“We were definitely really happy to see that,” said Tatamagouche Brewing co-owner and brew master Matt Kenny, of the fact that two of the company’s beers have made it on the top-10 list of local craft beer sold at NSLC stores.
“Those are definitely our top two in the NSLC as well as in the store,” he said.
The two brands to make the list are Tata Brew’s Deception Bay IPA in the 473-ml., can and its North Shore Ale, which comes in the same size.
“After our first year that has been the most popular,” Kenny said, of the North Shore Lagered Ale, which he described as an every day, light, easy-drinking beer.
“So we’re really happy that that’s made it.”
What was more surprising, he added, was to see the Deception Bay beer make the list.
“It’s also pretty neat to see because that one, as far as Tatamagouche goes, is a little more out there,” he said.
Kenny said Deception Bay is “definitely more hop forward,” with more aroma, a lot more flavour and a slightly higher alcohol content.
“So to see that one do well in our store as well as through the NSLC is a pretty cool evolution.”
More hops are used in Deception Bay than other beers and it is also more fruity tasting, he said.
“So when you smell that beer, when you put it up to your nose, it is really going to jump out of the glass. Whereas a more traditional pale ale, or, like a pale lager, would be more little more earthy, a little more floral but not really that prominent,” he said.
“Deception Bay is really all about the aroma and flavour.
As for the Deception Bay name, Kenny said it was taken from the original title of River John Bay.
“So, when we were doing research on beer, we really enjoyed that name, thought it was cool history.”
Tatamagouche Brewery has six fulltime employees plus an additional six seasonal workers.
And Kenny said the company now has four brands of beer being sold at NSLC stores. The other two are the brewery’s first creation – Hippie Dippie Pale Ale and an India Session Ale called Sunrise Trail."
Updated information to correct product names.
