Bier Cellar comes to Portland

Get out and discover this new gem in the Portland area.
Here is information straight from them:


Our hours are expanded with this being a holiday week. We will be open Monday, July 2 from 12-8pm. The rest of the week we will also be open 12-8pm, including the 4th.

Saturday is our grand opening party. Allagash and Honeymaker will be in doing tastingsfrom 2-5pm. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream has made ice cream just for us using Allagash Black, Allagash White, and push pops out of Honeymaker Lavender Mead. Allagash will be sampling the Black, White, Victor & Victoria. Honeymaker will taste across their entire line.

We will have raffles all day for brewery and Bier Cellar schwag as well, all you have to do is stop in to participate. We will be open 10am - 7pm. Please spread the word!
Cheers!


Website: http://biercellar.com/

Sebago Bass Ackwards Berryblue

Sebago Brewing Company Set To Release Single Batch Beer, Bass Ackwards Berryblue Ale

Beer brewed with real Maine blueberry juice

Gorham, Maine - June 25, 2012 - Sebago Brewing Company is pleased to announce the release of their Single Batch Beer, Bass Ackwards Berryblue Ale on Friday June 29th, 2012.

 

Bass Ackwards Berryblue Ale (4.4% ABV) is an unfiltered, all-natural mild pale ale made with crushed Maine blueberries. It is a refreshing, well balanced beer that has a crisp, fruity aroma and finishes clean and dry. The name Bass Ackwards Berryblue Ale is for its unconventional use of only fresh Maine blueberry juice in the fermenter. This results in a more subtle blueberry fruit aroma and taste. Bass Ackwards Berryblue is best paired with light fare such as salads, roasted vegetables and light seafood dishes.

 

Bass Ackwards Berryblue Ale Fact Sheet

Style: Fruit Beer

History: First Brewed in 2002

Orig. Gravity: 12 °P

Appearance: Light amber with purple hue

Aroma: Slight fruity blueberry nose

Flavor: Light body with dry blueberry finish

Ingredients: Brewed with American 2-row, Caramel malt and real Maine blueberry juice

Hops: Northern Brewer, Mt. Hood

Color: Dark Ruby Hue 21 SRM

ABV: 4.4%

IBUs: 13.4

Pairing Suggestions: light fare, salads

 

Boothbay 2012

Where can you find all of the Maine brewers hanging out in one place on one afternoon?

The Boothbay Resort on July 14, from 1-4 with a special VIP session starting at noon.

Come out and support the Maine Brewers' Guild & its talented members! For more information & to obtain tickets, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/210307

Cheers :)

Prince Tuesday



Poster & Prince Tuesday logo designed by Dee Dee from Allagash Brewing Company

Come out this Saturday, May 12th, at Mama's Crowbar in Portland for the Allagash, Maine Beer Co., Rising Tide collaboration release of Prince Tuesday.  The party starts at 4 and goes until 9. Other beers will be on draft from the trio of breweries as well. Great food will be sold by Local Sprouts (cookout style- for $10 you get burgers, kielbasa, potato salad, coleslaw and apple crisp).  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Portland Trails. In addition, the brewers will be there to visit.
Don't miss your chance to support your local breweries!  Cheers :)

Smuttynose Brewery



Big Beer Series:  Baltic Porter

Very, very, soon, I will get my act together & post about my fantastic trip to the Smuttynose Brewery.  Highlights to include: professional pictures by a mom friend & insider info from the brewers, along with hazy tasting notes.  In addition, the post will have a review of, Brett & I, which is Smutty's speciality sour release and is only sold at the brewery in New Hampshire.  Do I have your attention yet?  I hope so! Thanks for your patience... Cheers! 

Samuel Adams - Update & Honey Porter Review

It's amazing to consider that one year ago, I began writing this blog.  "Amazing" may sound like an exaggeration but truly, I simply envisioned tasting beer and writing about it for my friends, as a way to have an outlet, from the day to day stay-at-home mom gig.  I didn't realize that through writing about beer, I'd meet great people who do the same thing and beyond. I've met down to earth local, Portland, Maine brewers; "big" time craft brewers like Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head; beer bloggers and social media gurus.  All of them have one constant theme:  sharing the craft beer love aka community onto others.  Which leads me to this next post.  I'm sharing the link to the very first ever Samuel Adams blog post, as a tribute to being the first brewery I ever reviewed. In addition, I met a craft beer buddy, Nick, this past November via Twitter at the Maine Brewers' Fest.  Ironically, he's a Mainer who is now doing the Samuel Adams newly debuted Twitter feed.  If you're on it, follow him at: @SamuelAdams Beer!  Congrats, Nick!  The next time you're back in town, let me know, I owe you a beer! Oh, and if Jim Koch needs a special palate to taste any upcoming beers, you know how to reach me!
Cheers!

Re-Post of my Samuel Adams Honey Porter review--the 1st ever on my blog!
Original post date:  1.7.11: (let's hope it's evident that the blog has evolved)!

The first beer to get reviewed in the blog--an ironic choice in that it has Boston routes as do I (BC alum & former Newton Public Schools Employee--Go Lions & Tigers!).  The fate of being first is not always easy--(1st children know this all too well) & sadly, it is only first because it happened to be the last beer in our refrigerator.  This lonely bottle was part of a six-pack purchased at a small beer store in early December in Scarborough, ME for under $5.00; quite the bargain, as it usually sells for $8 a six-pack.  Being the smart shopper that I am, I scooped it up only to realize, after the fact,that it was on sale because the expiration date was earlier this fall.  Alas, perhaps the taste could have been altered but given my desperation at 5pm, sometimes referred to by moms as the "witching hour," to drink anything with alcohol this past date wasn't a factor to me.  So while I was feeding the 6mos old in his high chair, flipping pancakes and burning pre-cooked bacon, I finagled the bottle opener and poured my first sips. 


Taste:  the honey comes through & definitely leaves you with a sweetness on your tongue
*although it is a porter, it is not overly heavy and very smooth.
**Delicious choice with bacon and pancakes :)
Color:  dark almost like a coke
Thickness:  slight to moderate
Will it help me sleep better? Yes
Mom factoid: honey is a natural way to help little people (older than age 1) when they have a cough or sore throat--just give a teaspoon of honey during cold season!

Anchor Brewing Co. Our Special Ale 2011

As told to us on the bottle, "This is the thirty-seventh 'Our Special Ale' from the brewers at Anchor.  It is sold only from early November to mid-January.  The Ale's recipe is different every year, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same:  joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew."

Brewery:  Anchor, San Francisco, CA

Style:  Ale brewed with natural flavors & with natural flavors added

Tasting Notes:

Aroma:  Pine, resin, Birch wood & subtle malt notes

Taste:  Malt forward (not overly sweet); husband described as tasting like drinking birch or root beer soda; detect pine flavors throughout but not in a harsh or bitter way.  Really unique and refreshing on the palate.

Color:  Amber stone

Thickness:  Medium to full body; half-inch caramel colored frothy head which lingers and leaves delicate lacing in the glass.  Nicely carbonated.

ABV:  5.5%; feels almost like a "session beer" where you can easily have more than one in a sitting.

Mom Factoid:  This holiday offering from Anchor was one of the top vote getters  in my, "What craft beer should go under my Christmas Tree" poll in December.  I can't believe this is the first year I remember having it.  Let me tell you, I really wish I had sought it out in previous years, as it's truly delicious.  I love the symbolism they describe on their bottle, of trees representing the winter solstice and the idea that there is a rebirth when the seasons change.  I think it's neat that a brewery puts some depth into it's beers.  Cheers!

Special Note:  I picked a Tuesday to review this beer as a shout out to my friends over at Brew England who coined the term:  'Tuesday Tasting' on their awesome craft beer blog.  It is an honor to have been asked by them to draw your attention to an upcoming event in March, called 'Cure Me I'm Irish'.  Please check out their website at http://brewengland.blogspot.com/ for further information on this worthwhile fundraising event & the breweries involved.  Thank you!

Pretty Things Saint Botolph's Town

Brewery: Pretty Things from Westport, MA
Twitter: @prettybeer
Website:prettythingsbeertoday.com


Style: Rustic Brown Ale
Bottle Notes:  "This beer is inspired by Northern English dark ales and by St. Botolph, an Anglo-Saxon saint who gave Boston its name."  "Saint Botolph's Town is a malty brown ale made with barley from Yorkshire and a blend of two yeast strains."

Aroma:  Figs, malt, & dried fruit notes

Taste: Malt forward with caramel tones intertwined.  Similarly, like the aroma, I detect a harmonious union of figs & dried fruit notes.  Very little, if any bitterness in the finish. Quite a pleasant sipper, particularly on a cold night!

Color:  Roasted deep brown chestnuts

Thickness:  Beautiful lacing along the edges of the glass, coupled with a lingering top layer of a small yet creamy head ,which doesn't dissipate.  Overall, it has a balanced carbonation with a medium to full, silky, smooth body.

ABV:  5.9%

Mom Factoid:  Picked this bottle up over New Year's weekend while staying with family in Sudbury.  I had heard wonderful things regarding another offering from them, Jack D'or, a Farmhouse Saison beer, which I also brought back with me to Maine.  I tremendously enjoyed the Jack but didn't take notes & the bottle was finished before I thought to do it.  So, last night, I was prepared for my tasting of the Saint Botolph's.  I look forward to grabbing more offerings, these two included, the next time I'm in Massachusetts.  Not only are their bottles "pretty," their beer is delicious!  Cheers to discovering new craft beer in 2012!

Maine Beer Company News

A short & wonderful documentary on the Maine Beer Company was released and can be accessed here: http://vimeo.com/m/32792047

Located in Portland, ME, I've been enjoying their beers for the past year and have reviewed their Mean Old Tom & Lunch. Check them out below:
Mean Old Tom Review
Lunch Review

Beer Advent Calendar Day 25: Gritty's Christmas Ale

Happy New Year!  I've been on an unplanned hiatus from the blog due to traveling over the holidays.  I did have an opportunity to post a guest review over on the Beer Advent Calendar on Christmas Day!  Talk about coming full circle--one year ago, I was contemplating starting a craft review blog & one year later, I was invited to participate in a collaborative craft beer bloggers project, with fellow bloggers from all over the country.  How cool is that?  Just goes to show, if you pay attention to your internal voice, the one that nudges you to take risks, good things will follow.  I hope you all had a wonderful 2011 & a here's a virtual toast to an even better 2012!  Cheers!

Beer Advent Calendar, Day 25:
Who doesn't love a beer with the promise of Christmas in each sip?  I don't actually mean the "taste" of Christmas that one might associate with other holiday brews.  You know, those that have:  nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, all-spice, vanilla bean, honey, pine, miseltoe etc...No, Gritty's Christmas Ale contains zero additives, fruits or spices.  This beer is more about celebrating the spirit of Christmas, here in Maine than it is about attempting to artificially taste it.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a winter warmer beer that has a variety of holidayish flavors, but what I appreciate about this Christmas Ale is it's simplicity.  I think sometimes in the race to buy our gifts we forget what the true spirit of the holidays is (more on this topic below in Mom Factoid).  Interestingly, thanks to Gritty McDuff's clever packaging, they give you the image of Santa, in full regalia with his white beard, red hat and stockings stuffed with bottles of beer on the mantle. For me, this image evokes the perfect motif for a craft beer lovers Christmas celebration with family & friends during the holiday season.

Aroma: Malt balls with a subtle hint of caramel creme candy
Color:  Pours a roasted chestnut brown with reddish hues glistening throughout the glass.
Taste:  Malt forward with carmel notes on the tongue with a burst of mild bitterness on the finish. Balanced & clean on the palate. 
Thickness:  A medium to full body with a small quarter inch tan head that fades quickly.  Yet, there's pretty icicle-like lacing that hangs around throughout the tasting.  Carbonation is balanced.
ABV:  6.2%;  Not that high of an abv for a winter warmer styled beer, which results in easily consuming more than one in a sitting.

Mom Factoid:  As mentioned earlier, in the intro, I noted that sometimes in the race to buy our gifts, we forget what the true spirit of the holidays is.  Particularly, as a parent, coach and/or teacher, one of our greatest daily challenges is to set a good example for the children we interact with.  I find that the holidays can often bring out the worst in others with the mounting stress to buy more presents, without examining that it's in the shared act of giving that we truly gain an appreciation for what we have.  These can be complex issues to work through but, what's been wonderful about blogging, this past year, has been the daily reminder that there is a collaborative spirit that exists between others.  It's a spirit of sharing ideas, supporting each other's experiences and providing feedback that allows each of us to grow, not just our blogs but also ourselves.  Truly, this Advent Craft Beer Calendar is a perfect example of the collaborative spirit--one that symbolizes being part of a community. It is this simple recognition, that we are not alone but part of a bigger world, that I hope to pass on to my Little Duo, as being the true essence of Christmas.   

About Gritty's:
http://www.grittys.com/about.php

Oxbow Brewing Update

Me & Oxbow Beer Head Brewer, Tim Adams
Novare Res Bier Cafe

This past weekend, I was at Novare Res, with a mom friend, and met local Maine brewer, Tim Adams, from The Oxbow Brewing Company,  in Newcastle.  I've had their Farmhouse Pale Ale back in October as pictured here:



















But, this past weekend, I tried their Freestyle #2 (it's pictured in my pint at the top of this post, when I'm posing next to Tim).  Wow, delicious!  Sadly, I didn't take formal tasting notes, but it is described on their website as a, "Smoked Chocolate Stout - This dry, mysterious stout is designed to drink when the days begin ending earlier.  American ale yeast, Belgian, German, and US Malts, US hops.  4.5% abv." 
Furthermore, Tim's newest release, is a holiday beer, called  Saison Noel, which is now available on draft at Novare Res, for their Bier Geek Christmas Celebration. I've yet to try the Noel but am hoping to get a chance before it runs out.  Thus far, I've really enjoyed the offerings from Oxbow & after meeting Tim, a down to earth, easy to chat with guy, I hope to venture up to Newcastle, someday soon and tour his brewery. 
Remember, this holiday season, support your local breweries.  Cheers!

Brooklyn Brewery's Pilsner



Liz's pretty photo of
 Brooklyn Brewery's Pilsner



Below is a special guest post from my NYC "mom craft beer consultant" & longtime friend, Liz.  I've known Liz since attending Boston College & we've remained close post college years as well.  She recently relocated back to the East Coast, after living in LA for awhile, & has a daughter close in age to my son.  You'd think since we both live on the same side of the country, now, we'd be able to get our act together and hang out, but sadly our paths have not crossed in a few years.  However, through the beauty of the internet & cell phone use, we've stayed in touch and I really appreciate that she would offer up a fantastic review for you to enjoy. My hope is that she & her cool husband, Jason, will share future reviews too! Cheers! 

Date of tasting: Saturday December 3, 2011 

Who: Liz Cahill (with input from her husband Jason)

Where: Manhattan, NYC

On a chilly Saturday night in December, my husband and I decided to order in from our favorite pizzashop. I asked myself, what could compliment this delectable thin crust better then beer?  Not much.  So it seemed only natural that tonight should be the night that I write a guest post on my friend Cecily's amazing blog.

Knowing Cecily often reviews local Maine brews, I decided to show off a beverage from my own neck of the woods and chose Brooklyn Pilsner of The Brooklyn Brewery, which the company describes as a pale refreshing lager.  Yum. My husband and I each grabbed a bottle & got down to business – here's what we found:

Aroma: The classic looking brew has a sweet malty scent.

Taste: As someone who hasn't made it her profession (or hobby) as a beer connoisseur, please excuse my inability to properly describe this beverage, but I'll give it my best! I found the first couple of sips to be smooth, if a little bitter.  However, the smoothness overtook any bitterness by sip three.  As a beer reviewing novice, I'll credit any bitterness to the brewing technique … or the malts … or the hops.  Not quite sure – taste it and decide for yourself!

Color: Pretty and golden – clear (not cloudy).

Thickness: Not at all thick, this was your traditional go-to lager style beer.

ABV: 5.1%, but what does this mean?  I'll just assume that anyone reading this knows way more about ABV then myself!

Mom Factoid: The pilsner style of beer began in the 1840s, emerging from central Europe – and it is now the world's most popular style of beer.  According to Brooklyn Brewery, the Brooklyn Pilsner is brewed like its ancestors – from the finest European two-row barley malts.  And because this beer is crafted in the style favored by NY's pre-Prohibition German-American brewers, it has a very cool historic factor.  I felt like I was experiencing a little bit of the early 1900s with each sip!  Who says drinking can't be educational too?

Polaris from Rising Tide

Bottle #29 out of 336
Released 11.2011

Listed as a Best Beer of 2011 by Seacoast Beverage Lab

Aroma:  Beautiful bourbon & vanilla notes

Taste: Bourbon, vanilla & caramel maltyness with a salt-water taffy-like finish.  Lip smacking delicious!  

Color: Midnight black

Thickness:  Silky, smooth mouthful with a medium to full body.  A deep, tan head, flecked with grains, lingered during the tasting and was met with a balanced carbonation.

ABV:  About 8.5 %!  After consuming the beer from my snifter glass, life felt right!  I adore a craft beer that can alter your mindset & mood not because of the ABV (though this helps) but because of knowing the time, effort & craftsmanship that went into producing a special release.  According to the hand-numbered bottle, the beer is, "unfiltered, unpasteurized and bottle conditioned."


Mom Factoid: Polaris is known as the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor; which is cool because Rising Tide produces a wheat stout called Ursa Minor.  Interestingly, Polaris, is Ursa Minor Weizen Stout but barrel aged in bourbon barrels, that were previously used by Allagash Brewing Company for their Curieux.  Love that there is a cohesiveness & a storytelling quality to the beer that Rising Tide brews!  I am lucky enough to know the brewer, Nathan Sanborn & his wife, Heather.  They embody what a local brewery is all about:  creativity, optimism, hard work & a willingness to share it all with the Portland community.  Speaking of, if you're in the neighborhood, they are having a tour at their brewery TODAY, December 21st at 1:30.   Check out their website for further details at: http://www.risingtidebrewing.com/ or follow them on Twitter @risingtidebeer 

Polaris aging in bourbon barrels!
8.2011



Hibernation Ale

Hibernation Ale is another Great American Beer Festival winner from Great Divide Brewing Company, located in Denver, Colorado.  According to the label it won a Gold Medal in 1997 and Silvers in 2003 & 2006.  Additionally, if looking to pair the Hibernation Ale with food, the label suggests trying; Romano cheese, grilled beef tenderloin and an apple crisp with ginger ice cream.  I haven't had the opportunity to check out the pairings, but I did have the chance to taste a few of Hibernation Ales while home in Binghamton, NY for Thanksgiving. Here are my thoughts:

Aroma: A slight blend of cinnamon & nutmeg spiciness with a deep lingering scent of caramel. Lovely!

Taste: Not overpowering with the caramel but definitely a malt forward flavor; think butterscotch chips & you're headed in the right direction! Yet, very balanced with a subtle bite of hops that create a mild bitterness in the finish.

Color: A beautiful, deep, caramel brown like an amber stone that you can not see through.

Thickness: Medium to full body that coats & creates a welcome stickiness of toffee like consistency in your mouth. Gorgeous pour with one inch of creamy, tannish head that leaves a delicate lacing in your pint.

ABV: 8.7%; Welcome winter brews :)

Mom Factoid: Sometimes the Thanksgiving holiday literally makes me feel like "hibernating," especially after eating delicious turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, decadent desserts & enjoying craft beer in excess.  Ironically, it turned out that my favorite beer over the Thanksgiving holiday was appropriately named Hibernation Ale.  I knew from having sampled Great Divide brews in the past, that I was in for a treat with their winter seasonal and I was not disappointed. Overall, the beer is very hearty & warming like you would crave in a winter beer. But, beyond those characteristics, the beer is, paradoxically, fresh, (bottled on 10.14.11) and slightly hoppy; two sought after qualities in craft beer but not necessarily present in every style you taste. Bottom line, if you like to hibernate, like me, during the winter months, you'd be foolish not to have Hibernation Ale along for your long journey. Cheers!

Maine Beer Week Update

Maine Beer Week has been going great!  Yesterday, I had the pleasure of chatting with Nathan Sanborn, co-owner & head brewer at Rising Tide, & his wife, Heather, at Novare Res Bier Cafe in Portland.  They were both there for a "Meet the Brewer" event, during which they were able to discuss their Rising Tide Brewing Company mission and chat about their beers, with interested beer geeks, like myself, and fellow mom friend.  Not only did we have a wonderful conversation with the Rising Tide folks but we also sampled their newest special release, Polaris, on tap.  The beer is outstanding & I look forward to featuring it in more depth in a future post.

Nathan Sanborn & me :)
11.12.11
Maine Beer Week
Novare Res Bier Cafe
Portland, Maine

Maine Beer Week: Maine Beer Co. Mean Old Tom Round 2

Mean Old Tom on cask at Sebago

I reviewed this beer back in March, 2011, but feel compelled to share it, again, with readers, as we are celebrating the First Annual Maine Beer Week, November 10-17, 2011, and Mean Old Tom just hit the shelves, again, in Portland. Actually, the husband brought home four bottles, tonight, all bottled on 11.10.11. Awesome! Can't wait to pour one over the next couple of days.  But, since I couldn't wait for these bottles, I went into Portland last night and sampled a Mean Old Tom on cask at Sebago Brewing Company. Wow, talk about delicious.  Okay, back to review, here it is but this time with pictures:

Mean Old Tom

The tenth beer to get reviewed goes by the name Mean Old Tom and is a stout aged on natural vanilla bean.  I was tipped off to this beer by a local mom friend who spotted it at Whole Foods Market in Portland.  It didn't take me long to remember all the necessities I needed to get from WF and off I went with Little J in tow, after Big Sister was happily playing at her Portland nursery school.  May I digress momentarily and say that shopping with a sleeping baby is so much easier than shopping with a three year old, although I did miss the constant background question of, "Mom, can I get a cookie now?"
Anyway, this beer is made locally by the Maine Beer Company, who I'm a HUGE fan of as they produce an ale called the Peeper and another ale, an amber, called the Zoe, which is delicious! So, I was thrilled to hear that they released a stout, since I thoroughly enjoy stouts and the added vanilla bean is the perfect complement!  Moreover, the bottle that I selected is Batch #1 which means I was tasting some brand new-to-the-world brew--exciting stuff!  Not only was I excited, but it tasted fantastic and the story behind the name of the beer added to the fun of drinking it, as I have a very close friend named Tom who I thought maybe this was named after---just joking TP!


Taste:  light vanilla bursts onto the palate with mild mocha hints in the background


Color:  a deep almost chestnut brown


Thickness:  light to moderate; very smooth almost silky with minimal head and a few bubbles


Will it help me sleep better?  The perfect number of 6.5% ABV means I could do fine with just one but two would mean bedtime!


Mom Factoid:  As mentioned earlier, I have a close friend named Tom which made me think of him while I was enjoying this brew.  Isn't it funny how names transform us to places and memories of people who have those names?  Speaking of, picking names is quite the adventure, between family ties, popularity rankings, meanings etc, you can have a blast or a headache leading up the the big day!

Mean Old Tom bottles

Rising Tide Polaris Launch



Do you want to know what brew is in that barrel?



Mom Factoid: The latest release from Rising Tide Brewing Company:  Polaris!

This brew is a stout aged in bourbon barrels that were shared by Allagash Brewing Company.
Polaris hits shelves in Maine tomorrow & there are only going to be 336, hand numbered, bottles available.

Hoping, I can get a few bottles, to help hold me over, the impending cold winter ahead.

Cheers!



Nathan Sanborn
Owner & Brewmaster at Rising Tide

PS Do you want to meet the brewer & learn more about Polaris & the  great line-up of brews Rising Tide produces? 
During Maine Beer Week, there are a variety of opportunities to do so, click here to find one!

PPS Get out & support your local brewery!

50 BACK The Brew of the Brave

Press Release:

50 BACK Brings The Brew of the Brave to Maine

50% of Profits Supports Veteran's Organizations

 

Pepperell, MA (November 7, 2011) –   With Veterans Day just a few days away, dozens of restaurants and retailers across the state of Maine are welcoming a new beer to their menus.  50 Back, The Brew of the Brave, will be available across Maine beginning this week.  50 Back, an American-style lager, proudly donates 50% of its profits to veteran's organizations.

 

50 Back was created by New England natives Paige Haley and Kimberly Rogers. Newcomers to the beer industry, Haley and Rogers came up with the idea of 50 Back after searching for a way to give back to Troops and Veterans. For every purchase of 50 Back Lager, the company donates 50% of its net profits to charities committed to supporting veterans and active duty service members and their families, all of whom who have sacrificed to protect our Nation and the freedom for which it stands. 

 

"Veterans and their families sacrifice every day for the rest of us.  We wanted to find a way to recognize their efforts," said Kimberly Rogers, Co-founder of 50 Back Brewing Company.  "Now when the citizens of Maine toast the sacrifices of the brave service men and women, they can support them in a concrete way by helping the charities that assist them." 

 

50 Back will be distributed by Mariner Beverages, Inc, a wholesale distributor of Fine Wines and Craft Beers in the state of Maine.  Located in Portland, Mariner Beverage will be offering 50 Back to licensed restaurants and retailers from Kittery to Bangor/Ellsworth and seasonal deliveries to the mountains and Mt. Desert Island.  Accounts across the state like Broadway Variety in South Portland, Food City in Bridgton, Bootleggers in Topsham, RSVP in Portland, and Brackett's Market in Bath are amongst those that will carry 50 Back. 

 

"At Mariner, we strive to provide the best possible portfolio of beers and wines to our customers across Maine.   50 Back fits that category," said Tim Wissemann, founder and President of Mariner Beverages.    "Not only is 50 Back a high quality brew, its mission of supporting military veterans and their families rings true to so many families across the state of Maine.  We know our customers will support their efforts.  We look forward to introducing them to 50 Back."    

 

50 Back Beer is currently supporting four national veteran support organizations, including the USO, Homes for Our Troops, the Ahern Family Charitable Foundation, and America's VetDogs. 

 

For more information about 50 Back and the charities they support, visit www.50Back.com.

 

 

Grocery List

Mom Factoid:  Most weeks, I try to hit the grocery store as infrequently as possible with the little duo.  Alas, sometimes, this plan falls WAY short & we end up, there, zooming around in the double seat car cart, that impedes everyone's travel path, including ours! But, enough mini ranting about the challenges of grocery shopping with children.
This post is truly an infomercial for tomorrow's FIRST ever International Stout Day. What does this mean to you & me?  Click here for the precise details, but bottom line, if you've ever wanted to try a stout, tomorrow's the day and if you're a stout lover like myself, you are thrilled to have a reason to find a tasty stout at the grocery store or wherever else your list takes you! Cheers!

Great Divide Brewing Company
Yeti Imperial Stout

PS Please leave a comment below if you plan to drink a stout & tell me what you plan to have.  It will be neat to see the variety of stouts that people consume on International Stout Day!

Maine Beer Week Update

In just two short weeks, the first ever Maine Beer Week kicks off.  A range of events throughout the state begin on November 10th and run through November 17th.  Not only is this week about supporting local craft beer but also supporting local retaurants & chefs who are pairing their delicious food with a variety of brews.  Furthermore, there are some charitable events planned during the week as well.  For more specific details on what is occuring during Maine Beer Week, read the schedule below:

Schedule of Events:

Nov 10

Five Brewers + Five Courses @ David's 11-10-11, starting at 6:00 PM, at David's Restaurant, Chef David Turin and five premier breweries will join flavors and kick off Maine Beer Week. The meal will include 5 perfectly paired courses. David's cuisine will be matched with beers from Oxbow, Rising Tide, Marshall Wharf, Maine Beer Co., and Baxter Brewing Company. To make reservations call the restaurant at (207) 773-4340.

Oxbow Night at Novare Res Bier Cafe
11-10-11, starting at 4PM. The brewers will be at Novare presenting their finest beers.


Beer dinner at Inn by the Sea
11-10-11, $42. per person including beer flight. Call for details (207) 799-3134.

  

Nov 11

Oxbow Night at Lion's Pride 11-11-11, starting at 5:00 PM, Oxbow Night at The Lion's Pride in Brunswick. The brewers will be presenting an enticing lineup of beers. 5-8pm.

Rising Tide Beer Dinner at Farmers Table
11-11-11, gathering at 6:00 PM, dinner starting at 6:30, at Farmers Table. Four courses with four Rising Tide beers. $65 per person, includes tax and tip. Please call for reservations, (207) 347-7479.

Maine Beer Company night at Novare Res Bier Cafe
11-11-11, starting at 4PM.

Nov 12

Goods from the Woods
11-12-11, noon to 5PM. Oxbow Brewing Company proudly presents "The Goods From The Woods", a first annual event at the brewery to celebrate Maine Beer Week. The brewery will be open for tours, samples, growler fills, and general revelry in the gorgeous farmhouse setting. Harvest Moon Pizza will be joining the party, offering brick oven pizza baked in their mobile oven. Please carpool, as parking space is limited. www.oxbowbeer.com and www.facebook.com/oxbowbeer for details.

Nov 14

Meet your local brewer dinner at Newcastle Publick House
11-14-11 Oxbow Brewing and the Newcastle Publick House will be collaborating on a beer dinner beginning with a "meet your local brewer" happy hour at 5pm. Dinner to start at 6pm, please call for reservations. (207) 563-3434.

Nov 15

Dian Fossy Gorilla Fundraiser at Nosh
11-15-11, starting at 6:00 at Nosh Kitchen Bar. Maine Beer Co. fundraiser for Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. 1/2 of Maine Beer sales go to charity.

Nov 16

Back Street Bistro Beer Dinner
11-16-11, starting at 6:00 PM, at Back Street Bistro. Oxbow Brewing is teaming up with the Back Street Bistro in Brunswick for a beer dinner in the upstairs bar. Please call for reservations, (207) 725-4060.


Rising Tide Brewers Night at Nocturnem Draft House
11-16-11, starting at 6:00 PM, Rising Tide pint glass giveaway at Nocturnem Draft House.

Nov 17

Total Tap Takeover @ Great Lost Bear
11-17-11, from 5:00 to 9:00pm, at Great Lost Bear, twenty-one Maine breweries are taking over. Every tap will be pouring award-winning drafts from Maine. Maybe better yet, the event supports Preble Street.

Beer Garden Dinner at Pairings and Penobscot Bay Brewery
11-17-11, from 6:30pm, at Pairings and Penobscot Bay Brewery. Chef Doug Winslow presents five courses paired with five Penobscot Bay Brewery Ales. $35 per person plus tax and tip. Reservations required. Call 207-223-4500.