E-Malt.com News article: Canada, NB: Niche Brewing launched in Hanwell, New Brunswick

The Atlantic Canada Beer Blog reports that a new brewery has opened in Hanwell, a small community near Fredericton in west-central New Brunswick.

Niche Brewing has been founded by veteran homebrewers Rob Coombs and Shawn Meek, who have launched with 2 barrel brewhouse and a focus on keg sales to local licensees, with no on-site retail store at this time.

The brewery released its first brand, Single Origin (5%), in late December. It’s described as follows:

“Single Origin is a Coffee Sweet Stout, a dark beer brewed with lactose powder to give it a lingering sweetness to balance the roast and chocolate character. After primary fermentation, we added freshly-roasted coffee from Jonnie Java Roasters in downtown Fredericton, to really boost the coffee aroma and flavour in the beer. Those of you who are a little wary around Stouts, don’t be! This isn’t a strong beer, and is something we hope everyone will enjoy.”

Mines of Wallonia (3.6% abv) followed last week, with the following brief notes:

“A Grisette, hopped and dry hopped generously with Hallertau Blanc and Nelson Sauvin. Fermented with French Saison yeast to make it spicy and dry.”

Orange Creamsicle IPA, “a Milkshake IPA featuring the addition of lactose, vanilla bean, orange zest, and hopped with plenty of Citra, El Dorado, and Ekuanot” – is planned to be released soon.

Niche beers are is currently on tap at select craft beer bars in New Brunswick, including the James Joyce in Fredericton, Tide & Boar in Moncton, and the Cask and Kettle in Saint John.


08 January, 2018