Tasted TV

Category: Beer

  • Nova Scotia’s Got Its Own Fish and Brews — And It’s a Whole Lot Tastier

    Nova Scotia’s Got Its Own Fish and Brews — And It’s a Whole Lot Tastier

    Let’s give Newfoundland its due. Fish and brewis — salt cod, soaked hard tack, pork scrunchions — is a true east coast classic. But over here in Nova Scotia, we’ve taken that humble idea and given it a butter-drenched, beer-paired upgrade. Because why soak old bread when you can crack open a lobster claw and a cold Propeller?

    This is fish and brews — Nova Scotia style.

    First, the lobster. Sweet, salty, caught that morning. It doesn’t take much to find it — local joints have it boiled, grilled, rolled, or butter-poached, no GPS required. But the truly lucky? They end up eating it on a dock, salt air in their lungs, butter dripping from their knuckles, or at some glorious house party where someone’s cousin knows how to host a proper backyard boil.

    Second, the “brews.” And that’s where Propeller Beer comes in.

    This Halifax original has been pouring pints since the ’90s — long before craft beer became something you swirled and sniffed. Their Pilsner is crisp, clean, made for seafood. It cuts through the richness of lobster like it was brewed for it (because it basically was). Prefer something bolder? Grab their ESB or IPA, loaded with character and just enough bite to stand up to grilled tails or garlic butter anything.

    And the best part? You don’t have to hunt it down. Propeller has Tap Rooms and Beer Shops right in Halifax — welcoming, laid-back spots where you can sip, stock up, and maybe grab a T-shirt that proves you know what’s good. Whether you’re pre-gaming a lobster dinner or just popping in off the sidewalk, it’s an easy (and tasty) way to plug into Nova Scotia’s craft culture.

    This isn’t fine dining. This is finer. Casual, coastal, loud with laughter, maybe eaten off a paper plate. The kind of pairing that makes you slow down — not because it’s fancy, but because it’s real.

    So yeah, Newfoundland’s fish and brewis walks so Nova Scotia’s lobster and Propeller could run.

    And honestly? We’ll take ours dockside, beer in hand, friends all around, and a second helping already on the way.

  • Raising a Glass: Craft Beer Around the Globe

    Raising a Glass: Craft Beer Around the Globe

    Craft beer is no longer just a hipster trend or a backyard experiment—it’s a global movement. From Tokyo to Toronto, small-scale brewers are challenging the status quo, experimenting with ingredients, and creating a rich tapestry of flavors that reflect local cultures and global curiosity. What began as a rebellion against bland, mass-produced lagers has become a vibrant, international community rooted in creativity, authenticity, and flavor.

    North America: The Pioneer

    The United States is widely credited with igniting the modern craft beer revolution. In the 1980s, pioneers like Sierra Nevada and Anchor Steam paved the way for thousands of independent breweries to emerge. Today, cities like Portland, Denver, and Asheville are synonymous with IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, and innovative sour beers. Canada has followed closely behind, with vibrant scenes in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto, where brewers draw inspiration from local ingredients and European traditions.

    Europe: Old World Meets New Tricks

    Europe has long been home to historic brewing cultures—Belgium with its Trappist ales, Germany with its Reinheitsgebot-pure lagers, and the UK with its beloved bitters and porters. But craft beer is reshaping these traditions. In Copenhagen, Mikkeller helped kickstart Scandinavia’s experimental brewing scene. In Italy, birra artigianale is booming, often using wine grapes, chestnuts, and local herbs. Even traditional powerhouses like Munich and Brussels are seeing a new generation of brewers redefining what beer can be, while still honoring heritage.

    Asia: Innovation Meets Identity

    Asia’s craft beer scene is younger but growing fast. In Japan, meticulous brewing meets wild creativity—think yuzu IPAs and matcha-infused stouts. Breweries like Hitachino Nest are winning international fans, while microbreweries in Tokyo and Kyoto thrive on community and experimentation.

    In China, the craft beer wave is surging. Beijing and Shanghai have become hubs for expats and locals thirsty for new experiences, with breweries like Jing-A and Great Leap Brewing leading the charge. Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea are also seeing major growth, with brewers tapping into tropical fruits, native spices, and street food culture for inspiration.

    Latin America: Bold and Local

    From Mexico City to Buenos Aires, craft brewers are blending local tradition with global style. In Brazil, Amazonian ingredients like cupuaçu and açaí find their way into funky farmhouse ales. In Argentina, malbec barrel-aged beers nod to the country’s famous wines. And in Mexico, cervecerías are reviving pre-Hispanic ingredients like corn and cacao to make beers that feel both new and deeply rooted in culture.

    Africa & The Middle East: Brewing Against the Odds

    Though challenges remain, the craft beer movement is gaining ground across Africa and the Middle East. South Africa’s Cape Town and Johannesburg are home to a growing scene, blending Western styles with indigenous grains and local botanicals. In the Middle East, where alcohol laws vary, breweries like Jordan’s Carakale and Israel’s Dancing Camel push boundaries with bold flavor and resilience.

    What’s Next

    Craft beer is more than just hops and yeast—it’s a cultural exchange in a glass. It tells stories about place, people, and palate. It celebrates diversity, both in taste and tradition. And as brewers continue to innovate, collaborate, and redefine what beer can be, craft beer becomes a liquid map of global curiosity.

    So whether you’re sipping a saison in Paris, a gose in Seoul, or a porter in Portland, one thing’s clear: the craft beer movement is here to stay, and it’s brewing something delicious—everywhere.