Nova Scotia is home to a whole lot of goodness, and when it comes to local food and drink, we punch well above our weight class. Packed inside this beautiful province are more farmers’ markets per capita than anywhere else in Canada. You know what else we have the most of per capita in the country? Craft breweries. And beautifully enough, many of Nova Scotia’s 50+ craft breweries still call Nova Scotia’s farmers’ markets home.
Nova Scotia’s farmers’ markets have in many ways been the starting point for direct sales for not only craft breweries, but also wineries and craft cideries, meaderies, and distilleries. Drop by any one of our 35+ member markets across the province and you’ll find an incredible variety of locally produced beverages.
So, on that mouth-watering note, I’d like to raise a glass to some of my favourite craft breweries, cideries, and meaderies that you can find selling their wares at farmers’ markets throughout the province.
Lazy Bear Brewing
- About: Lazy Bear Brewing is a small craft brewery located in Smith’s Cove in Digby County making a wide variety of ales and ciders. Missed them at the market? Pop over to their beautiful barn on Thursday evenings for some serious hospitality.
- Which market(s)?
- Justin’s favourites:
- I’m a big fan of their Russian imperial stout, especially when it’s cold and gloomy out. Nothing warms you up like a pint of this strong beer next to a wood stove.
- I’m also a massive fan of their various wood barrel-fermented ciders—their blackberry cider is funky, tart, and super refreshing. I keep some in my cellar just to see how it changes over time, and it never fails to impress.
Mountain Meadworks
- About: Mountain Meadworks is a small but mighty operation nestled amongst the forested hills of charming Earltown specializing in zero to low-sugar meads with an impressive and constantly rotating offering.
- Which market(s)?
- Justin’s favourites:
- When I’m in the mood for something dry and refreshing, nothing quells the thirst better than Bogwitch, a cranberry-infused mead.
- Do yourself a favour and pack yourself a bottle of Arboreal—a mead infused with spruce tips—the next time you go camping or hiking. Park yourself at the trunk of a big tree, pour yourself a glass, take a deep breath, and enjoy.
Tanner & Co. Brewing
- About: Tanner & Co. Brewing is head brewer Dan Tanner’s dream brewery, with its roots in his garage in Chester Basin, originally specializing in Belgian style ales but now branching off to include a full lineup of unique beers to suite all tastes.
- Which market(s)?
- Justin’s favourites:
- I’m always looking out for their unique one-offs, such as their chardonnay barrel-fermented Sauvage, a funkier take on one of their popular beers brewed with Nova Scotian malt and a unique Cape Breton-sourced yeast strain.
- Watch out for their Gose, a tart but light and refreshing wheat beer with coriander and sea salt. It’s tasty on its own right, but darn good spicy food.
Corberrie Cider Co.
- About: Corberrie Cider Co. is a “blossom to bottle” cidery on a 5-acre apple orchard nestled inland from the Acadian Shore making crisp, easy drinking cider from a blend of 18 apple varieties.
- Which market(s)?
- Justin’s favourites:
- While I’m sure they’ll have a few new varieties coming out in due course, I’ve only had the pleasure of enjoying their flagship cider, which is as refreshing as they come. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next!
The Wayfarers’ Ale Society
- About: Wayfarers’ Ale Society is a craft brewery nestled along the Avon River in in beautiful Port Williams specializing in British-style ales—and make a sneaky good cider on the side too.
- Which market(s)?
- Justin’s favourites:
- While I enjoy plenty of their ales, it’s Hennigar’s Heritage Cider that I need to mention here. It’s my favourite go-to cider, and among the driest I’ve come across. Bonus points given that it’s made from apples grown by Richard Hennigar, a legend of a farmers’ market vendor in his own right. Luckily, you won’t be hard pressed (ehhhh) to find their cider and beer given how many markets they make it out to!
Breton Brewing
- About: Breton Brewing is a downtown Sydney staple brewing a solid lineup of ales, along with some interesting seasonal one-offs.
- Which market(s)?
- Cape Breton Farmers’ Market (Sydney)
- Justin’s favourites:
- I’m a huge fan of Breton’s hoppy East Coast style ales. Breton does hops very, very well. Their Black Angus IPA is one of my favourite go-to IPAs in Nova Scotia, and their Seven Years Pale Ale is also a super aromatic hop adventure in its own right.
- Want something a bit more West Coast inspired? Try their S.M.A.S.H. (Single Malt and Single Hop) for a tropical pale ale adventure.
