Yankee Brew News Archive

What's Brewing: Maine/New Hampshire

Originally Published: 08/97

By: Mark Hall

If I was placed in front of a crystal ball in May and asked predict beer sales for the summer, I would have said it looked like a slow season ahead with more of the crap weather we'd experienced during the months of May and June. However, the tide has changed, and if things stay as hot as they were in July, I'm sure brewers everywhere will be scrambling to keep up with demand and that bodes well for the region's breweries.

One thing I've noticed more than anything is a plethora of the "12-pack". Heading into supermarkets and seeing display upon display of domestic and marketing "micro wanna-bes" 12-packs, I've also seen a recent surge of the same from the microbreweries of Maine and New Hampshire that include Gritty's Summer Wheat Fun Pack, Sea Dog's Motley Crew (3 each of their 4 styles), Nutfield Brewing's Mixed Nuts (3 each of their 3 staples, plus 3 of their present seasonal), Geary's Pale Ale 12-pack, and others including a marketing micro from Portsmouth. I'm interested to see if this is a fad, or something that will take hold. I guess as long as it sells, it's still money in the bank.

Maine

Windham, Maine (15 miles north of Portland) will be host to the New England Summer Brew Fest slated for Saturday August 23rd from 12-4 and 5-9 p.m. at the Lake Region Expo. Breweries from all over New England will be serving their products and assorted foodstuffs from local restaurants will be available for purchase. There will also be an outdoor barbecue and The Dani Tribesman will be playing during the evening session. The Lake Region Expo is a climate controlled facility and there will be plenty of free(!) parking. For more info call 207-892-9777.

Andy Hazen of Andrew's Brewing is "this close" to getting a bottling line and plans to be bottling sometime in September. Rather than shoot for a 12 ounce, or even a 22 ounce bottle, he is looking to bottle his product in the 16 ounce form, and is planning on marketing it in "3-packs". His 3-packs will include a "bridge" that keeps the bottles in place making it easier to pick up off the shelf.

In addition to his Brown, Pale Ale, and Porter, his Golden Ale will be available for the rest of the summer. Checking in at 4.1% A.B.V., the Golden Ale is dry and full-bodied with a tad of wheat malt added. It is also hopped with East Kent Goldings.

Sean Duncan of Atlantic Brewing reports that they are "super busy" and are barely keeping up with demand. Their Brother Adam's Memorial Ale (reported on in my last column) has been a huge hit, and they're looking forward to the fall as they plan on brewing quite a few specialties. Make sure you plan a trip this summer to Bar Harbor and their Lompac Cafe Brewpub.

Add Belfast Bay Brewing of Belfast to the long list of Maine brewers who have their product available in bottles. They recently received label approval and have made available their 4 original styles in 22 ounce bottles. Owner Pat Mullen told me the four include Hogback Mountain Red Ale, Port Authority Pale, McGovern's Oatmeal Stout, and Turtle Head Ale.

He also said to look for three recently introduced beers which brings their laundry list to seven. Dark Harbor Brown (4.5% A.B.V.), named after Dark Harbor in local Isleboro was described by Head Brewer Dan McGovern as a "dry brown, but not real hoppy". His Mack Point IPA (6.5% A.B.V.), named for an area near Searsport where ships were built for passage to India, isn't as hoppy as anticipated, but I'm sure you'll be happy as he uses a combination of Fuggles, East Kent Goldings, and Northern Brewer hops in the recipe. Last but not least is their Feather City Kolsch (How did they get THAT name? Ask the locals, they'll know.), "an easy drinking summer beer, but not too complex," that is hopped with Hallertauer. It comes in at 4.5% A.B.V. If you're in the area, look for these new products at the brewpub and the bottles on the shelf.

Michael Bray of Bray's Brewing is showcasing his Bald Pate Celebration Ale(6.2% A.B.V.) which is similiar to a Pale Ale, but more like the English Copper style. He's also using Nottingham yeast. How the name "Bald Pate" came about is an interesting story. It seems that a local TV station wanted to buy the local mountain to put up a TV tower.

A local conservation group called "Friends Of Bald Pate" fought this, and through local donations, matching funds, and two auctions, raised enough money to buy the mountain themsleves and now it is "TV tower free". The most recent auction, held July 17th, included auctioned items such as plane rides, balloon rides, and Bray's Mug Club memberships. Good job.

Michael is planning on another Fall Equinox Beer Dinner which I believe falls on the third weekend in September. It includes five courses with a special beer for each. Last years dinner attracted 30 "Equinox celebrators". For more info, give Bray's a call at 207-693-6806. If you're in the area before September, make sure you stop by an sample his summer offerings of Apricot and Raspberry Wheat.

Tom St. Germain of Maine Coast Brewing is enjoying the response to his recently opened Jack Russell's Brewpub & Beer Garden. It seemed that just the other day his brewpub on Cottage Street was only open for the summer. With the success of that being opened full-time, Tom has "extended" Maine Coast Brewing to include this new venture.

Named after the Jack Russell Terrier dog breed, this English style pub contains leaded glass windows, a 10,000 square foot beer garden complete with planted flowers, vegetables, a herb garden for the restaurant, and an outdoor croquet course ("leagues are forming now"). The menu includes such tasty items as lobster (okay, that's not a stretch for Maine, is it?), bangers & mash, and goat cheese sandwiches. This can be washed down with "Jack's" two full service beer engines and 10 drafts which include a visiting Maine tap. Tom looks at this as a nice complement to his present business. Jack Russell's is located on Route 3 at 102 Eden Street in Bar Harbor. (207) 288-5214

Pat Mulligan of Oak Pond Brewing has been busy working on his newest seasonal which will be an Oktoberfest Marzen. This 4.5% A.B.V. brew will be a "typical" German Marzen. More on this next time.

What next from Head Brewer/Owner Steve Gorrill of Sheepscot Valley Brewing in Whitefield? Steve will soon be revealing (if he hasn't done it by now) his new "loveable" mascot Joe Pemaquid, who I've been told is a cigar smoking lobster trap buoy. While your comtemplating that, you can try his Booth Bay Bitter (5.0% A.B.V.), Moondance Weiss Beer (5.0%), and Pemaquid Ale (4.7%) which are on draft at your favorite Booth Bay Region haunts.

Jeff Hinckley of Sugarloaf Brewing reports they now have their IPA and Pale Ale available in 12 ounce bottles. He also said they're working on two new beers for late summer. The first, a presently unnamed new style Porter will consist of High Special B (Belgian) malt as well as Chocolate and Pale. It won't be as hoppy as their Dead River Dark, but will be on the bitter side as he is focusing on the malt. The other is an Oktoberfest Lager which they are looking to bottle.

Sea Dog Brewing's summer seasonal is their Blue Paw Blueberry Wheat Ale (4.6% A.B.V.) which is described as: "A unique contribution to the fruit ale category featuring the nutty quench of a wheat ale combined with the delightful aromatics and subtle flavor contributed by Maine wild blueberries". Unlike other Sea Dog products and 99% of the other breweries which have an "open"container, their seasonals come in a fully enclosed package. Sort of like a 12 pack, but cut in half.

In other Maine news, look for the Pepperell Hall Brewery & Restaurant to finally open its doors sometime this fall. Owner Mark Diebolt has faced numerous hurdles like a champ and it will soon pay off.

New Hampshire

Following in Maine's footsteps, New Hampshire craft brewers recently joined forces to form the New Hampshire Craft Brewers Association (NHCBA) with the aim to promote the growing craft brewing industry in the state. The association, comprised of New Hampshire microbreweries and brewpubs is aiming to promote the safe and responsible consumption of members' hand crafted products, while at the same time educating the public about New Hampshire craft beer.

They're also promoting their breweries/brew pubs as destination spots for NH tourists and visitors. According to Nutfield Brewing's Jim Killeen who doubles as the association's Vice-President, "Our mission is to promote New Hampshire's craft brewing industry while also acquainting Granite State residents with our fresh, handcrafted ales and lagers". He also said that this is a growing industry and they are here to let New Hampshire residents know that world class beers are being brewed right in their home state.

The association's membership roster currently includes: Castle Springs Brewing (Moultonborough), Elm City Brewing (Keene), Flying Goose Brewpub (New London), Italian Oasis Brewpub & Franconia Notch Brewery (Littleton), Martha's Exchange (Nashua), NH Custom Brewers & Stark Mill Brewery (Manchester), Nutfield Brewing (Derry), Seven Barrel Brewery (West Lebanon), Stone Coast Brewing (Laconia), Woodstock Inn Brewery (North Woodstock), Smuttynose Brewery (Portsmouth)and that other brewery from Portsmouth. For more info, contact NHCBA President Peter Egelston at 603-436-4026 or V.P. Jim Killeen at 603-434-9678.

In other New Hampshire news, it seems that four breweries will garner extra publicity after their logos and labels appear in a movie based on the 1992 Clinton Presidential campaign. "Primary Colors," adapted from the book of the same name, is due out later this year. Since it's the first state to hold a primary and gives New Hampshire a prominent role in Presidential politics, a few of the scenes will be shot there.

Some are set in bars, and a visual consultant for Universal studios recently asked Stark Mill, Nutfield, Smuttynose, and Red Hook Brewing to send merchandise featuring their logos and labels to Holllywood. John Travolta (in yet another movie) and Emma Thompson will star.

Nutfield Brewing recently hosted the "Brewed And Baked In The Granite State" Brewfest a few weeks ago in Derry. Held in association with the New Hampshire Craft Brewers Association, the fest benefited the New Hampshire Food Bank. The Boston Baked Blues Band provided the entertainment, while 15 breweries offered their products to attendees. Many local restaurants & specialty food companies chipped in with food.

In other Nutfield News, the brewery (through the end of '96) is currently the number one selling microbrew in New Hampshire ("contract" brews not included) as it narrowly edged Smuttynose Brewing of Portsmouth. Third through fifth was reserved for 3 out of state brewers.

Castle Springs Brewing of Moultonborough, recently celebrating its one year anniversary, is working on their first seasonal, which is due out this fall. Besides their originals consisting of Lucknow Wheat, Porter, and Munich Lager, their I.P.A. is quickly becoming their top selling beer. Brewer Paul Davis says his secret is in the "4th hop addition". After adding flavor, bittering, and aromatic hops in the boil, he runs the wort through a hop back consisting of Cascade hops before it reaches the fermenter. Topping 50 on the I.B.U. scale, this beer is majorly hopped without the use of "dry hopping".

Head Brewer Brett Marcy of Martha's Exchange in Nashua (which by the way was recently named the #1 City in America. Oh, really?) is planning on three new beers for the month of August. His creations include a Dunkel Weizen (4.8% A.B.V.) in which he uses a Wheat Beer yeast, an Alt (4-4.5%), and a Kolsch (4.3%). Both of these are spawned from a Kolsch style yeast.

Future plans include six weeks of all-German style brews beginning the second half of September through the end of October. Brett's plans include brewing a Weizen Bock, Rauch Beer, Octoberfest, and a Schwartz Beer (an unfiltered Black Lager).

Martha's has also opened an outdoor cafe on Main Street to accomodate those who'd like to drink and eat outside during the summer. There is seating for 25 people.

Dan Pariseau, who recently moved to New Hampshire Custom Brewers (Manchester) as Head Brewer from local Stark Mill, reports they are "very busy" as their recently introduced Loon Pale Ale(4.5% A.B.V.) is now available in 12 ounce bottles in addition to kegs. Available throughout the State of New Hampshire, it should now be ready for purchase in Massachusetts sometime early this month.

Not stopping there, Dan is currently working on his first specialty brew. Unnamed at present, it will be "a shade amber" and he'll use Wyermann Malt in the recipe. Finished with Target hops, it will be a tad bitter with a medium body. This product should be ready to go in bottles sometime later this month.

Portsmouth Brewery & Brewpub recently brewed their 1000th batch of product. It may not sound like much, but considering that it's all consumed on premise at the brewpub, it's quite the accomplishment. Brewer Sean Navish told me they just got label approval from the BATF, so you might see their 22 oz. bottled product on the shelves as you read this.

If you head to Portsmouth, I'm sure you'll be able to sample some of his cask-conditioned product at the brewpub. Sean recently ordered two 10 gallon oak barrels and was looking to have something ready late last month.

Stark Mill Brewing of Manchester has a few big events coming up that I'm sure you'd be interested in attending. To start, the "Clambake For Riverfest" is slated for Saturday, September 6th and will include competition in kayaking, rollerblading, and kick boxing as well as a few beers.

The Fall Foliage Festival, penciled in for Saturday October 12th will play host to 20 different breweries (50+ beers!), a pig roast, two bands, and will be held outside. I went last year and had a blast. Hopefully we'll have another sunny day.

Brewer J.B. Smith has been busy as well as his summer specialties include a Summer Wheat and Commercial Street (the brewery is located on Commercial Street) Raspberry Wheat. He uses Westphalian Malt and a German strain yeast in both styles. Late summer additions include a Dortmunder Export (5.% A.B.V.) which is "close to a German Lager" and Black Root Blonde Ale (YOU figure it out), an American style that is Cascade hopped.

Sounds to me that if you decide to head to either Maine or New Hampshire you can't go wrong either way.