Brienne Allan, Sacred Profane

| Posted in Beer, People

The Press Herald has published an article about Brienne Allan, a co-owner and the head brewer at the soon-to-open new Biddeford brewery Sacred Profane (more info).

The lagers she’s producing now are like the brewer’s equivalent of double-black diamond ski trails. They demand technical expertise, an intuitive feel for the brewing process that comes from years of experience, and a sophisticated, nuanced palate.

“Brienne is easily one of the most knowledgeable brewers I’ve ever encountered, especially when it comes to Czech- and German-style lagers,” said Robert Hughes, marketing manager of Notch Brewing. “No one is as fastidious, passionate, creative or knowledgeable as she is in that field, for sure.”

New Owners at Nosh

| Posted in Under Construction

Owners Jason Loring, Matt Moran, and Tobey Moulton closed on the sale of Nosh Kitchen Bar to Michael Fraser, Michael Barbuto and Kevin Doyle on Monday. They expect to reopen Nosh later this week.

The new owners plan to remain true the spirit of Nosh with a focus on well executed comfort food. They will be keeping some of the standards from the Nosh menu and folding in some new ideas of their own including a classic cocktail program. Chef Aaron Taylor was been hired to lead the kitchen.

In addition to Nosh, Barbuto and Doyle are currently working to launch The Continental on Brighton Ave. The pair also are co-owners with Fraser at CBG.

Loring has been involved in the launch of a number of new restaurants since Nosh opened in 2010. He’s currently focusing his time on the Slab retail pizza business. Moran is partnering with Joe Fournier in the relaunch of A & C in South Portland.

Allagash Cider Launches Thursday

| Posted in Openings

Allagash Brewing has begun producing cider which will be available at their Portland tasting room starting this Thursday.

The cider used a mix of Cortland, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, Goldrush, Crimson Crisp, Northern Spy, Roxbury Russet, Hudson’s Golden Gem, and Esopus Spitzenburg and is fermented with a Pét-nat yeast strain and a yeast strain harvested from their spontaneously fermented Coolship beers and then aged in oak barrels. It weighs in at 6.1% ABV.

Allagash also produces a notable cider-adjacent product is the Allagash Coolship Pomme which initially launched in 2021.

For a complete list of Maine cider producers see our Guide to Maine Cider.

Urban Farm Fermentory Purchased

| Posted in General News

Eli Cayer has sold Urban Farm Fermentory to Maine Standard Biofuels. According to the announcement the two companies will be moving to a 12-acre green industrial park that Maine Standard Biofuels is building in Windham. The site will include agricultural fields where herbs for UFF beverages will be grown and will the site will also house “incubator sites for like-minded start-ups”.

Both men started their companies with a passion for serving local customers with products that reflect their deep respect for the natural world. Kaltsas built a business that refines potential pollutants into clean-burning biofuels and cleaners. Cayer crafted fermented beverages that captured the authentic taste of wild Maine-grown ingredients. Years of shared ideas on practices that mimic nature’s efficiency eventually led to the pair’s decision for a sale that would plant the seed for a collaborative business model that sets new standards for triple-bottom-line sustainability.

Cayer founded Urban Farm Fermentory in 2010. The company produces a line of fermennted products that include ciders, kombuchas, beers, gruit, jun, mead and vinegars. They are currently located on Anderson Street in East Bayside.

Upcoming Events: Francois Tuyishime, Seafood Cook-off

| Posted in Events

Friday – Time and Tide is hosting Francois Tuyishime of Yego Coffee for a conversation about, “coffee growing in Rwanda, the challenges of importing coffee during a pandemic, and more”.

Saturday – Dila Maloney, the chef/owner of Dila’s Kitchen will be competing in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in Louisiana.

August 10 – Radici is serving a 5-course dinner with pairings.

August 13 – the 91st Annual Saint Peter’s Bazaar.

August 19 – 21 – the 2022 edition of the Maine Apple Camp is taking place.

August 21 – Crispy Gai and Turkey and the Wolf from NOLA are holding a joint food event and book signing.

September 3 – Tender Table is holding their 2nd Annual Food & Art Fair in Congress Square Park.

September 19 – 25 – Maine Lobster Week is taking place in Skowhegan.

September 23 – 25 – the Common Ground Fair is taking place in Unity.

October 8 – Oxbow is holding their annual Goods from the Woods event in Newcastle.

October 9 – the Maine Cheese Guild is holding Maine Open Creamery Day.

Review of Regards

| Posted in Reviews

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes a 3 star review of Regards.

All the elements are there: from a hip, lime-bleached brick interior set off in dynamic washes of orange and pink, to unflappable service and an imaginative menu that seeks to intertwine mostly Mexican and Japanese influences. What’s missing is consistent, confident execution of dishes. Some are nearly at their best, like a tepache-inspired ice cream made with fermented pears, and a large-format shareable platter of grilled, miso-basted hamachi collar that needs the hit of acid from the charred lemon and less nori than is provided.

NA Beer

| Posted in Beer

This week’s Portland Phoenix includes an article about Maine’s growing non-alcoholic beer market.

Portland is renowned for its craft beer scene, its brewery parking lots packed with cars with out-of-state vehicles.

But two newer craft beers – 1820 and Kit NA – are setting themselves apart in a fairly big way: they’re alcohol-free.

Non-alcoholic beer has come a long way in the past few years. Gone are the days when a beer lover’s only options were O’Doul’s or St. Pauli Girl. Now, the market for craft non-alcoholic beer is taking off, and even the biggest beer snob can probably find something they like, from hazy IPAs to dark coffee stouts.

KitNA launched in 2021 and 1820 Brewing has just launched this month.

Bread and Olive

| Posted in Under Construction

Bread & Olive (facebook, instagram) is making progress towards an opening day at their location at the corner of Valley and Congress Streets. Owner Sarah Martin, who also operates the Bar of Chocolate Cafe on Wharf Street, is renovating the space formerly occupied by The 5 Spot to bring the new establishment to her neighborhood.

Bread & Olive will seat approximately 40 customers with a 9-seat bar and a collection of 4-top tables as well. Here’s a look at the draft menu (below). In addition Martin plans to serve daily specials such as chili, cioppino fish stew, salmon tacos, pizzettes, spinach and mushroom quiche, a mixed greens salad with pecans, blue cheese and sweet onions.

Upcoming Events: Kneading Conference, Fermentation Dinner

| Posted in Events

Monday through Saturday – the Kneading Conference is taking place.

Sunday – Onggi is holding a fermentation dinner with Sarah Owens.

August 5 – Time and Tide is hosting Francois Tuyishime of Yego Coffee for a conversation about, “coffee growing in Rwanda, the challenges of importing coffee during a pandemic, and more”.

August 6 – Dila Maloney, the chef/owner of Dila’s Kitchen will be competing in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in Louisiana.

August 10 – Radici is serving a 5-course dinner with pairings.

August 13 – the 91st Annual Saint Peter’s Bazaar.

August 19 – 21 – the 2022 edition of the Maine Apple Camp is taking place.

September 3 – Tender Table is holding their 2nd Annual Food & Art Fair in Congress Square Park.

September 19 – 25 – Maine Lobster Week is taking place in Skowhegan.

September 23 – 25 – the Common Ground Fair is taking place in Unity.

October 8 – Oxbow is holding their annual Goods from the Woods event in Newcastle.

October 9 – the Maine Cheese Guild is holding Maine Open Creamery Day.