Shane Beehan, 30, took up the bartending profession four years ago. He hails originally from St. John’s Newfoundland, but is now working and living in Halifax NS. When you mix his East Coast hospitality, a penchant for local lore, a fascination with rum’s history and an interest in telling a good story it’s hard to imagine anyone better suited to being a barman. His inspiration behind the bar comes form meeting his guests and being able to share a bit of his knowledge of cocktail history with them.

Former mixologist for The Bicycle Thief, Matt has now joined forces with fellow bar man, Jeff Van Horne in their enterprise “The Clever BarKeep”. Created as a unique bar tending service their aim is to develop & present eloquent and luxurious beverage experiences, crafted specifically to meet the needs of any special event. This will be Matt’s first appearance at Spirited Away in Lunenburg and we are eager to partake of his knowledge and cocktail creations!

Since a very young age, Anne-Marie has held jobs that require a lot of presence and a high level of attentiveness. But when she began bartending it opened a door to something more; she found a craft that so perfectly combined her passions for creativity and hospitality. You can find her behind the bar or approaching your table at The Middle Spoon & Noble, where she has learned the trade of bartending from the ground up. She is continuously educating herself further on the subject of cocktails and spirits and, being so approachable, is always up for conversation on the subject. Every time Anne-Marie steps into work, she strives to build something special with every guest, to pull them into an experience. When you see her this fall at Spirited Away, beware – her excitement and passion are contagious.

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Not many people can say that they love their job but I can confidently say that I love bartending. There is always something new in this industry to learn. Sharing interesting facts about spirits and cocktails in an approachable way creates a unique drinking experience this is something I have become very passionate about. I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of the Nova Scotia Craft Spirit Festival and look forward to sharing my spirited tales, expertise and of course cocktails with everyone joining us in Lunenburg. I hope to see you there for an amazing spirit filled weekend, Cheers!

Mixology meets acrobatics. Talented mixologist and adept flair bartender, Matt Conway joins in the
adventure this year at Spirited Away in Lunenburg. You won’t want to miss seeing him in action with his award winning performance of cocktail creation in action.

Originally from Halifax, Michael ventured into the world of bartending after he wrapped a career playing football in both Canada and Europe. Learning from the leaders in the bartending industry Michael carefully honed his craft, which propelled him to numerous national bartending competitions. Now spending his time behind the bar at Highwayman in Halifax as both an owner and operator he continues to help grow the industry and be a representative of true east coast hospitality.

Producer of such popular spirits as Sea Fever and Fortress Rum and Glynnevan Canadian Rye Whisky their distillery is on the historic harbour in Guysborough.

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Situated in the picturesque village of Port Williams, NS., on the shores of the bay of Fundy, newly opened Barrelling Tide Distillery produces hand crafted spirits and seasonal liqueurs using the produce of the Annapolis Valley.

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Handcrafted in the historical shipbuilding community of River John, Caldera Distilling, and its fine whisky pay tribute to the heritage of craftsmen and explorers across the province. Their spirits are proudly distilled, barreled, aged and bottled using ingredients grown on their property.

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Coldstream Clear Distillery is located in the very heart of Nova Scotia, in the rural community of West St. Andrews. They create premium spirits such as vodka, with several popular flavour varieties and an unaged rum called Original Spirit.

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The festival is happy to welcome Compass Distillers this year.
“Compass Distillers is located in the North End neighbourhood of Halifax. As a craft distiller, we are proud to be woven into the fabric of a vital neighbourhood, in the heart of a thriving city. Our production facility includes everything needed to take raw ingredients and craft them into fine spirits.”

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New to Spirited Away in Lunenburg, CovenHoven is located in Sandy Cove, NS.

“We consider it a privilege to give back any way that we can. We are committed to sourcing local products, talent, and services whenever possible. CövenHöven Distillery promises that our spirits are pure and locally crafted.”

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Glenora Distillery is the only one of its kind. They’ve been recognized as the first single malt whisky distillery in North America, and they’ve also produced the world’s first single malt whisky aged in icewine barrels. Their copper pot stills and time-tested traditions mean the whisky they produce is on par with the greatest single malts in Scotland.

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J.D.Shore Rum is handcrafted in a small-batch copper still with passion, pride and can-do spirit by Julie Shore, Master Distiller at the Halifax Distilling Co. Visit their distillery right downtown in Halifax’s historical port.

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They truly love the process of creating their spirits and liqueurs from scratch. They never fail to get excited by the first loads of fresh apples in the fall, by the sweet aromas of the fermentations, by the delight of the first taste of pear eau-de-vie coming off the still.  They feel privileged to be able to work with great growers, and their exceptional produce.  They welcome you to share the tastes of Nova Scotia in our spirits and liqueurs. Visit the distillery in while visiting in historical Lunenburg.

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Steinhart Distillery is located in Arisaig. Craft distilling is a rich Steinhart family tradition over 300 years in the making. Thomas Steinhart still remembers coming of age in rural Germany, where he spent many happy hours helping his grandfather stoke the wood-fired still. Though the fire has long since extinguished and the family farm has been sold, the joy of using natural ingredients to craft superb spirits is still ablaze in Thomas’ memory.

We are a small batch craft distillery located in Annapolis Royal, NS.  We are delighted to bring you high quality spirits from all natural, locally sourced ingredients, that we hope you can share with friends and family time and time again.

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The fruits and herbs in our Tangled Garden liqueurs are harvested from the warm fertile Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. We pick at the height of ripeness to bring you a product full af the freshness and quality for which Tangled Garden products are known. Steeped, the fruit and herbs yield a magical elixir. Serve chilled or mix with sparkling water, white wine, champagne or add to a martini for a novel touch. Our liqueurs are best enjoyed young for peak flavours but will keep for many years.

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Adding international flair to our Festival this year, we welcome Portobello Road Gin from the very heart of gin making territory, London UK. Cheers!

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Located in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, The Mariner King Inn majestically stands in the heart of Old Town Lunenburg. The Inn, built in 1830, has undergone extensive renovations restoring the old and melding it with the needs of today’s travellers. The Inn has three rooms and two suites in the original building, while the Cranberry and Candy Apple additions add six suites and three rooms with a more contemporary, mariner theme in mind.

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High end business & real estate investments in Lunenburg & area.

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The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic provides the ultimate waterfront experience, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While at the Museum, you experience life in a fishing community and discover, up close, life at sea

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We are pleased that one of Lunenburg’s most important long time, local businesses, High Liner Foods is joining the ranks of our sponsors this year. They will be supplying some of the food we serve at the Spirited Gala on Saturday evening, all of which will be prepared by the talented students from the NSCC Culinary Arts department. At High Liner Foods they recognize that it is the responsibility of their industry to ensure that our oceans are healthy now and for future generations. They work diligently toward making sure all the seafood they use in their products is responsibly sourced, showing the utmost respect to the waters and habitats from which it is harvested as well as the people working to bring it to you.

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Our focus has always been to provide premium quality, wild, sustainable seafood, second to none. We will always strive to find new and innovative ways to serve our customers and responsibly harvest shellfish – but you can rest assured our focus will never change.

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A Canadian fishing company located in old town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, established in 1897, Adams & Knickle was an exporter of salt fish in its early years. It presently fishes for deep-sea scallops. The collection of bright red buildings that house Adams & Knickle is an integral part of the visual iconography of this UNESCO site.

Relaxed cafe and wine bar in Lunenburg NS.

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The FARBLACK philosophy is simple – the world will be better, more fun and ultimately sustainable when:

• The Historic World is preserved;
• The Natural World is protected; and
• Those in the Creative World have a platform to be heard, seen and enjoyed.

We are passionate about these complimentary beliefs and use them as our foundational approach to investing in people, growing companies, and taking on a variety of projects.

The result is an eclectic portfolio of brands all striving to create unique value by making a difference in a different way.

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This is the story of Rime Restaurant + Wine Bar in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Local oysters, fresh mussels, artisanal cheeses and prime meats, fresh seasonal produce – the region’s finest – are presented in innovative takes on traditional classics. Whether for light afternoon fare, refreshing cocktails at the bar, or a carefully crafted chef’s menu, the relaxed atmosphere of Rime Restaurant and Wine Bar is a smart destination. After all, when we eat well, we live well. And feeding people well is what we’ve set out to do.

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Our boats are strong, durable, seaworthy, and beautiful in their simplicity. But the place we work is special too. The Dory Shop is located on the harbour shore of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, a port renowned for shipbuilding and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Laurie Scott has over 20 years of real estate experience with sellers & buyers in waterfront, land, historic, farms, residential/commercial properties. Please call her at 902-529-2126 to book your appt. at 11 King in Lunenburg. Enjoy the Festival!

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The Lunenburg Makery is a place for learning, making and gathering around craft. We are a multi-purpose craft space including sewing facilities, a library and reading area, a retail space and studios. We offer workshops and courses as well as drop-in projects, sew-by-the-hour, evening craft circles, and studio space.

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At the Atlantica Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre, we celebrate the spectacular setting that is Nova Scotia’s south shore. Just a 45-minute drive from Halifax, our seaside hotel effortlessly blends the comforts of a scenic retreat with all the fun of an elegant, full-service resort.

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Situated in the heritage area of Old Town Lunenburg, the Gallery provides a public venue for local, provincial and international artists to exhibit their work. It sponsors workshops for artists and exhibitions by Lunenburg County school children.

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Lunenburg’s only 4.5 Star Inn. The Mariner King Inn majestically stands in the heart of Old Town Lunenburg. The Inn, built in 1830, has undergone extensive renovations restoring the old and melding it with the needs of today’s travellers. Check our web site for Spirits Festival Packages.

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An architectural landmark named for Admiral Edward Boscawen, you can’t miss this lovely Queen Ann style mansion on the hillside. Overlooking Lunenburg Harbour and the Old Town below, with the sea beyond and the leafy shade of Parade Square Park in our back yard, this is a special place to stay. Just 3 short blocks up from the docks and the crowds, you’ll get the best of both worlds.

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Whether for an overnight or seasonal stay, the Brigantine Inn is the perfect home away from home, offering panoramic views in the heart of the Lunenburg waterfront, an onsite restaurant, the Grand Banker Bar & Grill, and modern amenities in a rustic setting.

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Nestled in the heart of historic Lunenburg, we welcome you to savour the sights of our seaside town as we set our focus on providing you with the exceptional customer service experience you deserve. Whether you’re here for business or for pleasure, ensuring excellence is our mission.

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Offering a great variety of rooms, the Smugglers Cove Inn is here to accommodate any of your needs. Renowned for its service and attention to detail, our Nova Scotia Inn will surely make your stay a memorable one. Conveniently located right across the famous docks, you will find numerous attractions – the living waterfront, galleries, museums, cafes and fine stores – to keep you busy all day.

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Ideally located to enjoy the sights and sounds of Lunenburg’s historic harbour front, the Spinnaker Inn is within a few moments stroll of great restaurants, galleries and stores.

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Right in the centre of town, harbourside on the historic Lunenburg waterfront the Grand Banker Bar & Grill features a fresh menu with a stellar commitment to local artisans, farmers and fisherman. Owner, Adam Bower features a large selection of local wines and craft brews on tap, and stunning waterfront view ensures a true Nova Scotian experience for lunch and dinner!

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If the weather gods are kind to us, there’ll be excellent dining at the new Half Shell on Montague, Lunenburg’s own oyster bar. Seafood brought to you by the wizardly chefs of The Salt Shaker and Fleur de Sel, with cocktails to match. If it rains? We’ll figure something out! Either way it will be delicious.

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As our Lunenburg Market bounty expands with the fall harvest so does the creativity of their kitchen. Lincoln Street Food strives for simple, tasty, market -inspired dishes including vegan & vegetarian, sustainable fish & meat options with vegetables always taking centre stage. This year they will host our Spirited Away Official Wind Down Breakfast.

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Come experience the outstanding view of Lunenburg’s harbour from the dining room, bar, or wharf side patio. Their menu features a wide variety of the freshest local Atlantic Seafood including lobster, scallops, haddock, mussels, oysters, and our homemade seafood chowder. For land-lovers we also offer choice steaks, pastas, and chicken – there is something to please everyone at the table. It is also a great place to relax and indulge in a glass of wine or a fine cocktail while you drink in the seascape.

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Seriously good ingredients prepared with Nova Scotia’s seasons in mind.

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With spectacular views of Lunenburg Harbour and a carefully crafted menu to please a variety of tastes, the Salt Shaker Deli is must stop when you’re visiting in Lunenburg.

Their menu, created by award-winning chef, Martin Ruiz Salvador, pays special attention to showcasing our region’s fresh seafood, locally-grown produce and artisanal products. Some of the Salt Shaker’s customer favourites include our smoked seafood chowder, pad thai and our hand-rolled thin crust pizzas. In addition to our delicious menu we also offer a range of local wines and craft beers on tap.

Website (902) 640-3434