Featured Brewery: Maine Beer Company

Do you have Maine Beer in your Frig?????

Maine Beer Company has a tag line that pretty much sums up who they are, what they believe in and how they do business: Do What’s Right! They are members of 1% for the planet , an organization committed to carrying forth a mission to teach our population that industry and ecology are inherently connected. And in their words: ‘we try our hardest to make the best beer possible. No cutting corners’. And we truly appreciate everyone who has ever bought a bottle or pint of our beer’. Their response when asked what the coolest thing about being part of the Maine beer industry was? ‘Good beer and great community of beer drinkers’.

Maine Beer Company is two brothers making, testing, packaging and selling beer –literally. Dan and Dave are the founders, the Brewmasters, the Marketing Directors, the CEO’s, the Tour Guides…you get the picture. In his spare time, brother Dan is the President of the Maine Brewers Guild. This is why it is even more impressive that they currently have 5 varieties of kick --- beer, distributed in 6 states, reaching to cities as far and as distinguished as NYC and Philadelphia! As if all of that wasn’t keeping them busy enough, they are currently working on a special pilot batch that will only be available at the Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay Festival on July 14th and will be auctioning off an opportunity to join them for a brew session.

So if you haven’t already…you should definitely hunt down and drink some beer made at Maine Beer Company.  You'll quickly find out what you've been missing!
Find out what the bro’s have brewing next on facebook.

2nd Annual Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay Event July 14th

Contact Information:

Dee Dee Germain: deedee@allagash.com

Win Mitchell: win@boothbaycraftbrewery.com

Lori Pecor:  lori@marketingcents4u.com

www.mainebrewersguild.org

Maine Brewers’ Guild to Host 2^nd Annual “Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay” Event

Boothbay, ME – June 18, 2012 – The Maine Brewers’ Guild will host the 2^nd annual “Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay” beer tasting event in Boothbay, Maine on Saturday, July 14^th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.  New this year, gates will open at noon for VIP ticket holders to enjoy some ‘back stage time’ with the brewers and be among the first to taste their specialty brews.  In addition to award-winning beer from thirty one Maine breweries, the event will feature special guest brewery, Smuttynose Brewing Company, New Hampshire’s leading craft brewery, located in the seaport town of Portsmouth.

‘It’s going to be tough to find a better place to be on a July afternoon in Maine’  MBG President, Dan Kleban said of the upcoming event; ‘a scenic outdoor venue, a lively coastal town, great food, music, award winning Maine brewed beer and the best fans in the country!’  

Rare, special and single batch beers will be featured among the brews that will be poured at the event, including a collaborative beer being produced by Boothbay Craft Brewery and Sebago Brewing Company. 

The event will feature a traditional New England Style BBQ prepared by event hosts Boothbay Resort, extraordinary music by Boston based band HDRnB, an exclusive silent auction and a live broadcast with Cumulus Radio Augusta.  Packages and discounts exclusive to event ticket holders will be offered all weekend at many businesses in the Boothbay Harbor Region; to include lodging, dining, shopping and recreation. 

Ticket holders are invited to participate in a golf tournament to be held on Friday evening, July 13^th at the Boothbay Country Club, featuring a Maine Craft beer tasting. Golf tournament priced separately at $45.00 per golfer.  FMI call 207-633-6085.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event support the Maine Brewers’ Guild and its continuing mission to promote the craft brewed industry in Maine. 

Participating Maine breweries include:

Allagash Brewing Andrew’s Brewing Atlantic Brewing Bar Harbor Brewing Baxter Brewing Belfast Bay Brewing Black Bear Brewery Boothbay Craft Brewery Bray’s Brew Pub & Eatery Bull Jagger Brewing Bunker Brewing

D.L. Geary Brewing Geaghan Brothers Brewing Gritty McDuff ’s Kennebec River Brewery Maine Beer Marshall Wharf Brewing Oak Pond Brewing Oxbow Brewing Peak Organic Brewing Penobscot Bay Brewing

Rising Tide Brewing Rocky Coast Brewing Run of the Mill Public House Sea Dog Brewing Shag Rock Brewing Sebago Brewing Company Sheepscot Valley Brewing Shipyard Brewing Sunday River Brewing The Liberal Cup

About “Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay”:

When:  Saturday, July 14 from 1:00 – 4:00pm

Where:  Boothbay Resort, 301 Adams Pond Rd., Boothbay, Maine  www.boothbayresort.com

Cost:  General admission tickets are $50 and include beverages, traditional southern BBQ, and parking.  VIP tickets are available for $75 and include an early entry at 12:00.  Designated driver tickets are $25. A special commemorative tasting glass will be provided to the first 800 people who purchase tickets.  Tickets are available for sale online and must be purchased in advance.  This is a 21+ event and pets will not be permitted.  This event will be held rain or shine.  Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/210307.

FMI:  info@mainebrewersguild.org  --  www.mainebrewersguild.org

About the Maine Brewers’ Guild:  The Maine Brewers' Guild is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the craft brewed industry in Maine. Since 1986, Maine has been at the forefront of the craft brew movement.  The state is home to nearly two dozen breweries which produce more than 100 different brands.  More information about the Maine Brewers' Guild can be found at this link:  www.mainebrewersguild.org

 ###

MBG Brewery of the Week: Kennebec River Brewery

The Kennebec River Pub & Brewery has been serving pints to thirsty woodcutters, rafters, kayakers, hikers, snowmobilers and visitors since January 1997.

The Brew pub is part of the Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort in The Forks, Maine. NOA Resort owners Suzanne Hockmeyer, Russell Walters and Jim Yearwood have been in operation since 1976.

Brewery founder, Jim Yearwood, was head brewer from 1997 to 2001, at which time brewmaster Mike McConnell took over the brewing reigns. Mike and his father Ray McConnell are considered pioneers in the craft beer scene, dating back to1994 when they ran Rhode Island’s first craft brewery; Emerald Isle Brew Works, located in West Warwick. 11 years later, Mike is still head brewer at Kennebec River Pub & Brewery.

The brewery has over a dozen flavors that are available on tap at the brewery as well as three flagship ales that are available in six packs. The brew pub has a lively event calendar, offers brewery tours and particpates in beer festivals all over New England.

One of their signature events is the very cool and unique Raft n Brew Adventure tour that takes place in the spring and fall. These tours include a raft on the Dead River followed by a cookout at the brewery with brewery tours, $3 pints and all day live entertainment.  Be sure to like them on facebook to find out all there is happening at the Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort and Kennebec Brewery.

Breweries of the Week: DL Geary Brewing Company & Gritty McDuff's

This weekly blog series will feature each of our member breweries located throughout the state of Maine. We invite you to grab a pint, sit back and relax, while we fill you in on the lively brew scene in our state.

Who? D.L.Geary Brewing Company located in Portland Maine, has an impressive past, present and no doubt future, in the brewing world. David and Karen Geary first turned dream into reality in the fall of 1983 when they incorporated D.L. Geary Brewing Company. But this dream didn’t just happen overnight and they spent the next 3 years, traveling to Scotland and England for research and training, creating a business plan, securing investors, real estate, equipment and product brand. In December of 1986 their hard work and vision paid off when they produced their first pints of Geary’s Pale Ale, in what became the first microbrewery in Maine and New England.

What? It seems like the Geary’s team pretty much always has something exciting happening …like being named ‘The Best in the WORLD!’ Yes that’s right; the New York Times blind taste test awarded that impressive title to the Geary’s London Porter. That is some pretty big recognition! Not only for D.L. Geary’s, but for Maine Breweries AND for the state itself! But I think one of the coolest things about D.L. Geary Brewing Company, is their scholarship program. Every year, in partnership with the Maine College of Art, the Geary team awards an undergrad scholarship to an art student, as part of their summer label design contest. Now how cool is that?

Where? The brew team offers scheduled brewery and tasting tours and have a very cool online store as well. Check out their website for details and to enter their great contests like the one running right now: A Striper Fishing trip for four people! Cheers to Geary’s and all of the great ways they celebrate summer in Maine!

Who? I’d be willing to be that pretty much everybody who has visited Portland, has at least once, spent time at Gritty’s Brew Pub! And those who have not hung out in the Old Port location have most likely spent a time or two at one of the classic {Gritty’s style} tavern tables in Freeport or their newest location in Auburn. There is always some sort of party going on, be it in the huge backyard of the Freeport Pub, in the heart of Portland’s Old Port or on the riverfront deck in Auburn. My point being, Gritty’s Brew Pub is pretty much a Maine staple at this point, when it comes to fun in Maine. The humble beginnings of founders Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer date back to 1988 and consisted of two simple goals; 1) to create a true, English-style pub serving fresh ales and great food, and 2) to have fun doing it! I guess I’ll go way out on a limb here and say that they just might have achieved their goals!

What? The Brew Pub stands just fine on its own, with 24 years of awards piled up in countless categories like the Best Brew Pub in Maine and the Best Bar in Maine. But let’s talk for a minute about the beer. After all, what is a brew pub without the brew? The Gritty’s brew team has been perfecting the art of brewing award winning ales for almost 25 years and there are certainly no signs of slowing down. From flagship ales, to special brews to seasonal brews…there doesn’t seem to be an end to the possibilities...or the fans. Just check out their facebook page….7,000 and counting!

When? Pretty much all the time. This is the section where I typically talk about what great event is coming soon, in hopes to help spread the word. At Gritty’s however, the task of choosing is far too daunting and the best advice I can give is this: Pick a day and a location and show up. Chances are there will be something fun going on! Or… follow their blog, join their mailing list, check their calendar, like them on facebook or tweet them. Shop online, visit their stores, or join their mug club. Whatever you decide to do doesn’t really matter…as long as you just Do it, at Gritty’s!

Breweries of the Week: Bull Jagger and Federal Jacks

This weekly blog series will feature each of our member breweries located throughout the state of Maine. We invite you to grab a pint, sit back and relax, while we fill you in on the lively brew scene in our state.

Who: Bull Jagger Brewing Company located in Portland, Maine opened its doors in 2011 and Brewmaster Tom Bull and partner Allan Jagger focused all attention on perfecting one primary lager. The Portland Lager made its official debut last fall at the well acclaimed Harvest on the Harbor, in a tall, one pint .9oz bottle, offering a look as classic and pure as its taste. Modeled after the traditional Helle beers of Bavaria, the Portland Lager recipe follows that of the German Purity Laws dating back to 1516, using the purest of water, malt hops and yeast. How cool is that? Just the thought of drinking a Bull Jagger Lager makes me feel pure!

What: But the red hot news at Bull Jagger these days is the launch of their Big Claw Pilsner. As writer Tom Atwell so eloquently stated in the May 17th Portland Press Herald, What Ales You issue: ‘Lagers have a bad reputation in America, and Pilsners are the lagers most people think they know. Most watery, fizzy American beers pretend to be Pilsners. Bull Jagger Brewing Co., which introduced its first beer in October, is working to redeem the reputation of lagers. Its Big Claw Pilsner -- which appeared on store shelves last week -- continues that effort...’

Apparently the Bull Jagger team is well on their way to readjusting American attitudes….and that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

Where: The brew team offers scheduled brewery tours at their Portland Industrial Park location and are often out and about town doing things you might want to know about {like their Big Claw Launch Party at Jimmy The Greeks last week}. So if you want to crash their party…follow them on facebook or twitter…chances are you’ll find them!

Get to know the Bull Jagger Team:
Visit their website
facebook

Who: Federal Jacks, located in Kennebunkport, Maine was established in 1992 and is famous for their spectacular waterfront views, creative pub fare and award winning ales. Federal Jacks is one of Maine’s first brew pubs and the birthplace of the award winning line of handcrafted ales from Shipyard Brewing Company.

What: The Federal Jack brew team handcrafts all of their brews right on site in their seven barrel brewery located downstairs from the pub. Among their many popular ales are Shipyard Export, Shipyard Blue Fin Stout, Old Thumper, Fuggles IPA, Shipyard Brown Ale and local favorite, Taint Town Pale Ale.

When: Tonight! Federal Jacks is definitely THE place to be at 5pm on May 17th for the 2012 Member Guest Spring Mug Club Social! There is even going to be a firkin on the bar! If you don’t know what a firkin is, there is only one thing to do…head on over and find out! 8 Western Avenue, Kennebunk, ME

Get to know the Federal Jack Team:
Visit their website
Facebook

Breweries of the Week: Black Bear Brewing and Bray’s Brew Pub

This weekly blog series will feature each of our member breweries located throughout the state of Maine. We invite you to grab a pint, sit back and relax, while we fill you in on the lively brew scene in our state.

Who:  Black Bear Brewery, located in Orono Maine, is family owned and operated and focused on hand crafted, small batch, high quality beers. Owner and Brewmaster Tim Gallon, installed a 10bbl brewhouse in 2007 and began brewing in 2008. Black Bear brews are available on tap at several restaurants and pubs around the state, as well as in growlers and 22 oz bottles at the brewery.

What:  The brew team is all about supporting local. ‘I take every chance I get to incorporate something local into the beer. This is what makes a local brewery so special’. Their local spirit begins with their Brewery name, which of course is in honor of the beloved UMaine Black Bears. The Black Bear Pail Ale is an example of their fun and creative style and certainly lacks nothing in taste either! The hoppy American Pale ale offers big aroma and flavor, balanced with a sweet malty backbone for what has become known as a ‘very drinkable ale’.

Where:  The brew team offers brewery tours and tastings and can be found in the center of downtown Orono, at 19 Mill Street. They are also known to frequent area establishments, where they host ‘Brewers’ night’, which features their great beer, prizes and giveaways. Be sure to follow them on facebook to find out where to follow them around town!

Get to know the Black Bear Team:

Visit their website
Email them at facebook

Who: Bray's Brew Pub, located in the heart of the lakes region, Naples, Maine, has been pleasing locals and visitors with their outstanding food and hand crafted ale since 1995. The experience only gets better when enjoyed under the roof of their historic Victorian farmhouse, or as you step outside into the beer garden. Yup, you heard right, they have a beer garden and it is the perfect spot to sip on a savory hand crafted ale, while soaking up the sun, listening to live music and hanging out with the Naples cool crowd. 

What:  The brew team produces ales with a Pacific Northwest influence and offer pretty much the full gamut when it comes to flavor, aroma and style. Their Brandy Pale Ale, named after the popular summer hot spot in Naples, Brandy Pond, is delicious wheat ale that shouts ‘summertime in Maine’ with the very first sip. It’s that kind of ale that gives you spring fever and makes you think of nothing else but getting your boat in the water…or of course, spending an afternoon with friends in the beer garden!

When:  Bray's Brewing is part of the 7th annual Maine Blues Festival that takes place in the Lakes Region over Fathers Day weekend and features 10 stages and 40 bands throughout the weekend. Bray’s kicks off the weekend with a preview show on Friday night and closes with an all star open mic night on Sunday. It’s an event not to miss and you can get all the information you need by visiting the pub anytime between now and then.

Get to know the Bray's Brew Team:

Visit their website
Email them at braysbrewpub@roadrunner.com
Blog written by:  Lori Pecor of Marketing Cents4u.com

Breweries of the Week: Bar Harbor and Belfast Bay

This weekly blog series will feature each of our member breweries located throughout the state of Maine. We invite you to grab a pint, sit back and relax, while we fill you in on the lively brew scene in our state.

Who: Bar Harbor Brewing, located in Bar Harbor Maine, has been brewing gold and platinum winning brews for nearly twenty years. Their passion for their brew sums up quite well with two important facts:

1)  Despite their award winning recipes, they still only brew 260 barrels of bottle conditioned beer a year, which means their product line is far more important to them, than their ‘bottom line’.

2) They believe this to be true about their product: ‘it’s not just beer to drink, its beer to celebrate’.

What: The Bar Harbor brew team prides itself in producing a product line that is cohesive yet independent. By using varying amounts of the same four ingredients (water, yeast, malted barley and hops), their ales offer a multitude of flavors with a signature taste. Their Cadillac Mountain Stout, named after one of the most well known peaks in Maine, brought on a fame of its own when it was awarded the World Champion of dry stout in 1995.

Where:  Guests can visit their tasting room daily and even step into their pilot room for a close up look at their original brewing equipment. Be sure to visit their unique gift store while you’re in town, which offers a variety of local foods, local wines from Bar Harbor Cellars, and of course, plenty of Bar Harbor Brew ‘swag’ that one really should not be without!

Get to know the Bar Harbor Team:

Visit their website
Email them at info@barharborbrewing.com

Or even better… visit them at: 8 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor. They’re open 7 days a week!

Who: Belfast Bay Brewing Company, located in Belfast, Maine, has a story that would impress even the most distinguished of brew masters. Over the past 12 years Pat Mullen has pretty much built a brew empire, if empires are measured by thousands of bottles of champion worthy beer produced (Pat says he stopped counting right around 14,000 cases). And it was not all that long ago that these beers were bottled by Mullen himself, at his dining room table. Today, Belfast Bay Ales can be found in much of the Eastern US and are exported to Canada, Finland and Norway! Mullen now enjoys spending his time traveling to new places and introducing his passion to folks who have not yet had the opportunity to taste the world class beer. Pat is not only succeeding in introducing his beer around the world, he is bringing our great state of Maine right along with it. Thanks Pat!

What: Some of Mullen’s favorite brewing stories include Brewmaster Dan McGovern, (now of 3Tides in Belfast), and their days of co-producing 11 brews in the Searsport Avenue complex that was once home to The Barn takeout stand, a pub and the brewery. It is not surprising that one of Mullen’s World Brewing Championship winners is named McGovern’s Oatmeal Stout. Their other claim to fame is the very appropriately named (thanks to the suggestion of his wife) Lobster Ale. Naturally, Mullen chose to craft a Red Ale to give this Maine namesake its due justice.

When: Although the brewery is not open for tours, the brew team has made sure their fans know how to connect with them! Every bottle of Lobster Ale and McGovern’s Oatmeal Stout has their phone number listed on the label. So after you finish a bottle, be sure to give them a buzz and let them know what you thought!

Get to know the Belfast Bay Team:

Follow them on facebook
Visit their website