ZERO-PROOF: WINTER STOUT RADLER

Photos courtesy of Avery Peters

ZERO-PROOF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER GETS GOOD

Avery Peters

It was time for a reset. There was a lot more in my life that brought me to the decision to stop drinking alcohol, but a big part of it was midlife change. I have not held myself to any timeline for refraining from alcohol. I just don’t feel the need to drink anymore. When I stopped drinking alcohol in October, one of the things I missed was beer. Very soon after, I discovered Libra, an East-Coast-made non-alcoholic beer, and it’s good. I bought a case of Libra beer and I’ve been keeping my fridge stocked ever since. They’re not the only ones making good non-alcoholic beer. There has been a bit of a non-alcoholic craft beer boom. Now I call out to other local brewers— go for it, and an organic non-alcoholic beer would make my dreams come true, ahem, Horton Ridge.

I wasn’t sure how my husband would feel about me taking over our beer and wine fridge with all my various non-alcoholic drinks, but have found many empty cans distributed throughout the house—on his desk, by the TV and in the living room. Also, I’d already over-filled the fridge with kombucha and my other fermentation projects numerous times, so he’s used to my habits.

The most beautiful thing about my decision is how there has been a natural progression of sharing drinks within my friendships and the people we’ve had over to our house. I share the drinks I’ve been enjoying and others are interested in trying them as well. It’s totally fine if we just have a cup of tea. We don’t necessarily need a few beers. I also love to share everything I make with my kids’ friends. They are such eager and honest critics of my concoctions. I have not asked anyone else to follow my lead to give up alcohol, I have just given more options and people love it. I’ve made a host of non-alcoholic drinks, more than I can drink myself, and they don’t always get served, but there is no sadness for me in that. The beauty is the opening up and freedom from expectation of the need to have a glass of wine. It’s not rude to drink or not drink. It’s not rude to ask for a glass of water. Listen to your own desires. If you feel inspired to try something new, do it! Many who decide to quit alcohol forge ahead to limit or omit alcohol because of necessity or determination or burn out. As with many things in life, reframing as possibility and opportunity is more sustainable.

Now that I’ve spoken about Libra beer so fondly, I need to share a recipe for a beer cocktail I’ve been testing for the last while. I was initially inspired by the idea of a radler, which is a more summery light beer cocktail with citrus. I thought, why not take a more wintry, seasonal spin on the radler. I love the blend of tart and bitter. Stouts are bold and fortifying in the winter and I love to marry chocolatey flavours and fruit. When I think of winter fruits, citrus comes to mind, but so does pomegranate. It has such a pleasing richness and tartness. I’ve also been pairing my chocolate flavours with pine needles this winter, so why not add that too! And of course some orange peel and ginger. So here is what I came up with: a pine, pomegranate, ginger stout. I hope you’re as hooked as me.

Stout Radler

For the pomegranate concentrate 1 bottle (473mL) pomegranate juice 1.5 tsp dried orange peel or 1 tbsp fresh orange peel (be sure you get only peel and not the pith (the white part) 1 Tbsp cocoa nibs (optional) A handful of fresh or dried pine needles 3 Tbsp freshly grated ginger root

Pour pomegranate juice into a small saucepan and add orange peel, cocoa nibs, pine needles, and freshly grated ginger root and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Strain. Cool and refrigerate.

For the radler 1 can of Libra stout 2 ounces pomegranate concentrate Handful of ice cubes

Place ice cubes in a glass. Add 2 ounces of pomegranate concentrate. Pour over Libra Stout or another favourite non-alcoholic stout (Partake is another good brand available at the Superstore)

Enjoy! ❧

CRAFT BREWERS ASSOCIATION

The Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia released their 2021 Craft Beer Annual Report showing an industry that has grown rapidly due to strong consumer demand and is positively impacting every part of the province. At the same time, they highlight growing challenges and a concern that the government and regulators do not appear to be listening.

By the numbers, NS Craft Beer has become an impressive local industry with over 70 independent breweries operating in every area of the province. Despite nearly two full years of pandemic conditions, local producers continue to invigorate small towns, retain younger workers and create tourist destinations. There are currently more than 1150 skilled, talented and diverse workers in this industry. In jobs per litre produced, that’s more 35 times the number of a multinational brewery when it produces in-province. In fact, nearly 20% of all provincial beer sales are crafted locally, with steady double-digit growth in a category otherwise declining.

“Today’s craft brewer is in the production, retail, hospitality and community events business, and they come in all shapes and sizes” says Brian Titus, President CBANS. “They spread their economic impact to every corner of the province and the one thing that connects them is a passion to create great craft beers that can be called Proudly Nova Scotian.” Submitted

Old Man Luedecke

Saturday March 5 at 8pm, $35 A perennial favourite at the Evergreen, banjo player Old Man Luedecke from Chester, Nova Scotia has won a few Junos along the way. To keep things going during the pandemic he worked on a scallop farm (who even knew that such a thing existed?). You will be sure to hear all about it from our stage on March 5.

Morgan Toney with Keith Mullins

Saturday March 5 at 8pm, $35 Morgan Toney is a twenty-one-year-old Mi’kmaq individual originally from We’koma’q First Nation. Morgan seemed to appear out of nowhere when he performed at the Celtic Colours Festival in 2020, playing alongside Ashley MacIsaac. With his debut album finished, the sky is the limit for this young Mi’kmaq fiddler. He will be accompanied by Cape Breton’s Keith Mullins. We hare happy to have an opening act by an even younger music sensation from Fall River NS. It won’t be long before you are hearing a lot more from Dee Dee Austin.

Madison Violet

Friday April 8 at 8pm, $35 After twenty years together, Juno-nominated singer-songwriting duo Madison Violet are as much wanderers as they are musicians. It is a career filled with endless roads stretching into the horizon, winding through changing landscapes, each kilometre travelled carrying with it the promise of inspiration. Perhaps that is the secret of what has made Madison Violet such an enduring band. Because with each new town, each new venue, their curiosity grows, their love of music deepens, their desire to push musical boundaries expands.

Town Heroes

Saturday April 16 at 8pm, $35 Whether a sweaty rock show or an intimate acoustic environment, The Town Heroes want you to be entertained. Born and raised in small town Nova Scotia, Mike Ryan and Bruce Gillis have played together for the past 10 years — touring the world, releasing six critically-acclaimed albums and winning an array of industry awards. Anthemic choruses, danceable arrangements, and tender falsettos highlight their catchy yet thoughtful songs. At heart, a perfect soundtrack for contemplating life with a bounce in your step.

Musically, the band blends their 90’s alt-rock influences with singer-songwriter stylings in the vein of Neil Young or Ryan Adams. On stage they move like intense caricatures, soaked in sweat, pushing every chord, note, and beat to the limit. They released their 6th album, Home, a concept album about a twoweek period during the summer of 1999 in Cape Breton, in August, 2021.

Kristen Martell and Joce Reyome

Saturday April 30 at 8pm, $35 A doubleheader show with two very contrasting styles.

Joce Reyome is quickly becoming one of our favourite soulful powerhouses. The Massachusetts-born, Charlottetown-based artist has been edging to the forefront of Atlantic Canada’s music scene. Kristen Martell is a singer/ songwriter from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Inspired by nature and her journey towards inner peace, she sings comforting songs that invite the listener to slow down, pause and live in the moment.

Terra Spencer and The Gilberts

Saturday May 14 at 8pm, $35 This show was postponed in December. All tickets sold then will be honoured Additional tickets for this show will be on sale soon.

The Bombadils

Saturday May 28 at 8pm, $35 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees The Bombadils bring together bluegrass, Celtic, and singer-songwriter traditions with frontporch style and classical grace.

Current social distancing and admission procedures:

More seats are now available. Restrictions are now lessened and we will keep one empty seat between bubbled groups (and all rows will be in use). You can help us by making sure that you have left an empty seat on both sides of your group (unless there is an aisle or a wall) when you order tickets. If this is not done we will have to re-organize your seats to allow this.

Proof of double vaccination ends February 28. Will not be required after that date. Masks will have to be worn at all times. The bar will not be open on March 5 and no eating or drinking is allowed in your seats. This is scheduled to change on March 7.

We expect that other restrictions will change March 7. All restrictions are currently scheduled to end on March 21 (just in time for spring!).

For more information visit evergreentheatre.ca.

WAY BACK WHEN

Hortonville, NS This photo was taken on March 17,1905 by A.L. Hardy of Kentville, a well known local photographer, described as “one of the outstanding photographers of the province” (Halifax Daily Star, Oct 2, 1935 obituary).