E-Malt.com News article: USA, ME: Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery to open full-scale production facility in June or July

Daniel Pease said he started brewing beer in college as a hobby.

The Rockland businessman's interest in brewing led him to open Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery five years ago in downtown Rockland. Two years later he starting brewing at the Main Street location, the Village Soup reported on November 21.

And that has culminated in his purchase Friday, Nov. 18, of a Route 1 building in Rockland that will serve as a full-scale brewery production plant for Rock Harbor Brewing Co. Pease's goal is to have the brewery open in June or July.

Ten full-time jobs are expected to be created in the first two years, the businessman said.

Pease said the Route 1 location is the perfect spot for the brewery. The 5 Payne Ave. property had most recently been occupied by window retailer and manufacturer Mathews Brothers of Belfast.

Renovations are beginning immediately. He said the location in the city, along busy Route 1, a large facility, and adequate land made it the ideal location.

The current 416 Main St. Rock Harbor brewery facility is a four-barrel system that can produce 124 gallons at a time. The new location will be a 15-barrel system. He plans on brewing twice a day at the new facility.

Initially, he intends to market his beer throughout Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties, but he has longer-range plans of marketing it across the state.

And one change from the current small brewery to what will be done at the new full-scale plant is that the brew will be canned rather than bottled.

Canning is better for the beer, he said, because it blocks out light, which can affect the quality of the product. Canning is also less expensive than bottling, and there is less breakage, he said.

Pease said he has wanted to find a site for a brewing plant for the past few years. He said he is not able to produce enough at the Main Street business to meet the demand of customers for his beer. Brewing will continue at the Main Street pub.

The Payne Avenue location will also have space for the public to come in and taste the beers and buy cans or pints.

There is nearly 3 acres to the property, which will allow him to have outdoor events.

Rock Harbor produces 10 different beers.

Pease said he began home brewing while at the University of Maine at Orono. He learned the process as a hobby with a friend by reading online material and experimenting. Pease graduated from the University of Maine in 2006.

There has been a dramatic growth in small breweries, he pointed out. He said when he got the federal government's approval for a commercial brewery in Maine three years ago, he was the 43rd one to hold a license. Now there are 70 licensed breweries in the state.

According to the Maine Brewers’ Guild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the craft beer industry in Maine, since 1986, Maine has been at the forefront of the craft beer movement. The breweries produce more than 200 different brands.


22 November, 2016