The Fredericton Craft Beer Festival Returns After a 3-Year Hiatus
Since beginning in the early 2000s and growing until 2020, the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival hosted several brewers and beer tasters before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped festival plans two years ago.
Over 2000 craft beer enthusiasts across the Maritimes travelled to Fredericton on March 11, 2023, to experience the products of new and returning craft breweries. Fredericton ranks amongst the most taprooms per capita in Canada, with one taproom per 5,400 people – and counting. The 26 craft alcohol producers in the Fredericton Capital Region, ranging from new startups to award-winning breweries, all have their unique spin on traditional style ales and inventive brews. Companies and connoisseurs continue to tap into the growing interest in the industry, with over ten new breweries added since the 2020 festival.
“I love meeting new people, love new faces; everyone is drunk, so they’re always happy to talk and start up a new conversation. But mainly, it’s nice to spend time with my friend and family and have a great day.”
This one-day event featured 35 craft breweries, meaderies, cideries and distilleries. Vendors had new and fun-flavoured beers like lime guava sour, slushee trillion of peaches and fruit lambic.
Not only did vendors offer craft beer – there were a variety of distilleries – like Venerdi, who offered the popular pink lemonade seltzer. Plus, Black Galley Distillery, who showcased their best seller – salted toffee vodka.
“I wanted to come to the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival because I really enjoy craft beer, and I thought that this would be a great experience to try different alcohol producers from around the province and the Maritimes.” said Emily Davis, first-time festival attendee.
While the festival shows the latest craft alcohol producers, for Fredericton locals, this is a festival that untapped new tastes and fun experiences.
“I’ve had a great experience so far. All of the vendors have been great. They are always friendly, and they love to give out free beer; it’s great – I love it.” said Dexter Scarbro, beer festival alumn.
Now that the 2023 Fredericton Craft Beer Festival is over, organizers are already preparing for even more demand in 2024. Next year, the Festival will add even more vendors, beers and an extra day to meet the demand of craft-beer lovers in Atlantic Canada.
