Glorious and Free: Maritime breweries join trans-Canada collaboration

Independent brewers from across the country have come together to tap into local flavours and create Glorious and Free IPA.

“This beer is as diverse as Canada itself,” said Josh McJannett, the co-founder of Dominion City Brewing in Ottawa, Ont.

McJannett said the idea for Glorious and Free came from wanting to do something during a crucial time in Canada’s history but feeling like it’s out of your control.

“But you know what is in our control Is making really good beer,” he said.

Uniting over 40 breweries from across the country, McJannett sent out a recipe and a label, but encouraged breweries to use local products to make their beers.

“They gave us their recipe as a guideline with the caveat to use as much local things as you can, you know, feel free to put your twist on it,” said Josh Herbin, co-owner of North Brewing in Dartmouth, N.S.

“Even if you take the same recipe, breweries with different equipment and yeast and things, it’s always going to be a little bit unique to your facility.”

Each participating brewery selects an organization they’d like to donate a portion of the proceeds to.

McJannett says the intention is those organizations will focus on one or more of the following:

• Connection to Land and People - Organizations that support connections between people and/or our history and the traditions of those who came before us.
• Welcoming Communities - Organizations that contribute to a community where everyone belongs.
• Getting Together - Organizations that invest in shared experiences to strengthen our social fabric.
• For Generations - Organizations that support the creativity and ambition of those contributing to our country’s future.

For North Brewing, proceeds will support the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and their mission to provide culture-focused programs.

“This is a great opportunity to promote a great cause, to promote local supply chains that exist within Canada already,” said Peter Burbridge of North Brewery.

McJannett believes beer is a reflection of the people and the land.

“Beer is still so much a statement about where you are,” said McJannett.

“I think this beer really showcases that.”

For Herbin, it’s about showing that local breweries are here to stay in Canada.

“In our industry and our business, one of our values here is resilience. And, this is just a good chance to show that, we’re pretty tough, and, we can stick up for ourselves, and we can work together,” he said.

While North Brewery is the only Nova Scotian brewery taking part, there are two from P.E.I. and New Brunswick, as well as Newfoundland.

The campaign launches in Nova Scotia on April 11.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page