Maine Beer News, Notes & Events

It’s been a crazy week plus ’round here. Chelsea and I are getting ready to move next week (still in Portland, just to another quieter and less expensive neighborhood) and it’s really unbelievable how much stuff we have packed into our current apartment over the last two years. I don’t even know where half of it came from! But I haven’t written anything in awhile and I was feeling the itch to post, so I’ll wade through the moving boxes to my laptop to report on noteworthy notes and fun upcoming events.

Firstly, for you Mainers out there, be sure and pay a visit to Novare Res tomorrow (Tuesday June 23rd), as they’ll be visited by the folks at Marshall Wharf Brewing in Belfast (Maine, that is). The brewers and owners from Marshall Wharf will be on hand all day pouring 14 different beers, some of which they’ve concocted specifically for this event. If you’re within striking distance of Novare and have never experienced the fine ales of Marshall Wharf (or even if you have), it’s a definite don’t-miss!

Next, if you’re in need of something to do this Independence Day and are up for a little road trip, head on up to Kennebeck River Brewing Co. in The Forks, ME for their Red, White and BREW! weekend where you’ll be able to raft the river, enjoy a river-side bbq, and take part in a beer tasting and brewery tour. Plus there will be live music and all pints of their 6 house brews will be only $3 all weekend. But, I’ve got a free camping voucher for one lucky reader. First person to email me saying they want the voucher can camp free for one night (either Friday July 3rd or Saturday July 4th) at Northern Outdoors (reservations required). Shoot me and email and its yours!

And lastly, I wanted to wish a belated happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! My Dad and I had a great beer-filled day yesterday, with lunch at Sebago Brewing Co. followed by the splitting of the bottle of Allagash Gargamel I had stored away for a special occasion. It was an incredible beer, one of the most interesting I have ever had. There aren’t any left at the brewery but if you can find someone with a bottle to trade on BeerAdvocate, I highly recommend you trade for it! What is Gargamel, you ask? According to Allagash, it’s:

a Belgian Style sour ale, is the first offering in our limited release 375 ml series. Our brewers used a blend of American 2-row barley Malt, Raw and Malted wheat and selected caramel malt to brew this 9.20 % ABV beer. After primary fermentation the beer was inoculated with our house Brettanomyces aged in French Oak wine barrels with a generous amount of local raspberries for over 18 months. Gargamel’s aroma is full of un-ripened raspberry, vanilla and citrus notes. This medium bodied beer has hints of biscuit and graham cracker with a clean, fruity and refreshingly tart finish.

With an overall rating of A+ on B.A., this is one you definitely need to track down. How did you and your Pop spend Father’s Day?

EDIT: The free night of camping voucher has been awarded. Congratulations to Josh Sites of Carmel, ME and thank you everyone for participating!