Hitting the Peaks of Maine

A night away without kids is what I had promised Jenn, and we were headed to OC, MD before we got some more medical news on Jenn’s mom.  So we changed our plans and headed out to lobstah country.  And for a get-away, we decided to head up to Portland to check out their outer islands. 

Our first stop was for lunch, and we went to my favorite spot for local beer, the Great Lost Bear.  GLB has a great food selection and more than 30+ taps, including 4 beers on cask.  I love that they’re really flexible with the samplers, pick as many as you want.  Unfortunately, their “beer guy” was on vacation and a lot of the taps were down.  Nevertheless, I got to try Marshall Wharf’s Big Twitch IPA on cask, as well as a Shipyard Smashed Blueberry on draft.  The IPA was just average, while the blueberry was quite a surprise, more of a porter or scotch ale with a splash of blueberry.  Jenn got nachos (very cheesy) while I got the grilled tuna steak sandwich.  I also got to taste the Honeymaker Blueberry Mead, a flavorful alterative to the beer or wine.  It was a good stop, but we had a ferry to catch.

The ferry runs ~hourly, and we parked, got our tickets, and got on board just in time.  We headed to Peaks Island, a short 15 minute ferry ride, to stay at the Inn at Peaks Island which is partnered with Shipyard Brewing.  We walked to the hotel, and then around the island.  The place is beautiful, quaint, and quiet.  The restaurant at the hotel was excellent, but I couldn’t figure out if they brewed their own (I doubt it).  I had their Nitro Red Ale, while Jen went with the Tiki Rum Punch (watch out for that one).  I had the clam chowder and tuna low mein (it was a tuna type day), while Jenn had the lobster bisque (chunks of lobster) with the baked stuffed haddock.  Delicious, but very filling.  We watched the sunset, and then hit the island hot spot for ice cream.  It was a great day (although the Red Sox lost).

The next morning we grabbed breakfast and headed back over to the mainland.  Right across from the ferry terminal was Downeast Beverage, so I popped in to see if there were any new bottles.  They had a great selection, and I got an armful of bottles to go.  I got a couple from Rising Tide (Ishmael and Daymark), a new Portland Brewery.  I found a Manly Men Pete Fen’s Finest Ale, a smoked porter flavored with cranberries.  I was also excited to find a Thornbridge Coalition Old Ale from the UK, the same brewery that I got to visit in Sheffield, UK.

We did some window shopping (after I got to put the bottles in the car), and then went to lunch at Gritty McDuff’s.  I love this bar, but I wish they would come up with new brews more often.  As it was, I got to try their Vacation Land Summer Ale (probably a Kolsch) on cask that was dry hopped.  Jenn tried their chowdah with a lobstah role (loved both, by the way), while I went with a grilled cheese.  It was nice to sit out back and enjoy the beautiful day.  I would have loved to stay for Roguapalooza at Novare Res, but we needed to get back.  I stopped by Allagash brewing on the way (and a few more limited bottles), and we made it back home.

I loved getting away with Jenn to take a break.  Worrying about the kids and family health issues takes its toll on the body.  And for Jenn and I, being near the water always seems to help us recharge our batteries.  Exploring someplace new and sharing the experience with Jenn is one of my favorite things to do. – 5795/11148

"I fear the man who drinks water and so remembers this morning what the rest of us said last night." – Greek Proverb