BIG AXE CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL – Great Beers & East Coast Hospitality!

About 65 km west of Fredericton is the rural community of Nackawic-Millville on the east bank of the Saint John River in New Brunswick, Canada. It is famous for its axe, but it is becoming more well-known these days for its craft beer.  We chat with Peter Cole, owner of Bix Axe Brewery, about the upcoming Big Axe Craft Beer Festival that has people making their way to this tiny town by the busload to sample great beers, take in amazing views of the Saint John River and enjoy a never-ending supply of East Coast Hospitality.

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When you live in a rural community with the world’s largest axe made from seven tonnes of stainless steel, standing fifteen meters tall overlooking the Saint John River what better name for a brewery and a festival than Big Axe?  Nackawic, New Brunswick is home to the world’s largest axe, the Big Axe Brewery, and for the last 6 years the Big Axe Craft Beer Festival.

Peter Cole, founder and owner of Big Axe Brewery, first spoke with Spotlight on Business in July of 2020 when we featured the brewery and shared the story about his entrepreneurial success in the brewing industry operating a business from rural New Brunswick.

After being laid off as manager of a recruiting company where he had worked for nine years, Cole began looking for a new career path. “I wanted to do something I was passionate about and I was passionate about craft beer,” said Cole back then.  Talking with Cole today, he has not lost that passion if anything it has only grown stronger. Coming from a family of carpenters, Cole always liked the idea of creating a product – of making something he could be proud of and that people could enjoy.  

Cole discovered brewing was part of his family history, a story he loves to tell his customers. “When I was 16 or 17 years old, my grandfather raised horses and grew vegetables and strawberries, that he would sell to the public. Cars would show up and people would leave with a bag of vegetables and strawberries. I thought that was a cool way to make a little money.”

One day, he discovered his grandfather behind the farm in a shed that Cole had always assumed was just for gardening tools and supplies. However, that day, he noticed the stack on top of the shed had a lot of steam coming out and went to investigate. 

As it turns out his grandfather had another side business.  There was still in there, and he was making moonshine. It was also then that Cole realized the vegetables and strawberries were just a front for what people were actually getting from him.  But don’t get us wrong the vegetables and strawberries were good also.

When Cole turned 21, he began experimenting with beer kits and eventually moved on to all-grain kits.  He also began to research more about brewing and craft breweries, with mentors like Sean Dunbar from Picaroon Traditional Ales, brewing beer with Stephen Dixon from Grimross Brewing, Shane Steeves of Hammond River Brewing, and others around New Brunswick and Southern Ontario building his knowledge of brewing and developing the craft brewing skills necessary to one day open a brewery of his own.

In 2014 Cole opened Big Axe Brewery using a one-barrel system with two-barrel fermenters, and supplying beer to restaurants and bars in Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John.  In 2017, the brewery expanded to a 10-barrel brewhouse with 20-barrel fermenters and opened the doors at their new facility in April of 2018 and the brand has continued to grow ever since.

It was the same year that Cole came up with the idea of bringing beer enthusiasts to the banks of the Saint John River for Atlantic Canada’s Largest Outdoor Craft Beer Festival.  The inaugural Big Axe Craft Beer Festival had over 25 craft vendors and a solid attendance of 500 people.  But like his business, Cole was passionate about growing this event that will see more than 1500 people attending the festival this year along with some of the best craft brewers and distillers in the region like Breton Brewing, Coldstream Clear, Off Grid Ales, PEI Brewing, Picaroons Brewing, and Trailway Brewing all come together as close to 50 craft brewers, distillers, cideries and wineries bring their amazing and diverse selection of handcrafted beer, cider, mead, spirits, and wine to the riverside in Nackawic.  So, whether you’re a beer connoisseur or just looking to discover new flavors, this event has something for you!

So, you are most likely asking, where do 1500 people stay in Nackawic?  Well, Cole and the Big Axe Craft Beer Festival team have you covered with shuttles running from Fredericton, Saint John, and Woodstock to get festivalgoers to and from the event safely.  They have also arranged special festival rates with many of the hotels.  You can also drive to the festival and Destination Nackawic’s brand-new, expanded marina facilities (with fuel!) will also be open for those who prefer to travel by water. 

This year’s festival kicks off the weekend on Friday night with the incredible band Certified, setting the stage for an epic weekend of festivities as you dance the night away and get a taste of the excitement to come. Speaking of tastes, you don’t worry about food as there will be lots of delicious food options with seven food trucks on site.

Friday’s festivities get started at 6pm and run until 9pm with the main event happening Saturday from 4pm (3pm for VIP Ticket Holders) until 8pm, when festivalgoers will head back to their shuttle buses.

Festivalgoers can choose from two ticket options: General Admission and VIP.  Each GA ticket includes an 8oz sampling glass to savor the diverse flavors.  VIP ticket holders can enter the festival an hour early and receive a 16oz sampling glass.

What do you need to Bring:

The festival is rain or shine even! So, bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, umbrella, and rain gear.  You might also want to take a folding camping chair or a blanket to chill on the grass while enjoying all the awesome craft vendors.  Remember to bring cash for food trucks, 50/50, and merchandise.  Also, this is a 19+ event so be prepared to show ID.

Cole’s grandfather would be very proud to see people coming to the Big Axe by the busload and we recommend that you go and experience this event for yourself.  Sample products from close to 50 craft producers, and 7 food trucks while enjoying all the games, prizes, and live music for yourself, and learn why everyone is saying, “This is the best outdoor craft beer festival ever!”

See you in Nackawic where the AXE marks the spot to be!

by Ryan Myson