Drinks |CRAFT BEVERAGES
A short guide to the local craft drink scene Spirits, beer, cider and more — Nova Scotia is exploding with flavour By Nick Cantar
Tourism Nova Scotia / James Ingram
The team at Compass Distillers use locally-sourced ingredients and are always experimenting.
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ith COVID-19 restrictions mostly over, Nova Scotian brewers and distillers are ready to bounce back. Consumers have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, including the craft beer festival, which has been rescheduled and revamped for September on the Halifax Waterfront. According to Debbi MacDonald, executive director of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, local brewers and distillers have been creative with their business models over the last two years, which has helped the industry not only survive, but thrive. “When they had to move right, they moved right. When they had to move left, they moved left. I’ll tell you, they were just so resilient,” says MacDonald, noting that despite the challenges, Nova Scotian brewers remained important fixtures within their communities and collectively raised $500,000 for charity. “You would think they would be in competition, wouldn’t you? But in fact, they work together so well. It’s unbelievable.” Wherever you roam and whatever you seek, the right place is out there for you.
In the city
With warm weather upon us, you’ll probably look for somewhere sunny to have a
Tourism Nova Scotia / Aaron McKenzie Fraser
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drink. Look no further than Dartmouth’s Brightwood Brewery. When the weather in nice, the taproom opens its large French doors. Grab a flight and sit in the open space to enjoy the breeze, or head down to the company’s beer garden at Alderney Landing and see what’s on tap. brightwoodbrewery.com If you’ve been on Agricola Street in Halifax lately, you might have noticed a peculiar, rounded building. This is Compass Distillers. Using locally sourced ingredients, the distillery team is always experimenting. Try the Gin Royal with a bit of tonic and
