Sippin' Craft Beer in Saint John, New Brunswick

Sippin' Craft Beer in Saint John - Global Dish - Stephanie Arsenault

{Disclaimer: this beer-loving post was written in partnership with Expedia, and if you’re looking for more delicious Canadian brews, check out this country-wide list! Caution: you’re going to be mighty thirsty after reading it, so you should probably have a cold beer on hand. You know, just in case.}

Oh, Canada, you babely beer-making beast, you. While you may not be quite as experienced or have as many years of brewing under your belt as some other countries, you’ve done a hell of a job with everything you’ve done so far. From coast to coast, from ales to lagers, from nano-brews to internationally distributed suds, Canadian beer has really made a name for itself. Nice work, my love.

One standout city is Saint John, New Brunswick. It’s not boiling over with breweries, as so many Canadian cities are, but it is home to Moosehead, the country’s last major brewery that is still owned by Canadians. Moosehead has been around for 150 years, and is still run by the same family. It’s survived two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Great Fire, which destroyed two-thirds of the city. With such a resilient {and delicious} business still thriving in the historic city, it’s no surprise that new breweries are popping up recently.

According to CBC, Saint John is slated to be a Canadian craft beer destination, thanks to the rise of the homebrewing culture. It makes sense: people are going from brewing beer for a few friends, to brewing more beer for new friends. Nothing could be truer to the kind, community-driven ways of the people of the Maritimes.

So, if you ever have a chance to visit Saint John, be sure to make the trip to the historic Moosehead Brewery, along with these three beer-driven spots.

BIG TIDE BREWING CO.
This unassuming little brewery is tucked away on the steep hill of picturesque Princess Street. It first reads as more of a quaint local pub, with a very small bar and a pretty classic pub fare on the menu. The beer, however, is definitely a passion project gone rogue {in a very good way}. Big Tide always has a few core brews available, along with a nice selection of rotating seasonal taps. Get the most of your visit by ordering a flight of beer, and then savouring your favourite with a full pint after you’ve had a chance to try them all.

PICAROONS GENERAL STORE
The main brewery is located in Fredericton, but this beautifully renovated space {in a historic building on Canterbury Street} is a fantastic addition to uptown Saint John. They do have a small brewhouse on site for specialty beers, but the main attraction here is the awesome selection of brews on tap and the open space for patrons to enjoy them in.

The perfect visit: grab a bite to go {at the next-door Locavore Café} and chill with a brew or two and some board games. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Picaroons General Store is pup and kid-friendly, has regular live entertainment, and is a huge supporter of other local business. Cheers to that!

SAINT JOHN ALE HOUSE
It’s not a brewery, but this beer-focused venue champions local brewers and celebrates the craft in the best way they know how: with kick-ass flights, knowledgeable staff, and a rather stunning waterfront location, to boot.

The Ale House, possibly best known for its food {Chef Jesse Vergen is a Top Chef alum}, boasts a fantastic selection of wine and cocktails {for those weirdos who don’t like beer…}, along with a custom-brewed cask-conditioned ale from Moosehead, and an impressive 34 brews on tap. It really is the perfect place to get a well-rounded beer experience if you’re short on time.

If guided tours are more your thing, check out Uncorked Tours. Your guide, Gilliane, will take you through a great selection of sites around the city, and you'll sample a ton of local brews and cider, all while getting a little history lesson and truly local perspective.

This beer-loving post was written in partnership with Expedia, and if you’re looking for more delicious Canadian brews, check out this country-wide list! Caution: you’re going to be mighty thirsty after reading it, so you should probably have a cold beer on hand. You know, just in case.