Another week, another snowstorm on the way. I mean, we’re Mainers, we got this. But, for those of you a little less…enamored by the amount of snow Todd Gutner has been sending our way, we have good news. Spring is less than four weeks away! In the meantime, whether you need to reward yourself for shoveling out the driveway AGAIN, or need a refreshing beverage to give you a preview of warmer days to come, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s this week’s guide to upcoming brewery events, the latest beer releases, and a roundup of Maine beer news.
Sponsored by: Tigpro Stainless Fabrication
Upcoming Releases & Events
It’s all good Vibes at Belleflower, Definitive has us jonesing for a Killer Queen, folks at Island Dog are feeling a bit Tipsy, and Foundation is full of Wonder.
Thursday, February 24
Foundation Brewing Company
1 Industrial Way #5, Portland
Flightless Wonder, New England IPA (6.1%)
This wonderful New England IPA is hopped exclusively with New Zealand hops. Nelson Sauvin and Motueka deliver big flavors of fresh limeade, white grape, and apricot that splash across the palate. Flightless Wonder is truly a zippy refresher.
Friday, February 25
Belleflower Brewing
66 Cove St., Portland
Barn Hex: Melon Vibes, Double IPA (8.5%)
The newest version of Barn Hex has melon vibes. This iteration features Mosaic, Strata, and El Dorado in the dry hop, and pours pale gold with heavy haze. The aroma features big melon vibes on the nose, honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberry, wild flowers, rose water, fresh cut grass, and a hint of orange. The flavor follows the aroma with melon, strawberry, and flowers and has a soft mouthfeel.
Definitive Brewing Company
35 Industrial Way, Portland; 318 US Rte. 1, Kittery; and 8 Timberline Dr., Newry (Sunday River)
Avenue of Thought, New England IPA (7.3%) & Killer Queen, Imperial Stout (10.5%)
This smooth and bright New England IPA is packed with hundreds of pounds of Vic Secret, Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy. As a result, Avenue of Thought has a layered and fruit-forward profile that gives way to evocative floral notes. It tastes like vine-ripened passionfruit, crushed pineapple, and juiced nectarines.
Brewed with their friends at Barreled Souls Brewing, Killer Queen was conditioned on fresh banana, peanut butter, and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies. This rich, decadent, and formidable brew tastes like chocolate peanut butter cups, fresh banana smoothies, and crisp winter days by the fire pit.
Both beers will be available Friday in Portland, and Saturday at Kittery and Sunday River.
Island Dog Brewing
125 John Roberts Road Unit 15, South Portland
Tipsy Dawg, Belgian Golden Strong Ale (9.5%)
This Belgian ale has fruity, spicy notes—balancing hop flavor and a smooth finish.
Tuesday, March 1
Maine Beer Company
525 US Route 1, Freeport
Zoe, Amber Ale (7.2%)
Brewed with Centennial, Simcoe, and Columbus hops, Zoe has aromas of pine and raisin, with notes of citrus and ripe dark berries. It finishes with a malty backbone of toasted bread, dark chocolate, and caramel.
New Releases
You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s still Valentine’s Day, with My Beer to Be and Put a Ring on It both in this week’s lineup. However, Rising Tide is looking forward to spring with Dancing Daffodils, and Lone Pine is giving us some tropical vibes with Mango Tessellation.
Ambition Brewing
295 Main St., Wilton
Deviation Series: English Mild (3.5%)
Ambition has a new addition to their Derivation Series: English Mild. This ale is brewed with locally sourced birch syrup.
Austin Street Brewery
115 Fox St., Portland & 1 Industrial Way, #8, Portland
Free Friction, Pale Ale (4.5%)
Free Friction had returned to Fox Street. This pale ale was originally brewed in partnership with Maine Surfer’s Union. It’s hopped with El Dorado, Sabro Cryo, and Azacca and is super tasty.
Bangor Beer Co.
330 Bangor Mall Blvd., Bangor
Pale Ale (5.2%)
Come discover this limited run—only on draft in the taproom—before the snow falls again on Friday. Crisp, clean, and hoppy, with a supporting malt backbone, this pale ale is made with Citra, Mosaic, and Columbus hops. It’s a refreshing way to celebrate a hint of Maine spring.
Bath Brewing Co.
141 Front Street, Bath
Grateful Red, Red Ale (5.6% abv)
“Believe It Or Not” Grateful Red is back on draft and in cans now! If you haven’t had it, be prepared to be “Blow(n) Away”! Grateful Red is 5.6% ABV and is layered with American and English hops giving it a light floral and earthy aroma. It also has a subtle hint of caramel making it an ale that packs flavor! “Groove” on down to Bath Brewing and grab a 4-pk to take home for the weekend or join them for a cold draft!
Bissell Brothers Brewing
38 Resurgam Place, Portland & 157 Elm St., Milo
Nothing Gold, Double IPA (8.2%)
Nothing Gold was brewed as a reminder to cherish and celebrate what is, before it inevitably becomes what was. Mindfully hopped with Citra, Amarillo, Sultana, and Ekuanot.
Fluvial Brewing
860 Maple Ridge Rd., Harrison
Circle Back, Double IPA (8.2%)
This is the return of the first iteration of a new experimental Double IPA series. Fluvial started with 100% Maine-made malt, then fermented Circle Back with a completely new yeast strain, finally heavily dry hopping it with Strata, Citra, and Belma. Coming in at 8.2% ABV, this is a super smooth and flavorful beer, and available only at the brewery.
Fore River Brewing Co.
45 Huntress Ave., South Portland
Surfaces, New England IPA (6.5%)
Surfaces is balanced, pillowy and full-bodied, with Citra and Mosaic hops boasting juicy citrus and subtle piney flavors.
Lone Pine Brewing Company
219 Anderson St., Portland and 48 Sanford Dr., Gorham
Mango Tessellation, Double IPA (8.1%)
Back in rotation after a long hiatus, Mango Tessellation is brewed with tropical Mosaic hops complimented by real mango purée. This the closest you can get to an umbrella drink while still drinking a beer, and it offers a momentary escape from the depths of winter.
Nonesuch River Brewing Company
201 Gorham Rd., Scarborough
My Beer to Be, New England IPA (6.1%)
My Beer to Be is a hazy New England IPA with a bright citrus aroma of Galaxy, golden raspberry, and lemon meringue elegantly bestowed upon an oatmeal cookie. This beer was originally brewed for a couple who got married at Nonesuch. Everyone loved it so much that Nonesuch keeps bringing it back. Lucky us, we didn’t even have to buy a wedding gift!
Odd by Nature Brewing
1400 US-1, Cape Neddick
Put a Ring on It, Sour (5.6%)
Soured on fresh strawberries and conditioned on over 100 pounds of ring pops and lifesavers, this beer inspired by (checks notes) an episode of “Rugrats” reminds you to take chances and ask the one you love to be your person.
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox St., Portland
Dancing Daffodils, Helles Lager (5%)
Helles yeah! This is one crisp lager with notes of sweet bread, honey, biscuits, wildflowers, and a touch of black pepper.
Maine Beer in the News
Allagash beer is now in ice cream form (!), some Portland residents are wishing things weren’t quite so rowdy in Yeast Bayside, and there’s good news brewing (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves) for craft breweries in Maine (and nationwide) as lawmakers look for ways to create a more competitive beer market that isn’t dominated by a few giant conglomerates.
Craft Beer-Infused Ice Cream For Those With A Sweet Tooth
Renowned Portland chef and restaurant owner Krista Desjarlais used the beer called My One & Only to make ice cream
Portland council supports license conditions in response to Bayside residents’ noise concerns
City councilors say they prefer to look at putting conditions on individual licenses rather than amending ordinances.
Treasury brews up ideas for a more competitive beer market
The government is looking at ways to loosen the grip of a few big beer companies that control 65% of the market.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Maine Beer This Week! If you own a brewery or other beer business and would like to be featured in upcoming issues, please email or call us to learn more at [email protected] (207) 209-2094
