Industry Snapshot with Robin Lapoint President & Co-Owner

Even Geary Brewing Co., New England’s first craft brewery— a pioneer in its field—had to adjust to the whiplash changes of a pandemic, but to date, co-owner and president Robin Lapoint is proud to say the brewery remains fully employed and everyone has stayed well and healthy. 

Back in the spring, they had to make the difficult decision to close the tasting room to limit health risks and focus on the well being of their brew team and operations staff.  Both their brand and contract brewing remain strong and they are grateful to have the expertise and capacity to support their business operations as well as other brewers.

For the fall, Geary’s continues to offer curbside pick ups (call 207-730-0979) and delivery by CarHop. They have used this time to work on packaging and branding, and invest in and install capital equipment to increase quality, efficiency, and capacity. Their emphasis is on making sound business decisions and planning for variables heading into the winter and 2021.

Thirty years strong, Geary Brewing is positioned to weather the Covid pandemic and future challenges. To keep active and seize the opportunity to enjoy the great Maine outdoors, co-owners Robin and her husband, Alan, have spent their free time boating on Sebago, golfing with their children, and hiking through Acadia National Park.

Check out more of our Industry Snapshots on the craft brew, distilling and Maine outdoor industries as we #keepourspiritsupmaine

We at the Activities Guide of Maine are excited to welcome Avery Boucher as our Fall/Winter Outdoor Media Content internship student from the University of Maine Farmington. In partnership with Mainely Outdoors, Avery will get to utilize his passion for outdoor recreation to create digital content that introduces and inspires our audience to experience new Maine adventures.

Mainely Outdoors is an outdoor recreation-based program that supports getting UMaine Farmington community members outdoors, from introductory instruction to seasoned enthusiasts.

Growing up in Burlington, Vermont, Avery was immersed in many outdoor recreational activities including fishing, mountain biking, skiing, and trail running. Avery is pursuing a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and a Minor in Legal Studies. He is following a career path that involves his passion for the outdoors and environmental awareness. We are very happy to have him here as we grow together and to help him along his journey!

Avery will work on producing video content and we will be assisting him in creating blog posts about local adventures that will be shared across Activity Maine’s media channels. Our goal is to help develops his communication and digital media skills over the next several months.

Stay tuned as we post some of Avery’s blogs and videos this week as we #keepourspiritsupmaine

As part of our campaign, #keepourspiritsupmaine we’re turning the interview process inside out and asking our freelance staff of Maine Brew & Bev Guide and Activities Guide of Maine what keeps them upbeat and resilient during the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 –and what they’re doing to stay happy, connected, and forward-thinking this fall.

Q: What is your freelance specialty and what do you do for Activities Guide / Maine Brew & Bev Guide?

My specialty across all of the publications is photo editing and stock photography.  I “fix” and improve the photos that are published to make them more eye-appealing and relevant to the subject. 

Q: What is your favorite local Maine craft beverage?

One of my favorite beverages is Dragon Fly Wine & Distillery’s Blueberry Bliss wine – it is a sweet wine that is made here in Maine.  It is called a dessert wine and is best when served chilled.

Q: Personally, has COVID-19 experience changed your freelance work, and if so, in what way?

Much of my scheduled summer and fall photography activities were canceled due to COVID-19.  I was on tap to have a record year of 26 photo cruises scheduled along the Maine coast and all but one got canceled.  I began getting projects that would normally be done off season. With a lot of people stuck at home, they began going through their old 35MM slides and finding videotapes that they had not seen in years and it was the best time to get them converted to a digital form to be able to view and share more easily. 

Q: What do you do to keep your spirits up and stay resilient?

My passion for photography significantly helped me to keep my spirits up.  While places and events were closed down I knew that Nature was still “open” so I embraced it. In the spring, I forced myself to get outdoors and do more bird watching and made photos of some of the most beautiful migratory birds.

I was also able to capture some weather phenomenon – namely thunder and lightning storms that are always a favorite of mine to shoot.   

With the clearer summer nights I was able to do some nighttime photography in early and mid-summer and I love seeing those colors of fall foliage.

Photography has always been a passion of mine and although Covid squelched many of the planned activities I was fortunately still able to personally remain active making pictures of the beautiful surroundings for which we are so fortunate to have all around us in Maine.

Mike Leonard has been involved with photography for more than 35 years and is now engaged in photo tourism offering photography services and programs to businesses and the public. Mike’s work can be seen on television, in books, websites and of course in magazines.

Industry Snapshot

Maine’s breweries got the one-two-punch like all small businesses affected by COVID-19, particularly after Maine’s state mandate prevented bars and tasting rooms from opening until this past July. As we head into November, Maine will have entered Stage 4 of the Plan To Restart Maine’s Economy. Stage 4 anticipates a reopening date for indoor service for bars and tasting rooms of Monday, November 2, 2020. Some breweries are prepared to stay open even though the possibility for losses over the winter months still poses a real threat.

How Sebago handled the COVID setbacks

Sebago took a slow, patient approach to opening, keeping everyone on staff covered by their insurance, so that the employees didn’t have to pay it back. They took their time to look for best practices, and waited to see what other businesses were doing. They didn’t want to open unprepared or have customers come in and not like what they experienced or feel uncomfortable and back away. First, they trained staff how to do things differently in the COVID era, and even did some role-playing to get operations down before opening. For their efforts, they received tons of positive feedback from customers on how spacious and safe their pubs were.

Second, they focused on the well-being on their staff: they scheduled the right amount of managers and staff to handle visitor traffic and also allowed special time off so staff could regroup.

Third, they made a major menu option reduction, as, like most restaurants, they couldn’t carry inventory pre-COVID. To accomplish this, they had to close for almost four months and redesign the menu, which kept the classic menu items, but had to eliminate all discounts and happy hour and half-price apps because of thin margins in order to maximize revenue with limited open times. 

How they continue to look forward

Having high-quality beers and food and providing a safe and inviting atmosphere has been a successful plan.

But, making sure all best practices were in order to make their customers and staff feel safe and have an enjoyable experience is just as high as a priority these days.

Even though Sebago’s revenue is down about 50 percent, so far for 2020, they continue to work with their strengths, and cut out the drag, such as modifying how many days and hours they are open (eliminating Sunday and Monday)  and continue to maintain a streamlined level of revenue. 

Going forward into the fall/winter of 2020,  Kai Adams, VP and co-founder of Sebago urges quality control for Maine brewers. “It’s important to watch for factors that affect flavor quality, because poor quality beers can hurt a brewery who is struggling during this, and also affect Maine’s reputation of high standards of great craft beer.”

Adams also notes that “Packaging will be king this winter and every effort should be made to get that part right.” Sebago Brewing Co. has added a new 12-pack packaging line and labeler to now package short-run beers and he is excited that they continue to innovate to make a lot of fun and exciting beers.

Check out more of our Industry Snapshots on the craft brew, distilling and Maine outdoor industries as we #keepourspiritsupmaine

The west and main peaks of Tumbledown and Tumbledown Pond, as viewed from the Parker Ridge Trail

Hemmed in by the craggy alpine-like summits of Tumbledown Mountain and Little Jackson Mountain, Tumbledown Pond is easily one of the prettiest—and most popular—hiking destinations in Maine’s western mountains. Just west of the windswept tarn, Tumbledown’ s 700-foot south-facing cliffs fall away in dramatic fashion, adding to the beauty of allure of this high and wild place. 

Some 22,000 acres known as the Tumbledown Public Lands sprawl across the unorganized Township 6 North, a few miles northwest of the tiny village of Weld. The adjacent Mt. Blue State Park adds another 8,000 acres, making for a veritable bonanza of hiking possibilities on more than 15 miles of trails.

Dave Allen happily serves up a couple of great flights of brew at Tumbledown Brewing

Head for the Brook Trail trailhead on Byron Notch Road. Take the Little Jackson Connector, then climb via Parker Ridge Trail over open ledges yielding fabulous views of Webb Lake and Mt. Blue. From Tumbledown Pond, make an airy scramble over to the west peak of Tumbledown (3,068 feet) for views ranging from Old Blue to Saddleback and Abraham. Double back to the pond and return to the car by way of Brook Trail for a six and-a half-mile loop hike.

A few miles east of Farmington on U.S. Route 2 is the Eastside Mall shopping plaza, where Tumbledown Brewing has occupied a storefront since Matt Swan, and his wife, Meaghan, opened the place six summers ago. “We brew a little something for everybody,” said Swan, a homebrewer from way back, who, along with his assistant brewer, Dane Kaiser, produces a wide range of high-quality brews, eight of which can always be found on draught.

A flight of brews at Tumbledown Brewing

The flagship Tumbledown Red is a smooth, malty, easy-to-drink beer. Devil’s Hopyard, a well-balanced West Coast IPA, is a close second in popularity. Enjoy those brews and more in the cozy taproom, furnished with a few barrels and stools and a TV. In the summer, relax outside at the picnic tables.

A large print of Tumbledown Mountain, the brewery’s namesake, adorns one wall of the taproom. “Everyone around here knows Tumbledown, has hiked it or camped below it on Webb Lake. It’s a beautiful mountain.” Agreed.

Resources

Hike: Tumbledown Mountain and Little Jackson Weld, Maine

Brew: Tumbledown Brewing 207-491-9882

— Text & Photos: Carey Kish of Mt. Desert Island. Carey is an avid beer drinker, editor of the AMC Maine Mountain Guide, and author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast.

As everybody is all too well aware, COVID-19 upended many of us this year, particularly in the publishing fields. While Maine Brew & Bev Guide and Activities Guide were unable to put out a physical issue in the spring/summer, we have been working on new digital models to adapt to the current situation, and have pushed forward with our fall issue. As Mainers, if we do our part by following the guidelines recommended by CDC and mandated by local businesses, we can safely continue to enjoy what we love to do and support businesses through our own state’s steady economic recovery.

Breweries, restaurants and tasting rooms have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic—and yet, people who live here and come to visit want to experience them the most. So what can we do to help them out? Maine is now requiring a statewide mask mandate. No matter what differing opinions are, it is respectful to every business to wear our masks, physically distance, sanitize and mind proper hygiene. Most importantly, these are real people under real duress. Have patience when going out, practice compliance with guidelines and have compassion for the employees and we all reap the benefits, namely getting back to enjoying the fun, relaxing experience of trying new beers, ciders, spirits and meads!

Everybody is doing what they can to stay afloat as we head into an uncertain fall; which is why we launched a special campaign this October—#keepourspiritsupmaine.

Throughout our 36 years in the business, we have always supported our breweries and distilleries, brew stores and ancillary businesses and we’re not about to stop now. So, stick with us, like and follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and let’s all find ways to keep our spirits up. Because we’re Mainers—we can get through anything!

— Stanley J. Rintz, Publisher

As part of our campaign, #keepourspiritsupmaine we’re turning the interview process inside out and asking our freelance staff of Maine Brew & Bev Guide and Activities Guide of Maine what keeps them upbeat and resilient during the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 –and what they’re doing to stay happy, connected, and forward-thinking this fall.

Q: What is your freelance specialty and what do you do for Activities Guide / Maine Brew & Bev Guide?

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to write a number of articles on Maine breweries and beers, as well as pieces on homebrewing. I’ve interviewed dozens of innovative Maine brewers who work tirelessly to push this industry forward and make this state a premier destination for craft beer. And I’ve drunk a lot (a lot!) of delicious beer along the way.

I’ve also written about Maine’s ski and fishing industries for Activity Maine. As we all know, perhaps only Maine’s natural landscape can rival the beer industry. This magazine has given me the opportunity to make hard turns on Maine ski mountains and search for trout in storied rivers to bring the experiences to life for readers.

Q: What is your favorite local Maine Craft Beverage?  

This is an evil question! But if it must be answered, I’m obsessed with Bunker Brewing’s Machine Czech Pilz. It’s a perfect homage to the Bohemian Pilsner.

Q: Personally, has COVID-19 experience changed your freelance work, and if so, in what way?

Like most freelance writers, work has dried up almost entirely for all the publications I write for. It has forced me to pivot away from freelance writing, which has been heartbreaking. While I can work on other writing and creative projects to keep my sanity, the freelance opportunities are scant in this current landscape.

Q: What do you do to keep your spirits up and stay resilient?

I’m a writer. So even when the work isn’t there for freelance beer or outdoor writing, I continue to write. As a novelist, I always have some story problem to dive into. And I’m obsessed with the craft of writing, so I keep my head down–I write. But I do pine for the days when I can get out into the Maine landscape and drink an inspiring ale or cast for pristine fish only to tell readers about it in our cherished magazines. 

Dave Patterson is a novelist, beer enthusiast, and lover of all things Maine. His debut novel, Soon the Light Will be Perfect, was released in 2019. 

As part of our campaign, #keepourspiritsupmaine we’re turning the interview process inside out and asking our freelance staff of Maine Brew & Bev Guide and Activities Guide of Maine what keeps them upbeat and resilient during the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 –and what they’re doing to stay happy, connected, and forward-thinking this fall.

Q: What is your freelance specialty and what do you do for Activities Guide / Maine Brew & Bev Guide? 

I am an artist focusing on painting, poetry, song, and movement. I receive great support and inspiration from nature, especially immersing myself in bodies of moving water and climbing cliffs. I assist Stan and the amazing team at Maine Brew & Bev Guide & Activities Guide as an art director.

Q: What is your favorite local Maine craft beverage? 

My favorite beverage is kombucha for the amazing health benefits!

Q: Personally, has COVID-19 experience changed your freelance work, and if so, in what way? 

This experience has definitely changed my life. The biggest change has been toward more and more understanding that I have got to do what my heart calls me to do. There is less and less ability for me to do things that I do not enjoy and feel inspired by. Sometimes, this means I have to stop doing graphic design work for a time. I feel that, ironically, as our freedoms are being restricted externally that within myself I am being freed from many of the beliefs and ideas that kept me doing things that did not bring me joy! It has also given me a deeper love for nature and a passion to protect it.

Q: What do you do to keep your spirits up and stay resilient? 

I paint, sing, walk in the wilds, dive in the waters, explore with friends and family, and consciously choose a path of happiness.

Experience Soul Path Art: Larissa Davis offers classes and coaching for creativity, insight, passion, transformation, growth, and a life lived with purpose.

The latest Fall edition is about to drop next week! A peek into the issue reveals: A spotlight on women and beer with The Pink Boots Society (Grains & Grit), delicious recipes for cooking with Maine Beer, a Hike & Brew on Tumbledown Mt., plus articles to keep you up-to-date within the industry! Get this new release DELIVERED right to your door by subscribing here: https://mainebrewguide.com/subscribe

Let’s #keepourspiritsupmaine

Sean Sullivan is one of the most knowledgable people in Maine’s craft beer industry. He’s the Executive Director of Maine Brewers’ Guild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the craft beer industry in Maine. Their mission is to keep Maine in the forefront of the craft beer revolution by offering high quality and creative diversity for the customer.

It doesn’t even need to be said that Maine’s economy has gone through a lot in 2020 and the collective hope is that things will eventually get better as we are more informed and better equipped, particularly if there is a resurgence in COVID-19 cases heading into the winter.

The good news is that Governor Mills announced that starting October 13 Maine has now entered Stage 4 of the Plan To Restart Maine’s Economy. Stage 4 increases limits on indoor seating to 50 percent capacity of permitted occupancy, or 100 people – whichever is fewer. Stage 4 also anticipates a reopening date for indoor service for bars and tasting rooms of Monday, November 2, 2020. To reopen for indoor service, these establishments must abide by the newly-posted COVID-19 Prevention Checklist for seated food and drink service, which is an update to the restaurant checklist. This now eases a few of the challenges that some breweries were having of not being able to visit indoor tasting rooms the next several months ahead.

“Maine brewers and beer fans have really helped us achieve our goal of making our state a world-class destination for craft beer, and that has positioned us well to weather the downturn,” said Sullivan. “At the same time, brewers have had to rethink how they get their beer to market and have had to shutter so many of the welcoming spaces that bring our community together and serve as the core of most Maine breweries businesses. As we look ahead, we’re focusing on maintaining that collaborative spirit that has attracted so many to our industry and preparing to safely welcome back customers to tasting rooms.”

Asked what keeps his spirits up during these times, he said, “Going for a run with a podcast that has nothing to do with current events.”

Check out more of our Industry Snapshots on the craft brew, distilling and Maine outdoor industries as we #keepourspiritsupmaine

Q: What is your freelance specialty and what do you do for Activities Guide / Maine Brew & Bev Guide?
A: I’m a contributing beer writer. I like to focus on not only who is making delicious beer, but also the history and stories behind our favorite styles.

Q: What is your favorite local Maine craft beverage?
A: Allagash’s River Trip. Every day, all day, and twice on Sundays. That beer is transcendent.

Q: Personally, has COVID-19 experience changed your freelance work, and if so, in what way?
A: My favorite part of my work is meeting with the people, brewers, the locations, and the faces behind our great fermentations statewide. Being stuck at home or simply unable to see these people eye-to-eye is not only challenging, it saddens me. Nothing makes me more joyous in my work than shaking a hand, a clap on the back, and hearty laughter over a libation. I miss the interactions and ability to exercise my extrovert nature.

Q: What do you do to keep your spirits up and stay resilient?
A: I homebrew – a lot. I research styles and read about craft. I try to absorb all I can about the art of brewing. And, while socially distanced, I like to talk to our venerated members of the beer community for their input and thoughts on where craft is and our responses to it. Although my social sphere has withdrawn considerably, I am nonetheless still reaching out to our community to stay connected and to support them. Maine breweries are an essential part of the ecosystem for the state on so many levels. I’m honored to wave their banners far and wide.

Matthew Brown is a Portland resident, a Certified Cicerone(SM), an avid homebrewer and a financial planner.

A chat with co-owner John Paul

Many breweries around the state and country have had to restructure staffing due to the pandemic affecting their normal operations. Lone Pine’s adjustments were to repurpose the roles of the tasting room staff and make calculated adjustments to their draft quantities. For tasting room service, they went to single-serve for customers and did not pour flights of beers to decrease sharing and increase safety.

At this point in 2020, Lone Pine has hired more people on staff this year as a whole. Among the new hires are a Director of Finance and HR. in April 2020, their tasting room deliveries were up 12% over 2019 due to the delivery business. However, sales volume dropped by 70%, but the average sale was up by 27% because people were buying more when going out to stock up on cans. On a whole, the business is up approximately 15% this year in gross sales.

For fall preparation at the Anderson Street location in Portland, they have expanded their outdoor section and deck space and added tower heaters to keep customers warm outside while socially distanced as well.

As for their winter outlook, they are hoping the best and embracing for the worst. In their six-month worst-case scenario outlook, they would go back to curbside pick up and delivery and adjust draft production accordingly.

As for other plans, Paul said, “We will keep innovating and putting out new beer varieties to accommodate a market that is driven by consumer willingness to explore new beers. While we’re a core-centric business, we want to give consumers something to look forward to as much as possible in these trying times.”

Check out more of our Industry Snapshots on the craft brew, distilling and Maine outdoor industries as we #keepourspiritsupmaine

To our fans and followers: Soon, we will roll out a digital campaign called #keepourspiritsupmaine

This is all about keeping upbeat and resilient during the economic downturn we’ve all faced during COVID-19 and what we’re doing as Mainers to stay happy, connected, and forward-thinking this fall. Stay tuned for a roll-out of blogs and videos featuring leaders in the brewing, distilling, and outdoor industries.  

Despite the pandemic, Chris Morley, owner of Mason’s Brewing Co. in Brewer and his staff, have been going full steam ahead—staying on track with projects that were planned for 2020.

“At the end of the day there has to be a little pull, but not push, as the Maine economy is very fragile,” said Morley. “We are taking the steps necessary, following the new protocols and adapting while staying within our business’s means, to provide consumers with a good experience.”

Like many breweries, Mason’s has been in a constant state of expansion since opening its doors in 2016. In terms of structural improvements, they expanded their indoor seating capacity and utilized their outside decks to adapt to COVID-19’s social distancing mandate going into the colder months ahead.

Because they also have a restaurant license, they are able to have indoor guests. As it stands now, the spacious interior beer hall/restaurant seats 50 people, and the new function/dining room seats 35. As for outdoor seating, they have outfitted both decks with propane heaters and can accommodate up to 14 picnic tables.

You can take a virtual tour of their facility on their website masonsbrewingcompany.com/

Mason’s Brewing Co. is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. serving patrons draft beers, lunch, and dinner as well as offering curbside pick up and carhop for deliveries.

Check out more of our Industry Snapshots on the craft brew, distilling and Maine outdoor industries as we #keepourspiritsupmaine

Microbrewery lures visitors who discover reasons to stay

The Lubec Brewing Company is located on Water Street, close to a number of other interesting places to visit.

Winter at the Lubec Brewing Company is pretty much the same as in the summer. “Except it’s a little colder and there’s a lot more snow,” quipped Gale White, who owns and runs the brewery with his wife, McGinley Jones.

White and Jones offer 23 different beers, all made from locally sourced organic ingredients. Among the customer favorites are Quoddy Head Red, a red ale that is among the brewery’s best sellers. Johnson Bay IPA is another favorite — and not one that the brewery offered originally when it opened several years ago.

“People would come in and say, ‘I’ll have your IPA,'” said White. So, he decided it was time to create one.

The name of an imperial black — Bailey’s First Mistake — pays tribute to local history and a sailor who ran his ship aground after getting drunk. White called it “very flavorful and robust,” adding, “I personally think that’s my best beer.”

Owner Gale White chats with customers Emily O’Neil and Tara Legris.

Lubec Brewing Company also makes its own sourdough pizza.

Situated at 41 S. Water St., the brewpub is located in the center of town. Visitors enter the front door into a large room, featuring both a traditional bar and dining tables. To the right is a comfy lounge with upholstered furniture. The stage is off to the left, positioned by a window so that the performers can be easily seen from everywhere inside. COVID-19 Update: Outdoor service is available in the adjacent beer garden Friday-Sunday in fair weather. Visit the brewery’s Facebook page for more information: Lubec Brewing Company

Lubec Brewing Co. opened in May 2014. White said he fell in love with the area while visiting and appreciated the fact that Maine embraced craft beer. He wasn’t the only one.

While Lubec Brewing is a popular stop on the Maine Beer Trail, many people end up staying longer than they planned due to the beauty of the area’s attractions.

A few nearby can’t-miss sites include:

McCurdy’s Smokehouse
Located across the street from the brewery, the McCurdy Smokehouse features a museum to the lost herring industry. Although it’s open only from May to October, visitors can enjoy an ocean view from the deck of the museum. From there, they can see Mulholland Point Lighthouse on Campobello Island, Canada, along with several quaint and rustic buildings that were each part of the herring operation in town.

Lost Fishermen’s Memorial

West Quoddy Lighthouse

Lost Fishermen’s Memorial
Step outside the brewery and walk down Water Street to the shore. To the right, you will see the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial, a magnificent granite sculpture bearing the names of local fishermen who died on the job. White you’re there, take in the ocean views, moored boats and the pier. You can also see the Mulholland Point Lighthouse from here.

West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
Located at 973 S. Lubec Road, the West Quoddy Lighthouse is approximately 1.5 miles from the brewery. Although the visitor center and gallery are closed due to COVID-19, visitors can still see the lighthouse. It is located adjacent to Quoddy Head State Park, which offers a network of trails near the lighthouse. The Coastal Trail, a four-mile round trip, takes hikers along the rocky coast and offers particularly nice ocean views from high above the water. The terrain is moderately challenging, with some steep and rocky sections.

Klondike Mountain Preserve
Take Route 189 out of Lubec to McFadden’s Variety Sore and turn right onto North Lubec Road. Continue for a mile and then look for the Klondike Mountain sign on your left at the top of the hill. Enjoy two trails, both less than a mile long. The Fowler’s Mill Pond Trail travels along the shoreline. The Klondike Mountain Trail takes hikers to two different summits featuring magnificent views. Klondike Mountain Preserve

Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Bring your passport and cross the bridge from Lubec into Canada to see the Roosevelt Campobello Island International Park, featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt’s summer home. Although the cottage and visitor center are closed from Columbus Day to mid-May, visitors can enjoy the grounds all year during daylight hours. The scenic island is also home to the Mulholland Point Lighthouse and the spectacular Head Harbor Light Station. The latter is inaccessible during high tide but, during low tide, weather permitting, visitors can walk across the channel for a closer look.

— Text and Photos: Johanna S. Billings. Johanna is an award-winning writer/photographer based in Steuben.

I’m a bourbon guy in the winter, but when the warm weather hits I’m all about the gin & tonic. The syrupy bitterness from the tonic water mixed with the piney sharpness from a well-crafted gin along with a touch of citrus from a lime wedge creates the quintessential summer cocktail.

With the craft distilling movement roaring along, Mainers have a myriad of choices when searching out an artfully crafted bottle of gin. On a warm day in early spring, I map out a day trip from Biddeford to Freeport in search of the perfect g&t made with Maine-crafted gin.

My first stop is ROUND TURN DISTILLING in the Pepperell Mill in Biddeford. The snug tasting room is equipped with a vintage console record player spinning a Tina Turner record on my visit. I love this place immediately.

At the white-tiled bar, owner and general manager, Kristina Hansen explains that their Bimini Gin was inspired by summer weather and juicy IPAs—the list of botanicals includes Mount Hood hops. Instead of being a piney juniper bomb, Bimini boasts big grapefruit notes.

The tasting room attendant mixes me up a g&t with Bimini Gin, Jack Rudy tonic, ice cubes and a lime wedge in a highball glass. With my first sublime sip, I get fruit-forward grapefruit notes with that iconic piney gin undercurrent from the juniper berries. This g&t is tropical and delicious.

Though I could stay all afternoon at Round Turn, I need to soldier on in my g&t pilgrimage. Next stop, SWEETGRASS WINERY & DISTILLERY‘s tasting room in Portland. Their distillery and tasting room in Union, Maine, is worth a day trip in itself, but today’s mission is about volume.

The Fore Street tasting room has an industrial vibe from the exposed brick walls and dark wood beams. I’m intrigued by their flagship spirit, Back River Gin, a London-style gin made with organic botanicals and Maine blueberries. Retail sales manager, Courtney Williamson, picks up on my hesitation about the blueberries, but assures me that the Maine-picked fruit adds a nuanced sweetness. First and foremost, Back River lets the juniper shine.

Though they don’t mix cocktails at the tasting room, Williamson pours a sample of Back River Gin with a side pour of Schweppes tonic water. I sip the gin neat and am hit with a gorgeous, fresh pine flavor from the juniper berries and other classic botanicals. After the juniper flavor settles, a refreshing sweetness from the blueberries hits the palate. I pour a little tonic into the gin sample, and enjoy the interplay of bitter tonic and piney, sweet gin. Back Cove Gin is a finely-crafted spirit with a slight Maine twist.

Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery

Heading up 295, my next stop is MAINE DISTILLERIES, LLC on Route 1 in Freeport. This distillery makes spirits from potatoes grown on Green Thumb Farms in Fryeburg. You don’t get more Maine than that.

The Cold River Traditional Gin has won a smattering of awards for its smooth, accessible flavor profile. Tasting room bartender, Erin Bertoni, explains that it’s a London-style dry gin—citrus-focused with an astringent underbelly of juniper.

Bertoni mixes up a g&t with ice cubes, gin, Schweppes tonic water and a lime wedge. I take a sip through the black straw and my insides melt into a summery euphoria. This is a clean gin with beautiful lemon peel and orange citrus flavors, and just the right amount of pine bite from the juniper berries. This is the perfect gateway gin. It’s complex, but doesn’t wallop the palate with pine.

Drifting to my last stop, I head into the heart of downtown Freeport to visit MAINE CRAFT DISTILLING’s satellite tasting room. Their Alchemy Dry Gin is crafted from Maine-grown barley and is triple-distilled using coriander, cardamom, lemon peel, almonds, and, of course, juniper berries.

The cozy, two floor tasting room boasts striking wood beams and handcrafted tables with soft lighting from Edison light bulbs. When I belly up to the bar, James Frydrych, the tasting room ambassador, explains that Alchemy has more body than most gins from the addition of almonds.

In a highball glass, he combines ice cubes, Alchemy Dry Gin, and Fever Tree tonic water, garnishing the rim with a lime wedge. There’s a bright floral aroma of citrus coming off the glass. I squeeze the lime wedge and drop it in. That first sip brings on lemon zest, big floral notes, all with an assertive herbal citrus presence from the cardamom and juniper. The Fever Tree tonic water gives a fresh bitterness to balance the bright aromatics from the gin.

This road trip taught me, above all, that each Maine distillery has its own distinct voice when it comes to gin. Branch out and try them all in a gin & tonic this summer on a day trip up and down the state or simply as you sway in a hammock in your own backyard.

— Text & Photos: Dave Patterson. Dave is a freelance writer, and author of Soon the Light Will be Perfect.