By Kay Stephens
Earlier in September, The Maine Beer Box, a unique, custom-built, 40-foot, refrigerated shipping container holding 78 taps from Maine breweries, got shipped over to the U.K on a freighter ship and debuted at the 7th annual Leeds International Beer Festival (LIBF). The Maine Beer Box is only two years
‘pull’ effort— and opportunity for
old, but has become internationally
Maine brewers to export not only
renowned for being a drinkable
their product, but provide a taste of
passport to Maine, fully capable of
the experience of what Maine’s beer
delivering beer anywhere by land or
community is all about,” said Sean
sea, ensuring that Maine craft beer can
Sullivan, Executive Director, Maine
be transported in ideal conditions, and
Brewers' Guild, adding, “Maine was
served fresh off the tap.
well represented overseas with not just
At the Leeds Festival, nearly 100 representatives and brewers in the
beer, but with people.” In November, the Maine Beer Box
Maine industry flew over to hobnob
will come back with beer and a hearty
with many of the brewers in the U.K.,
representation of brewers from
celebrating with a number of English
England, Northern Ireland, Wales
style ales and signature Maine flavor
and Scotland for the Winter Session,
politicians would do well to consider
profiles.
November 10 at Thompsons Point.
this as a way to get people of all
“While the Maine Beer Box effort
This collaborative spirit has been
different cultures and backgrounds to
might seem like a ‘push’ effort to
such a gesture of goodwill between
clink a glass and learn the new slang
encourage our brewers to think about
the U.S. and other countries (including
for “cheers” in different languages and
exporting, what it has become is a
Iceland, its inaugural visit) that
accents.
14 fall / winter 2018-2019
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAINE BREWERS’ GUILD
Camaraderie on tap with the Maine Beer Box