 -7.5%
Color = 25+ SRM
Bitterness = 50 - 70 IBUs"

Lupulin Rush - IIPA

2010-11-01T20:35:00.008-03:00

Born on November 2nd 2010

WARNING: This beer defies description.
Lupulin Rush our latest Double India Pale Ale hits the taps Tuesday November 2nd 2010 @ 5:00pm. Imagine, a category 2 lupulin storm in your glass, in your mouth, in your blood. The beer screams hops, loudly.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17.2P/1.071
IBUs ~ 72
Hop Rate – 4.8 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.8 %
Hops - Simcoe, Chinook, Sorachi Ace, Columbus, Centennial
Colour ~ 8.3 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Dextrin (CaraPils), Melanoidin

gEt oN iT

Doppelgänger - Fortified Imperial Smoked Porter

2010-10-28T12:23:00.004-03:00

Born on Oct 29th 2010

Online at the pub Friday Oct. 29th at 11:00 a.m. we have 'Doppelgänger' - an Imperial Smoked Porter brewed with beechwood smoked malt and fortified with 'Smokehead' single malt scotch whiskey. It's big, it's black and evil, it's smokey and complex with notes of tobacco, peat, roasted malts, caramel and dark fruit.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 20.0P/1.083
IBUs ~ 47
Hop Rate – 0.75 lbs/bbl
ABV - 9.0 %
Hops - Sorachi Ace, Celeia
Colour - 40 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Munich, Crystal 30, Crystal 60, Black Patent, Rauch (smoked)
Adjuncts - Dark Belgian Candi Syrup, Roasted Barley
Other - Smokehead Scotch Whiskey

Brewmaster Birthday Bash Recap

2010-10-17T13:15:00.002-03:00

First I want to say thanks so much to everyone for all of your amazing support yesturday at our 2nd annual brewers birthday bash, you all made the day a complete blast for me and everyone else down at the Hart and Thistle.

The food was fabulous and the guests were even better, some brought gifts that were totally unnecessary but greatly appreciated. We blew through a truckload of beer and beer-inspired food specials and there were smiling faces everywhere which I figure is a good sign. Y'all chewed through a ton of the Hopping Frogs Harvest IPA, a keg of Kneecapper IRA just got you started, you tore through the 11% ABV Hop Mess Monster in an hour, then you demolished a keg of Microdot IPA. That still wasn't enough for your palates of destruction so we tapped into a tank of our new 9% ABV double-smoked Baltic Porter. A fabulous day of beer, food and friends.

Thank you everyone.

Brewmasters Birthday - Nash Bash 2010

2010-10-13T23:50:00.022-03:00

Saturday Oct. 16th 2010 - Noon 'til Close

The good folks down at the Hart and Thistle have decided to graciously honour my 29th birthday (again) by offering up some fantastic beer-inspired food. I'll add to the fun by tapping some Ghosts Of Beers Past so come on down for a taste of the elixir. Nash Bash 2010 will showcase beer and food with balls.

We will also be releasing our new t-shirts emblazoned with some fabulous and hoppy artwork from our handsome friend, talented local hero and superstar - Bruce MacKinnon.

We start Saturday at noon when we'll be tapping a Ghost Beer, deets to follow. At 5:00pm we'll be tapping a lone keg of the one and only, the elusive and delightful, the flavourful and ballsy Hop Mess Monster Imperial Pale Ale (aka Messie).

After collaborating with the lovely and talented Chef Colin Stone, here's our all-day menu specials:

MarinatedChicken Satay 8
Candiedginger, ruby grapefruit & Thai chilli glaze

CharbroiledSlow Braised Beef Ribs 12
SpicyHop Messinspired BBQ sauce

TempuraShrimp 13
Lightlybattered tempura shrimp with orange essence with a ponzu dipping sauce

PulledPork Sandwich 12
Nash inspired zesty BBQ saucewith sharp orange and coriander on Sourdough bread, caramelized fennel andfrizzled onions

CharbroiledLamb Lollipop 11
Hop Mess andcitrus reduction with hints of spearmint

Hop Mess &Fresh Herb Dip 9
Hop Mess, creamcheese, candied shallots, herb harvest medley with toast points

I'll be dining (and possibly drinking) in the Dunnottar Room at 6:00 pm and would love to extend an invite to local brewers, homebrewers and beer geeks alike to join me for a round table. Well, I guess otherwise normal people are invited too. If you can make it down, please do.

Cheers. Nash

Hopping Frogs - Harvest IPA

2010-10-06T16:15:00.009-03:00

Born on Oct 7th 2010

Ladies and Gents,

It's a beer launch, it's a book launch, it's a party!

In conjunction with editorial cartoonist Bruce MacKinnon's new book "PENetration" launch party at the Hart and Thistle Thursday Oct 7th 2010 at 5:00pm we are releasing our latest brew to tantalize your palate. If you enjoy good beer, good books, great art and a good laugh this is the place to be.

Our latest beer to hit the taps Thursday Oct 7th 2010 at 4:00pm is "Hopping Frogs", our 2nd and final wet-hop Harvest IPA for the 2010 crop year. Hopping Frogs was brewed with a blend of freshly picked Cascade and Galena hops which were machine harvested and driven immediately to the brewery from Quebec, the entire 40kgs were in the batch a few short hrs later.

Enjoy it while it's on tap, it'll be another year before we have the chance to indulge in the wonderful flavours contributed by the freshly harvested, unprocessed hops.

See you there.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 14.5P/1.059
IBUs ~ 42
Hop Rate – 18 lbs/bbl (fresh/wet)
ABV - 6.0 %
Hops - Cascade, Galena
Colour - 7.0 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Munich, Crystal 15

Window Pane - Harvest IPA

2010-09-18T15:33:00.009-03:00

Born on Sept 18th 2010

Today we have our latest in the L.S.D. beer series in the form of 'Window Pane' - a wet-hopped 'Harvest' India Pale Ale brewed with copious amounts of freshly picked Cascade and Fuggle hops from Pictou county that were added to the brew within 20 hrs of being picked in the fields. Fermented with a blend of Belgian and American yeast strains for an interesting twist.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 15.3P/1.062
IBUs - 55
Hop Rate – 11 lbs/bbl (fresh)
ABV - 6.6 %
Hops - Magnum, Cascade, Fuggle
Colour – 7.0 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Munich, Dextrin (CaraPils), Crystal 15, Melanoidin

Orange Sunshine - Saison

2010-09-03T12:08:00.004-03:00

Born on September 3rd 2010

On tap today we have Orange Sunshine - a Saison brewed with dark Belgian Candi syrup, Curaçao orange peel, the Citra hop cultivar and of course, lots of peace and love. Orange pith and tropical fruit flavours dominate with a refreshing finish.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 12.5P/1.050
IBUs - 25
Hop Rate – 1.3 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.8 %
Hops - Citra, Sorachi Ace
Colour – 7 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15, Melanoidin, Munich
Adjuncts - Dark Candi Syrup

At The Taps

2010-09-01T10:35:00.001-03:00

La Souris has sold out! Thanks for drinking.

Replacing it very soon we have 'Orange Sunshine', a new Saison brewed with dark Belgian Candi syrup and Curaçao orange peel. Meanwhile our Microdot IPA is tasting lovely and should hold you over.

Coming down the pipeline we have a new wet-hop harvest ale brewed with freshly picked Nova Scotia grown Cascade and Fuggle hops.

Microdot - IPA

2010-08-30T12:52:00.003-03:00

Born on August 31st 2010

Ladies and Gents,

Here we have Microdot, an India Pale Ale brewed with love. I fermented this beer on a blend of American and Belgian yeasts and it just does not want to settle out. I had planned to tap this beer on Saturday past but I've held it back trying to get more of the yeast to drop out. It's still pretty darn cloudy but is tasting nice. We're tapping this one tomorrow August 31st at high noon no matter how it looks.

Peace.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 16.8P/1.069
IBUs - 75
Hop Rate – 4.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.0 %
Hops - Magnum, Simcoe, Citra, Centennial, Chinook
Colour – 9.1 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Munich, Dextrin (CaraPils), Crystal 15, Crystal 70, Melanoidin

On Tap

2010-08-28T11:30:00.001-03:00

Kneecapper IRA has sold out - thanks for drinking folks!

Coming down the pipeline in short order is our next version of IPA that we'll be tapping very soon. It's a 7% ABV west coast'r fermented with a blend of American and Belgian yeasts. Details to follow after I get a look, taste and feel for the beer.

Meanwhile, enjoy some of the very fruity La Souris Saison on the deck in the hot sun.

La Souris - Saison

2010-08-18T11:39:00.004-03:00

Born on August 18th 2010

La Souris (The Mouse) is a hoppy Saison, an old-school farmhouse ale brewed with malted barley, rolled oats and generous amounts of the noble-esque Celeia hop cultivar. It's floral, fruity, spicy and refreshing with a fabulous bouquet.

From the Saison Wiki: Historically, saisons did not share identifiable characteristics to pin them down as a style, but rather were a group of refreshing summer ales. Each farm brewer would make his own distinctive version.

And so it is, our distinctive version hits the taps today August 18th 2010 at high noon.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 12.5P/1.050
IBU's - 30
Hop Rate – 1.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.6 %
Hops - Celeia
Colour – 5.0 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 15
Adjuncts - Rolled Oats

Slovenian Celeia Hops

Usage: Aroma/Dual
Description: Celeia is dual pupose hybrid beetwen Savinjski Golding, Aurora and Slovenian wild hops. It has a noble and pleasant hoppy aroma similar to Saaz. Low cohumulone (25%) makes for smooth bittering qualities.
Typical Beer Styles: Light Lagers, Pilsners, Belgian Ales
Possible Substitutions: Saaz, Styrian Goldings
Current Alpha Acid: 2.8%

At The Taps This Week

2010-08-17T11:15:00.001-03:00

We blew through a few kegs of fabulous vintage brews over the weekend on our 'Ghosts Of Beers Past' marathon so I hope some of you made it in for a taste or two. The Ironhead FCS and Blackhook Redux fortified with Gaspereau Valley Port were the winners for me I think.

- Hop Rock Candy Mountain is long gone.

- The Thaiphoon Hammer blew early yesturday.

We currently only have Kneecapper IRA on tap, but 'La Souris' Saison is next on deck and will be tapping in the next few days. Details to follow soon.

Kneecapper - IRA

2010-08-14T00:00:00.005-03:00

Born on August 14th 2010

Hitting the taps Saturday August 14th 2010 at high noon we have the extreme-hopped India Red Ale dubbed 'Kneecapper'. It's dank, earthy, roasty and resinous with a tremendous forward presence and some wee malt balls for balance. As the name implies, this could be painful for some however I perceive it more as a pallet-numbing hurt-so-good sort of feeling. I juiced the hops to bring out their full earthiness then heavily dry-hopped the batch with Columbus so be prepared for a pretty hefty smack of tannins on this one.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 16P/1.065
IBU's - 68
Hop Rate – 4.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.6 %
Hops - Magnum, Simcoe, Citra, Centennial, Cascade
Colour – 12.7 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Munich, Dextrin (CaraPils), Crystal 15
Adjuncts - Roasted barley

Ghost Beer Update!

2010-08-13T19:53:00.004-03:00

Ok folks here we go - we tapped a keg of Rosemary's Baby late this afternoon but unfortunately that's all gone now. Next up is Blackhook Redux fortified with Gaspereau Valley Port. This is exceptional after aging for months on the port - I expect it will sell out pretty quick so come on down.

Cheers

Ghosts Of Beers Past!

2010-08-13T14:32:00.002-03:00

Ladies and gents we are tapping a few kegs of vintage Hart and Thistle beers starting tonight Friday, August 13th 2010 and running throughout the weekend. Our first 'Ghost Of Beers Past' event should present a few beers you're gonna love and perhaps some you've dearly missed but you'll have to drop in for a pint to find out exactly what they are.

Who's Got FRESH Hops For Sale?

2010-08-13T14:22:00.002-03:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm seeking a hop grower to supply me with 40kg of freshly picked hops. I prefer West Coast varieties but will consider all. These hops would need to be harvested and shipped (or delivered if local) on the same day for immediate use in a batch of beer. It is possible they would remain in good shape for up to 48 hrs refrigerated however, having them in my hands within 24-30 hrs of being harvested would be greatly preferred. Please email me here, or call me at the Hart and Thistle if you can supply the 40kg's of freshly picked hops or know of anybody that can.

It seems our source for freshly picked hops from the past couple years has 'dried up'!

Thanks, Nash

Hop Rock Candy Mountain - IPA

2010-07-30T00:50:00.012-03:00

Born on July 29th 2010

Ladies and gentlemen:

Here we have an East Coast style India Pale Ale brewed with copious amounts of hops: Citra, Simcoe, Centennial and Magnum all playing their roles. The hefty melange of grains utilized in the brew lend some serious malt balls, a candied-malt complexity that is like, well, a Hop-Rock-Candy-Mountain of goodness. I recommend getting on it, now.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 16.3P/1.067
IBU's - 65
Hop Rate – 4.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.9 %
Hops - Magnum, Simcoe, Citra, Centennial
Colour – 6.8 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Munich, Dextrin (CaraPils), Crystal 15

Check out the Big Rock Candy Mountain animation right here
or copy and paste this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqowmHgxVJQ

Thaiphoon Hammer - Hefeweizen

2010-07-30T00:19:00.011-03:00

Born on July 30th 2010

Our latest culinary treat hits the taps Friday July 30th 2010 at 5:00pm in the form of the Thaiphoon Hammer. This version of The Hammer is a not-so-classic hefeweizen infused with fresh ginger and lemongrass; notes of ginger, lemon, clove, vanilla, bubblegum, citrus and banana with a cutting acidity make this a fantastic gastronomic adventure for our month of summer. Garnished with fresh basil.

Enjoy.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13P/1.053
IBU's - 11
Hop Rate – 0.09 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.5 %
Hops - Sorachi Ace
Other - Lemongrass, Ginger, Basil
Colour – 5.0 SRM
Malts - Wheat, Pale Ale, Melanoidin

On Tap Today

2010-07-29T23:43:00.002-03:00

Kryptolite and The Hammer both sold out today at lunch so it's time to get some new beers racked and on tap, fast!

On deck we have a new hefeweizen with a twist and a non-dry-hopped IPA. Details to follow.

Kryptolite - APA

2010-07-16T16:07:00.010-03:00

Born on July 16th 2010

Today - Friday July 16th 2010 we have our latest West Coast style Pale Ale hitting the taps at 5:00pm - 'Kryptolite'. Surprisingly, this isn't your average American Pale Ale, it's an experimental APA massively hopped at Double IPA levels. At 80 IBUs and 5.3% ABV it's citrusy and bold, very aromatic and drying with malt complexities like no other Pale Ale that's come before it, anywhere, ever. If you want to try a unique and quaffable mini-monstrosity of a hop-bomb then be sure to get on down to the H&T for some before it's forever gone.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13.9P/1.056
IBU's - 80
Hop Rate – 4.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.3 %
Hops - Chinook, Simcoe, Citra, Centennial
Colour – 7 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Munich, Dextrin (CaraPils), Crystal 30

The Hammer - Hefeweizen

2010-07-14T19:18:00.002-03:00

Born on July 15th 2010

On tap Thursday July 15th 2010 at 11:00 a.m. we have 'The Hammer', my take on a classic German style Hefeweizen (that's 'hay-fah-vite-zen'). At a whopping 11 IBUs contributed from the single 1st-wort dose of Sorachi Ace hops and 5.5% ABV it may not be quite what some of you have come to expect from the H&T beers but it is tasty none-the-less. Excellent forward notes of marshmallow banana candy, citrus and cloves with well-rounded breadiness and a tart, acidic finish.

This one is a great patio beer so have at it, it won't be around for long.

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 13.1P/1.053
IBU's - 11
Hop Rate – 0.09 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.5 %
Hops - Sorachi Ace
Colour – 5.0 SRM
Malts - Wheat, Pale Ale, Melanoidin

Kryptonite - DIPA

2010-06-26T20:10:00.007-03:00

Born on June 29th 2010

Here we have 'Kryptonite', my interpretation of a San Diego style DIPA. It hits the taps at the Hart and Thistle Tuesday June 29th at 5:00pm and I must say, if you like hops, you'll want to make sure you don't miss this one.

The hop-elixir is light copper coloured with calculated theoretical IBUs (international bittering units) of 233. With heavy-handed hop additions throughout and a very low final gravity this is a hop delivery vehicle with a mind-numbing 8.5% ABV, hops balancing more hops is the name of the game here. It's comprised of all Chinook, Columbus and Sorachi Ace for the bittering additions from the mash forward, then massively hop-bursted and dry-hopped with Citra, Centennial and Columbus. This is some seriously tasty stuff so get on it!

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 17.6P/1.072
IBU's - 100+ (233 calculated)
Hop Rate – 5.5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 8.5 %
Hops - Chinook, Columbus, Citra, Sorachi Ace, Centennial
Colour – 5.7 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Dextrin (CaraPils), Crystal 30

All Beer Trivia - Sunday June 27th

2010-06-26T19:42:00.001-03:00

Think you know your beer? Prove it!

That's right folks, come on down to join us for ALL BEER trivia night Sunday, June 27th 2010 at 7:00pm. Admission is free.

Teams will receive a $10 gift card every time they win a round with the overall 1st place team winning a $75 gift card, 2nd place team wins a $30 gift card.

Our previous incarnations of ALL BEER trivia were a total riot so mark your calendars and git yer butt on down here for some fun!

We're located at 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS - inside the Harbourside Market - Historic properties (beside Salty's restaurant). Lots of parking right beside us in the lower level of the Law Courts - or park near the ferry terminal and enjoy the two minute walk.

On Tap

2010-06-24T18:03:00.003-03:00

Currently on tap at the brewpub we have ~~8L of~~ Rosemary's Baby ~~left~~ - Scratch that, Rosemary is now sold out! Thanks for drinking!!

We do still have ~ 70L of RIPA. The new Blackhook Prime will join the party tomorrow at 5:00pm.

Coming online early next week we'll have a San Diego style DIPA - 'Kryptonite'. Details to follow on that one.

Have a great weekend, cheers.

Blackhook Prime - Smoked Baltic Porter

2010-06-24T17:43:00.016-03:00

Born on Friday June 25th 2010

On tap Friday June 25th at 5:00pm we have our 'Blackhook Prime' - smoked Baltic Porter. I kept this one fairly light, clocking in at a mere 6.7% ABV it's just a wee example of the style. Heck some may even call this a lawnmower beer, others might call it a session beer, it's great for those hot summer days on our waterfront patio.

On a more serious note; Blackhook is a prime example of a malt-bomb from days gone past. A reincarnation of the highly sought after beer that was once served on this very same premise, brewed in this very same brewhouse by the same brewer. Blackhook lives.

It's black, it's malty and smokey, it's rich and satisfying but most importantly it's delicious.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 15.9 P/1.065
Calculated IBU's - 31
Hop Rate - 0.43 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.7%
Colour ~ 40 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 150, Munich, Rauch (beechwood smoked), Black Patent
Adjuncts: Roasted Barley
Hops - Sorachi Ace, Celeia

Live Entertainment Friday Night

2010-06-10T12:12:00.001-03:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friday evening June 11th @ 7pm at the Hart and Thistle we have the one and only Bruce MacKinnon playing live. I for one will be there, with hops on.

Should be a great evening!

RIPA - IPA

2010-06-09T21:06:00.004-03:00

Born on June 11th 2010

Here we have our latest creation in Random India Pale Ale or RIPA (that's 'rip-pah') - IPA hitting the taps Friday June 11th 2010 at 5:00pm.

This is just another random IPA in a long long list of IPAs when it comes right down to it. The fact is, I just fucking love to waste perfectly good hops so I figured what the hell. I threw in a truckload of random hops to start with then added more, just because I can. And since I was already wasting perfectly good hops I figured I may as well throw in a load of those awful sort of hops nobody wants, ever. And so it was, I busted out the Sorachi Ace, Celeia and East Kent Goldings.

I know, I know, I'm playing totally out of bounds here, I really am wasting those good Japanese, Slovenian and British hops by trying to cover them up with those damn zesty American hops. Or maybe it's the other way around.

I suggest y'all get down to the Hart and Thistle to see just exactly what this multi-continental-hopped bomb tastes like for yourself. Bliss.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 15.4 P/1.063
Calculated IBU's - 46
Hop Rate - 3.6 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.5%
Colour ~ 10 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 70, Munich
Hops - Sorachi Ace, Celeia, East Kent Golding, Centennial

On Tap This Week

2010-06-09T20:23:00.001-03:00

Well, our 1913 Stock Ale blew the other day leaving us with only Rosemary's Baby on tap. That will change Friday at 5:00pm with our next release joining the party.

More deets to follow...

Cheers

'Rosemary's Baby' - IPA

2010-05-31T21:07:00.005-03:00

Born on June 4th 2010

On tap Friday June 4th 2010 at 5pm we have our latest version of a west coast style IPA. This time I changed it up a bit with a load of fresh herbs, spices and orange thrown right in there with the usual boatload of hops.

Rosemary's Baby India Pale Ale is brewed with copious amounts of Chinook and Cascade whole hops then heavily dry-hopped with more of the same. Pummeled with fresh rosemary, ground coriander and Curaçao orange peel this is certainly one of the most delicious and unique IPAs to grace this land (and your buds) so come on down Friday at 5pm for a real and total treat.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 16.0 P/1.065
Calculated IBU's - 50
Hop Rate - 3.4 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.9 %
Colour ~ 9 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 30, Munich, Dextrin (CaraPils), Melanoidin
Hops - Chinook, Cascade
Other - Fresh Rosemary, Coriander, Curaçao orange peel

The Slaying Of A Monster......

2010-05-31T20:15:00.008-03:00

......took place at the Hart and Thistle earlier today.

The one and only Hop Mess Monster Imperial Pale Ale has been slain, killed dead, beat to death then stabbed and jabbed a few more times to be sure. We were all saddened to see the mighty Messie go down, a dramatic life-altering moment in time, no less than a national tragedy.

I've spread her remains into the Halifax harbour in hopes she may be revived to rise from the murky depths whence she came once more.

All hail the mighty Messie.

A Classic Wristwatch

2010-05-30T17:58:00.002-03:00

Just thought I'd post up a photo or two of my new watch. The strap is from 'Storm' which I bought about 12 years ago. I'd tell you where I acquired the watch but then I'd have to kill you! :-o

It has a little copper kettle embedded, and a basket of brewers tools, hops and barley depicted. The German caption translates to "God Save Hops and Malt". This is the ultimate watch for the beergeek and brewer.

ALL BEER TRIVIA - May 30th 7:00PM

2010-05-30T14:11:00.000-03:00

Think you know your beer? Prove it!

That's right folks, come on down to join us at our 4th ALL BEER trivia night this Sunday, May 30th 2010 at 7:00pm. Admission is free.

Teams will receive a $10 gift card every time they win a round with the overall 1st place team winning a $75 gift card, 2nd place team wins a $30 gift card.

Our previous incarnations of ALL BEER trivia were a total riot so mark your calendars and git yer butt on down here for some fun!

We're located at 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS - inside the Harbourside Market - Historic properties (beside Salty's restaurant). Lots of parking right beside us in the lower level of the Law Courts - or park near the ferry terminal and enjoy the two minute walk.

'1913' - Stock Ale

2010-05-24T12:55:00.006-03:00

Born on May 25th 2010

Hitting the taps Tuesday May 25th 2010 @ 4:00pm we have our latest creation '1913' - a stock ale.

After many painstaking hours delving into the history of the UK and North American hop growing regions, malt characteristics, yeast availability, fermentation and brewing techniques of the early 1900's, this is my interpretation of an early 20th century stock ale as it would have been brewed in Eastern Canada.

The Beer In The Making:
The sought after preservative qualities of North American grown Cluster hops of the day were used in combination with Kent Golding hops for their excellent aromatic qualities. Fermentation characteristics are somewhat subdued from the cool yeast pitch and fermentation temperatures. Likewise, malt complexities are kept fairly clean and simple here with Pale malt used as the base with a healthy addition of Crystal malt approaching 7% of the total grist bill contributing a rich copper hue and strong caramel notes. A warmer mash temperature lends a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, great balance and moderate alcohol content.

This is a real quaffer so come on down for pint or three before it's gone folks.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 15.3 P/1.062
Calculated IBU's - 65
Hop Rate - 1.8 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.9 %
Colour ~ 9 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 70
Hops - Cluster, Kent Golding

On Tap This Week

2010-05-23T18:16:00.002-03:00

Sadly The Unnamed has sold out and is forever gone, but thanks for drinking!

And a heads up to everyone - the Hop Mess Monster is selling at an unprecedented rate! If you are in the slightest bit interested in having a taste of the magical hop-juice I'd recommend NOT waiting very long, at all.

Cheers, Nash

The Beast Unleashed: Hop Mess Monster

2010-05-15T23:59:00.008-03:00

A photo story from Andrew Murphy. Stunning photography. http://www.andrewmurphy.ca/

'Hop Mess Monster' - Imperial Pale Ale

2010-05-11T13:16:00.018-03:00

Born on May 14th 2010

So you're a Hophead....

On tap Friday May 14th 2010 at 5:00pm we have our 'Hop Mess Monster' - a real Imperial Pale Ale.

At 11% ABV with calculated theoretical IBUs of 533 the Monster is NOT to be messed with. Pummeled with 11 lbs/bbl of hops there's little doubt 'Messie' is the hoppiest beer to ever have been brewed in this country. Brewed with hop pellets as well as whole hops throughout each stage of the brewing process the beer is a testament to just how wonderful these glorious flowers can be - it's been mash-hopped, 1st wort-hopped, hop-bursted and dry-hopped (again and again) with more hops stuffed in there wherever I could fit them. Hell I ate a hop cone while I brewed it just for shits and giggles.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 22.5 P/1.094
Calculated IBU's - 533
Hop Rate - 11 lbs/bbl
ABV - 11.0 %
Colour ~ 10 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Crystal 30, Dextrin (CaraPils), Munich
Hops - Magnum, Chinook, Cascade, Sorachi Ace, Simcoe, Citra, Columbus

Hoppy as balls.

'The Unnamed' - DIPA

2010-05-02T17:33:00.008-03:00

Born on May 4th 2010

On tap Tuesday May 4th 2010 at 5:00pm we have our latest India Pale Ale coming at us in two incarnations - 'The Unnamed' DIPA and 'The Unnamed Nitro'. Half of the batch is carbonated as per usual, the other half is nitrogenated and will be served from the nitro faucet. Should be an interesting comparison.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17 P/1.070
IBU's - 60
Hop Rate - 3.4 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.6 %
Colour - 9 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidan, Crystal 30, Munich, Carapils
Hops - Magnum, Simcoe, Chinook, Cascade, Sorachi Ace

All BEER All The Time Trivia - Sunday April 25th

2010-04-24T19:18:00.002-03:00

Think you know your beer? Come on down and prove it! That's right folks, come on down to join us at our 4th ALL BEER trivia night this Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 7:00pm. Admission is free.

Teams will receive a $10 gift card every time they win a round with the overall 1st place team winning a $75 gift card, 2nd place team wins a $30 gift card.

Our previous incarnations of ALL BEER trivia were a total riot so mark your calendars and git yer butt on down here for some fun!

We're located at 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS - inside the Harbourside Market - Historic properties (beside Salty's restaurant). Lots of parking right beside us in the lower level of the Law Courts - or park near the ferry terminal and enjoy the two minute walk.

Halifax Harbour Sighting: 'Hop Mess Monster'

2010-04-18T01:12:00.007-03:00

The one and only 'Hop Mess Monster' aka 'Messie' has been spotted near the Hart and Thistle on the Halifax waterfront!

Not to be messed with, 'Messie' as she is affectionately known to locals is a monstrosity of a Triple IPA, the likes of which this country has never seen. A real Imperial Pale Ale brewed with copious amounts of hops and malts clocking in at a deliciously insane 533 calculated IBU's and 11.0% ABV.

We're fully expecting her to rear her ugly head near the middle of May 2010 so stay tuned. Updates to follow.....

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 22.5 P/1.094
IBU's - 100+ (533 calculated)
Hop Rate > 10 lbs/bbl
ABV - 11.0 %
Colour ~ 10 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Crystal 30, Dextrin (CaraPils), Munich

Hops - Magnum, Chinook, Cascade, Sorachi Ace, Simcoe, Citra, Columbus

'Double Citra SMaSH' - DIPA

2010-04-17T13:33:00.018-03:00

Born on April 20th 2010

'Double Citra SMaSH' DIPA is the latest to join our SMaSH beer series and is coming to the taps Tuesday April 20th 2010 at 5:00pm just in time for Hoppy Tuesday (save $2 per glass on our handcrafted brews every Tuesday).

This time our Single Malt and Single Hop beer is brewed with all Citra hops and Canadian Pale Ale malt. It's mash-hopped, 1st-wort-hopped and dry-hopped with massive amounts of the new Citra cultivar (see specs below) and is calculated to 131 IBU's. Reminiscent of 5-alive on 'roids you're all gonna want to get down to the pub to try it on for size before it disappears.

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 17P/1.070
FG (for the idiot that won't beLiEve) - 3.5P/1.014
IBU's - 100+ (131 Calculated)
Hop Rate - 5 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.5 %
Colour ~ 9.0 SRM
Malt - Pale Ale
Hops - Citra

For colour comparison here's a shot of the Double Citra SMaSH wort before and after a wee simmerin'.....

Citra is a hybrid of a number of different hops. The breakdown is as follows:
50% Hallertauer Mittelfrüh
25% U.S. Tettnanger
25% East Kent Golding, Bavarian, Brewers Gold, and other unknown hops.

Citra™, HBC 394

Citra™ is a special aroma hop variety developed by the Hop Breeding Company (a joint venture between John I. Haas, Inc. and Select Botanicals Group, LLC). It was released in 2007. Citra™ has fairly high alpha acids and total oil contents with a low percentage of cohumulone content. The variety imparts interesting citrus and tropical fruit characters to beer.

Yield (kilos per hectare)	1600-1800
Yield (lbs per acre)	1400-1600
Alpha Acids	11-13
Beta Acids	3.5-4.5
Alpha-Beta Ratio	2.9-3.1
Cohumulone (% of alpha acids):	22-24%
Total Oils (Mls. per 100 grams dried hops)	2.2-2.8
Myrcene (as % of total oils)	60-65%
Caryophyllene (as % of total oils)	6-8%
Humulene (as % of total oils)	11-13%
Farnesene (as % of total oils)	0%
Storage (% alpha acids remaining after 6 months storage at 20° C)	75%
Possible Substitutions	Unknown

On Tap....

2010-04-15T20:09:00.000-03:00

Our E-Rosinous Zone IPA is now SOLD OUT. Thanks for drinking!

We have Fèileadh Air Teine SOS on tap. Our new 'Citra SMaSH' will be joining the party in a couple days, more details on the beer soon.

Also on Friday April 16th 2010 at 5:00pm we'll be tapping a lone keg of Blackout CIA.

On Tap This Week

2010-04-07T14:38:00.000-03:00

Blackout CIA is now sold out!

E-Zone IPA and our new smokey Scottish Oatmeal Stout are both on tap and tasting divine so get on 'em while you can.

Cheers

'Fèileadh Air Teine' - SOS

2010-04-04T22:14:00.016-03:00

Born on April 5th 2010

On tap Monday April 5th 2010 we have 'Fèileadh Air Teine' (Faila Err Chen-nuh ) [Gaelic for 'Kilt On Fire'] - Scottish Oatmeal Stout.

Brewed with peat-smoked Scottish distillers malt, beechwood-smoked malt and copious amounts of oatmeal it's black, thick, smokey and nutritious like a proper Scottish breakfast. If it's no oatmeal, it's crrrrrap!

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 14.9P/1.061
IBU's - 43
Hop Rate – 0.2 lbs/bbl
ABV - 5.8 %
Hops - Magnum
Colour – 53 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Crystal 70, Crystal 150, Peat Smoked, Beechwood Smoked, Black Patent, Chocolate
Adjuncts - Rolled Oats, Roasted Barley

On Deck!

2010-04-03T14:12:00.003-03:00

On deck we have a Citra SMaSH IPA and a smokey Scottish Oatmeal Stout. Deets to follow soon.

Some crazy beautiful weather to experience out on the deck at the Hart and Thistle!! The sun feels amazingly like summer, if you haven't been down today there's still time or drop by tomorrow and grab yourself a hop-bomb of a Blackout CIA or E-Rosinous Zone while you're at it.

Cheers

Hart & Thistle CLOSED Good Friday

2010-04-01T20:55:00.000-03:00

However we will be back to regular hours Sat April 3rd 2010 with the patio all set up for crazy warmth and sunshine currently in the forecast.

Cheers

ALL BEER ALL THE TIME Trivia Nite - Sunday Mar. 28th

2010-03-23T16:57:00.002-03:00

Think you know your beer? Prove it!

That's right folks, come on down to join us at our 3rd ALL BEER trivia night this Sunday, March 28th 2010 at 7:00pm. Admission is free.

This time teams will receive a $10 gift card every time they win a round with the overall 1st place winning team receiving a $75 gift card, 2nd place team wins a $30 gift card.

Our previous incarnations of ALL BEER trivia were a total riot so mark your calendars and git yer butt on down here for some fun!

We're located at 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS - inside the Harbourside Market - Historic properties (beside Salty's restaurant). Lots of parking right beside us in the lower level of the Law Courts - or park near the ferry terminal and enjoy the two minute walk.

It's Hoppy Tuesday, again.

2010-03-23T12:59:00.001-03:00

Come on down tonight Tuesday March 23rd for your craft beer fix on the cheap. Specials from 5:00pm til close - beer/appetizer pairings plus you'll save $2.00 per glass on our handcrafted brews.

This week we have BlACKOUT - CIA for $3.75/glass tax included, or pair it up with one of these tasty treats for $10.00:

Blackout CIA with:
- Mocha Chicken Satay
or
- Beer & Cheese Mornay with Toast Points

Cheers

'E-Rosinous Zone' - IPA

2010-03-21T21:32:00.004-03:00

Born on March 24th 2010

E-Rosinous Zone (ee·ros′·in·ous) is our latest interpretation of a West Coast style IPA and will hit the taps at the Hart and Thistle Wednesday March 24th at 4:00pm.

This is a copper-hued hop tea of an IPA with a very modest calculated IBU (international bittering unit) of 55 and some heavy-handed finish and dry-hop additions comprised of 75% Simcoe, 13% Cascade and 12% Chinook. This is some tasty stuff so grab some while you can!

Vital Stats:
Gravity – 15.3P/1.062
IBU's - 55
Hop Rate – 4.0 lbs/bbl
ABV - 6.5 %
Hops - Chinook, Magnum, Cascade, Simcoe
Colour – 12.5 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Crystal 70

Ironhead - Sold Out

2010-03-21T11:18:00.001-03:00

Our Ironhead FCS is now sold out.

Thanks for drinking!

Hoppy Tuesday tonight

2010-03-16T11:28:00.000-03:00

Come on down tonight Tuesday March 16th for your craft beer fix on the cheap. Specials from 5:00pm til close - beer/appetizer pairings plus you'll save $2.00 per glass on our handcrafted brews.

This week we have BlACKOUT - CIA and IRONHEAD - FCS for $3.75/glass tax included, or pair them up with one of these tasty treats for $10.00:

Blackout CIA with:
- Mocha Chicken Satay
or
- Beer & Cheese Mornay with Toast Points

Ironhead FCS with:
- Sweet Potato Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes
or
- Oysters on the half-shell with assorted Mignonette

'Blackout' - CIA

2010-03-11T20:47:00.010-04:00

Born on March 12th 2010

Hot on the heels of the gone but not forgotten IRA is our new 'Blackout' Canadian India Ale - hitting the beer faucet Friday March 12th 2010 @ 5:00pm.

Why CIA? Well it's almost an IPA and it's almost a Double IPA but it's too dark to be either, it's too monstrous to be an American Brown - and so it is...... Canadian India Ale.

This is a big dark full-bodied hop-bomb that was brewed 8 days earlier on March 4th 2010 during a 5 hour blackout at the brewpub. I was about 5 minutes into the lauter when we lost power, needless to say that made for a long day. About 3 hrs into the blackout I decided this brew born from the depths of darkness needed a little extra colour so I added a few kg's of black patent malt to the slowly cooling mash, then another kg of roasted barley directly to the kettle for the duration of the boil to add yet a little more colour and to smooth the dry roasted character. After the fast and furious fermentation I dry-hopped the brew with a few kg's of Columbus to round it out and to infuse that pungent, raw, vegetal freshness we all know and love so much.

And there we have it - a 1.074 wort fermented, dry-hopped, transferred, carbonated and tapped in under 8 days from yeast pitch. Some may (and do) call me insane but the proof is in the glass Friday at 5:00pm. Come on down and see what real fresh beer is all about, you won't be disappointed!

Vital Stats:
Gravity - 18.0P/1.074
IBU's - 82
Hop Rate - 3.8 lbs/bbl
ABV - 7.3 %
Colour - 20 SRM
Malts - Pale Ale, Melanoidin, Crystal 70, Crystal 160, Munich, Black Patent, Roasted barley

Hops - Magnum, Columbus, Simcoe

IRA - Sold Out

2010-03-09T23:47:00.002-04:00

CAR BOMB IRA has sold out. Thanks to those that had the chance for imbibing, for those that didn't get the chance - sorry 'bout your luck. On the bright side we'll have a replacement for the IRA on tap soon.

Cheers

Hoppy Hours

2010-03-02T13:26:00.001-04:00

Come on down tonight Tuesday March 2nd for your hop fix on the cheap. Specials from 5:00pm til close - beer/appetizer pairings plus you'll save $2.00 per glass on our handcrafted brews.

This week we have CAR BOMB - IRA and IRONHEAD - FCS for $3.75/glass tax included, or pair them up with one of these tasty treats for $10.00:

Car Bomb IRA with:
- BBQ Beef Satay
or
- Beer & Cheese Mornay with Toast Points

Ironhead FCS with:
- Sweet Potato Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes
or
- Oysters on the half-shell with assorted Mignonette

Thanks to Everyone....

2010-03-01T12:57:00.000-04:00

.....for a great evening down at the pub last night! The game was golden and the trivia was good fun but perhaps required a little more thought than the previous trivia night. Next round we'll back off a bit on the heavy brewing science and history questions and have a little more fun with it.

Thanks again for coming down folks, the support, as always is greatly appreciated.

Nash

All Beer Trivia Night

2010-02-28T13:32:00.000-04:00

It's on tonight Sunday Feb 28th, more details here. Come on down and show us just how much you know about beer!

We may hold back until 7:30 pm to start the first round to allow a bit more time to ingest the mens Gold medal hockey game, or come down a bit earlier and catch the game on one of our screens.

Lupulin Throwdown

2010-02-21T12:37:00.006-04:00

Lupulin Throwdown - Hoppy hour starts this Tuesday so come on down for some serious lupulin therapy on the cheap. Read on....

We're offering up some primetime libations every Tuesday from 5:00pm until close at the Hart & Thistle starting Tuesday February 23rd 2010. We have some fabulous new appetizer offerings plus you'll save $2.00 per glass on our handcrafted brews.

This week we have CAR BOMB - IRA and IRONHEAD - FCS for $3.75/glass tax included, or pair them up with one of these tasty treats for $10.00:

Car Bomb IRA with:
- Beef Satay
or
- Beer & Cheese Mornay with Toast Points

Ironhead FCS with:
- Sweet Potato Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes
or
- Oysters on the half-shell with assorted Mignonette

The hop flower and the wonderful lupulin glands:

ALL BEER ALL THE TIME - Trivia Nite - Sun. Feb 28th 2010

2010-02-13T18:13:00.003-04:00

Think you know your beer? Prove it!

That's right folks, come on down to join us at our 2nd ALL beer trivia night Sunday, Feb. 28th 2010 at 7:30pm. Admission is free.

Round winners will receive treats from our sponsor - The Hart & Thistle.

Our first incarnation of ALL BEER trivia was a total riot so mark your calendars and git yer butt on down here for some fun!

We're located at 1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS - inside the Harbourside Market - Historic properties (beside Salty's restaurant). Lots of parking right beside us in the lower level of the Law Courts - or park near the ferry terminal and enjoy the two minute walk.

St Valentines Dinner This Weekend

2010-02-11T19:36:00.010-04:00

Friday, Saturday and Sunday - Available from 5:00pm

1^stCourse

HeirloomTomato, Roasted Garlic, and Sweet Fennel Soup

Spinach and Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and BalsamicVinaigrette

2^nd Course

Chef’sSorbetti

3^rd Course

HandRolled Gnocchi with a Fire Roasted Red Pepper Coulis

SpiceRubbed, Pepper Crusted, Digby Scallops with a Balsamic Beet Gastrique

Charbroiled Suprême of Chicken with aPomegranate Sour Cherry Glaze

Dessert

DarkChocolate Pâté with a Raspberry and Blood Orange Coulis

$37per person plus Taxes and Gratuity

ForReservations Please Call 902 407 4278

Open Source Brewing Software

2010-02-07T18:04:00.007-04:00

Like brewing and computers?

Here's a couple of free, open source software apps that will make your recipe formulation and brewday sessions much easier to track. Even better, these programs are available for both Windows and Mac.

'Brewtarget'
Download Here

'Brewsta'
Download Here