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