Meet Maine Brewers' Guild's 'freshman class' of new breweries
Photo / Michele Stapleton
Started by two Brunswick natives, Mattie Daughtry and Philip Welsh, Moderation Brewing Co. is located at 103 Maine St., Brunswick. Its founding principle harks back to before Prohibition, when Mainers gathered in small neighborhood breweries for freshly brewed beer and conversation. “These local establishments were beacons: they brought people together in the twilight hours after long days, inviting friends new and old to relax and enjoy the good times together,” the co-owners say on their company's website.
The Maine Brewers’ Guild is presenting its “freshman class” of 13 breweries that opened this year in a special event Sunday afternoon at Bayside Bowl in Portland that will give attendees a chance to sample the new brewers' beers.
The Guild’s Freshman Orientation 2018 event features new brewers from six regions of the state. Each brewer will have an opportunity to tell the stories behind their beers. It will take place from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday at Bayside Bowl, 58 Adler St., Portland. General admission is $35.
"We're excited to welcome Maine's newest brewers into our Guild,” said Maine Brewers’ Guild Executive Director Sean Sullivan. “The Mainers who opened up breweries in the past 12 months are a great example of how beer continues to create economic development in all corners of the state. We have entrepreneurs who are opening up breweries on Main Street in tourist-laden downtowns, down peninsulas on country roads and some who are diversifying their existing farm businesses with an on-site brewery. This event will be a great way to catch up on beer happenings in Maine in one afternoon."
Since 1986, Maine has been at the forefront of the craft beer movement. Maine draws craft beer tourists from around the world and now has breweries in every county, totaling over 135.
This year’s class of 2018 from across the state includes the following breweries:
- Bath Brewing, Bath: The idea to start their brewery came after a basketball game at the Bath YMCA.
- Corner Point Brewing Co. LLC, Berwick: Head brewer Jamie learned how to brew beer in New Mexico, so not surprisingly the brewery features a great variety of styles, all with a Southwestern influence.
- Definitive Brewing Co., Portland: The brewers at Definitive are not shy about saying they strive for perfection in their brews, all while having fun.
- GFB Scottish Pub, Old Orchard Beach: They are the first brew pub to open in Old Orchard Beach and in the next few months, they’ll be releasing their first Christmas beer.
- Grateful Grain Brewing Co., Monmouth: This brewery is partly named after head brewer, Trevor Knell’s favorite band, Grateful Dead.
- Lost Valley Brewing Co., Auburn: Located at the Main Ski Lodge at Lost Valley, where skiers have an opportunity to buy a pint after hitting the slopes.
- Moderation Brewing, Brunswick: The co-owners set out to create an inviting space to gather, try great beer and bring the Brunswick community together.
- Nuts & Bolts Brewing, Biddeford: At Sunday’s event, they will be serving their Strawberry Basil Wheat Beer.
- Odd Alewives Farm Brewery, Waldoboro: Located in a newly renovated 1850s post-and-beam barn on 22-plus acres of gardens and forests in Waldoboro.
- Steam Mill Brewing, Bethel: Head brewer Scott Fraser has been brewing beer since the 1990s and got the idea to start his own brewery after a brewery tour in Portland.
- The Pour Farm, Union: Their brewery is located right between Seven Tree Pond and Crawford Pond. Starting next year, they’ll grow their own hops and botanicals onsite.
- Turning Page Farm, Monson: After living in Munich for several years, they are bringing the German-inspired atmosphere of beer gardens and good beer to visitors at their farm.
- Waterville Brewing Co., Waterville: Brewing ales and lagers, they are the first brewery in Waterville.
Presented by Acadia Insurance, tickets to Freshman Orientation include all beer samples, souvenir tasting glass and refreshments. Proceeds from this event will directly support the Maine craft brewing industry and the Maine Brewers’ Guild.
For more information and to register for this event, which is expected to sell out, go online here.
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