Alexander Keith’s Brewery
For more than 185 years, Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale has been the toast of Nova Scotia. It’s a time-honoured recipe, steeped in authentic Nova Scotia tradition. Even as times change, Alexander Keith’s proudly remains the same: a beer brewed without compromise since 1820. For this we have the great brewmaster, Alexander Keith, to thank.
A young Scottish immigrant, Alexander Keith established his Halifax brewery at the age of 25 years. Despite his youth, Keith was already seasoned in the art of brewing from the finest breweries in the British Isles. Upon settling in Nova Scotia, Alexander Keith himself created the original secret recipe for his own India Pale Ale. Using only the finest ingredients, he brewed slowly, carefully, taking the time to get it right. In doing so, he ensured his brew was of the highest quality – a reputation that grew with every barrel he shipped.
Years later, Alexander Keith was highly respected as both a business leader and philanthropist. In fact because of his commitment to his community, he was twice elected and once proclaimed mayor of Halifax! Yet as hard working as the brewmaster was, he wasn’t above indulging in a ceilidh or two. In fact it was his genuine spirit of fun – his celebration of life’s good times – that have inspired the sociability of the brand today. Whether gathering friends and family together or toasting great achievements, Alexander Keith provided the foundation for ‘Nova Scotia Good Times’.
With this rich heritage, it’s no wonder the man and the ale are now celebrated across Canada. Those who like it, like it a lot.
Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale was originally crafted for British troops serving in India. The high quality ingredients and the preservative effect of hops kept the beer fresh on the long voyage down the coast of Africa, around the Cape of Good Hope and into the Indian Ocean. This superior ale soon became the favourite of British troops everywhere. With so many soldiers stationed in Halifax, each with a daily 1 gallon ration of beer, it made sense that the city have its own India Pale Ale- or so thought Alexander Keith. In 1820 he began brewing India Pale Ale under his own name. To this day, his fine ale is still produced only in Halifax.
Created in the same vein as Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale, Alexander Keith’s Light Ale is light in colour and hopped in flavour. Available only in Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick, Keith’s Light Ale is known as a light tasting ale whose subtle black licorice/anise notes contribute to its character. In terms of flavour, Alexander Keith’s Light Ale is known for its clean bitterness, slightly sweet/malty flavour and light body. It is also smooth and well balanced, with a light ester undertone which gives Keith’s Light Ale its floral/fruity nose.
Alexander Keith’s Light Ale is only brewed in Nova Scotia and is a great complement to the region’s most popular beer, Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale. With an alcohol content of 4% by volume, it has a very clean taste that makes it a highly drinkable beer.
Alexander Keith’s Red Amber Ale is a premium offering from the great family of Keith’s beers. With its dark amber colour and rich red overtones, Keith’s Red Amber Ale offers you a specialty beer experience. This smooth, well-balanced ale is brewed to the exact standards first laid out by Alexander Keith over 185 years ago. It is rich in every sense of the word - rich in colour, rich in heritage and rich in taste.
Available NOW in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Quebec.
Those who like it, like it Red!!
As a government and garrison town and “Warden of the Empire of the North” (as Kipling said) Halifax would have been no stranger to the men and ships of the Royal Navy and the India service. In 1820, Alexander Keith decided to produce Nova Scotia quality beers and ales. He felt that they would be equally enjoyed by the working man, the soldiers and sailors of the town, as well as the merchants and gentry. He is best remembered for his India Pale Ale, well received in his time and still made by his brewery his way today. A rare example of the brewer’s art, it remains as well received today by those with a pleasure for fine beer.
At Mr. Keith’s brewery we follow a recipe developed by the great brewmaster himself. The recipe is based on his quality brewing principle. First, use only the finest ingredients and second, brew slowly, carefully, taking the time to get it right.
Brewing starts with conversion. Conversion occurs when the ground pure barley malt is mixed with water to extract starches and convert them to sugars. The second step in the brewing process is Extraction. This occurs when the spent grains of the malt are extracted from the liquid. Then the liquid which brewers call “the wort” is transferred to a large kettle. The spent barley malt grains are usually sold to local farmers for feed for their animals.
The next step is absolutely critical. Hops, another of his finest ingredients, are added to the boiling wort. Hops give Keith’s India Pale Ale that delicious aroma and distinctive taste. Keith’s drinkers like it, they like it a lot. After “hopping”, the wort is transferred to fermentation tubs.
Yeast is then added to the wort. The yeast ferments in the liquid producing alcohol in the beer. Actually it’s 5% alcohol by volume. The yeast also produces the natural carbon dioxide in the liquid. Next, the beer is cooled down causing the yeast to settle, thereby allowing for its easy removal.
Now for the final and most important step in the process, time. Mr. Keith brews his beer slowly, carefully, taking the time to get it right. Time is used to let his fine ale age and the flavour mature. It also takes time for his India Pale Ale to mellow and evolve into its distinctive taste. How does Mr. Alexander Keith brew his fine beer? Simple. The finest ingredients. And all the time it takes to get it right.
Canada Business Directory @ January 17, 2009