Yankee Brew News Archive

Sunday River Brewing Company Opens at Maine Ski Area

Originally Published: Spr/93

By: Brett Peruzzi

It was only a matter of time, really. The brewpub concept goes so well with a ski resort location that it's surprising that it took this long for one to open.

Probably not coincidentally, Sunday River Brewing Company, Maine's third brewpub, is located in Bethel, on the access road leading to Sunday River, New England's hottest ski resort. Situated on the edge of the White Mountains, the Bethel area is surrounded by the natural beauty of the area, and is a favorite destination of not only skiers but summer and autumn vacationers as well.

Opened at the beginning of ski season in December by owner Grant Wilson, Sunday River Brewing was perfectly positioned to attract not only the apres-ski drinking crowd, but also, because of its extensive food menu, those skiers up for the weekend and in search of a good meal. A large building with both a pub area and a separate dining room, the pub and its restaurant, called The Moose's Tale, can easily accommodate nearly two hundred patrons.

Brewer Peter Leavitt comes to Maine from the West with four years of brewing experience, and is a graduate of the Siebel Institute for brewing studies in Chicago. He presides over a seven barrel JV Northwest brewhouse, which will produce an estimated 1300 barrels this year. Only ales are planned for now, made with Briess malts and a variety of American hops, including Cascade, Chinook, Cluster, Mount Hood, and Willamette varieties.

For a fledgling brewery, the pub has offered a large selection of brews. In early January, five brews, including Pyrite Golden, Redstone Ale, Baron's Brown Ale, Black Bear Porter, and Grand Trunk Eisbock were on tap. By mid-February the eisbock was gone, but replaced by both a bitter and an IPA . Brewer Leavitt said that the golden and red ales, along with the porter, will be the standard brews, supplemented by a few specialty brews. An imperial-style stout is planned in time for St. Patrick's Day.

The food menu at Sunday River Brewing is also extensive. In addition to traditional pub fare, diners can choose from such specialties as lobster pie, fried calamari, and lamb shish-ka-bob.

The Sunday River Brewing Company is located at 1 Sunday River Road, at the intersection of U.S. Route 2 and Sunday River Road. For more information, call (207) 824-3541.