Category: Beer

Reviews of Blue Rooster & The North Point, Visit to MBC

| Posted in Reviews, Beer

The Press Herald has published a review of Blue Rooster,

I ate one, and literally had to push myself back from the counter where I was seated.

The [brussels] sprouts were so appealing — so full of well-conceived, co-mingling tastes, textures and flavors — I had to stop, slow down and savor.

Had I not used some self-discipline, I might have devoured the whole basket one after the other in rapid succession.

and a bar review of The North Point.

The North Point is unlike any bar I’ve been to in the Greater Portland area. It reminds me of a bar I’d see in southern France or maybe in Quebec City, within the old portion of the city. Emphasis is placed on enjoying the experience and each other rather than amenities such as televisions, pool tables or dart boards.

Today’s paper also features an interview with the owners of the Maine Beer Company about their new digs in Freeport.

 

LD 1082: Growler Sales at Beer Stores

| Posted in Beer

Maine law currently allows for brewers to fill and sell growlers (half gallon refillable containers) on site at their brewery. There’s now a bill before the Maine Legislature (LD 1082) that would enable beer stores to sell beer from a variety of brewers in growlers. The next step in the process is a hearing before the Veterans and Legal Affairs on the 24th.

For more information read these recent posts from Insurance Guy Beer Blog and The Beer Babe who writes,

Imagine walking into your favorite beer store…When you walk in, you are greeted by the usual selection of bottled beer, but you see something new as well. Instead of being limited to what can be bottled or put in cans, you could also have the option to fill a growler – a glass refillable container – with local beer from all over the state. These beers might include those that you would never have the chance to otherwise sample unless you took a trip to the brewery itself.

If My Coaster Could Talk interviewed Greg Norton, owner of theBier Cellar in Portland, and Eric Mihan, owner of Bangor Wine & Cheese about the law.

Black Fly Stout & Mo

| Posted in Beer

The Beer Babe has posted reviews of Gritty’s Black Fly Stout and Maine Beer Co.’s Mo.

In a glass it pours out a yellow to orange color, with a very foamy head that sticks around for quite some time. It’s one of those pretty beers that you just want to admire after pouring. However, just admiring it wouldn’t do it justice. The aroma is fruity and flowery hops, with a really light backbone of malt coming through, too. MO does not have the grassy or particularly bitter hop aromas, but instead presents a fresh snappy assertion of hops.

Local Brew TV

| Posted in Beer

Local Brew is a web-based TV show hosted by Matt Delamater. According to the show’s site:

Each episode features a different brewery where we learn the story behind the brew. Matt takes us behind the scenes to discover who the brewers are, how their beer is made, and what drives them to create some of the best beer in the country!

Episode 1 is a trip to Baxter Brewing in Lewiston, and episode 2 features Maine Brewing Company and includes a trip on the Brew Bus and a visit to Novare Res.

Allagash Expansion

| Posted in Beer

For the What Ales You column in today’s paper, Tom Atwell paid a visit to Allagash to check in on their expansion. The article also provides info on Prince Tuesday, the Allagash house beer, and Cerise.

The 75-barrel BrauKon system will be used mostly for White, Black and Tripel, the three biggest sellers in the Allagash line. Germain said that White still amounts to about 80 percent volume of Allagash beer sold. The new system will be more automated than the current system, which still will be used for its other beers.

Beer Review of In’finiti

| Posted in Reviews, Beer

The Beer Babe has published a review of three of the beers brewed at In’finiti: Primus Primus, Won IPA and Blonde.

In all, I am very happy to have another beer project enter the Portland bar scene, and I am excited to see where they are going with this concept. All three beers were drinkable and of very high quality. If they keep pushing forward in this direction, I think they’re going to have a lot more busy nights on their hands.

Geary’s & Bar of Chocolate Review

| Posted in Reviews, Beer

Today’s Press Herald includes a bar review of the Bar of Chocolate Cafe,

The Bar of Chocolate may easily be the Old Port’s best-kept secret. Tucked between the Oasis and Amigos, this bar is unlike any other I’ve been to in Maine.

Patrons walk in off the cobblestone street to find comfy chairs, a few tables and a small L-shaped bar with stools. To the right of the bar is a nicely lit dessert case filled with delectable treats for some late-night snacking.

and a What Ales You column about Geary’s Summer Ale and a plan to sell the beer in cans.

In a related topic, Geary said that later this summer, the company will be selling the Summer Ale in cans in a partnership with Wachusett Brewing Co. in Westminster, Mass., near Fitchburg.

“Wachusett has the canning equipment,” Geary said. “What is good about this is that we will brew the beer here, doing everything but the packaging. Then a 200-barrel tank truck shows up and will take it directly to Wachusett’s.”