TAPINTO

BANGOR

Much in the way that Maine has become a hidden gem of cra! breweries in the country, Greater Bangor is a sort of dark horse within the states beer scene a community quiet-ly making a big name for itself by producing some of the "nest beer Maine has to o#er. And, with a tight community of brewers, each one enjoys and thrives o# the support

of one another while having a blast with the competition. $e areas beer industry is spear-headed by four breweries: Black Bear Microbrew (Orono), Sea Dog Brewing Co. (Bangor), Geaghan Brothers Brewing Co. (Bangor) and Penobscot Bay Brewing (Winter-port). Even the state-renowned Fri-ars Bakehouse has gotten into the game with its Bucksport location Friars Brewhouse, which just made its beer available to the public last year. And, in addition to those mak-

ing beer, consumers in the area have become increasingly sophisticated with the help of establishments such as Nocturnem Dra! Haus and Blaze restaurant and bar o#ering a nice selection of local and domestic cra! beers, as well as somewhat obscure international options. $e Bangor scene is really being driven by local businesses, said An-drew Geaghan, owner and brewer of Geaghan Brothers Brewing Co, at Bangors annual Tap Into Summer brew fest on June 21. I was very scared, to be honest, when [Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway] came into town. We knew it was going to be an in%ux of people, we knew it was going to be an in%ux of money, but I was afraid it was going to turn Bangor into a sort of cookie-cutter, chain restaurant sort of a#air. And the local business community has really stepped up to the plate and owned it, and embraced the casino in a positive way, and turned what could have been this white-washing sort of e#ect into a real coloring of our community. In turn, Bangor has blossomed into a place where young entrepre-neurs can thrive, including the local brewers who can contribute to the burgeoning Maine beer scene. But what is it that draws so many Ban-gorians and other Mainers into the

business? I think some of it is Maine inde-pendence, you know, everyone likes to do it their way, said Mike Ander-son, owner and brewer of Penobscot Bay Brewery, at the Tap Into Sum-mer fest. And, for Anderson, theres also the appeal that Winterports water chemistry is uncannily similar to that of Munich, Germany. Its great for wine, but for Anderson, its even better for beer. Basically I tend to hold my beer to the German purity law, he said. Water, grain, barley primarily, a little bit of wheat I like wheat be-cause it makes nice texture yeast and hops. Anything else, it doesnt qualify as beer in Germany. I do have one beer that doesnt !t that, I make a honey ginger lager. Because it has Winterport honey in it, local

Maine honey in it, and it has Maine-grown ginger in it. Geaghan, on the other hand, prides himself on bringing Ameri-can-style ales to Bangor. We felt like when we came into the game three years ago, the American beer scene was dominat-ed by English-style beers. Which is !ne. "eres nothing wrong with it. "eyre big, malty beers, said Geaghan. "is hop-forward, clean malt pro!le, American-stye beer is just growing in this country, and thats what we wanted to bring into the Maine market. Its kind of us, guys like Sebago; Baxter came into the game with that style, Rising Tide has that style. And we try to be Ban-gors beer, really. But ultimately, despite di#erent

tastes and approaches, Bangors brewers display a sense of unity and cooperation that Anderson de-scribed as unbelievable. Each beer maker is ready to lend a hand to their fellow brewers at a moments notice. Bangors really growing. Its a fun place to be. Its vibrant, its alive, said Geaghan. !ere are a lot of festivities, a lot of festivals, a lot of concerts, just a lot of fun local stu" going on. And the beer community is a big part of that.

Written & Photographed by

Joel Crabtree

POURTLAND

When I started toying with the idea of cre-ating a local Maine cra! beer issue for Camp"re Magazine, it wasnt long before friends of mine were dis-cussing a trip to some of Portlands many cra! breweries for research. And who was I to say no? A!er all, what better way to get a feel for the unique, diverse and downright awesome cra! beer industry in Maine than by experiencing it with fellow beer lovers? So in early June, I hopped in the car with my pals Jason Ridley and Zach Pushard to see what was brewing in Maines

microbrew capital. Our "rst stop was at the birth-place of multiple local breweries including Rising Tide Brewing Company and Maine Beer Compa-ny, One Industrial Way, located near

the intersection of Forest Avenue and Riverside Drive in Portland. We chose the uno#cial cra! brew incubator to learn more about the new guys in town, Foundation Brewing Company and Bissell Bros. Brewing Company. $ese new kids on the block, so to speak, have set up shop right across the street from long time cra! beer powerhouse, Allagash Brewing Company. And in perfect freshman form, we found the garage doors open with the two breweries open for visitors that were %ooding the parking lot in block party fashion on this beautiful, sun-ny Saturday. We arrived at Foundation Brew-ing and were immediately wel-comed in by the sta& serving up delicious samples of their tasty brews. I was "rst handed the Eddy, a Saison with the perfect sum-mertime feel. We headed into the brewery with our samples in hand and immediately run into John Bonney, co-founder of the brew-ery. John was watching a small group of visitors play beanbag toss in amongst mash tuns and brewing vessels. Its all about getting people in here, having a good time, and tast-ing our beer. Bonney said with a smile. We discuss the appeal of the building for start up brewers with

its cement !oors and drainage; John also explains to us that each week they o"er a new infused Saison. Each weeks !avor is created with whatever inspires John or partner Joel Maha"ey. It may be an exotic fruit, or it may be the smell of #ai food when Im walking down the street. It keeps it fun. Bonney said. We sampled that weeks experi-ment, an infused lemon and lime Saison, which was perfect for the weather. It was light and fruity and we couldnt help but savor every drop knowing it would be replaced the following week.

A$er leaving Foundation Brewing we walked next door to visit Bissell Bros. Like Foundation, a large gath-ering spilled out into the parking lot. We meandered through the group and found our way to the

tasting bar. Knowing we would not likely make it back to the bar and be able to keep our schedule, we went right for the !agship Substance Ale.As we enjoyed the sweet and slight bitter notes that keep this beer in such high demand, we watched 6-pack a$er 6-pack go out the door with true Substance Ale lovers.

Eager to continue our journey, we head o" to the Bayside neighbor-hood to visit Rising Tide Brewing Company and Maine Cra$ Distill-ing. Maine Cra$ Distilling made its name with its signature Blueshine, a blueberry moonshine made with real Maine blueberries. We were greeted by Wesley, who was eager to tell us about the spirits theyve been developing, and of course pour samples of their Blueshine, Black Cap Vodka, Alchemy Gin and Que-equeg Spiced Rum. I was surprised at how smooth each o"ering was. It would almost be a shame to mix these local hand made spirits with any run of the

mill mixer, although Wesley does suggest trying their Blueshine with a glass of lemonade. Before heading to Hadlock Field, to end our trip with a Portland Sea Dogs game, we head next door to the Rising Tide Brewing Company. Rising Tide has quickly risen in the ranks of Portland cra! breweries, o"ering an extensive variety of beers and making their way onto the shelves of most grocers beer sections. I was looking forward to sampling the hefeweizen, known as Spinna-ker, and it did not disappoint. #e smooth, hazy, German wheat beer is packed with summertime $avor and is a personal favorite for me. We experience the Daymark American Pale Ale (Jasons favor-ite), Zephyr IPA (Zachs Favorite), Ishmael (the beer that started it all for Rising Tide) and the Maine Is-land Trail Ale before snapping some photos and heading out to catch the game. Its truly incredible to see what these local brewers are putting together in the small corners of Portland and around Maine. Get out and explore.

- Tom Tash

BE E R

HARBOR

Mount Desert Island, home to some of Maines greatest trea-sures including Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, has been quietly holding its own in the local cra! beer and wine indus-try since the early 1990s. Shortly a!er Bar Harbor Brewing Compa-ny founders, Tod and Suzi Foster opened up shop in the tiny island town; Doug Ma"ucci opened Aca-dia Brewing Company, which would grow to become Atlantic Brewing Company. #e two breweries co-existed on Mount Desert for nearly 20 years, Bar Harbor brewing tasty batches of their Cadillac Mountain Stout, Har-bor Lighthouse Ale, #under Hole Ale and True Blue Blueberry Wheat Ale; and Atlantic Brewing with their Bar Harbor Real Ale, Coal Porter, Mount Desert Island Ginger and of course the Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale, until 2009 when Bar Harbor Brewing went up for sale for the second time in a year. Not wanting to see the brand his cross-town competitors had developed for two decades go out of business, Ma"uci purchased the brewery to run in partnership with his company. Atlantic Brewing had outgrown its location in town and relocated to its present location o" Route 3 near the entrance to Mount

Desert Island. #is purchase would allow Atlantic the opportunity to keep a presence in downtown Bar Harbor as well as their large facility, and were glad they did.

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I could not wait to get to the island with my wife, Emma. Trav-elling to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park was and will always be a once a summer tradition and this particular weekend marked our $rst wedding anniversary, so we decided rather than disappear down a peaceful trail or spend the day on the quiet side of the island, that wed

spend the day getting the out-of-towner perspective. It was a beautiful day, sunny and 72 and we had made a rough itin-erary in our minds while we drove down route 3. Our $rst stop would be the summit of Cadillac Moun-

tain. Its obvious, predictable and still almost too grand to take in, no matter how many times we go. Growing up and to this day Im a National Park nerd, so naturally I picked up my annual Acadia Na-tional Park gear at the gi! shop and we headed back down the mountain into town. It was quarter of 11 when we found a parking space near Geddys, which was perfect as we "gured we could stroll through some shops on our way to Bar Harbor Brewing.

Yes, 11:00am is an appropriate time to sample cra! beer when on vaca-tion. Once we arrived, and a!er perus-ing the t-shirts and pint glasses to not seem too eager, we entered the tasting room to join another cou-ple that was halfway through their #ight of 4oz samplers. We began with the Atlantic Brewing Summer Ale, which was the lightest of the four beers on tap and also a sign of the working partnership between both brands. $e Summer Ale was the perfect jumping o% point for what we knew was going to be a great day. From the Summer Ale we moved on to the classic True Blue Blueberry Wheat Ale, a deliciously light take on a #avor that is o!en overdone in just about everything. $is beer keeps you waiting, giving you just enough of a real blueberry kiss a!er the sip to shove you right back for another. Spoiler alert, I walked out with a 6-pack of the True Blue and am enjoying one now. $e darker half was just as ex-citing. $e $under Hole Ale is a classic, familiar friend to me; it was almost unfair to only sample 4 ounces. $e #avor of this beer has become a taste-track to many wonderful summers, so rather than try and strip that all away and de-scribe it perhaps you should just

try it yourself. Finally, we reached the Cadillac Mountain Stout, a surprisingly smooth o!ering that suggests that stouts are not just for long Maine winters. "e pleasing co!ee-ish #nish is an unexpected reward for completing the entire sampler. We shook a few hands, picked up

some items from the gi$ shop and headed o! to our next oceanside oasis. Disclaimer: While this is "e Beer Issue we are lovers of all things grown, harvested, caught, raised, brewed or fermented in our great state; therefore a pit stop at the Bar Harbor Cellars Winery and Sweet Pea Farm seemed in order. For Emma, this was the highlight of the trip and for me it was an

education. We sampled roughly a dozen varieties of white, red and fruit wines, all beautifully execut-ed. Not being a wine expert, nor would I ever pretend to be, I found incredible complex %avors I had not experienced in any store brand. If youre a beer person, like me, visit a local winery. We ended the day by visiting the Atlantic Brewing Company estate. "e brewery is located on a residen-tial road between Bar Harbor and Town Hill, in a converted house that blends in with the neighbor-hood around it. "e grounds are beautiful and we found ourselves admiring the peaceful grounds as we approached the visitor center. "e outdoor common area was bus-

tling with beer fans awaiting tours and tastings as well as BBQ lovers enjoying Mainely Meats brewery location. We entered the tasting room and, again, visited the gi! shop while we waited to sample the suds. We decided to focus on two of Atlantics o"erings, having experienced the Summer Ale earlier at Bar Harbor Brewing Company. Beginning with the Coal Porter, an American Por-ter, dark with chocolate and black malts. #e deep, rich $avor round-ed out our palate and was a great way to set up our %nal sample, the Mount Desert Island Ginger. #is beer, born in 1993, was inspired by the aroma of the neighboring #ai restaurant next to the original brew-ery location. Keeping with the free nature in which it was created, the beer ventures outside of the more traditional local beers, providing a unique ginger root spice alongside a delightful wheat foundation.

- Tom Tash

BREW FESTIVALS Steins & Vines at Maine Lobster Festival

July 31st, 2014Maine Lobster FestivalMaine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland.Limited to 250 guests. Local beer and wine tastinghttp://www.mainelobsterfestival.com

BrewFest at KahBangAugust 8th & 9th, 2014KahBang Music & Arts FestivalBangor Waterfront-Keg party, BBQ, Homebrewers Expo, tastings of over 40 micro-brews, and more!http://kahbang.com/brewfest/

Portland Brew FestivalAugust 30th & 31st, 2014!e Portland Company58 Fore St. Portland40 Breweries110+ Beers to sampleOverlooking Casco Bay on the edge of the Old Porthttp://www.portlandbrewfestival.com/

Maine Lakes Brew FestSepetmber 27th, 2014on the Beach at Point Sebago - Naples, ME30 Breweries & Live Music http://www.mainelakesbrewfest.com/

Acadias OktoberfestOctober 11th, 2014at Smugglers Den Campground20 Main St., Southwest HarborFor More Information visit:http://www.acadiaoktoberfest.com

Central Maine Brew FestOctober 18th, 2014Augusta ArmoryCome in Costume! Sample 30+ Brews!http://www.centralmainebrews.com/

Brew Festivals

Great Fall Brew FestJune 2015Presented by Baxter Brewing Co.Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston, Maine-30+ Breweries, 100+ Beers, Art & Music!http://www.greatfallsbrewfest.com/

Bangors Tap Into Summer Brew FestJune 2015Bangor, ME25+ Breweries and live music!http://www.visitbangormaine.com/

& DONT MISS NEXT YEARS EVENTS!

Maine Brewers FestivalNovember 2014at !e Portland Expo239 Park Ave., PortlandMany local breweries on handhttp://mainebrewersfestival.com

BREWERIES& BREW PUBS

Allagash Brewing Co.50 Industrial WayPortland, ME 04103800-330-5385 / www.allagash.comTours vary based on season. Please check our website for details.tHours: 10-5 Monday - Friday.

Andrews Brewing Co.353 High StreetLincolnville, ME 04849207-763-3305t)PVST.PO'SJBQ4BUBB

Atlantic Brewing Co.15 Knox RoadBar Harbor, ME 04609207-288-9513 www.atlanticbrewing.comt)PVST0QFO%BZT"8FFL10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Free Tours and Tastings Everyday2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Banded Horn Brewing Co.32 Main Steet Building 13-WBiddeford, Maine 04005207-776-1242t)PVST8FEOFTEBZT4BUVSEBZT

Bar Harbor Brewing Co.8 Mount Desert StreetBar Harbor, ME 04609207-288-4592www.barharborbrewing.com t)PVST0QFOEBZTXFFL"1

Baxter Brewing Co.130 Mill Street

Lewiston, ME 04240207-333-6769www.baxterbrewing.comHours: Monday-Wednesday: Closed!ursday-Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pmTours: !ursday-Sunday

Belfast Bay Brewing Co.100 Searsport AveBelfast, ME 04915www.belfastbaybrewing.com

Bigelow Brewing Co.473 Bigelow Hill RdSkowhegan, ME 04976207-399-6262www.facebook.com/Bigelowbrewingco

Bissell Bros.1 Industrial Way, Suite 3Portland, Maine 04103207-423-3622Hours: Saturdays 1PM-6PM

Black Bear Brewery19 Mill St., Suite 4Orono, ME 04473207-866-5588Hours: Open weekly: Wed 4-8, !urs 4-8, Friday 4-8, and Sat. 2-8

Boothbay Craft Brewery301 Adams Pond RoadBoothbay , Maine 04537(207) 633-3411www.boothbaycra"brewery.comHours: Fri: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Brays Brew Pub678 Roosevelt TrailNaples, Maine 04055207-693-6806www.braysbrewpub.comHours: Every Day 11:30 am - Close

Local Breweries

Bunker Brewing Co.122 Anderson StreetPortland, ME 04101(207) 450-5014www.facebook.com/pages/Bun-ker-Brewing-Co/220777511268316Hours: Saturdays 12pm - 3pm.

Captain Dicks Brewing Co.73 Mile RoadWells, Maine 04090(207) 646-0228www.captaindicksbeer.comHours: Mon - Sun: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm

D.L. Geary Brewing Co.38 Evergreen DrivePortland, ME 04103207-878-2337Hours: Generally, tours are scheduled Monday through Friday between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Tours by appointment call (207) 878-2337 before Monday.

Federal Jacks Brew Pub8 Western AveKennebunk, Maine 04043(207) 967-4322www.federaljacks.comHours: Mon - Sat: 11:30 am - 12:30 amSun: 10:00 am - 12:30 am

Foundation Brewing Co.1 Industrial Way, Suite 5Portland, Maine207-370-8187www.foundationbrew.com

Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Co.Ledgewood LaneLyman, ME 04002www.funkybowbeercompany.com

Geaghan Bros. Brewing Co.570 Main StreetBangor, Maine 04401207-945-3730www.geaghanspub.comHours: Sunday - !ursday 7 am - 11 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 am-12:45 am

Gneiss Brewing Co.94 Patterson RoadLimerick, Maine 04048(207) 793-0046www.gneissbeer.comHours: Friday 2-7pmSaturday Noon - 6pm

Gritty McDu!s396 Fore StreetPortland, ME 04101(207) 772-2739

Lower Main St.Freeport, ME 04032207-865-4321

68 Main StreetAuburn, ME 04210207-376-BREWwww.grittys.comHours: 7 days a week. 11am- closing.

InFinite Fermentation & Distillation

250 Commercial StreetPortland, Maine 04101(207) 221-8889Hours: Mon - Sun: 11:30 am - 1:00 am

The Inn on Peaks Island33 Island AvenuePeaks Island, Maine 04108207-766-5100Hours: Current Dining Room Hours:Monday-Wednesday CLOSED

!ursday...4:00pm-8:00pmFriday...4:00pm-9:00pmSaturday...11:30am-9:00pmSunday...11:30am-8:00pm

Kennebec River Pub & Brewery

Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway1771 US Route 201!e Forks, Maine 04985(800) 765-7238www.northernoutdoors.com

The Liberal Cup Public House & Brewery

115 Water StHallowell, Maine 04347(207) 623-2739www.theliberalcup.comHours: Sunday- !ursday 11:30am - 9:00pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am - 10:00pm, Pub closes at 1:00am

Maine Beer Co.525 US Route OneFreeport, ME 04032(207) 221-5711www.mainebeercompany.comHours: Tasting room: Noon- 8pm Tuesday- Saturday.

Marshall Wharf Brewing Co.2 Pinchey LaneBelfast, Maine 04915(207) 338-1707www.marshallwharf.comHours: Please call for brewery/tasting room hours.

Monhegan Brewing Co.1 Boody LaneMonhegan, Maine 04852

(207) 975-3958www.monheganbrewing.comHours: Open daily April through October. Please call for hours.

Oak Pond Brewing Co.Oak Pond RdSkowhegan, Maine 04976(207) 474-3233www.oakpondbrewery.comHours: Mon - Fri 3:00 to 5:30 PM, Saturday 12:30 to 5:30 PM.

Oxbow Brewing Co.274 Jones Woods RoadNewcastle, Maine 04553(207) 315-5962www.oxbowbeer.comHours:Our tasting room is in the building adjacent to the brewery and open: Wednesday 2-7pm!ursday 2-7pm, Friday 2-7pmSaturday Noon-5pm

Peak Organic110 Marginal Way #802Portland, Maine 04101207-586-5586www.peakbrewing.com

Pennesseewassee Brewing Co.458 Plains RoadHarrison, Maine 04040207-743-9808www.pennybrew.comHours: By appointment only

Penobscot Bay Brewery2 Whig StreetWinterport, Maine 04496207-223-4624www.winterportwinery.com/brewery.aspHours: January - February: ClosedMarch - April: Fri - Sat, 11am to 5pm

Local Breweries

May - December: Tue - Sat, 11am to 5pm. Closed on all major holidays.

Rising Tide Brewing Co.103 Fox StreetPortland, ME 04101207-370-BEER (2337)www.risingtidebrewing.com Spring Hours:Tuesdays 4-7, !ursdays 4-7Fridays 12-5, Saturdays 12-5(Tours Friday & Saturday at 1 & 2 pm)

Rock Harbor Brewing Co.416 Maine StreetRockland , Maine 04841207-593-7488www.rockharbor.meHours: Mon - Tue: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmWed: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm!u - Sat: 12:00 pm - 9:00 pmSun: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Rocky Coast Brewing Co.705 Main StreetOgunquit, Maine 03907207-641-0640www.postroadtavern.comSpring Hours: Closed on MondaysOpen Tues thru Sun 3pm till Close

Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery

100 Main StSaco, Maine 04072207-571-9652www.theruno"hemill.net Hours: DINING ROOMSunday - !ursday 11:30 - 9:00 pmFriday - Saturday 11:30 - 10:00 pmBar: Monday-Sunday 11:30 - *1:00 am

Sea Dog Brewing Co.www.seadogbrewing.com1 Bowdoin Mill IslandTopsham, Maine 04086207-725-0162Hours: Mon - Sat: 11:00 am - 1:00 amSun: 10:00 am - 1:00 am

26 Front StreetBangor, ME 04401PH: 207-947-8009Hours: 11:30 am- 1am, 7 Days a Week

125 Western Ave,South Portland, ME 04106PH: 207-871-7000Hours: Mon - Fri 11:00am - 1amSat - Sun 9:00am - 1am

*Now in Orlando!8496 PALM PARKWAYORLANDO, FL 32836PH: 321-329-5306Hours: Mon-!urs 4pm- 1amFri-Sat 11:30am- 2amSunday 11:30am- 1am

*Now in Clearwater!26200 US Highway 19 N. Clearwater, FL 04086O#ce: (727)466-4916

Sebago Brewing Co.Gorham Brew Pub48 Sanford DriveGorham, Maine 04038207-839-BEERMon - Sun: 11:00 am - 1:00 am

Portland Brew Pub211 Fore StreetPortland, ME 04101(207) 775-2337Hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 1amSun: 11am - Midnight

Scarborough Brew Pub201 Southborough Dr.Scarborough, ME 04074(207) 874-2337 Hours: Everyday: 11am - 1am

Kennebunk Brew Pub65 Portland Br.Kennebunk, ME 04043(207) 985-9855 Hours: Sun - Tues: 11am - 10:00pmWed - Sat: 11am - 12am

Brewery & HQ48 SANFORD DRGORHAM, ME 04038207-856-2537 x102FREE TOURS AND TASTINGSMON - FRI: 2pmPlease call ahead to let us know if you will attend. GROWLER FILLSWED - FRI: 3pm - 5pm

Sheepscot Valley Brewing Co.74 Hollywood BoulevardWhite!eld, Maine 04353www.sheepscotbrewing.com

Shipyard Brewing Co.86 Newbury StreetPortland, ME 04101207-761-0807www.shipyard.comHours: Store hours -Monday - Saturday 9 to 6Sunday - 11 to 5. Virtual tours daily 11 to 5 Monday - Saturday, 11 to 4 Sunday, every hour on the hour.

Shipyard Brew Haus at Sugarloaf"e Sugarloaf Inn, Carrabassett Valley, MEO#ce: (207)237-2000

Shipyard Brew Haus at Sunday River21 White Heat Lane, P.O. Box 168, Newry, ME 04261O#ce: (207)824-5138

SoMo Brewing Co.1 York Street Unit 3York, Maine 03909215-718-3541Hours: Tasting Room Hours"ursday: 5-8pm, Friday: 5-9pmSaturday: 12-6pm, Sunday: 12-5pm

Photos by:Tom TashJason Ridley,Kim & BJ McCallister

The Maine Brew Bus was founded in September 2012 by Zach and Allison Poole, who saw a surpris-ing hole in the infrastructure sur-rounding Maines wonderful local businesses. !e company began by o"ering tours on Saturday a#er-noons to a handful of breweries in the Portland area.

Guests quickly saw that having a designated driver to guide them to both established and up-and-com-ing producers o"ered them an op-portunity to learn much more about the cra# alcohol business than they could learn on their own. Tours are now led by expert guides in addi-tion to a knowledgeable driver to ensure the best possible experience for participating guests as well as for the businesses with which they partner.

!e $rst summer proved that Maines original Brew Bus was a very popular tour with locals and visitors alike. Exciting tour routes were added on weekdays, and newly

opened breweries embraced the idea of having !e Green Bus stop by so that guests could taste and tour at their facilities. By the time the $rst anniversary of the company rolled around, nearly 1,500 guests had taken tours and !e Maine Brew Bus had become the #1 activ-ity in Portland as rated by TripAd-visor users. !e %eet now includes two buses and additional sta".

!e all-inclusive tours on bright green school buses provide a be-hind-the-scenes look at Maines cra# breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more. !ey o"er daily sched-uled and private tours in Greater Portland and Southern Maine. !ey also o"er frequent specialty and adventure tours, and feature a dif-ferent brewery each month in their Progressive Beer Dinner series.

In 2014, !e Maine Brew Bus was presented a TripAdvisor Certi$cate of Excellence and also an Editors Choice award by Down East Mag-azine as a 2014 Best of Maine recipient.

For more information and to see a current schedule of tours and events, please visit www.themainebrewbus.com