Location: 8
Mount Desert Street
Bar
Harbor, ME 04609
United
States
Phone:
(207) 288-4592
See
map: Google
Maps
Website: http://www.barharborbrewing.com
Tours: Daily
Tastings
Cost: Free
Visit
Date: 07/18/2010
Beers:
Harbor Lighthouse Ale
True
Blue (Blueberry Wheat)
Thunder
Hole Ale (Brown Ale)
Cadillac
Mountain Stout
Nearby:
Acadia
National Park
Notes: Not
what it once was, but great once again. The Brewery opened up
in 1990, down route 3 in Otter Creek, run by a nice couple out of
their home. The husband, Todd, worked tirelessly in the family
basement to brew this fine beer, and his wife Susie gave tours and
ran the gift shop out of a small cabin on their property. It
was a small but fantastic operation.
We
visit nearby Acadia National Park at least once a year and if we
can't get to the brewery, seek the beer out in stores (the Cadillac
Mountain Stout is among the finest stouts I have had). One
year, a couple of years back, we discovered that they had relocated
downtown and had a very disappointing visit to the brewery.
The beer just wasn't the same and the proprietor was very grumpy.
Still we thought, good for them, a new building is probably an
indication that they are doing well (but what happened to the
beer?!).
We
came back again this year, found a vast improvement, and learned the
story. It seems Todd and Susie had sold the business to someone
from Florida, the beer was being contract brewed through Gearys in
Portland at the time of our prior visit. The new owners ran the
business into the ground and it was sold to Atlantic Brewing Company,
the rival business just down the road. I must say, I'm
glad ABC restored the beers. They are almost as good as they
were. I seem to recall a Peach beer that's not made anymore
(unless it's seasonal?) and the sodas have been discontinued.
There are still sodas, but they are the Atlantic Brewing Company's
brand (which they always made) I guess they didn't see a market for
two lines of soda (unless the soda recipes were not sold with the
brewery?) which is a shame b/c I did like them better. But this
isn't about soda, it's about beer, and I'm happy I can get my
Cadillac Mountain Stout again. I hope that Todd and Susie are
doing well in their new endeavors.
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