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!