Fredericton tourism has created a new initiative giving people the chance to support local businesses while enjoying some of Fredericton, New Brunswick’s finest craft beers.

The Taproom Trail lists 11 different breweries giving visitors stamps when they visit each brewery. After earning stamps from six different taprooms, beer lovers will win a free bumper sticker. If they visit eight taprooms, they receive a limited-edition t-shirt and for the beer lovers that visit all 11 locations, they’ll be entered for a draw to win a free weekend at the 2021 Fredericton Craft Beer Festival.

Stacy Russell, manager of Fredericton Tourism, hopes the initiative keeps bringing business to breweries in the fall and winter, as COVID-19 created some challenges, he is optimistic.

“Craft brewers in Fredericton and really, all around the province, are known for their collaborative nature,” explains Russell. “They’re all working together and they’ve all worked together to provide a safe operations plan to be able to ensure the safety of their staff, as well as any of their patrons.”

Picaroons Brewing Company is just one of the breweries along the Taproom Trail, and owner Sean Dunbar is delighted to be involved.

“Essentially it’s self-directed, so it can be one person, it can be bubbles. You’re outside for the most part. You don’t really have to interact as a group in order to participate in the event, so it’s been really popular with people,” explains Dunbar.