Maine Brew Bus

Maine Today has posted a tour report from a recent trip aboard the Maine Brew Bus.

With our heads filled up from our fermented education – and maybe a little fuzzy on account of all that sampling – we boarded Lenny one last time. Our tour guide Don Littlefield regaled us with brewing-related trivia on the way back to The Thirsty Pig, where we’d all go our separate ways, clutching our purchases of mead and rum, all a little wiser for the ride.

Update: Brewbound has published an article about The Maine Brew Bus.

Pugsley Sells Stake in Company

According to a report in today’s Press Herald, Shipyard co-founder and head brewer is selling his stake in the brewery.

Pugsley remains master brewer at Shipyard, but on a consulting basis. He goes into the brewery about two days a week, he said, while also working as a consultant for other breweries through his Pugsley Brewing Projects International.

He has also made arrangements with Shipyard’s co-founder, Fred Forsley, to sell back his 20 percent ownership in the company.

Allagash Brewing

Eat Maine has published an article about Allagash Brewing.

For beer nerds, an additional perk of the expansion is that it frees up the old brew house to focus on producing Allagash’s more experimental beers, like the Coolship brews, which are made with wild yeast, or Fluxus, part of the Tribute Series Beers, which is made according to a different recipe each year. These products, along with the limited edition beers, are rarely found on liquor store shelves…

Under Construction: Foundation Brewing Co.

A new brewery called Foundation Brewing Company (website, facebook, twitter) has secured financing and leased space on Industrial Way. The brewery is a collaboration between Joel Mahaffey and John Bonney.

As of July, we’ve leased space at the infamous One Industrial Way building, the same complex that birthed some other Maine breweries you may have heard of, like Rising Tide and Maine Beer Company. We’re psyched to be moving in to such a great space down the street from Allagash. Hopefully some of the great beer mojo of Industrial Way will rub off on us.

The brewery’s website lists 2 beers they’re working on: Blaze (hybrid between a traditional Saison and an American IPA) and Bedrock (easy drinking dark beer). They hope to be in commercial production before the end of the year.

Reviews of Wannawaf and Nosh

The Press Herald has published a review of Wannawaf,

It was an interesting blend of flavors, but I wished the brie pieces had been a little larger, because most of the chunks blended into the batter and got a little lost. When all the flavors came together in one bite, it was heaven.

All of the savory waffle options cost $6.89 — add a cup of coffee, and the entire meal will set you back $9 and change.

and a bar review of Nosh.

But what about Nosh as simply a bar — does it stand alone? Is it possible to walk into Nosh and not be tempted to order a pail of fries (and a charcuterie plate, fried pickles and fried cheese curds)?

The short answer is no — it’s nearly impossible. But anyone could tell you that.

Today’s paper also includes this week’s What Ales You column.

Reviews: Outliers & Brian Boru

Today’s Press Herald includes a review of Brian Boru,

My barbecue was outstanding. I loved the zesty flavor of the barbecue sauce, and I really appreciated that the slaw came as part of the sandwich instead of on the side.

The slaw tempered the tender barbecue just enough to create a nice contrast in flavors and texture, and was not at all juicy to dampen the bun.

a bar review of Outliers,

Cocktails made with beer are a trend that in the wrong hands can go, well, wrong. At Outliers, capable hands mixed up my order, Postman Always Rings Twice (wheat beer, gin, St. Germain, lemon and grapefruit juices and orange bitters), a refreshing, perfectly balanced libation for warm summer evenings. On such nights, the outdoor deck beckons, with its view across Harbor View Park to the bridge.

an interview with the owners of Gelato Fiasco,

Since starting out with little idea how to make gelato, let alone profitably, they have won accolades from Food Network Magazine (top frozen dessert in Maine) and Down East magazine (best ice cream in the state) and a trip to the White House for an event honoring young entrepreneurs.

and the latest installment of the What Ales You column.

25 Best Beers: Allagash & Peak Organic

Men’s Journal assembled a list of what they consider the 25 Best Beers in the World. Westvleteren 12 didn’t make the list but Allagash Curieux and Peak Organic Pale Ale did.

So for our beer survey, we asked craft-brew luminaries a simple question: What’s the best beer in the world? Then we tried them all. The result? A been-there, drank-that guide to the greatest brews on the planet, in no particular order. Enjoy.