I had the pleasure of attending the Allagash Street Fair in Portland, ME over the weekend and am excited to share what a great experience it was with readers and friends alike. I’ve been to Allagash Brewing Company too many times to count but this trip was different than any other. Lindsey, who has been with Allagash for over a year now, showed us around and gave us an in-depth look into the company.

Starting off in 1995 as a one-man show, Allagash soon grew to what is now the 35th largest brewery in the US. One of the most popular beers out there (and of our best sellers at The Wharf Pub), Allagash White was the first beer to be brewed and is also known as their flagship. Not only do they bottle 10,000 bottles of White an hour now, they are also producing more than 2,100 kegs of White which are distributed as far as the left coast in California.

After learning about the history of the White we were then taken into the Curieux room which was apparently a mistake when first brewed. An ale aged in Jim Beam barrels, how could that be a mistake? It’s also one of our Staff favorites at Wharf Pub. “Curieux ” is actually the French term for  “Curious” and it definitely lives up to its name.

We then were taken to the “Industry Room” where Allagash brings restaurant and brewery employees for specialty brews. One of them being “Neddles” which goes back to when Allagash first opened and didn’t even do tours and tastings. A group of older women from a retirement home came into Allagash wanting a tour and of course beer. Rob Tod founder of Allagash was brewing away and had his co-worker Ned take them around. A Belgian inspired beer aged in Rum name Neddles was born.

Lastly, we got to see the Koelship also referred to as “Coolship” behind the brewery in a small hut. The first beer of its style brewed in the US, more commonly found in Belgium. Koelship’s are a type of fermentation vessel that is used in the brewing process to cool the beer faster.

A visit to Main to experience Allagash first hand is well worth it, but if you can’t make it all the way to Maine, we are proud to serve some of their many craft beers on tap.

The Wharf Pub is now pouring:

  • Allagash James Bean aged in Jim Beam barrels with local Maine coffee. ABV: 10.1%
  • Allagash White A Belgian- inspired wheat ale with notes of coriander and orange. ABV: 5.1%

Sarah Fimple is the Beverage Manager at The Wharf Pub.