Maine Brew Guide Fall/Winter 17/18

25

THE NEW ENGLAND BEER POLL RESULTS p. 39

Maine Brew Guide

TOP

fall & winter hikes near the maine beer trail Page 34

plus

A Talk with David Geary Page 8 Lubec: A Downeast Brewery Destination Page 27

Regional TASTING ROOM

GUIDE HOURS & LOCATIONS

Fall 2017

p. 14

beer & yoga

contents FALL 2017

6

Dirigo Brewing Co. Leading by example

by John Breerwood

8 My First Talk with David Geary

by Dave Patterson

13 Tale of the Tide

Walker: The story behind New England Distilling’s newest Bourbon

BEER + YOGA See page 14

by Kay Stephens

14

Trending: Beer & Yoga-Fitness, community, and Maine’s craft brewing scene

by Shannon Bryan

21 Mix a six: 6 beers

to cozy up to the camp fire

HIKING THE MAINE BREW TRAIL

by Josh Christie

See page 34

22 Maine Grains a MIX A SIX: 6 GREAT CAMPFIRE BREWS

See page 21

devoted partner in the craft brewing industry

26 Cannabidiol

Brews An Ode to Hops’ Twin Sibling

by The Hop Culture Studios

33 Distillery Spot

Light -Split Rock Distillery is the latest to join Maine’s Distillery Trail

by Kate Cone

2

fall 2017

34 Hikes & Brews: Hiking adventures and great brews abound along the Maine Beer Trail

by Carey Kish

38

Brew Reviews Check out these tasty Four Maine Brews this fall

New England

beer poll See page 39

39 New England Beer Poll: Find out which beer tops the list of 25 finalists

by Jeremy Marquardt

42 Discover Lubec

A Downeast Brewery Destination

by Johanna Billings BREW REVIEWS

CANNABIDIOL BREWS

See page 26

See page 38

tasting room directory

6 Southern Maine 14 Greater Portland 26 Western Maine

& Kennebec Valley

35 Midcoast 42 Greater Bangor 46 D owneast 46 The County

9 Susan’s Way, Windham, ME 04062 www.activitymaine.com stan@activitymaine.com (207) 671-7230

PUBLISHER

Want Maine Craft Beer in your Inbox & Mailbox?

great gift

FOR THE CRAFT BEER LOVER

The MAINE BREW GUIDE is serving you the freshest information on local Craft Beer anyway you like it! Subscribe to get (or give) this incredible publication at home or online.

Stanley J. Rintz III

ART DIRECTOR Larissa Davis

GRAPHIC ARTIST

Robin Bean Kristina Roderick Elizabeth Berry MacKenney

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Kristina Roderick

MANAGING EDITOR Kay Stephens

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mike Leonard Ellis Ducharme

ADVERTISING SALES Jim Harnedy Stanley J. Rintz Ellie Stengel Joline Bell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Johanna Billings John Breerwood Shannon Bryan Josh Christie Kate Cone Billy Cook Jeremy Marquardt Dave Patterson Kay Stephens

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Marissa Gianino

MEMBER

Maine Brewers Guild Maine Tourism Association Convention & Visitors Bureau Chambers of Commerce

visit activitymaine.com/subscribe to subscribe If you prefer to mail your payment, please send a check payable to: Activity Maine, 9 Susan’s Way, Windham, ME 04062

Name______________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Email______________________________________________

Start my subscription with: Fall/Winter edition Spring/Summer edition 1 year subscription to Maine Brew Guide $9.95

INCLUDES SHIPPING Maine BrewGuide

3

The fifty-mile stretch from Kittery to Portland is home to nearly a dozen Maine breweries, brewing everything from traditional English-style ales to funky barrel-aged sours.

The only thing nicer than relaxing on one of Maine’s beaches is doing so with a Tributary Gose or a Hidden Cove Patroon in hand.

Text Josh Christie

southern maine

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

tasting room directory NAME

CITY

S

M

T

W

TH

F

S

Banded Horn Brewing Company

Biddeford

12 – 8

4–9

4–9

4–9

4–9

12 - 10

12 – 10

FACEBOOK /BandedHornBrewing

Barreled Souls Brewing Company

Saco

12 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 – 12

12 – 12

/barreledsouls

Blue Current Brewery (Sake)

Kittery

1-5

1-6

1-6

1-6

1-6

1-6

1-6

/BlueCurrentBrewery

2-8

2-8

2 - 10

2 - 10

/dirigobeer

Dirigo Brewing Company

Biddeford

12 - 8

Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company

Lyman

1-5

1-9

1-9

/FunkyBowBreweryAndBeerCompany

Gneiss Brewing Company

Limerick

12 - 4

2–7

12 – 6

/GneissBeer

Hidden Cove Brewing Company

Wells

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

/HiddenCoveBrewing

Kennebunkport Brewing / Federal Jack's Restaurant

Kennebunk

11a - 1

11a - 1

11a - 1

11a - 1

11a - 1

11a - 1

11a - 1

11:30 – 1

11:30 – 1

11:30 – 1

11:30 – 1

11:30 – 1

11:30 – 1

11:30 – 1

11 – 10

11 – 10

11 – 10

11 – 12

11 – 12

11 – 12

11 – 12

/federaljacks

Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery

Saco

Sebago Brewing Co.

Kennebunk

Shipyard Brew Pub

Eliot

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 10

11:30 – 10

York

12 - 7

12 - 8

12 - 8

12 - 9

12 - 8

12 - 9

12 - 7

Tributary Brewing Company

Kittery

12 - 5

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

/tributarybrewingcompany

Woodland Farms Brewery

Kittery

12 - 6

12 - 8

12 - 8

12 - 9

12 - 9

/woodlandfarmsbrewery

SoMe Brewing Company

12 - 8

/The-Run-of-The-MillPublic-House-and-Brewery-52414106886 /sebagobrewing /ShipyardEliot /SomeBrewingCo

The RUN OF THE MILL and THE LIBERAL CUP bring the comfortable, inviting atmosphere of English style pubs to Maine. Housed by a sprawling mill building in Saco, ‘The Mill’ offers ample indoor and (seasonal) outdoor seating with views overlooking the Saco River and the up-and-coming mill district. Smaller and more intimate than its southern counterpart, ‘The Cup’ is located in the heart of Hallowell- a vibrant, historic town. Both feature hand crafted beer and home-style food surrounded by distinctive architecture and old world charm in rustic brick & mortar structures. Our pub style menus feature an array of lighter fare, hearty entrees and creative specials made from fresh, local ingredients. To wash it all down, we use the finest malts and hops to create 25 varieties of craft beer which flow directly from our in-house breweries.

4

fall 2017

Southern Maine

kennebunk

birthplace of shipyard brewing

TULLY’S BEER AND WINE in Wells, opened in May 1997 with a mission to expose the world of specialty beer and great wine to the residents and visitors of Southern Maine and beyond. With the enormous selection of craft beer, Tully's prides itself on service, selection, and product knowledge.

They also sport a mighty fine wine selection, 6 humidors of premium cigars and a huge selection of home brew supplies.

Don’t Miss

Proud to offer maine’s favorite

BREWS & VIEWS

Best Waterview deck in the port!

Celebrating 20 Years of brewing world class SHIPYARD ales

HAND-CRAFTED ALES WATERFRONT DECK LOBSTER AND SEAFOOD FREE BREWERY TOURS AND TASTINGS GAME ROOM • POOL TABLES • KID’S MENU LIVE MUSIC • BIRTHPLACE

207-967-4322

The Kennebunkport Brewing Co. Shipyard Store Featuring Shipyard bottled beers Growlers from Kennebunk Brewing Co. Shipyard brew wear and accessories Maine made gifts and souvenirs Authentic ship models, toys and books Internet Access

Located below Federal Jack’s or visit us online at:

OF SHIPYARD ALES Open: 11:00am - 12:30am

FEDERAL JACK’S & KBC STORE Often referred to as the most picturesque pub on the waterfront, Federal Jack's Restaurant and Brew Pub is well-known for its spectacular views, creative pub fare, and award-winning hand-crafted ales. One of Maine's first brew pubs, this popular restaurant is the birthplace of Shipyard Brewing Company.

Not only does Federal Jack’s offer a brew with a view overlooking the Kennebunk River, they also offer free brewery tours. All the beers available at Federal Jack's are handcrafted at KBC, the seven-barrel brewery located below the restaurant. The system gives head brewer, Mike Haley, as much control over the way the beer is poured in the pub as he has over the selection of the ingredients that go into making the beer.

Be sure to check out all the Federal Jack's gear and great brews at the KBC Gift Store. This unique gift store, located below the restaurant, offers bottled beer, growlers, and kegs; Maine-made Capt'n Eli's Soda; wearables; pint glasses; gourmet foods; and nautical gifts. www.federaljacks.com

www.federaljacks.com

www.kbcshipyardstore.com 207-967-1261

Shipyard Shops • 8 Western Avenue • Lower Village • Kennebunk Maine BrewGuide

5

leading by example DIRIGO BREWING COMPANY

Text & Photos: John Breerwood 6

fall 2017

Maine, in many ways, stays true to its state motto Dirigo (Latin for “I lead”) and the brewing industry is no exception. Maine brewers continue to impress and set standards from California to Iceland. As competition grows, every company strives to find its focus, trying everything from farmhouse ales to kettle sours. In downtown Biddeford, Dirigo Brewing Company also holds true to its namesake as it leads us down a road less traveled by regional brewers: German-style lagers.

for upcoming bands, food trucks, and yoga. And, of course, Octoberfest!

Patrons have plenty of German styles to expand their horizons beyond Beck’s. The Dirigo Lager is light and crisp and goes well with any occasion, especially for drinkers who lean on the domestic section of the beer aisle.

Tom and Molly Bull are not the only

something else, and that challenges

The Baltic Porter (actually a lager, not

ones producing lagers in the state;

us every day to make the cleanest,

an ale) will warm your insides with

however, their focus on smooth

best beer we can.”

its velvety smoothness. Their German

German styles distinguishes them

Despite technical challenges,

Red Ale (a.k.a. Rotbier) is well-

among Maine’s bustling scene. Lager

lagering has been anything but a

balanced, but still rich in malty flavor.

yeast ferments at lower temperatures

strain on the business. After opening

And their New England Pale Lager

for longer periods of time than ales,

in mid-August, 2016, Dirigo now has

(NEPAL) is a perfect choice for all of

granting a smooth, clean finish. In

approximately 300 accounts and

us hopheads. “It’s hoppy and juicy,

fact, lager means “to store” in German.

currently distributes throughout

but it’s clean on the palette and still

“Our taproom board has only one ale,”

the entire state of Maine. They will

possesses those great lager qualities,”

said Tom. “Show me that anywhere

begin distributing out of state as

said Bull. “By mid-September, the

else in the state of Maine.”

well this year. Just as their sights are

NEPAL will be available in cans. And,

set beyond the border, Dirigo has

of course, their Octoberfest, which has

with his dad at the age of 19, which

also been forefront in boosting the

been lagering away since they brewed

eventually led to winning several

economy of Biddeford, which has

it last St. Patrick’s Day, will also be a

competitions. The state’s craft beer

struggled to elevate its status beyond

fall favorite.”

industry was in its infancy then with

a stagnant mill town.

Tom Bull began home brewing

only a handful of Maine breweries. As

“Biddeford is an awesome town,”

I can drink IPAs until the haze absorbs into my eyeballs; however,

Bull said, “Back then, you couldn’t be

said Bull. It’s going through a

clean German-style beers are

a homebrewer and immediately start

resurgence, which Molly calls the

undeniable. As iconic as the Maine

your own brewery. You had to come up

‘Biddesance.’”

beer scene has become in just a

through the craft.”

The brewery sits in an old textile

matter of years, its future is still a

mill on the Saco River. Converting

little hazy. Germany, on the other

McDuffs, Bull landed a two-year

the abandoned building into an

hand, has been perfecting beer for

apprenticeship. He would later work

operational brewery was difficult,

a millennium. And, Dirigo Brewing

for places like The Liberal Cup and

delaying their target opening by eight

Company, as the lager itself, remains

Stone Coast Brewing. All the while,

months.

deeply rooted in tradition and is here

Initially hired as a bouncer at Gritty

Bull wondered why breweries weren’t

But the work paid off. Their taproom

primarily producing lagers. Despite

is rustic and welcoming with lots

hearing excuses such as having too

of table space, games, and window

much fermentation time or too many

views of the waterfalls. As the cold

technical hardships, Bull was up for

starts to creep in this fall, Dirigo will

the challenge. “There’s nowhere to

be a great place to cozy up with some

hide in a lager,” he said. “If there is a

friends and watch the Pats on the

slight flaw, you’re screwed. You can’t

big projector screen. Check out their

throw in a fistful of hops and call it

website (dirigobrewingcompany.com)

to stay.

John Breerwood just relocated to Maine from Louisiana in January and has been writing about beer for 10 years. After working at Abita Brewing Company as a brewer for three years, John currently works as a cellarman at Shipyard Brewing Company.

Maine BrewGuide

7

BREW TALES

david geary

8

fall 2017

The first time I met

Text & Photos Dave Patterson

Moose Drool, Umpa Lumpas, and Hipsters: A Look Back At My First Beer with David Geary The first time I met David Geary, I

From an office behind me, a gruff

I learned a lot about David Geary

was nervous. Geary is a legend in the

voice yelled, “Send him in!” The woman

during our hour-long meeting that

world of Maine brewing. Being new

at the desk motioned towards the

day. First off, I learned that there were

to beer writing at the time of that

office and said, “Go ahead.”

no Umpa Lumpas in his brewery, or if

first meeting, I had placed Geary on a pedestal. And, rightfully so.

After all, I told myself as my car idled in the brewery parking lot, this is the guy who opened Maine’s first post-

What first struck me about David Geary was the boyish charm that shone

there were, he kept them well hidden.

Secondly, despite his aversion to the

through the exterior of a man pushing

nouveau beer movement, the man

70 years old.

truly loved beer. When he poured us

“So, you write about beer?” Geary

two glasses of Ixnay, he held up his

Prohibition brewery in 1986. He is the

asked me with a wry smile. “Someone

pint glass and we both gazed at the

original gangster of Maine beer.

actually pays you for that?”

liquid.

As I stared at the brewery’s brick

Taking a seat in a chair in front of

“Look at how clear and beautiful this

façade, I remembered the stories I’d

his desk, I laughed and said, “Yeah, it’s

beer is,” he said with reverent tone

heard that Geary was a bit of a crank.

pretty great.”

bordering on beatific.

“Don’t piss him off,” one local beer writer had cautioned. “He’ll kick you out of his brewery!”

Add to all this the fact that Geary’s

“Not bad,” Geary nodded. “Not bad at all.”

I looked around at the office that hadn’t seemed to changed much since

Finally, I learned that David Geary is an old crank—albeit, the best kind: a wonderful, hilarious, kind-hearted old crank.

didn’t have a tasting room at that

the late 1980s: the chocolate lab was

time. While every other Portland

curled on the faded brown carpet, a

that first meeting, he’s continued

brewery was constructing tasting

mammoth computer monitor sat on

to be nothing less than that warm

rooms and inviting beer fans into

his cluttered desk, and an aging mini-

curmudgeon he was three years ago

their brewhouses, no one I knew had

fridge hummed in the corner.

in his office; though he still gives me

ever been inside D.L. Geary’s Brewing

Before I could ask Geary any of my

Each time I’ve run into Geary since

a hard time that I described him as

Company. The brewery had garnered

prepared questions about his new

‘ruddy faced’ in the ensuing article I

something of a Wonka Factory

gluten-free beer, he launched into

wrote about our meeting.

reputation, leaving beer lovers to

an unsolicited diatribe, bemoaning

As David Geary steps away from

speculate about what the heck was

the new beer movement of cloudy,

his role as owner and operator of

happening inside those beige brick

excessively hopped IPAs that, according

D.L. Geary Brewing Company, let’s

walls.

to him, had the stupidest names.

collectively raise our pint glasses to the

After reading over my notes and

I sheepishly admitted that I liked a

underlining the warning, Don’t piss

lot of these cloudy IPAs and waited for

inside the glass may be or how stupid

him off, I shut off my engine, got out

him to kick me out of his brewery.

the beer’s name.

of the car and headed in to meet the founding father of Maine brewing.

Instead of being greeted by a chorus

He studied me with his crystal blue eyes, and finally said, “There’s a beer called Moose Drool. Moose Drool!” We

of impish Umpa Lumpas when I

both laughed. He demanded that when

walked inside the brewery, a chocolate

I got home after the meeting I watch a

lab lazily licked my outstretched hand

YouTube video called, “Hipsters Love

as I pushed through the office door.

Beer,” a sketch video satirizing the

I told the woman at the front desk

man—no matter how hazy the beer

Dave Patterson is a freelance writer with a great thirst for craft beer. His Beer Muse column runs each week in the Portland Press Herald.

over-the-top nature of the craft beer

I was here to interview David Geary

movement. (If you haven’t seen it,

about his new gluten-free beer, Ixnay.

check it out. It’s hilarious.)

Maine BrewGuide

9

PHOTO: ELLIS DUCHARME

greater portland

10 fall 2017

greater portland

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

tasting room directory NAME

CITY

S

M

T

W

TH

11 – 6

11 – 6

11 – 6

11 – 6

11 – 6

/AllagashBrewingCompany

12 - 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

/AustinStreetBrewery

Allagash Brewing Company

Portland

11 – 6

11 – 6

Austin Street Brewery

Portland

12 - 5

12 - 7

Battery Steele Brewing

Portland

12 - 5

12 - 7

Bissell Brothers

Portland

12 – 5

Bunker Brewing Co

Portland

11 - 8

12 - 9

D.L. Geary Brewing Co.

Portland

12 – 7

2-7

Fore River Brewing Company

South Portland

12 - 8

Foulmouthed Brewing

South Portland

12 - 10

3 - 10

Foundation Brewing

Portland

12 - 5

12 – 7

Gritty McDuff's

Freeport

11 – 1

11 – 1

Gritty McDuff's

Portland

11 – 1

11 – 1

Island Dog Brewing

South Portland

12 - 6

Liquid Riot Bottling Company

Portland

12 – 11

Lone Pine Brewing Company

Portland

12 - 7

2-9

Maine Beer Company

Freeport

11 – 5

Maine Mead Works

Portland

11 - 8

Mast Landing Brewing Company

Westbrook

12 - 5

Nonesuch River Brewing Company

Scarborough

Oxbow Blending and Bottling

Portland

Portersfield Cider

Pownal

Rising Tide Brewing Company

Portland

Sea Dog Brewing Co. Sebago Brewing Co.

12 - 9

S

FACEBOOK

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

/batterysteelebrewing

12 - 8

12 - 8

12 – 8

12 – 8

/BissellBrothers

12 - 9

12 - 9

12 - 10

12 - 10

/bunkerbrewingco

2-7

12 – 7

12 – 7

/gearybrewingco

2-9

2-9

12 - 9

/foreriverbrewing

2-7 3 - 10

3 - 10

3 - 10

12 - 10

/FoulmouthedBrewing

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

/foundationbrew

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

/grittymcduffs

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

/grittymcduffs

4-8

4-8

2-8

12 - 8

/islanddogbrewing

12 – 11

12 – 11

12 – 11

12 – 1

12 – 1

/liquidriot

2-9

12 - 9

12 - 9

/LonePineBrewing

11 – 8

11 – 8

11 – 8

11 – 8

11 – 8

11 – 8

/mainebeer

11 - 8

11 - 8

11 - 8

11 - 8

11 - 8

11 - 8

/HoneyMakerMead

4–8

4–8

4–8

12 - 8

12 – 8

/mastlandingbrewing

11a 10p

11a 10p

11a 10p

11a 10p

11a 11p

11a 11p

/Nonesuch-RiverBrewing-CompanyLLC-715365338561799

12 - 9

12 - 9

12 - 11

12 - 11

12 - 11

12 - 11

/Oxbow-Blending-Bottling-372533856238705

2 - 5:30

2 - 5:30 2 - 5:30 2 - 5:30 /PortersfieldCider

12 – 11

3 - 10

F

12 – 5

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

12 – 7

/risingtidebeer

South Portland

9-1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

Scarborough

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 – 1

9-1

/seadogsouthportland

11 - 1

11 - 1

/sebagobrewing

Sebago Brewing Co.

Gorham

11 – 10

11 – 10

11 – 10

11 – 12

11 – 12

11 – 12

11 – 12 /sebagobrewing

Sebago Brewing Co.

Portland

11 - 12

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

Sebago Brewing Co. (Brewery)

Gorham

3–5

3–5

3–5

Shipyard Brewing Company

Portland

11 - 4:30

11 - 5:30

11 5:30

11 5:30

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

/ShipyardBrewing

Shipyard Inn on Peaks Island

Peaks Island

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 10

11 - 10

/InnOnPeaks

Urban Farm Fermentory + Gruit (Kombucha, Cider + Beer)

Portland

12 - 5

12 - 5

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

/urbanfarmfermentory

Yes Brewing

Westbrook

3-8

2-8

2-8

/yesbrewing

SHIPYARD BREWING COMPANY is a family owned brewery – rooted in tradition and brimming with innovation. Each year, Shipyard serves up more than 20 varieties of award-winning, handcrafted beer and a full line of Capt’n Eli’s Soda. Shipyard is committed to brewing the freshest, most flavorful, fullbodied ales available using only the finest, all natural ingredients.

/sebagobrewing /sebagobrewing

The first Shipyard beer was brewed in 1992 at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub before the Portland brewery was built in 1994. Today, Shipyard is a vibrant centerpiece of the Portland waterfront and continues to brew at Federal Jack’s in the heart of Kennebunk. You can visit the Shipyard brewery, store, and tasting room on the waterfront in Portland, Maine. www.shipyard.com Maine BrewGuide

11

Greater Portland

3 DAYS • 180 MILES CYCLE OR VOLUNTEER USE CODE

FOR $20 OFF REGISTRATION FEE!

CROSS M AI KA E R

U

N

TA IN

SE

MO

A

E N

T

MEBREW

H S TO T

E

BikeTrekNewEngland.org

1, 2 or 3

TrekAcrossMaine@LungNE.org

day options available!

207-624-0312

Cheers to Shipyard and all they do!

A brewery that gives back in a big way 12 fall 2017

PHOTO COURTESY SHIPYARD BREWING CO..

Even though SHIPYARD is often seen as a giant in the Maine and New England beer scene, they are not very big in comparison to the mega breweries around the country. Shipyard is among only a few breweries in the top 50 in the country who are still family owned and operated.

For their size, they support a huge number of Maine farms, businesses, charities and communities.

Shipyard is the largest brewery in the state and comes with a massive, positive impact on our economy. They employ 400+ Mainers and give back in the form of charitable contributions, community impact programs, major sponsorships in hundreds of events and activities from food to running events, as well as support for local Maine farms and business. Here is a sample of just a few of them: Maine Malt House The Hop Yard Pineland Farms Maine Family Farms North Star Farm Maine Shellfish Backyard farms Beach to Beacon Trail to Ale (Portland Trails) Audubon Maine

Peaks 5M Fleet Feet Endless Summer 5M Shipyard 5k/Half Marathon MS MainePlane Pull, Bike Getaway & Harborfest Breaker To Breaker Harvest on the Harbor The Taste of Maine Numerous Commerces, Schools, Public services other nonprofits

Greater Portland Ned Wight, owner and distiller of NEW

ENGLAND DISTILLING said the name for their new bourbon was named for an important element of Maine history.

“I think we were grilling out for lunch and had a couple of beers then just started brainstorming about what we'd want to name it," he said. "It's a logging term that refers to the logs and snags that would make it down river and sort of float around the inner tidal zone.”

Apart from their Gunpowder Rye whiskey, which also has the rugged outdoors attached to its name, Tidewalker has a nice, toasted corn character, with a lot of caramel, vanilla, maple syrup, and pitted fruit flavor, reminiscent of apricots. “Makes me PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW ENGLAND DISTILLERIES

a little thirsty just thinking about it,” said Wight. You can imagine this bottle being passed around an old logging camp after a long day on the river, while the camp cook hauls a cauldron of baked beans out of the fire pit.

“You know, it’s funny, when you think of bourbon, you think of Kentucky, or rural inland areas,” said Wight.

“Here we are in Portland and a large

the tale of the

character of bourbon is wood, so we wanted to tie the inland, water and wood together with a name that

Tidewalker

completely fits and I think Tidewalker

Text Kay Stephens

The name Tidewalker is mysterious enough. Google it and

does that. I don't know what it is about

you'll find very little about what it means. In an overactive

people when they hear it.”

imagination, it evokes some kind of ghostly wraith trudging upon the seas. But, in actuality, the crew of the Portlandbased New England Distilling found this logging term to be

that word, but it just resonates with

Kay Stephens loves beer and hiking and often combines the two. She is an author and an arts and entertainment freelance writer whose work has appeared in a number of Maine newspapers and magazines.

the perfect moniker for their latest bourbon.

Maine BrewGuide

13

beer + yoga Fitness, community, and Maine’s craft brewing scene

Text: Shannon Bryan

14 fall 2017

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE WORDS “YOGA” AND “BEER” WEREN’T OFTEN SAID IN THE SAME SENTENCE. They seemed like divergent

concepts—or at least different enough that you had to change clothes when you went from one to the other. But in the Venn diagram of extra curricular choices in Maine, beer overlaps with just about everything. Yoga included.

Some brew-loving yogis have known

encourage people who might be

who hike or run and then meet up

hesitant to walk into a traditional yoga

afterward at a local bar to socialize

studio for the first time, she said.

over a glass of beer, people who do

More experienced yogis who love beer

yoga sometimes like a post-savasana

also benefit. “I don’t think that there

drink, too. And while popular opinion

is a single person on this planet who

20 years ago might have paired yoga

cannot benefit from yoga,” said Annie.

with kale shakes and beet juice

“It’s beneficial for both the body and

smoothies (which are, for the record,

the mind and not only reduces physical

also lovely), modern-day fitness fans

pain, but also helps things like stress

think differently.

and anxiety.”

Yoga and beer pair very well together.

Here in Maine, yoga has grown increasingly popular over the last

It’s a fun change of pace in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

And the post-yoga beer invites people to stick around, meet each other, and socialize for a while.

“People want to be healthier and work

decade. New yoga studios are popping

on their fitness goals in a supportive

up all over state, offering classes for a

social setting,” said Kat Cynewski,

range of abilities and styles (yoga for

owner of Be Well Portland, a fitness-

runners, aerial yoga, and paddleboard

based social events company that

yoga, just to name a few). The local

hosts events around Portland, from

craft brewing scene has grown

boot camp with Shipyard to Bend and

dramatically at the same time—from

‘Booch at Urban Farm Fermentory. “But

more than a dozen Maine breweries in

they also love to enjoy themselves and

2007 to approximately 100 today. It’s no

indulge,” she said. Be Well Portland

wonder that someone finally saw fit to

events aim to balance the two.

combine the two.

“Generally, people unwind by getting

But actually doing yoga in a brewery

active or having a drink, and I’ve

or tasting room itself, well that’s still a

witnessed both activities done in

relatively new phenomenon. And we

excess, but here, in balance, it’s really

love it.

the best of both worlds,” said Kat. “On

“I think a lot of people hear ‘yoga’

top of that, it brings people together in

and picture people sitting in a studio,

a supporting and lighthearted way to

incense burning, chanting ‘Ohm’ and

strengthen their sense of community.”

contorting themselves into unnatural

PHOTO: ANNIE LESLIE

It’s a combination that helps

this for ages. Much like our friends

Many brewers see the perks, too.

shapes,” said Annie Leslie, a yoga

Molly Sinclair Bull, co-owner of Dirigo

instructor who teaches classes at Run

Brewing Co. in Biddeford, is an avid

of the Mill in Saco and Funky Bow

yogi herself, and she understands

Brewery in Lyman. “But when people

the benefits of having class at the

hear ‘yoga… oh, but there’s beer after,’

brewery. “At class every Sunday, we get

their image turns into something a

together to share and rededicate our

little less foreign and a little more fun.”

common purpose, and with practice,

Maine BrewGuide

15

PHOTO BY OF SHANNON BRYAN

we are better equipped for all the daily challenges. After class, new and old friends can enjoy each other’s company with a refreshing glass of beer. Sure beats church,” she joked.

It all makes for a memorable experience that’s worth checking out.

“Whether you’re coming for a challenging work out or the amazing post-class beverages, you’re bound to PHOTO BY OF SHANNON BRYAN

have a great time,” said Kat.

Shannon loves to get active in Maine – from aerial yoga to moonlight paddles — and she writes about them all (to encourage you to try them too!) on FitMaine.com.

Yoga + Beer Classes in Maine DOWNDOGS AT DIRIGO

YOGA AT THE MILL AT RUN OF THE MILL

www.dirigobrewingcompany.com

www.therunofthemill.net

10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Sundays Dirigo Brewing Co., Biddeford

$15 includes one hour of yoga and a beer. BYO mat.

FIND YOUR FLOW AT FUNKY BOW

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturdays Funky Bow Beer Co., Lyman www.funkybowbeercompany.com

$15 includes one hour of yoga and a beer. BYO mat.

POSES AND PINTS AT TRIBUTARY

12 to 1 p.m. the first Sunday of the month Tributary Brewing Co. in Kittery www.tributarybrewingcompany.com

$15 includes one hour of yoga and a beer. BYO mat.

16 fall 2017

10:45 to11:45 a.m. the first Saturday of the month Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery, Saco $15 includes one hour of yoga and a beer. BYO mat.

More beer and yoga:

Check out Be Well Portland events (facebook.com/BeWellPortland), which have included Bend & Booze at Hardshore Distilling, Bootcamp and Beer at Shipyard, and Bend and ‘Booch at Urban Farm Fermentory.

The Rooted Collective in Portland (rootedbarreyoga.com) does Barre at the Bar events, Chill Yoga in Lewiston (chillyoga.net) will host their annual Bend and Brew event with Baxter Brewing in January, and Maine Yoga Adventures, based out of Bangor (maineyogaadventures.com), hosts events all year long, many of which include a good dose of yoga and beer.

Greater Portland

THE

GREAT LOST BEAR 80 BEERS ON TAP INCLUDING 50 LOCAL FRESH MAINE BEERS 540 FOREST AVENUE PORTLAND, ME 207-772-0300 www.greatlostbear.com LITTLE TAP HOUSE is a cozy sixty-seat gastropub located in the West End. Offering a curated selection of 14 local rotating microbrews and a farm-to-table menu, they partner with Maine brewers and farmers to bring the freshest ingredients in house. Open daily at 11 a.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. for dinner. Enjoy brunch Sat. & Sun. 11-3 p.m. Drink fresh and eat local! littletaphouse.com THE GREAT LOST BEAR has become a Portland institution since opening in 1979. The Bear is located about two miles from Portland’s touristy Old Port but well worth the journey across town to the Mysterious Woodford’s Area. The Great Lost Bear features an enormous, eclectic menu with something for everyone, all served in an entertaining atmosphere. They have added more taps as new breweries open throughout the Northeast.

Now, with the Craft Beer Revolution in full throttle, GLB offers 80 beers on tap with more than 50 of them brewed from Maine. Come taste some of the freshest local beer around at the GLB! When you shop for beer at RSVP DISCOUNT BEVERAGE, on Forest Avenue in Portland, you’re immediately struck by two things: RSVP’s overall beer selection and their CHILLED beer selection. RSVP has filled the entire side wall with beers and added 19 beer coolers to the back wall of the retail store. Stocking the latest beers from local Maine and New England breweries, all the way to Belgian ales made by Trappist monks, (as well as hard cider, wine and spirits), RSVP always has the adult beverage you want. www.rsvpdiscountbeverage.com

Maine BrewGuide

17

Greater Portland

TIGPRO INC. is a team of highly skilled professionals of all disciplines who specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of high quality, custom built brewing systems, tanks, process piping and supporting equipment to the brewing industry. Some of Tigpro’s recent accounts include Bissell Brothers, who are continuing to expand at their new

location in Milo, which will feature barrel aging and sour beer production.

Also, Tigpro recently completed a system for Goodfire Brewing, a brand new brewery opening this fall in Portland. Tigpro’s equipment was chosen to set up Dirigo Brewing Company's 15 BBL brewery in Biddeford last year. They also outfitted Bunker Brewing's expansion to 17 Westfield Street in Portland by adding a new 15 BBL Brewhouse, 30 BBL fermenters and Brite tanks as well as new 40 BBL HLT & CLT Tanks. In the Bangor region, Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company is using Tigpro’s brewing equipment to put out their quality brews. Tigpro's portfolio also crosses over into the Distillery industry as well. Most recently they outfitted Maine Craft Distilling with some their equipment needs at their new location in Portland.

Tigpro has partnered up with a veteran brewer who is working closely with customers to design brewing systems that are affordable, have shorter lead times and fit the needs of the individual breweries. Their focus is on the small brewer. Brewhouse System sizes start at 5 BBL and go in increments of 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 BBL's while HLT, CLT, Unitank Fermenters, Brite Tanks, Lagering Tanks and conditioning/serving tanks as large as 80 BBL are available. TigPro also manufactures a manual 4 head keg washer/filler so basically, when it comes to brewing equipment and components, if you need it, they can build it. SEE TIGPRO’S AD ON PAGE 1

5:13 pm Anywhere your friends are.

Brewed for times like these. sebagobrewing.com

18 fall 2017

Take the leap, you’ll thank us.

Greater Portland

Local before it was a catchphrase.

Sustainable before it was a movement.

Micro before it was craft.

Coming in 2018

Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pubs

Craft Beer I Fresh, Local Pub Fare PORTLAND I FREEPORT I AUBURN I www.grittys.com

beer

1988

food

Since 1988, GRITTY’S has been creating fine, handcrafted ales and traditional pub fare. From humble beginnings as a small brew pub in Portland’s Old Port, they have grown to become a brew pub of choice for many Mainers and folks “from away”. From the start, Gritty’s was at the forefront of the brewing renaissance in the Maine. Founders Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer had two simple goals in mind: to create a true, English-style pub serving fresh ales and great food, and to have fun doing it. With three brew pubs now: the original location in the old port section of Portland, another pub in Freeport and the “new one” on the banks of the Androscoggin River in Auburn, Maine. Gritty’s now has three brew pubs: the original location in the Old Port section of Portland, one in Freeport and the “new one” on the banks of the Androscoggin River in Auburn, Maine. www.grittys.com, www.facebook.com/grittymcduffs, or www.twitter.

SEBAGO BREWING COMPANY is well on their way to opening a new location that will be a destination brewery with a tasting room, food and office space. Estimated to be more than 30,000 square feet, the new capacity will double the size of its current Gorham brewery. To say the least, a lot of people are looking forward to this landmark opening soon. Brewed for times like these indeed!

com/grittys

wanted

photographers & writers

Maine Brew Guide is looking for quality Craft Beer and Beverage photoographers and writers!

Email us at

submissions@activitymaine.com Maine BrewGuide

19

PHOTO: ROBBIE MARTIN

western maine & kennebec valley

Maine's western lakes and mountains are home to four seasons of recreation – skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, boating and fishing in the summer, and hiking, biking, and hunting in the shoulder seasons. It's little surprise that breweries have sprung up among the lakes and mountains, catering to thirsty locals and visitors alike. In fact, it's hard to think of a sporting destination in the area that doesn't have an accompanying craft brewery to visit at the end of the day. Visiting this vast area, it is comforting to know that great Maine beer is never far away.

Text Josh Christie

tasting room directory NAME

CITY

S

M

Bag & Kettle Brewpub (seasonal, Nov - Apr)

Carrabasset Valley

Kennebec River Pub & Brewery

The Forks

7a – 9p

7a – 9p

Norway Brewing Company

Norway

11 - 9

4-8

Saco River Brewing

Fryeburg

12 - 5

Sunday River Brewing Company

Bethel

6a – 11p

Tumbledown Brewing

Farmington

1–7

20 fall 2017

T

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

W

TH

F

S

FACEBOOK /The-Bag-and-Kettle-226206227458472/

6a – 11p

7a – 9p

7a – 9p

7a – 9p

7a – 9p

4-8

4-9

4-9 3-7

6a – 11p 1–7

6a – 11p

7a – 9p

/KennebecRiverBrewery

4-9

11 - 9

/norwaybrewingco

3-7

12 - 7

/sacoriverbrewing

6a – 11p

6a – 1a

6a – 1a

/Sunday-River-BrewPub-w-The-Savages-315654268558376/

1–7

1–7

11 – 7

/TumbledownBrewing

mix a six by the campfire Text Josh

Text Josh Christie

Now that the seasons are shifting, our palates are shifting along with them. Gone are the crisp kolsches and session IPAs of summer, replaced with burlier brews. Fall seasonals — and other styles that are just a little more autumn-appropriate — tend to be maltier than their summer counterparts, with a touch more sweetness and a bit more alcohol to boot. They’re also where the kitchen cabinetful of spices start to appear, not just in the love-‘em-or-leave-‘em pumpkin beers, but in any number of winter warmers. As you bust out the flannel and gather around the last campfires of the fall, here are six brews to match the season.

Shipyard Old Thumper

Sebago Bonfire Rye

Bunker Bunktoberfest

A year-round offering from the venerable Portland brewery, the malty Old Thumper was created by the Ringwood Brewery’s Peter Austin (mentor to Shipyard’s Alan Pugsley).

The ESB makes good use of the brewery’s signature yeast strain, its telltale butterscotch flavor balancing the biscuity malt.

Rye has become a popular part of the malt bill for a number of cool-weather beers, with its spicy flavor adding a warming touch to otherwise sweet beers. Sebago’s Bonefire Rye leans into the malt character but flips the script with a generous late hop addition, which gives a pleasantly piney, resinous finish.

A pitch-perfect take on the traditional German festbier, this märzen combines a hint of bitterness with a toasty, bready body and pleasantly dry finish. This fall, Bunktoberfest is coming out in 16oz “pounder” cans — a first for Bunker, and the perfect size for quaffing by the campfire. Prost!

Lone Pine Chaga Stout

Lake St. George Danny’s Oatmeal Stout

Baxter Hayride

While your instinct may be to associate Chaga mushrooms with kombucha, a handful of Maine brewers have been putting the “King of Medicinal Mushrooms” in their beers. Lone Pine’s limited Chaga Stout, brewed in partnership with North Spore Mushrooms, harmoniously combines a stout’s traditional roasty backbone with notes of vanilla and spice.

Nothing welcomes cooler weather like a stout, and no one brews an oatmeal stout like Danny McGovern. A malt bill of oatmeal, wheat, and barley creates a pillowy-soft body and creamy finish. Some people think of stouts as heavy, filling beers, but I challenge you to drink just one of these in a sitting.

A trio of spices — ginger, black pepper, and orange peel — add some warmth to Baxter Brewing Company’s fall seasonal. Brewed with rye malt and aged on oak, Hayride has a slight spiciness that pairs perfectly with New England’s traditional fall foods. The citrus zing of New Zealand hops softens the spiciness beautifully.

Josh Christie is the author of a number of books on beer and the Maine outdoors, and co-owner of Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine.

Maine BrewGuide

21

From jailhouse to brewhouse:

maine grains became a devoted partner in the craft brewing industry

22 fall 2017

There’s an old saying: “Grist for the mill” which means anything can be turned to something useful.

This is the story of one woman, who on behalf of her community, has done just that.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAINE GRAINS

How

In the mid-nineteenth century, Skowhegan, Maine was a bustling mill town, but by 1955, the last of its 13 mills had permanently closed, leaving a depressed economy with poor job prospects.

When Brunswick native Amber Lambke and her husband, Dr. Michael Lambke moved to Skowhegan in 2007, they were eager to get to know their neighbors and get involved in the community. Amber was a natural “connector” and wanted to improve community development at the grassroots level, so she began volunteering at a number of local Skowhegan events, including co-founding the first Maine Kneading Conference that same year, which brought farmers and bakers together around the art and science of growing and milling grains and baking artisan breads.

From earth to hearth, a strong idea formed. Farmers were willing to grow and harvest grains and bakers certainly wanted the product, but what was missing? A mill: a place to process the grain into flour.

With this inspiration to create opportunities for local farmers, Maine Grains built a gristmill inside a repurposed county jailhouse, restoring the tradition of local flour and oat production to the community and to the region. Since its founding in 2012, the mill has catalyzed an industry cluster around local grains, enabling bakers, maltsters and brewers to incorporate local grains to make superior products.

“As more industry leaders make a commitment to local sourcing, the mill is poised to support even more growth for the region’s organic grain farms,” said

Amber Lambke, Maine Grains’s co-founder.

With this processing infrastructure now in place, Maine farms have invested more and more acreage to grain, thus in turn, are better able to meet the ongoing and future grain demands.

And the craft brewing industry has been paying attention. For example, Allagash Brewing Company made a commitment to purchase one million pounds of Maine-grown grain, per year, by 2021 Rob Tod, Founder/Brewer of Allagash Brewing Co. was one of Maine Grains first brewery customers.

“Amber has played a big role in the development of Maine's brewing scene,” said Tod. “Her outspoken support of Maine's natural grain-yielding capability— and Maine Grains' role in supplying breweries with quality, locally grown grain—is hard to quantify. Maine's brewers are lucky to have her.”

The ever-increasing ability of Maine craft brewers to buy all of their hops, adjunct and malted grains from their own region provides a distinctive edge in the national craft brew conversation, where “local” is becoming more and more important to the consumer.

In the last five years, Maine Grains has provided their products to roughly 25 percent of Maine’s brewers and the craft beer industry continues to be a rapidly growing segment of their business.

Maine Grains is fully committed to Maine’s craft beer industry.

Taking its cue from presenters at this year’s New England

Craft Brew Summit, Maine Grains recently sponsored a Beer – Bread Pairing event, which included industry leader representatives such as Allagash Brewing Co., Baxter Brewing Co., Foundation Brewing Co., the Maine Beer Company, the emerging Bigelow Brewing Co. from Skowhegan and a newcomer, Cushnoc Brewing Co. “One of our core beers, Olde Federal Grisette, a tart Belgian style, incorporates oats, rye, spelt and wheat from Maine Grains as adjuncts,” said Chris Geerlings, Head Brewer at Cushnoc Brewing Co., a brewery opening soon in Augusta. “We love that our interpretation of this historical style also supports Maine farms and mills,” he added.

With concentrated effort and forward thinking, Amber has

helped rally a movement to revitalize an erstwhile milling industry, and in turn, has created jobs, strengthened the community and established a symbiotic economy between farmers and brewers. Now, that’s grist for the mill.

Local Bread & Beer Pairing Session at Portland Greendrinks The Maine Grain Alliance will be at the October 10 Greendrinks as the nonprofit facilitator and is welcoming a collaborative brewer and baker effort as part of the event.

Local Maine brewers will be pouring beers and local bakers from the region will provide samples of baked goods to attendees.

Putting the taste, and tradition of Maine in every pint.

We mill superior grains for the leading craft brewers in the industry.

— • —

Stone Milled, Mi Adjunct Grains Skowhegan, ME (207) 484-8001

mainegrains.com

Maine BrewGuide 23

Western Maine & Kennebec Valley

Maine Brewfests & Beer Events

ITT MEL

HUS

NORWAY BREWING has some exciting new events and releases happening this fall! Grumpalumpagus, their imperial stout with coffee, was aged in Woodford Reserve barrels for six months, and 666 bottles are being released at the brewery on Saturday, September 30 at 10 a.m..

Other upcoming barrelaged bottle releases include Little Bear Farmhouse ale with Maine wild blueberries and Collective Consciousness farmhouse IPA. On Saturday, October 14th, they are hosting Hogtoberfest, a celebration of pork, beer, and autumn in Maine! Festivities will include a smoked rye ale to pair with a myriad of dishes created from a whole hog, music, and games. Never been to Norway Brewing? Starting October 1st, brewery tours are available by appointment! To book your group, send an email to brenda@norwaybrewing.com. As always, the crew is attending What’s Brewing in Stavanger, Norway at the end of October, but this year they are adding All-In Beerfest in Gothenburg, Sweden to their Scandinavian tour! Their first stateside collaboration, a Norwegian-American farmhouse ale brewed with Oxbow, is currently conditioning, the Barreled Souls collab is fermenting away in oak puncheons, and many more are planned for the near future. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for the latest updates!

R DA MER

october

BREN PHOTO:

7 ACADIA'S OKTOBERFEST ​Beer, Food, Arts & Crafts Festival

NORWAY BREWING

C O M P A N Y

Locally Owned Brewery Ta p r o o m , B e e r G a r d e n & Full Kitchen OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Monday & Tuesday 4-8 (Taproom only-no kitchen) Wednesday-Friday 4-9 dinner Saturday & Sunday 11-3 brunch and 4-9 dinner

www.acadiaoktoberfest.com

7 SWINE & STEIN OKTOBERFEST Downtown Gardiner www.gardinermainstreet.org

15-21 BANGOR BEER WEEK 21 OXBOW GOODS IN THE WOODS oxbowbeer.com

november 5-11 PORTLAND BEER WEEK For full week of festivities and celebrations visit: www.portlandbeerweek.org

6 THE PRO-AM takes place at Salvage BBQ

6 VERMONT FEST!

12 FRESHMEN ORIENTATION - a showcase of Maine's newest brewers in a unique, round-robin format. Try a beer and meet the people behind every new brewery in Maine.

january 2018 13 BAR HARBOR WINTER BEER FEST at Atlantic Brewing Co. visitbarharbor.com

13 MAINE BREWER'S GUILD WINTER SESSION at Brick South, Thompson's Pt. The focus will be on Maine breweries. mainebrewersguild.org

wanted

photographers & writers Maine Brew Guide is looking to buy quality Craft Beer and Beverage photos.

Email us at

2 07-739-2126 • b e e r @ no r w a y b r e w i ng . com 237 Main Street in historic downtown Norway, Maine www.norwaybrewing.com

24 fall 2017

submissions@activitymaine.com

Include a Stop at the U.F.O. in Naples!

The Umbrella Factory Outlet (U.F.O.) is located in the Shop n Save shopping center on the corner of Routes 302 and 35 in Naples, Maine. The U.F.O. offers over 2500 square feet of liquor, wine and craft beer choices. It is an agency liquor store, offering over 1700 liquor, 1800 wine, 700 craft beer, 180 nips/pints and 100 cider selections! From hard apple cider to seasonal brews, you’ll find them here! From fruity reislings to rich merlots, this store provides them! From a smooth vodka to a warm whiskey, browse them at the U.F.O.! This remarkable store not only offers discount beverages but also great prices on cigarettes, cigars and tobacco products. Labeled the ““Wine Capital of Maine,” the store expanded in 2015 to add the Craft Beer Runway, which leads to the Lost Moose Campground tasting center where wine and beer tastings are held. The U.F.O. also supplies a selection of cold wine and beer for the customer’s convenience. Visit us daily Sunday-Thursday 9am-8pm and Friday-Saturday 9am-9pm in Naples, Route 302, 639 Roosevelt Trail.

Check out our website at www.umbrellafactoryofmaine.com and like us on Facebook!

— Our Store is Very Unique —

Maine BrewGuide

25

cannabidiol

brews An Ode to Hops’ Twin Sibling

Have you ever seen The Parent Trap? The 1998 version with Lindsay Lohan and Dennis Quaid? Let me summarize: two girls meet each other at summer camp and discover that they’re long lost twin sisters.

Ale Industries’ Cherry Kush, and

Oskar Blues’ Blue Dreams. And both Lagunitas and Dark Horse have had

beers rejected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives because of their references toward hemp-culture.

Whatever your choice, imbibe safely,

Now let’s reimagine a more adult

looking to drink some brews with

legally, and — most importantly —

version with two of America’s favorite

some buds. Coalition Brewing, based

with good beer.

vices: hops and hemp, aka cannabis.

in Portland, OR, is releasing the state’s

Much like the two Lohans, hops and

first CBD-infused beer. Their process

hemp are long-separated siblings of

begins with a base West Coast IPA, then

the same family (the Cannabaceae,

adds hemp juice and CBD oil. The final

for those curious). But instead of

product is equal parts bitter from the

summer camp, the two plants met at

hemp juice and citrusy and aromatic

the 2015 Great American Beer Festival,

from the CBD oil.

where Colorado-based Dad and Dude’s

Other examples include OG HighPA

Breweria unveiled what was at the

Session IPA from San Diego’s Thorn

time the world’s first CBD-infused beer:

Street Brewery, Hippie Joe’s Hemp IPA

the Indica Double IPA.

from Eugene’s Mancave Brewing, and

CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is one of the compounds found in cannabis. Unlike THC, the compound

Homegrown Hempen Ale from Duluth’s Fitger Brewing.

Because they use CBD and not THC,

that gets you high, CBD is non-

none of these will make you fail a

psychoactive. It does, however, offer

drug test or even get you stoned. But

anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant,

for those who are legally allowed,

analgesic, and anti-oxidant properties

and want to, there’s the New Frontier

— as well as an aromatic quality and

Brewing Eureka!, a 24-ounce beer that

smoothness to the beer. Some also

boasts 25 mg of THC — enough to keep

believe the addition of CBD to beer

you high for quite a while.

proves to be the cure-all for hangovers, though this is purely anecdotal.

Now, with the state-by-state softening of marijuana prohibition in America, there are plenty of options for those

Text & Photography: Hop Culture Studios 26 fall 2017

If you’d still prefer not to take the chance, there are plenty of hempinspired and hemp-paired beers: for instance, SØLE’s Kushy Clouds,

September 1, 2018 Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, when historic downtown Skowhegan will close to vehicular traffic to host its third annual SKOWHEGAN CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL—one of the only festivals in the state to feature all Maine beer, wine, cider, spirits, and food.

With 30 brewers anticipated, the event will kick off with a VIP hour featuring specialty brews not available during the general session. The general session will include an array of Mainecrafted libations and free local food samples, while merchants will offer farm-to-table fare such as organic tacos, chicken wings, and wood-fired pizza.

A backdrop of live music—plus downtown shops offering raffles—will enhance the festival atmosphere.

Guided tours of Maine Grains and an exploration of Skowhegan’s beautiful riverfront and the Langlais Art Trail will round out this Labor Day weekend event, making for an unforgettable close to summer.

Tickets will be available at SkowheganCraftBrewFest.com in April.

SKOWHEGAN

CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL

Maine-crafted libations, farm-to-table fare, and live music in historic downtown Skowhegan

Saturday, September 1, 2018 SkowheganCraftBrewFest.com Maine BrewGuide

27

Western Maine & Kennebec Valley

YOU KNOW BEER. WE KNOW INSURANCE. WE SHOULD BE PARTNERS.

800-244-9046

Contact James Sanborn at 207-446-2791 • james@ghmagency.com Brunch at Black Horse Tavern Bridgton, Maine

The BLACK HORSE TAVERN in Bridgton, Maine, a Klimek family-operated regional favorite dining spot, has drawn people from all over the Northeast for the past 30 years. The reason is quite simply ‘consistently’ great food.

The casual equestrian atmosphere makes you feel right at home as you enjoy local ingredients, the freshest seafood and Black Angus signature steaks and burgers. The Black Horse Tavern is so very proud to create everything in house, including soups and desserts, as our chefs have been schooled in different regions of the world. Famous for our Danish Baby Back Ribs, we serve more than eight tons per year. Featuring eight rotating local craft beers on tap and a chef-inspired daily ‘Specials’ menu, the Black Horse Tavern looks forward to serving you soon.

• We Use Only Top Quality Ingredients from Black Angus Meats to the Freshest Seafood • Voted #1 Sunday Brunch

by Area B&Bs • Wings are Smoked wi Chef’s In-House with Signature Sauces • 8 Taps of Local Craft Beer • Specialty Infused Cocktails Open Mon–Thu 11AM–8:30PM • Fri-Sat 11AM–9:30PM Sunday Brunch 10AM–3PM, Dinner 3PM–8:30PM

Route 302 • Bridgton, ME • (207) 647-5300 www.TheBlackHorseTavern.com 28 fall 2017

Through partnerships with our customers and insurance carriers GHM INSURANCE has helped to develop comprehensive and competitively priced insurance programs for breweries, brewpubs, bars and other related businesses. With over 200 accounts in 20 states we have the experience and knowledge to help with all your insurance needs.

A MUST READ FOR BEER ENTHUSIASTS! What's Brewing in New England, is an up-to-date book about New England craft breweries and brewpubs. This Recently published book was written

by Kate Cone, a freelance writer and author since 1989.

Kate wrote the first version of What’s Brewing in New England: A Guide to Brewpubs and Microbreweries in 1997.

In 2014 Kate again set off across Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and her home state of Maine to meet brewers and taste their creations. She captured it all in a completely new edition of What’s Brewing in New England, published by Down East Books in October, 2016. She frequently travels around New England to get a taste of all it offers.

Kate loves to support local bookstores, you find it sold at all Sherman's bookstore locations, Longfellow Books and Print a Bookstore in Portland as well as the Gulf of Maine in Brunswick and Barnes and Noble in Augusta. It can also be found on Amazon.

central maine & greater bangor In recent years, no part of the Maine brewery landscape has been more exciting than the Highland region. While the Queen City of Bangor and surrounding towns have long played second fiddle to the brewing scene in Southern Maine, an influx of talented brewers has seriously upped the area’s reputation. Now, while relaxing at a local beer bar like NOCTURNEM DRAFT HAUS, you can enjoy beer brewed by GEAGHAN BROTHERS, ORONO BREWING COMPANY, MASON’S BREWING, or a number of other Bangor-area brewers.

Hardly also-rans, these beers handily compete for the title of Maine’s best brews.

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

tasting room directory NAME

CITY

2 Feet Brewing

Bangor

Baxter Brewing Co.

Lewiston

S

M

T

W

TH

F

S

12 - 6

3-9

3-9

3-9

3-9

3 - 11

3 - 11

/2FeetBrewery

3–9

3–9

3–9

/baxterbrewing

4 - 10

4 – 10

4 – 10

12 - 10

/bearbonesbeer

Bear Bones Beer

Lewiston

12 - 6

Bear Brew Pub (Black Bear Brewing)

Orono

3 - 11

Bigelow Brewing Company

Skowhegan

Black Bear Brewing Company

Orono

Blank Canvas Brewery

Brewer

Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company (Tasting Room / Brewery)

Brewer

11 - 4

Geaghan's Pub (Restaurant)

Bangor

11 - 11

11 - 11

Gritty McDuff's

Auburn

11 – 1

11 – 1

Liberal Cup Public House and Brewery

Hallowell

11 – 9

Marsh Island Brewing

Orono

Mason's Brewing Company

Brewer

Oak Pond Brewery

Skowhegan

Orono Brewing Company

Orono

Orono Brewing Company - DownBangor town Bangor

FACEBOOK

3 - 11

3 - 11

3 - 11

3 - 11

3-1

3-1

/BearBrew

3–8

12 – 8

/bigelowbrewingco

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 - 10

3 - 12

3 - 12

2 - 12

/blackbearmicrobrew

4 -9

4 -9

4–9

/blankcanvasbrewery

3-8

3-8

3-8

12 - 8

/geaghanbros

11 - 11

11 - 11

11 - 11

11 - 12

11 - 12

/geaghans

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

/grittymcduffs

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 9

11:30 – 10

11:30 – 10

/TheLiberalCup

12 - 7

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 11

3 - 11

12 - 11

/MarshIslandBrewing

10:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 10:30

/masonsbrewing

3 – 5:30

3 – 5:30

3 – 5:30

3 – 5:30

3 – 5:30

12:30 – 5:30

/OakPondBrewery

12 – 7

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 – 12

3 - 12

/oronobrewing

12 – 7

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 – 10

3 – 12

3 - 12

/oronobrewing

Ricker's Hard Cider

Turner

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

/RickersHardCider

Sea Dog Brewing Co.

Bangor

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

11 – 1

/seadogbangor

Maine BrewGuide 29

Central Maine & Greater Bangor

we have a winnah!

Text Kay Stephens

ELLWORTH’S JIM RAUSCH WON THE 2017 MAINE HOMEBREWERS COMPETITION

Serving lunch, dinner, late night & kid’s menu too!

In 4 locations in Maine.

Open 7 days a week. All year!

BANGOR 26 Front St, Bangor, ME 04401 (207) 947-8009

SO. PORTLAND 125 Western Ave. So.Portland, ME (207) 871-7000

TOPSHAM CAMDEN 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, 1 Main St. Topsham, ME Camden, ME (207) 725-0162 (207) 230-1306

seadogbrewing.com 30 fall 2017

Here’s what you need to know about Jim Rausch, the guy who won this year’s Maine Homebrewers Competition sponsored by Central Street Farmhouse in Bangor.

Jim is a veterinarian in Ellsworth who does two things on the weekends: brews beer and vaccinates horses. Rausch, who has won the Home Brewers Competition for the second year straight, took first place with a recipe he’s been working on the past four years. It is a German style Altbier, German for 'old beer,' and is what Germans brewed before they discovered lager yeast.

“Unimaginably I called it 'Jim's Altbier',” said Rausch.”It's an ale fermented at the low end of ale yeast tolerances (upper 50s-low 60s) then lagered (cold conditioned) for three to eight weeks. It’s typically a little hoppier than most German lagers. I dry hop mine lightly and use noble hops: Perle, Hersbrucker and sometimes Hallertau. It turns out beautifully clear, orange colored, like a slightly hoppier Oktoberfest.” He says the closest in taste would be a Longtrail Ale from Vermont’s Longtrail Brewing Co. “I’ve been homebrewing since I got a kit for a Christmas gift in 2011,” said Rausch. “I'm pretty sure my wife regrets that gift, although she does appreciate some of my results.”

The winning prize allows Rausch to work with Mason’s Brewing Co. in Brewer to brew 'Jim's Altbier’ in September, just in time for Octoberfest.

“I’m going from a five-gallon batch to these beautiful stainless steel vats on a bigger system with 10 barrels, which is 350 gallons,” he said.

Needless to say, he is stoked.

Grab a pint of Jim’s Altbier when it comes out and let us know what you think.

SEA DOG BREWING COMPANY is a family owned brewery with a full line of handcrafted ales that capture the spirit of Maine's sea-faring history.

Sea Dog ales are brewed using time-honored methods and only the finest ingredients. The brewery’s traditional brewing style results in brews with a distinctive, refreshing taste and crisp finish.

For the full Sea Dog experience, visit one of their brew pubs! In Maine, you can visit one of the four locations – overlooking the Androscoggin River in Topsham, along the historic Penobscot River in Bangor, blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in the historic shipbuilding town of Camden or by the Maine Mall in South Portland.

The Sea Dog pubs serve lunch and dinner daily. The Bangor location brews their beer on the premises and offers daily brewery tours. You will also find Sea Dog pubs in North Conway, NH and Orlando, FL, and a brewery and tasting room in Clearwater, FL. www.seadogbrewing.com

PHOTO: JIM RAUSCH

Jim's Altbier Maine Homebrewers Competition winner

After it's first year of opening, MASON’S BREWING COMPANY keeps growing and giving you new tasty reasons to go beyond Portland and experience the craft beer movement farther north. Located along the scenic waterfront of the Penobscot River, Mason’s is all about the beer experience, culture, and history.

It’s an adventure not to pass up. One of Mason’s newest projects in the works is its canning operation.

Their automated brewing system will allow them to distribute high quality, consistent products out of state and even out of the country. With lots of other unique features, like a bier garden, a mug club, 16 rotating taps, West Coast gastropub food, tap takeovers and passionate staff, this place is unquestionably an asset for the greater Bangor community. Conveniently neighboring Darling's Waterfront Pavilion, Mason’s Brewing Company is the perfect place to stop before or after a show. As Mainers, our expectation for craft beer is always growing and Mason’s definitely hits that mark!

207.989.6300 Open 7 Days 10:30AM–10:30PM

Experience Culture History

Like Mason’s Brewing Company on Facebook Maine BrewGuide

31

midcoast

tasting room directory NAME

CITY

S

Boothbay Craft Brewery

Boothbay

12 - 5:30

Fat Friars Meadery

Newcastle

11 - 8

Flight Deck Brewing

Brunswick

12 - 8

Lake St. George Brewing Company

Liberty

11:30 - 7

Liberty Craft Brewing

Liberty

11 - 4

Marshall Wharf Brewing Company

Belfast

11 - 6

Monhegan Brewing Company (seasonal, May - Oct)

Monhegan

North Haven Brewing Company

North Haven

Oxbow Brewing

Newcastle

Penobscot Bay Brewery / Winterport Winery (Seasonal, May - Oct)

Winterport

10 - 9

Rock Harbor Brewing Company

Rockland

Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery

M

3-8

PHOTOS: CAREY KISH

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

T

3-8

W

TH

F

S

FACEBOOK

12 - 5:30

12 - 5:30

/Boothbay-Craft-BreweryTavern-104727574679

11 - 8

11 - 8

11 - 8

11 - 8

/The-Fat-Friar-Meadery-175864219129026

3-8

12 - 8

12 - 8

12 - 8

/flightdeckbrewing

11:30 - 8

11:30 - 8

11:30 - 8

/LakeSt.GeorgeBrewing

11 - 4

11 - 4

11 - 4

11 - 4

11 - 4

/libertycraftbrewing

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 6

11 - 7

/Three-Tides-MarshallWharf-Brewing-Company-41135004445

11 - 6

11 - 6

3 - 7:30

11 - 6

3-6

11 - 6

11 - 6

/MonheganBrewingCompany

12 – 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

/northhavenbrewing

11 – 5

11 – 5

11 – 5

11 – 5

11 – 5

/OxbowBeer

10 - 9

10 - 9

10 - 9

10 - 9

10 - 9

10 - 9

/Winterport-Winery-andPenobscot-Bay-Brewery-107454236064

11:30 - 11

11:30 - 11

11:30 - 11

11:30 - 11

11:30 - 11

11:30 Midnight

11:30 Midnight

/rockharbor.me

Rockland

10 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

11 - 1

/rockharbor.me

Sea Dog Brewing Co.

Topsham

11 - 12:30

11 - 12:30 11 - 12:30

11 - 12:30

11 - 12:30

/seadogtopsham

Sea Dog Brewing Co.

Camden

Varies (Call Ahead)

Sheepscot Valley Brewing Co.

Whitefield

11 – 5

10:30 – 6

10:30 – 6

10:30 – 7

10:30 – 7

/Sheepscot-valley-brewing-337885939564553

Simplicity Brewing Co and Supplies

Warren

12 - 7

3-9

3-9

3-9

12 - 10

/simplicitybrewingco

Threshers Brewing Company

Searsmont

12 - 7

3-9

3-9

3-9

12 - 10

/ThreshersBrewingCo

32 spring 2017

11 - 12:30 11 - 12:30

Varies Varies /seadogcamden (Call Ahead) (Call Ahead)

Split Rock Distillery is the latest to join Maine’s Distillery Trail

Text & Photos: Kate Cone

Somewhere, as you are reading this, it’s not winethirty, or beer-thirty. It’s Hooch-Thirty. Move over wineries and breweries, and make room for spirits, made right here in Maine.

Topher Mallory and Zach Baker tend bar at Split Rock Distillery

Who knew that low-carb diets like South Beach and Atkins, made popular

made elsewhere.” That’s all the more

around 2002, would ruin the business

reason to support our local ies and

of potato farmers? Well, almost. Fifth-

drink spirits made in Maine from

generation potato farmer Donnie

Maine ingredients.

Thibodeau saw the apocalypse on

The newest y tacked onto the

the horizon as people shed pounds

burgeoning Maine y Trail is Split

by shedding potatoes and other carbs

Rock, located on Route 1, over the

from their diets. The canny Thibodeau

bridge from Wiscasset. They will be

approached Chris Dowe (pronounced

celebrating their first anniversary

doe), who had been building breweries

this October. On a recent gorgeous

for years with Alan Pugsley of Shipyard

late August Sunday, co-owner Topher

fame, and asked about options. Those

Mallory buzzed between the y and the

discussions led to the idea of making

tasting room, posing for photos and

vodka from all the potatoes that

answering questions. “My business

weren’t “pretty” enough for the table,

partner and I met at a party and

killing two birds with one stone.

eventually we decided to make spirits,”

That collaboration became the

Mallory said. “We are the first Maine

company that makes Cold River Vodka,

y to be certified organic by the USDA

the first distillery in Maine. Opened in

and MOFGA. We offer organic whiskey,

2005, with their flagship vodka, Cold

vodka, rum and gin at Split Rock, as

River now makes gin and “whiskey,”

well as a variety of cocktails.”

which they call Distiller’s Reserve. It is

The drinks that day were being

the most recent addition to their spirits

made by the cheerful Zach Baker, on

inventory. Located on Route 1, right up

hand to give tastings and chat with a

the road from Maine Beer Company,

drove of visitors streaming through.

Cold River boasts a tasting room roomy

Outside, a local food truck served tacos

enough to host a few dozen people, but

to accompany the cocktails people

keeps a cozy atmosphere.

enjoyed at picnic tables.

“Most people don’t know that the

Both Cold River and Split Rock are

major brands of vodka they are loyal to

destinations worth marking on your

don’t have a y,” revealed Dowe. “They

Maine Gazetteer and along the y trail.

make their products from alcohol

Chris Dowe, master distiller at Cold River Vodka, Maine's first craft distillery Kate Cone is the author of What's Brewing in New England, is an up-to-date book about New England craft breweries and brewpubs.

She frequently travels around New England to get a taste of all it offers.

Maine BrewGuide 33

great hikes great views HIKING ADVENTURES AND GREAT BREWS ABOUND ALONG THE MAINE BEER TRAIL

Text & Photos: Carey Kish 34 fall 2017

Autumn is the perfect time for hikers to pursue their love

patrons, staff and brewers and ask,

of the outdoors and passion for beer on the Maine Beer

the beers as one-offs, then we’re on to

Trail, which showcases the state’s wealth of breweries and brewpubs. Good beer and tasty food are standard fare on this great adventure, and when paired with Maine’s four million acres of conservation lands and more than

‘what would you like to see?’ We make something new.”

Fall is here, so get your hiking gear together, grab a copy of the Maine Beer Trail passport, and go! Try these other fine boots and brew combos for starters.

KITTERY: On the Cutts Island Trail, walk

1,000 miles of hiking trails, you’ve got a recipe for lots of

through oak and pine forests and along

healthy exploration and good fun.

the Rachel Carson National Wildlife

tidal estuaries and salt marshes in Refuge. At TRIBUTARY BREWING COMPANY in the central village, the flagship beer

“We expect to have more than 100

Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, Jordan

is Tributary Pale Ale, but it’s Mott the

licensed breweries in Maine by the end

Pond, Hunter’s Brook and Wonderland

Lesser, a Russian Imperial Stout, that

of 2017,” said Sean Sullivan, Executive

are all favorites. When the hiking is

really sets the brewery apart.

Director of the Maine Brewers Guild,

done and your thirst is at its peak, head

which developed the Maine Beer Trail

to ATLANTIC BREWING COMPANY’s new

BELFAST: Minutes from downtown,

eight years ago. “It’s an awesome time

Midtown pilot brewery in downtown

the Little River Community Trail

for beer drinkers in this vast world of

Bar Harbor to sample an interesting

wends from the old brick pump house

beer. There’s a style for every palate.”

menu of small batch beers and enjoy

and outlet dam on US 1 around the

fresh, locally sourced food.

undeveloped shores of two reservoirs.

One notable pairing of hikes and where Acadia National Park’s 130

different, so we’re experimenting

miles of trails wind through a paradise

with many styles of beers,” said Alex

On the waterfront, MARSHALL WHARF BREWING COMPANY and THREE TIDES RESTAURANT feature 17 draft lines

of pink granite ridgetops, tranquil

Maffucci, Atlantic’s co-owner, Director

dedicated to their beers. Try the classic

forested valleys, pristine ponds,

of Operations and one of three brewers.

Tug Pale Ale.

and bold oceanfront cliffs. Cadillac

“Our focus is on variety. We talk to

brews is found on Mt. Desert Island,

“We wanted to do something

Maine BrewGuide

35

LIMERICK: Hike the Smith Trail to the

farmhouse. Mr. Grumpy Pants Oatmeal

top of Sawyer Mountain, which lies

Stout, the signature beer, is made with

amid the largest unfragmented block of

Maine Grains oats and Coffee by Design

HIKES & BREWS RESOURCES

undeveloped forestland in York County.

roasted beans.

MAINE BEER TRAIL

mainebrewersguild.org

GNEISS BREWING COMPANY, a back-tothe-land operation in the rural woods

MONTVILLE/LIBERTY: The Northern

of town, specializes in German-style

Headwaters Trail in Montville leads

wheat beers. Gneiss-weiss is their very

along old stone walls on Whitten Hill

drinkable flagship beer.

to the headwaters of the Sheepscot River. Housed in a modernized 100-

SOUTH PARIS/NORWAY: The distinctive

year old post and beam hay barn

west face of Streaked Mtn. in South

in Liberty, LAKE ST. GEORGE BREWING

Paris can be seen for miles around. A

COMPANY produces a line of traditional

short, steep hike leads to the summit

beer styles. The 96 IPA, named for

ledges. On Main St. in Norway, the

their brewing license number, is most

interior of NORWAY BREWING COMPANY

popular.

AMC Maine Mountain Guide and AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast amcstore.outdoors.org

Carey Kish of Mt. Desert Island is an avid beer drinker, editor of the AMC Maine Mountain Guide, and author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast.

has the look and feel of an old

EBENEZER’S BREWPUB FOR SALE Brunswick, Maine: Turnkey Ready. 7-Barrel System Installed, Recipes Included. Available for less than the cost of assets and installation! $255,000 We also have other properties available for sale or lease suitable for brewing.

Magnusson Balfour Commercial & Business Brokers: 207-774-7715

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOOTHBAY CRAFT BREWING

BOOTHBAY CRAFT BREWERY

36 fall 2017

The ever-evolving craft beer scene in Maine has creative people in the beer industry applying their many talents toward not only creating world-class beers but also building their pubs and breweries with just as much creativity.

A good example is at the BOOTHHBAY CRAFT BREWERY AND WATERSHED TAVERN where the owners Win and Lori spend the slower winter months continuing to refine the experience for their guests. With the addition of more cozy booths, they have also added a touch of speakeasy to the Watershed Tavern. Visitors will enjoy searching for the secret doorway that leads to the “Tool Room,” which not only has another great bar and more dining, but is also adorned with many tools used throughout Maine’s farming, boatbuilding, and ice harvesting eras. They did a fun collaboration with the local glass blowers in Dresden at Tandem Glass, who helped them build some cool lighting for the tavern. Made by using old ice tongs, these “ice blocks” are a conversation piece for sure.

On the brewery side, head brewer Ben Rossignol, has brewed their first Pilsner which will be aptly named “Block of Time,” in a nod toward Boothbay’s’ rich ice harvesting history of the late 1800s. A cool tidbit found in the local historical society: to determine if the quality of the ice was good enough, it was tested by being able to read the Boothbay Register through the 12" x 14" block. One has to wonder: what news was frozen in time? This crisp refreshing lager will be released just as the tavern opens for the season and will soon be found on the shelves in 16 oz four-packs.(See our add on the inside front cover)

Liberty!

Give me

Text & Photos: Billy Cook, Maine Beer Tasting Rooms

Imagine two craft breweries in a town of 930 residents.

The town of Liberty has two stellar examples of the best that Maine has to offer the beer explorer. It’s only 35 minutes from Augusta on Route 3.

LAKE ST. GEORGE BREWING COMPANY’S

on Coon Mountain Lane and prepare

sign shows “Est. 1993 and 2017.”

to experience some of the best food,

Danny McGovern and his family have

brews, and views in Maine, but you

reopened the brewery on a 15-barrel

have to hurry. LCB closes down for

system drawing on his 20-plus years

the season at the end of October and

of expertise as a master brewer.

then reopens on June 1. Overlooking

The tasting room is currently open

the Camden Hills, the views from the

seven days a week as a place where

outdoor decks (which are wheelchair

community gathers and is wheelchair

accessible) are breathtaking. Guy

accessible. Winter plans are to reduce

Hews owner/brewer took what started

days to Thursday through Sunday. They

out as his man-cave and grew it to

have music on weekends and trivia

a full-service restaurant with wood

on Friday nights. There is an outdoor

fired pizza featured on Saturdays. His

seating area complete with corn hole

chef, Matt puts together some of the

games and is nicely lit by outdoor café

tastiest pub food we’ve yet to try in

lights. They will also use the fire pit

Maine. Arrive hungry; the portions are

throughout the winter season. On the

large. On the beer menu: Blackberry

day we visited, they were pouring a

Milk Stout, West Coast IPA, Dry Red Ale,

Blonde Ale, Oatmeal Stout, IPA, a Blueberry

their flagship IPA, a Vienna style lager,

Sour, and an English Pale. Pints are $5.00

and a double-hopped IPA. All fantastic.

and $6.00 with a flight of four 7-ounce

Six 5-ounce flights are $12.99 and a

pours for $11.00. They have occasional

flight of four 8-ounce flights is $14.00.

food trucks, but guests are welcome to

They have live music on Saturdays

bring their own food. Fresh pretzels are

along with corn hole and an outdoor

also available Friday through Sunday,

ping pong table.

along with a selection of sandwiches

For up-to-date information on

prepared by the Washington General

these and all the craft beer tasting

Store.

rooms in Maine, head on over to mainebeertastingrooms.com

After sampling at Lake St. George, head on over to LIBERTY CRAFT BREWING

for the latest

information on hours, directions, and news.

Contributing writer: Billy Cook, Maine Beer Tasting Rooms

Maine BrewGuide

37

brew reviews

Text & Photos : Bonfire, Dave Patterson; Woods & Eaters, Josh Christie; Twin Screw, Kay Stephens; FInder, Stanley J. Rinz

Our in-house reviewers searched statewide for beers that pair well with Autumn days and nights. Check out these tasty four Maine brews.

Sebago Brewing Company

Maine Beer Co.

Rock Harbor Brewing Co.

ABV: 5.7%

ABV: 6.2%

ABV: 5.0%

Bonfire Rye

Woods & Waters

Twin Screw

Dave Patterson

Josh Christie

Kay Stephens

This malty rye ale is a hoodie sweatshirt for the palate on cool fall evenings. Brewed with generous amounts of Simcoe, Columbus, Chinook, and Citra hops added late in the boil, Bonfire Rye exudes a bright, earthy aroma the moment you crack a can. It pours a golden amber with a solid head of tiny bubbles that lace down the glass as you drink. The assertive interplay of sweet malts and juicy, piney hops makes a great companion as you laze next to a raging bonfire beneath the pulsing autumn stars.

To mark the centennial of the National Park Service, former President Barack Obama proclaimed nearly 100,000 acres in northern Maine the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. To commemorate the occasion, Freeport’s Maine Beer Company brewed Woods & Waters. The brewery, well known as masters of the clean, flavorful IPA, knocked it out of the park with this special release. Woods & Waters has some smart callouts to the National Monument, incorporating Maine-grown wheat and barley and hopping with a mix of hops (Magnum, Simcoe, Mosaic, Columbus, and Idaho 7) that recall the pine aroma of the Maine outdoors.

It’s light and crisp on the palate, with an easydrinking smoothness that hides its 6.2% ABV. As with the rest of MBC’s lineup, this new IPA trades bombast for balance and nuance.

Twin Screw Pale Ale has “a lot of love inside this beer,” according to the barkeep of the newly opened Rock Harbor Brewing Co. tasting room in Rockland (and the jokes write themselves on that assessment alone). The straw-hued brew is made with light malt and fewer hops than a typical pale ale with citrusy notes, making it a friendly and drinkable beer for the novice who shies away from bitter brews. “God invented work, so this beer would taste good when you’re done.”*

38 fall 2017

Shipyard Brewing Co. Finder: New England IPA ABV: 6.4%

by Stan Rinz

I eagerly awaited this release and can confidently say that this will be a solid go-to beer for me.

The description right from the can nails it: This mouthwatering NE IPA has a hazy appearance and a creamy mouthfeel. The Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado hops create a drinkable, juicy ale with flavors of grapefruit, orange and lemongrass. Finder finishes with a slight bitterness and notes of tropical sweetness.

*Quote stolen from Rockland Chef Kerry Alterio

show us what you’re drinking Show us what you’re drinking this fall and winter on our Maine Brew Guide Facebook page. Bonus points for taking your beers on adventures and snapping photos in cool places!

For the first time, Maine Brew Guide has gone outside of Maine’s borders to find out who has the best brews in all of New England. To do this, we wanted to hear directly from the community that lives and breathes New England craft beer.

Text Jeremy Marquardt

1

4

FOCAL BANGER

DDH CONGRESS ST

7%

7.2%

The Alchemist Stowe, VT

2

JULIUS

Tree House Charlton, MA

Trillium Boston/Canton, MA

5

HAZE

Tree House Charlton, MA

6.8%

8.2%

New England

beer poll 7 SOCIETY & SOLITUDE

Hill Farmstead – Greensboro, VT 8.1%

8 SIP OF SUNSHINE

3

6

SWISH

HEADY TOPPER

8%

8%

Bissell Brothers Portland, ME

The Alchemist Stowe, VT

Lawson’s Finest Liquids – Warren, VT 8%

9 SECOND FIDDLE

Fiddlehead Brewing Company Shelburne, VT. 8.2%

10 CLOUD DROP

Upper Pass – Tunbridge, VT 8%

Over the last few months we teamed up with the New England Craft Beer Connection on Facebook. NECBC is currently made up of 17,000+ members, all of whom all have one thing in common, their love for New England suds.

Sam Boyle from Pennsylvania founded NECBC in 2007 and shortly afterwards joined up with Michael Brault from Vermont to help him with operations. Although he lived outside the area,

Sam’s passion for New England’s fine beers drove him to create this flourishing community.

As numbers grew, members started to talk, share pictures, share release information, and offer personal reviews of other beers from around New England. This highly active group with nearly 94,000 posts and comments a month was the perfect place for Maine Brew Guide to find what we were looking for.

We created an open poll on the New England Craft Beer Connection allowing anyone in the group to contribute to the list by adding a beer they felt was the “Best in New England.”

Everyone who participated was able to choose one beer, and after weeks of voting, we have collectively created a list of the essential beers to drink in our amazing region of beer heaven!

To round out the top 25 here are the rest of the New England beers that made the cut in descending order.

11. Green – Tree House – Charlton, MA 12. Flume – Battery Steele – Portland, ME 13. Alter Ego – Tree House – Charlton, MA 14. It’s Complicated Being a Wizard – Burlington Beer Company – Burlington, VT 15. Lush – Frost Beer Works – Hinesburg, VT 16. Experimental Jet Set – Foam Brewers – Burlington, VT 17. Susan - Hill Farmstead – Greensboro, VT 18. Juice Machine – Tree House – Charlton, MA

19. Abner - Hill Farmstead – Greensboro, VT 20. Double Citra - Hill Farmstead – Greensboro, VT 21. Dinner – Maine Beer Company – Freeport, ME 22. Mosaic Cutting Tiles - Trillium – Boston/Canton, MA 23. Double Galaxy - Hill Farmstead – Greensboro, VT 24. The Chosen One- Tilted Barn – Exeter, RI 25. Very Hazy - Tree House – Charlton, MA

Maine BrewGuide 39

downeast PHOTO_CAREY KISH

In this stretch from Bucksport to Lubec, you'll find a mix of Maine's brewing originators and innovators.

Mount Desert Island is home to Atlantic Brewing Company and Maine Coast Brewing Company, two of the oldest breweries in the state, while Airline Brewing Company, Lubec Brewing Company, and Strong Brewing Company have all opened in recent years.

tasting room directory S

M

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

NAME

CITY

Airline Brewing Company Brewery

T

Amherst

12 – 8

Airline Brewing Company Pub

Ellsworth

11 - 10

11 - 10

11 - 10

Atlantic Brewing Company

Bar Harbor

10 - 6

10 - 6

10 - 6

Atlantic Brewing Midtown

Bar Harbor

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 9

Lubec Brewing Company

Lubec

Machias River Brewing Company

Machias

W

TH

F

S

4 – 10

4 – 10

12 – 10

/airlinebrewingcompany

11 - 10

11 - 10

11 - 10

11 - 10

/airlinebrewingcompany

10 - 6

10 - 6

10 - 6

10 - 6

/atlanticbrewing

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 9

11 - 9

/atlanticbrewingmidtown

2 - 8:30

2 - 8:30

2 - 8:30

/Lubec-Brewing-Company-1406990739591377

2 - 8:30

FACEBOOK

4 - 11

4-1

4-1

4-1

4-1

/Machias-RiverBrewing-Company-675328812601331

Jack Russell's Steakhouse (Maine Bar Harbor Coast Brewing Company)

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

4 - 10

/Jackrussellssteakhouse

Strong Brewing Company

Sedgwick

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 7

12 - 8

12 - 7

/StrongBrewingCompany

Northern Maine Tasting Room

Caribou

40 fall 2017

4-9

4-9

4-9

4 - 10

4 - 10

/Northern-MaineBrewing-CoLLC-1575977852690743

Bar Harbor

Celebrate Local Craft Beer & Fine Food

January 13, 2018 Atlantic Brewing Co

2018 Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

Visitbarharbor.com

Mainers love winter and they love their beer. Come to Mount Desert Island for the third Annual BAR HARBOR WINTER BEER FEST on January 13, 2018 to celebrate Downeast Maine’s craft beer scene!

The festival takes place outside at Atlantic Brewing Company, but there will be warming stations to keep guests toasty warm.

Enjoy fun games like a keg stacking relay and cornhole, a photo booth, local food, and live music from local bands. Grab your hat, gloves and some friends and head out to MDI for the third Annual Bar Harbor Winter Beer Fest! For more information, go to visitbarharbor.com.

AIRLINE BREWING COMPANY is a rural Maine brewery specializing in British-style beers and Real Cask Ales. The brewery serves the Downeast community of Maine and is located on the scenic Airline Rd (Route 9) in Amherst between Bangor and Canada. You can stop by the brewery tasting room and have a pint with the locals and take a growler out to camp. Or sample our full range of beers and tasty grub at our English Pub-themed tasting room in downtown Ellsworth, where people come to relax and socialize with friends, family, and strangers.

Maine BrewGuide

41

Discover

Lubec Microbrewery lures visitors who discover reasons to stay

Text & Photos: Johanna S. Billings

Winter at the Lubec Brewing Company is pretty much the same as in the summer.

“Except it's a little colder and there's a lot more snow," quipped Gale White, who owns and runs the brewery with his wife, McGinley Jones.

The brewery opens at 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday year

ABOVE

The Lubec Brewing Co. is located on Water Street in downtown Lubec, close to a number of other interesting places to visit.

42 fall 2017

featured LUBEC BREWING CO.

41 S Water St., Lubec 207-733-4555 Hours: Year round Thursday - Sunday, 2 - 8:30 p.m.

Kitchen open 5- 7:30 p.m.

Live music starting at 6 p.m. every night.

round. Dinner is served starting at 5 p.m. By dinnertime on a foggy August afternoon, the place was packed.

"It's just like this in February,” said White. “We just don't have as many people from away.” In winter, the majority of the customers are locals, some of whom stay away during the busiest summer months.

White and Jones offer 23 different beers, all made from locally sourced organic ingredients. Among the customer favorites are Quoddy Head Red, a red ale that is among the brewery's best sellers. Johnson Bay IPA is another favorite — and not one that the brewery offered originally when it opened three years ago.

ABOVE & LEFT

"People would come in and say, 'I'll

Lubec Brewing Company has live music every night. Performing here are the members of the band O’McCrelli, from left, Kara McCrimmon, John Viselli and Jim O’Neil.

have your IPA,'" said White. So, he decided it was time to create one.

The name of an imperial black — Bailey’s First Mistake — pays tribute to local history and a sailor who ran his ship aground after getting drunk.

White called it "very flavorful and robust,” adding, "I personally think that's my best beer.”

Lubec Brewing Company also makes

Lubec Brewing Co. owner Gale White chats with customers Emily O’Neil and Tara Legris.

its own sourdough pizza and offers live music every night.

Situated at 41 S. Water St., the

While Lubec Brewing is a popular

From there, they can see Mulholland

brewpub is located in the center of

stop on the Maine Beer Trail, many

Point Lighthouse on Campobello Island,

town. Visitors enter the front door

people end up staying longer than they

Canada, along with several quaint and

into a large room, featuring both a

planned due to the beauty of the area’s

rustic buildings that were each part of

traditional bar and dining tables.

attractions.

the herring operation in town.

To the right is a comfy lounge with upholstered furniture. The stage is off to the left, positioned by a window so that the performers can be easily seen from everywhere inside.

Lubec Brewing Co. opened in May

A few nearby can’tmiss sites include:

LOST FISHERMEN’S MEMORIAL: Step outside the brewery and walk down Water Street to the shore. To the right,

MCCURDY SMOKEHOUSE: Located

you will see a magnificent granite

across the street from the brewery,

sculpture bearing the names of

2014. White said he fell in love with the

the McCurdy Smokehouse features a

local fishermen who died on the job.

area while visiting and appreciated the

museum to the lost herring industry.

White you’re there, take in the ocean

fact that Maine embraced craft beer. He

Although it’s open only from May to

views, moored boats and the pier. You

wasn’t the only one.

October, visitors can enjoy an ocean

can also see the Mulholland Point

view from the deck of the museum.

Lighthouse from here.

43 spring 2017

Maine BrewGuide 43

is the West Quoddy Lighthouse, located just a few miles from the brewpub. Lovers of the outdoors will especially love the Coastal Trail in the adjacent Quoddy Head State Park.

WORTH A VISIT

THE LOST FISHERMEN’S

stands along the shore in Lubec, a tribute to local fishermen lost on the job. It’s about a two-minute walk from the brewpub.

MEMORIAL

WEST QUODDY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE:

KLONDIKE MOUNTAIN PRESERVE: Take

Located at 973 S. Lubec Road, the

Route 189 out of Lubec to McFadden's

lighthouse is approximately 1.5 miles

Variety Sore and turn right onto North

D. Roosevelt's summer home. Although

from the brewery. Although the visitor

Lubec Road. Continue for a mile and

the cottage and visitor center are

center and gallery are closed from mid-

then look for the Klondike Mountain

closed from Columbus Day to mid-

October to mid-May, visitors can still

sign on your left at the top of the

May, visitors can enjoy the grounds all

see the lighthouse in winter, weather

hill. Enjoy two trails, both less than

year during daylight hours. The scenic

permitting. The lighthouse is located

a mile long. The Fowler's Mill Pond

island is also home to the Mulholland

adjacent to Quoddy Head State Park,

Trail travels along the shoreline. The

Point Lighthouse and the spectacular

which offers a network of trails near

Klondike Mountain Trail takes hikers

Head Harbor Light Station. The latter

the lighthouse. The Coastal Trail, a

to two different summits featuring

is inaccessible during high tide but,

four-mile round trip, takes hikers along

magnificent views.

during low tide, weather permitting,

the rocky coast and offers particularly

visitors can walk across the channel for a closer look.

the water. The terrain is moderately

ROOSEVELT CAMPOBELLO INTERNATIONAL PARK: Bring your passport and cross

challenging, with some steep and rocky

the bridge from Lubec into Canada to

sections.

see the Roosevelt Campobello Island

Johanna S. Billings is an award-winning writer/photographer based in Steuben.

nice ocean views from high above

International Park, featuring Franklin

aroostook

Aroostook County is larger than some of the other states in New England and the sparsely-populated County is a playground for outdoor lovers with thousands of acres to hunt, fish, hike and kayak.While the region had been without a brewery to call its own since Presque Isle’s Slopes closed last decade, the arrival of Northern Maine Brewing Company in Caribou means that locally-made suds are once again flowing in Aroostook.

Note: Hours were accurate as of printing.

tasting room directory NAME

CITY

Northern Maine Brewing Co

Caribou

44 fall 2017

S 4-9

M

T

Before heading out please check ahead to confirm hours.

W

TH

F

4-9

4-9

4 - 10

S 4 - 10

FACEBOOK /Northern-Maine-Brewing-CoLLC-1575977852690743

LocaL brew, LocaL Fun! enjoy the best Maine has to offer!

F E AT U R I N G :

Visit OxfordCasino.com to see our full, craft beer menu.

Southern Maine’s Casino!

OxfordCasino.com Please drink responsibly.

Persons under 21 years of age may not enter the restaurant or casino unless licensed as employees. Gambling problem? Call 2-1-1 for help.