Exploring New Brunswick’s Breweries: The Best of Craft Beer in Fredericton
There’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker in the capital of New Brunswick. With an ever-evolving list of craft breweries, the craft beer scene in Fredericton is filled with experimental batches, diverse and refreshing flavours, and welcoming establishments to indulge in. Whether you’re downtown or in one of the diverse neighborhoods, beer enthusiasts will find a craft brewery or tap room in every corner of the city.
If you’re after hopped-up IPAs, clean and crisp malty ales or fruited sours, pull up a stool and ask for a recommendation at one of these Fredericton craft breweries.
Fredericton Craft Beer Festival
For the ultimate beer-tasting experience, add the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival to your East Coast bucket list. Held annually in March, the one-stop-shop lets craft beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers sample a substantial variety of beers, ciders and mead from over 60 breweries across the Maritimes. Whether you opt for your usual style or tempt your taste buds with a unique and exclusive craft brew, you’ll have a chance to tempt your taste buds with flagship and exclusive craft brews while chatting with the brewers who made them.
Running from March 6 – 7, 2020, the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival is ‘all about the beer! Pure. Simple.’ The festival is widely regarded as the leading craft beer festival on the East Coast and it continues to grow each year with the addition of other events, including the Beer Olympics, Fredericton Beer Run and Down East Brewing Awards.
Grimross Brewing
Named after Grimross Island on the St. John River, Grimross Brewing is a locally owned microbrewery that embodies the true essence of a brewery. The large tasting room and industrial-style décor create a laid-back ambiance at the uptown Fredericton craft brewery. Grab a seat at one of the round wooden tables and tempt your senses with a pint and some live music.
Drawing inspiration from brewers in Belgium and Northern France, Grimross Brewing serves a rotating menu of craft beers, from a Maritime pale ale, to a German pilsner, to a Belgian-inspired farmhouse ale. If you work up an appetite, order from the snack menu comprised of New Brunswick-made delicacies, including BBQ cheese curds and oak cakes. Finish off with a bite to eat from the local food truck set up in the parking lot and a growler of your favourite craft beer to go.
Maybee Brewing
From its welcoming atmosphere to its picturesque rustic décor, Maybee Brewing is a gem for craft beer enthusiasts looking to taste a variety of styles of craft beer in Fredericton. It’s large industrial style tap room with a view of the production floor and patio (for those sizzling Canadian summer days) make it a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a pint or two.
Whether you’re after an Espresso Stout loaded with flavour and aroma or a deep red-coloured Rye IPA, Maybee Brewing has you covered. The 10-barrel brewery is well-known for their hoppy American Ales, Belgian beers and experimental batches made from local ingredients. Don’t forget to grab a growler or a couple of cans for the road on your way out.
Aside from their robust line-up of craft beers, Maybee Brewing routinely hosts paint and sips, cask nights and hopped yoga throughout the year. Time your visit with one of these events at the Fredericton brewery and you won’t be disappointed.
Trailway Brewing
Situated north of the St. John River, Trailway Brewing is a staple of the craft beer scene in Fredericton. Whether you want to expand your palate or just quench your thirst, order a pint and post up at the bar or one of the two large banquette tables on the first floor, hit the large covered deck and patio area when it’s nice outside, or head upstairs to the mezzanine that overlooks the action below.
Known for its bold, uncompromising flavours, its open concept tasting room features a consistent inventory of signature unfiltered brews, including the Hu Jon Hops IPA and the Dunder. Trailway Brewing is also constantly debuting new flavours, so you can dabble in one of their seasonal brews – from a refreshing citrus IPA to one that’s saturated with tropical fruits and berries.
Craving a satisfying meal with your flight? You can often find a food truck conveniently parked outside of the microbrewery.
Starting to get a taste of New Brunswick? Discover more highlights the province has to offer with these top attractions.
Special thanks to the staff at the Comfort Inn in Fredericton, NB for their suggestions.