We did it! We made it through another year full of covid restrictions, the lifting of covid restrictions, and the re-imposition of…more covid restrictions. And folks in the service industry bore the brunt of understanding and enforcing the byzantine and constantly changing rules and regulations, and did it all with a smile (we assume, since we normally couldn’t see the lower half of their faces as they strove to keep themselves, and us, safe). As you go forth to celebrate New Year’s Eve by stocking up on your favorite Maine beer, please take a moment to thank the brewery staff and tip generously. Cheers, and see you next year!
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
Definitive is defying Gravity, it’s a total Eclipse over at Fluvial, the folks at Island Dog are feeling a little Toasted, Fogtown is pulling a Double Shift, and one of Foundation’s flagship beers is celebrating a birthday!
Thursday, December 30
Definitive Brewing Company
35 Industrial Way, Portland and 318 US Route 1, Kittery
Gravity Palace, Triple Dry Hopped Triple IPA (11%) & Fallstreak, IPA (7.4%)
Gravity Palace is gravitating back just in time to celebrate New Year’s Eve. This high-gravity triple dry hopped triple IPA checks in at a heady 11% ABV. While potent, this beer retains a super smooth mouthfeel, allowing the Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hop profile to shine through, along with flavors of spiced winter oranges and peach parfait.
Fallstreak is a plush IPA with Citra, Galaxy, and Nelson hops and tastes and smells like pineapple juice, piña coladas, and fulfilled expectations (we definitely need to find out what THAT tastes like).
Both beers will be available at Portland and Kittery today due to the holidays.
Fluvial Brewing
860 Maple Ridge Rd., Harrison
Reeko, American Pale Ale (6.1%) & Cosmic Eclipse, Peanut Butter Stout (5.5%)
Reeko is a super crushable, well-balanced, easy-drinking American pale ale brewed with locally sourced malt and blended with Strata, Motueka, and El Dorado hops, creating a floral aroma with tropical and citrusy fruit flavors.
Cosmic Eclipse is brewed with a heavy dose of locally produced dark wheat partnered with some of the finest European malts available. This stout was lightly hopped to allow for the fermentation flavor of the Irish yeast strain to shine through. The brewers then layered in peanut butter for that satisfying cream flavor.
Friday, December 31
Fore River Brewing Co.
45 Huntress Ave., South Portland
Kölsch (5.6%)
German-inspired, Maine-brewed, and with a fresh, new look for a fresh start in the New Year, Fore River Kölsch is back, just in time to help us ring in 2022! This is an easy-drinking lagered ale with low bitterness, complex aromatics with hop and yeast qualities, and a smooth bread-like finish.
Foundation Brewing Company
1 Industrial Way #5, Portland
Happy 7th Birthday to Epiphany!
This one isn’t a new release, but rather a birthday shoutout to hometown favorite Epiphany! It’s hard to believe this double dry hopped, double New England IPA turns SEVEN this New Year’s Eve! Epiphany’s proud parents (just roll with it) tell us Epiphany was originally brewed in pursuit of a super hoppy, majorly aromatic IPA with no astringent bitterness. All these years later, we’re still in love with Epiphany’s vivid hop aromatics and flavor, painted across a canvas of soft malts that let the hops sparkle and shine. Cheers to another year of Epiphany!
Island Dog Brewing
125 John Roberts Road Unit 15, South Portland
Toasted Dawg – Chocolate Covered Pretzel, Imperial Stout (10.8%)
This imperial stout is malty and rich with chocolate, pretzel, and coffee flavors, and just a hint of salt.
New Releases
We’ve got two new entries into the Maine Brewers’ Guild Collaboration IPA V2, Side By Each wants to know Where’s the Goat? (sadly, the answer is he moved to Florida), Bissell Brothers suggests you Give What You Have, and Mast Landing is slyly inviting everyone to jump into their Hot Tub Hop Machine.
Bangor Beer Co.
330 Bangor Mall Blvd., Bangor
Brite, Helles Lager (5%) & Among the Stars, New England IPA (6.2%)
One of Bangor Beer’s flagship beers, Brite is pale in color and full of bready Pilsner malt character. This lager is clean, clear, and delicious.
Among the Stars is a New England IPA, filled with juicy Galaxy and Eureka hops traveling galactic planes, riding upon pillowy clouds of Golden Promise and flaked wheat. Hop on and enjoy the ride!
Battery Steele Brewing
1 Industrial Way, Units 12 & 14, Portland
Obscurum, Imperial Milk Stout (8%)
Brewed with Ghanaian cacao and Madagascar vanilla with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, Obscurum is a velvety smooth, decadent offering, perfect for the holidays. It’s brimming with notes of chocolate mousse, rich vanilla, dark fruits and pie crust with finishing notes of warming spices. I mean, why eat chocolate cream pie when you can drink it?
Bissell Brothers Brewing
38 Resurgam Place, Portland & 157 Elm St., Milo
Give What You Have, IPA (7%)
Give What You Have is brewed with New Zealand’s Nelson, Motueka, and Rakau hops, plus a solid haul of Maine-grown grains. The resulting beer feels both worldly and familiar—with luxurious notes of guava, mango skin, and lemongrass packed into a can adorned with the 1901 Maine state flag. We’ll drink (and salute) to that!
Corner Point Brewing
1 Rochester St., Berwick
Maine Brewers’ Guild Collaboration IPA V2 (5.8%)
This is a New England IPA that slides in at 5.8% ABV and screams everything citrus. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Maine Brewers’ Guild.
Mason’s Brewing Company
15 Hardy St., Brewer
Maine Brewers’ Guild Collaboration IPA V2 (6%)
This hazy New England IPA was dry hopped with Idaho 7 and Loral hops.
Mast Landing Brewing Company
920 Main St., Westbrook and 200 Lower Main St., Freeport
Hot Tub Hop Machine, DDH Double IPA (8.6%)
The Hot Tub Hop Machine is fired up for Mast Landing’s latest collaboration with the crew from Vitamin Sea Brewing. Dive into this hazy juicy soft beer for a uniquely New England winter experience. Hot Tub Hop Machine features Sabro, Citra, Mosaic, and HBC 735 experimental hops—a luscious lineup for what is sure to be a wild ride of a beer. Expect a tropical storm of epic tasting notes. Coconut, guava, mango, and papaya jump off the aroma with a pronounced peachiness and lemon-lime character in the back, all over a soft and full mouthfeel.
Nonesuch River Brewing Company
201 Gorham Rd., Scarborough
Von Nonesuch, Vienna-style Lager (5.5%)
Von Nonesuch is a complex beer that starts sweet and finishes dry. Its deep amber color comes from an abundance of Vienna and select crystal malts. There is restrained caramel and a hint of toasted almond on the palate. The maltiness is kept in check by a firm charge of German-grown Northern Brewer hops in the kettle. Their woodsy spice is complimented by a late addition of Saaz.
Side By Each Brewing Co.
1110 Minot Ave., Auburn
Where’s the Goat?, Weizenbock (7.2%)
This Weizenbock is a Bavarian wheat beer traditionally brewed for the holiday season. An old-fashioned German brewing technique encouraged the Bavarian yeast to produce prominent clove and banana aromas, making this brew perfect for the season.
Maine Beer in the News
Get a rundown on some of the most memorable beers to be imbibed in some of the coolest spots to kick back in Maine, plus a look at how Maine can be kind of a killjoy when it comes to playing games involving booze. It’s like the state is our judgy aunt, or next-door neighbor. Chill out, Maine! But seriously, drink responsibly.
Tap Lines: A look back at the best beer-drinking of 2021
The year’s most memorable sips, styles and spots for enjoying Maine beer.
Drinking Games Aren’t Allowed In This State’s Bars
While you can always get your outdoorsy fix in Maine, the state prohibits drinking games in bars that promote the consumption of alcohol.
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
