From river legends to craft beer giants: A story of two legendary N.B. Big Axes
The Big Axe Brewery opened in 2013 and quickly became a popular destination for tourists and locals who love to discover big flavours
On a 1604 voyage, Samuel de Champlain anchored on a river in what is now New Brunswick. He named it the Saint John River in honour of St. Jean-Baptiste. Unable to find a waterfront spot for a pint to toast his “discovery,” he sailed on to discover Quebec City. Along this river in Nackawic, it took another 409 years before anyone could dock a boat, snowmobile, ride horseback, or arrive by ATV to find a place to raise a pint. That’s when Pete Cole and his partner, Krystle, opened the Big Axe Brewery in 2013. It quickly became a popular destination for tourists and locals to discover big flavours.
Nackawic, New Brunswick, has an unusual origin story. The community was established in the 1960s when the construction of the Mactaquac Dam caused extensive flooding, prompting families to move to this planned townsite. In 1970, the Nackawic Pulp Mill opened, becoming the province’s first model industrial community, and in 1991, it was named the Forestry Capital of Canada.
To celebrate its history, Nackawic built the world’s largest axe, a provincial landmark. The axe is fifteen metres tall and weighs 55 tonnes, standing for the generations of foresters who shaped the town. Its stainless-steel head rests in a 10-metre-wide concrete stump, with a wooden handle jutting outward. The landmark also serves as a community stage by the waterfront.
(The Weather Network)
Big Axe Brewery channels the giant axe’s stature into flavourful beers. They brew 2,400-litre batches, filling up to 5,000 cans and producing 10 to 12 batches each month. The top seller, Kick Axe DIPA, is a double IPA. This copper-orange beer blends mosaic hops—delivering tropical fruit, citrus, and pine—with centennial hops for grapefruit and lemon notes. Double-hopping intensifies the hoppy aroma, balancing bitterness with fruitiness. Big Axe also offers blonde ales, sours, lagers, stouts, and a dry sulphate-free cider called Pure Soleil, made with New Brunswick apples. Seasonal beers and a broad range of non-alcoholic brews are also available.
(The Weather Network)
The massive log building that houses the brewery features a rustic, open-concept, saloon-style atmosphere overlooking the scenic Saint John River. Upon entering, it feels like stepping into a community's family room, where comfort food, freshly prepared to pair with the brewery's outstanding beer, creates a warm, inviting setting. Accented by exposed wooden beams, warm lighting, and welcoming decor, the space offers a relaxing environment. Whether you're discovering this hidden gem or returning for its hospitable vibe, Big Axe is where community comes together over a cold brew.
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