The perfect pint
Getting tired of the usual fare? That’s why we’ve headed off to find the perfect pint. And, thankfully, Halifax has a lot to offer. With an impressive selection of microbreweries and brewpubs, it’s not hard to find a great mug of grog in this city. Check out these places for genuinely tasty draughts.
Rockbottom Brewery
The faux pub interior and automated taps might throw off some purists, but delve into one or two of the six ales brewed on-site and you’ll be won over. Rockbottom brews the standards (IPA, stout, wheat) well. Try the Nut Brown Ale for a malty treat.
5686 Spring Garden Road, 423-2938
Granite Brewery
This microbrewery is simply one of the best in the city. From the hand-pumped Best Bitter to Keefe’s Irish Stout, Granite really understands what makes a great ale: unique; uncompromising; flavourful brews. Try The Henry House for the best selection.
Brewery and shop: 6054 Stairs Street, 429-4954
Hart and Thistle Gastropub and Brewery
With an ever-changing selection of limited-run ales, this new-ish brewpub is like an adventure for the true tipple enthusiast. As of writing, the bistro is offering its E-Rosinous Zone IPA and a Blackout Canadian India Ale described as a “big dark full-bodied hop bomb” that was brewed during a blackout. But this could change tomorrow. Check out the Brewer’s Blog (hartandthistle.blogspot.com) for the latest.
Historic Pr operties, 1869 Upper Water Street, 407-4278
Rogue’s Roost Brew Pub
A good down-to-earth, after-work bar with a tasty selection of on-site brews to whet your whistle. Try the Raspberry Wheat Ale to kickoff spring, or the crisp, refreshing Cream Ale. They make great companions for the above-average pub food, too.
5435 Spring Garden Road, 492-BEER
This article appears in Apr 8-14, 2010.
No Garrison? Are you kidding?
I can’t believe Garrison didn’t make the top of this list. They just walked away with Gold & Silver from the WORLD BEER CHAMPIONSHIPS in Chicago. Really disappointing, Coast.
Don’t give Henry House your money, they don’t want it.
Any place that has Propeller is good enough.
The WORLD BEER CHAMPIONSHIPS isn’t even a competition for crap sakes. It’s a ‘buy a medal so you can pretend you’re great’ load of bull, do some homework and check their ‘proprietary’ tasting method. Btw – dozens or hundreds of other beers in the SAME categories also ‘won’ gold medals, lol. Terribly misleading bullshit is what it is, nothing more.
The aforementioned brewery SUX thus the reason (presumably) they aren’t mentioned in this article.
You can’t really drink at Garrison though. Just samples IIRC.
Gee, a little rough on Garrison people. Their beers are still a step up from the regular light lager crap. I looked at the results from the WBC, but I don’t see the multiple Gold winners in the same categories. Am I missing something here….
And as for Rockbottom, they don’t brew anything: all their wort (that is, unfermented beer) is made in PEI and then fermented on-premise. There isn’t anyone there who’s responsible for actually developing the recipe or anything like that: it’s just a front.
Still like the Henry House. And IIRC, the Lion’s Head has a nice selection of beer. Granite and McAuslan I think, and maybe others….
Whoever wrote the piece does not understand beer and how to drink it yet. There are great places to drink beer in this city. Some only have one decent tap, but if the place is right, that’s enough.
Here are some places to find a great beer experience in Halifax, in no order, and of course I missed some.
Hart and Thistle – there is always a new beer on tap it seems, and if you tire of Nash’s hop bombs and mega stouts, there is still a great selection of micros, carefully chosen. And the location, right on the harbour, is wonderful, especially if you have guests from out of town.
Tom’s Little Havana – what can I say? The place is comfortable, like your favourite sweater. Garrison beers on tap, including the top selling tap of ImPA.
Tugs Pub – Not fantastic, but ultra cosy, maybe the smallest place in town. Garrison beers.
The Lions Head – Granite brews, including some of the specials, on tap (Old Cardinal was on tap my last visit). Inside the former smoking section reminds me so much of a British pub now.
Rogues Roost – sit along the windows on a hot summer day and enjoy the traffic below, the life of the street, and the great, fresh, consistent beers. In summer, their mini-patio is fun.
The Loose Cannon – will be even better with patio season. Has some nice nooks, good beer selection.
The Diamond – small, cosy part of the Shoe Shop complex. Inside in winter feels like back in the 60’s. Nice patio in summer, of course. Propeller and Garrison beers.
Downstairs at the Henry House – great space, bad attitude sometimes – it would be funny watching their reaction when someone returns a bad, sour beer, if this was not a service industry. They would tell the brewer of a beer that a sour one was OK, and I bet they probably have. So order beer carefully – get a taste before ordering a full pint. The space and the food make it worthwhile.
Freemans on Quinpool – has no right to be so good, but the full suite of Propeller beers, fairly priced, the friendly servers, and the pizza make it a worthwhile haven.
The Seahorse – Have their own Propeller blend – Horsepower bitter. Great live music venue, can also be a drakened cool summer escape from the heat.
The Company House – great, fresh Propeller taps, and bottles. Good snacks too. And a great live music venue to boot.
Charlies – what can I say? Propeller in bottles, rudimentary decor. But the place is real, and so are the patrons.