Maine Islands Perfect for a Fall Foray--Boston Globe

The Boston Globe ran a great article in today's paper focusing on fall getaways to some of the great islands Maine has to offer, including Peaks Island. The Inn on Peaks Island and Shipyard Brewing Company were specifically mentioned as a highlight of the island:

"I prefer the far comfier digs at the Peaks Island Inn, where I can quaff a Shipyard ale, brewed on the premises, while watching the sun drop in a blaze of glory behind the Portland skyline."

Read more about Peaks Island and the other Maine Island highlighted in the full article HERE.

Record-breaking day at Portland Trails 10K

Check out photos at this link.















On Sunday, September 20, nearly 1,000 runners in Portland, Maine ran in the Portland Trails 10th Annual Trail to Ale 10K race. 939 finishers is a whopping 22 percent increase from last year!

Neither race director and Maine standout runner Mark Goettel, nor Portland Trails director Nan Cumming, could explain how this year's race crushed previous finisher records by a whopping 22 percent with 939 finishers....

"Maybe we're experiencing the second 'racing boom' first experienced in the late '70s and early '80s, and that would be a good thing," Goettel said.

Read John Stevens' York Weekly article at this link.

The post-race party featured refreshments from Shipyard Brewing Company, Capt'n Eli's Soda, Portland Pie Company, and Whole Foods Market.

View race results at this link.

Join us for a Night of Mystery at the Regatta Room

On Saturday, October 10th The Regatta Banquet and Conference Center in Eliot, Maine will be transformed into a Hawaiian getaway as it plays host to the interactive production of Joey and Maria's Hawaiian Honeymoon. The event is in support of the Wentworth Pony Club. The interactive comedy dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. with an opening reception and silent auction occurring beforehand from 6-7.

General Admission tickets are $50 and Premium Seating Tickets are $60.

"Buy your tickets before you're the one who winds up sleeping with the tropical fishes."

To purchase tickets online HERE, or at the Regatta Room.

Mystic Seaport Beer Talk and Tasting

Shipyard Brewing Company is sponsoring a great presentation on October 3, on the history of beer in America at the Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut.

Gregg Smith, author of Beer in America: The Early Years – 1587 - 1840, will share his insight on how beer had a huge impact on America dating back as far as the Mayflower.

After the talk, attendees will be able to sample brews from Kona Brewery, Red Hook Brewery, and Shipyard Brewery. On hand from Shipyard will be the Mystic Seaport Pale Ale, Export Ale, and Pumpkinhead Ale.

Tickets are $30 ($25 for members) and can be purchased HERE or by calling 860.572.5322. All attendees must be 21 years or older.

Read an article about the event HERE.

"An auspicious celebration of Maine-made libation"

Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons, a York County food writer, posted an article on her blog about the festivities surrounding the first growler poured under Maine's new law at Federal Jack's Brewpub in Kennebunk, Maine. This law, LD 904 – An Act to Permit Brew Pubs to Sell Half-gallon Containers of Malt Liquor - was inspired by Geoff Houghton, owner of The Liberal Cup in Hallowell and spearheaded by Rep. Nancy Smith (D-Monmouth). In the article she writes:

"Beer is an artisan and passionate industry in Maine. The Maine Brewer’s guild lists over 20 microbreweries in the state that produce over 100 brands, and is host to the Maine Brewers Festival and supports the new Maine Brew trail. Maine brew masters purchase raw materials for beer from numerous local Maine suppliers and farmers. Then in turn, Mainers are hired to create, serve, and transport the beers to regional restaurants and national distributors. The beer that local breweries craft becomes a fingerprint of the environment, a taste of both the land and the atmosphere of Maine. For both natives and tourists, that beer becomes a gourmet gift to share with friends and family. Growlers have been a way for local breweries to market their products."

Shipyard Brewing Company's President and co-owner, Fred Forsley, was also quoted in the article stating that "this bill was about supporting the spread of Maine-made products in the safest and best possible manner.”

Read the full article HERE.

To see more photos of the event click HERE.

Imbibe Magazine's Drink of the Week: Smashed Pumpkin

Imbibe Magazine named Shipyard Brewing Company's latest addition to the Pugsley's Signature Series, Smashed Pumpkin, the drink of the week. Here is what they had to say:

"Stick your nose in a glass of the recently released Smashed Pumpkin from Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, and you’ll swear it’s Thanksgiving already: The smell is like freshly baked pumpkin pie. On the palate, it’s more like pumpkin bread, with spicy rye-bread notes and a finish that delivers nutmeg, toasted walnut and plenty more pure pumpkin flavor. You can tell Shipyard is into its gourds—the brewery has long made a seasonal pumkin-laced wheat ale called Pumpkinhead. But Smashed Pumpkin—part of the brewery’s limited-edition Pugsley’s Signature Series—weighs in at twice Pumpkinhead’s 4.5 percent alcohol content and is more potent in terms of its pumpkin flavor. Try it with sharp cheeses, spiced pecans or savory fall dishes like roasted root vegetables and lamb stew. Check it out while you can—Smashed Pumpkin hit the shelves at the end of August, and before long it will be harder to spot than Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin."

Learn more about Smashed Pumpkin HERE.

Maine Stars Cheer Boosters Event in Eliot

Another great event is being held at the Regatta Banquet and Conference Center in Eliot, Maine! The Maine Stars Cheer Boosters are having a silent auction on Friday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m. with over 75 items to bid on including many gift certificates to local businesses! There will be great food and an awesome band, Camarojuana.

Please not that this is a 21+ event and there will be a cash bar serving up some great beverages including beer by Shipyard Brewing Company.

Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by email at poms.moms@gmail.com or by calling Lisa at 207-439-6012.

Come on out for some great music, great food, and support a great cause.

Boats, Brunch, and Beer

During Harvest on the Harbor on Sunday October 25, head out onto the harbor aboard a Casco Bay Lines ferry. The cruise will depart at 10:00 am for a spectacular scenic cruise of Portland Harbor before landing at Peaks Island at 11:00 am for a delicious gourmet brunch and live music by East Wave Radio at The Inn on Peaks Island. (And of course there will be plenty of great beer from Shipyard Brewing Company!)

Click HERE to purchase tickets

Please note that all purchased tickets are Will-Call and can be picked up at Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal, 56 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine.

FMI contact Caity Baker: (207) 774-7871

Bottle Cap Art

Cheers to Daryl for this amazing bottle cap artwork he made out of recycled Shipyard Brewing Company bottle caps. Thanks for sharing this photo with us!

Great day for Maine beer

Fred Forsley, president Maine Brewers' Guild; Rep. Sean Flaherty (D-Scarborough); Rep. Linda Valentino (D-Saco); Rep. Nancy Smith (D-Monmouth); Steve Hobbs, resident Falmouth; Rep. Gary Connor(D-Kennebunk).


Today, state representatives and the Maine Brewers' Guild gathered at Federal Jacks' Restaurant and Brew Pub in Kennebunk, Maine to celebrate the passage of Maine's new growler law.

View photos and video of Falmouth resident Steve Hobbs purchasing the first growler under this new law.

This law, LD 904 – An Act to Permit Brew Pubs to Sell Half-gallon Containers of Malt Liquor - was inspired by Geoff Houghton, owner of The Liberal Cup in Hallowell and spearheaded by Rep. Nancy Smith (D-Monmouth).

Fred Forsley, president of the Maine Brewers Guild, said brewpubs actually help increase tourism because beer lovers will seek out new and different microbrews to visit. This law helps spread the word about Maine’s thriving microbrew industry.

“It really is about marketing and promoting Maine at the end of the day,” Forsley said.

Photos from the bill signing by Maine Governor John E. Baldacci can be found at this link.

Bangor Daily News: New Growler Law in Maine

9/12/09
state house

Hundreds of laws to take effect today, dozens of local initiatives included
By Kevin Miller
BDN Staff
Read full Bangor Daily News article at this link.

... if you want to take home some of that pub’s tasty summer ale or Octoberfest brew, you’re in luck. As of Sept. 12, brewpubs can sell half-gallon jugs of beer — commonly known as “growlers” — from behind the bar.

...Beer drinkers...will now be able to purchase 64-ounce “growlers” of their favorite microbrews at many brewpubs. Under previous law, brewpubs and breweries that have bars or dining areas had to have a separate entrance or retail store.

Fred Forsley, founder and co-owner of The Shipyard Brewing Co. in Portland, and others plan to celebrate the new law at a pouring ceremony at Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in Kennebunkport Saturday morning. The Sea Dog restaurant in Bangor should begin selling growlers in about two weeks, once the bottles are done.

Forsley, who is also president of the Maine Brewers Guild, said brewpubs actually help increase tourism because beer lovers will seek out new and different microbrews to visit. This law helps spread the word about Maine’s thriving microbrew industry.

“It really is about marketing and promoting Maine at the end of the day,” Forsley said.

Saturday Celebration of New Maine "Growler Law"

Come to Federal Jack’s this Saturday at 11:30am!

Join Rep. Nancy Smith (D-Monmouth) and Fred Forsley, president of the Maine Brewers’ Guild to celebrate Maine’s new growler law!

A new law which allows local brew pubs to sell growlers goes into effect this Saturday, September 12. This bill, LD 904 – An Act to Permit Brew Pubs to Sell Half-gallon Containers of Malt Liquor - was inspired by Geoff Houghton, owner of The Liberal Cup in Hallowell and spearheaded by Rep. Smith.

The Maine Brewers’ Guild will mark this historic date by pouring the State’s first growler under this new law at Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub at 11:30am on Saturday, September 12 at 8 Western Ave. in Kennebunk.

Read more at this link.

Photos from the bill signing by Maine Governor John E. Baldacci can be found at this link.

Smashed Pumpkin a Smashing Hit

Although Shipyard Brewing Company's newest beer in the Pugsley's Signature Series, Smashed Pumpkin, has only been out for a few days, it is making quite an impression on those trying it! Here are a few reviews that are already circulating:

From Beer Advocate:

ToasterChef ( South Portland, Maine )

"I got to have one of the first pours of this once The Great Lost Bear tapped their first keg of this new beer. It was served in a tulip glass. It has a orange/ruby hue and almost no head, just a skim of bubbles. As you would expect, there is a pumpkin aroma to the beer; it is like a less intense, higher quality version of Pumpkinhead. It tastes quite good. It begins with some cinnamon up front, then turns to a real pumpkin taste (unlike the Pumpkin that so many hate, this has real pumpkin flavor; detractors rejoice). It tastes like autumn. As you drink it, you can hardly notice that this is a 9% ABV beer. It's only in a lingering aftertaste that you pick up the alcohol. It has a bit of a lighter body that I thought, but I'd still classify it as medium-bodied. As for drinkability, I'd love to drink a number of these, but I think the strength of this brew would do me in. But in terms of enjoying the flavor, you could taste this beer over and over. I can't wait to crack a bottle of this open on a crisp fall day. Once again, Alan Pugsley has outdone himself with his signature series. I've had the Imperial Pumpking, and this holds up as an equal to that fine beer. This is one beer worth seeking out. Get it this season, if you can. Hopefully, the Smashed Pumpkin will become as much of a fall tradition here in southern Maine as it's less-respected cousin, Pumpkinhead."

umfskibum ( Portland, Maine )

"For what it's worth, everyone I've talked to about the beer refers to it as an "Imperial Pumpkinhead," so comparisons are inevitable.

The beer pours burnt orange in color, with a small white head of foam that lasts for a damn long time. The carbonation looks much lazier than in a lot of Shipyard brews; just a pleasant stream of bubbles floating up to the top of the glass. The nose is like an amped-up Pumpkinhead, with lots of nutmeg, cinnamon, and other fall spices dominating. I can happily report that there's a bit more going on behind the first sniff, with pale malt and real pumpkin smells coming through.

The beer tastes like an amped-up Pumpkinhead, but it's so much more than that. THIS is what I look for in a pumpkin beer. The pumpkin pie spices that were in the nose are all there, big and bold and full of flavor. Along with this is sweet pumpkin (real pumpkin!), bready malts, and a touch of brown sugar. The spicy malts make things just bitter enough, and really come through on the finish. Although the ABV is up around 9%, you definitely can't taste it in the beer at all. The beer feels nicely carbonated, and has a mouth-coating, long-lasting aftertaste.

I wish that this was the Shipyard seasonal on tap around Portland this fall. The beer is big and exciting, and (rather than an unsessionable high alcohol content) it totally surpasses the beer it was inspired by."

Casey10 ( Durham, Maine )

"A- Pours a really clear see through orange small head but small bubbles continued to rise to the top after pouring.

S - slight spice small hint of nutmeg (probably the pumpkin)

T - Tart pumpkin taste really liked it a little bit of alcohol burn from the 9.0 ABV.

M - peppery burn leaves a sting, in a good way reminds you that you are drinking a pumpkin beer.

D - While not a huge fan of pumpkin beers, I could see this one being a good choice for this time of year and it far outdistances itself from it's "Pumpkinhead" cousin.

Give this one a chance I think this one is quite good."

From A Good Beer Blog:

Maine: Smashed Pumpkin Ale, Shipyard, Portland
Posted by Alan McLeod on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 in Maine

"It must be Maine week around here. There are a lot of those but when boxes with bottles show up one really ought to make a point of posting. Shipyard has been very good to keep me updated with their Pugsley's Signature Series beers like the newest, Smashed Pumpkin Ale. Like their Imperial Porter that I wrote about last December, the branding is just as swank and the beer weighs in even bigger at 9%.

It pours an attractive orange amber with a fine white froth and foam. On the nose there is sweet malt and pie spices with, I think, some cardamon with the cinnamon and... hey, the press release says only nutmeg - what do I know? In the mouth, pie. Plenty of malty of the pastry persuasion and then with the pumpkin and the spice and the rich body and all the goodness. I like. Pumpkin beers are a great idea which I think maybe even the Globe and Mail might be aware of now.

Big big BAer love."

Smashed Pumpkin on Draft premier

Tonight, Wednesday September 2, The Great Lost Bear on Forest Ave. in Portland, Maine will have Shipyard Brewing Company's latest beer, Smashed Pumpkin, on draft. In addition, the Shipyard Ale Society will also be having their monthly get together there! So, come on down to the Bear and be one of the first to taste this new beer on draft!

Smashed Pumpkin is a big-bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg. The OG and final Alc./Vol. provide the structure and body. Pale Ale, Wheat and Light Munich Malts combine with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate spiciness of Willamette and Hallertau Hops to balance the sweetness of the fruit. 1.088 OG, 9.00% Alc./Vol.

Smashed Pumpkin Review--"big and exciting"

Josh Christie raved about Shipyard Brewing Company's newest beer, Smashed Pumpkin, on his blog "Brews and Books." In the review Christie says, "THIS is what I look for in a pumpkin beer. The pumpkin pie spices that were in the nose are all there, big and bold and full of flavor. Along with this is sweet pumpkin (real pumpkin!), bready malts, and a touch of brown sugar. The spicy malts make things just bitter enough, and really come through on the finish."

Smashed Pumpkin is the latest release in the Pugsley's Signature Series, named after Shipyard's master brewer, Alan Pugsley. Pugsley is from England where he worked with Peter Austin at the world-famous Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire before moving to the United States in 1986.

Smashed Pumpkin is a big-bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg. The OG and final Alc./Vol. provide the structure and body. Pale Ale, Wheat and Light Munich Malts combine with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate spiciness of Willamette and Hallertau Hops to balance the sweetness of the fruit. 1.088 OG, 9.00% Alc./Vol.

Read the rest of the review HERE.