History -- Brewery

The Casco Bay Brewing Co. was founded on the coast of Maine in 1994 and has dedicated itself to producing the highest quality ales and lagers in the world. We are proud to say that we have grown to become the third largest brewery in Maine, and that our beers have won gold and silver medals at internationally recognized competitions. We know that we have the best brewers in the country, but it is always nice to have someone impartial confirm it for us.

Below is a play-by-play of our colorful history...



1994

Spring		Casco Bay Brewing Co. opens as the brewers of Katahdin Beers. -- Initial capacity, 6000 barrels (bbls) per year -- Original owners - Bob Wade and Mike Lacharite -- Original offerings - Katahdin Red Ale and Katahdin Golden Beer

1995

January		Bryan Smith starts as a part time bottler.
May		Smith works his way up to brewer (what a hard worker!).

1996

January		Capacity added to meet increased demand.
February		Katahdin Oatmeal Stout introduced.
March		Bobby Labonte joins team. Brewery begins running like proverbial top.
September		Katahdin Spice Brew added to lineup as a seasonal beer.
November		Cooper, the Brewery Dog, is born.

1997

September		Smith leaves brewery to attend American Brewers Guild brewing school located at UC Davis - California. While he already has the working experience in the brewery, he needs to learn the bio-chemistry and microbiology side of brewing. He learns about recipe formulation, brewery management, and regulatory issues as well as many other helpful skills. In addition, Bryan takes advantage of his time and location to sample many of America's greatest microbrewed beers from the West Coast.

1998

January		Smith, Alex Fisher and Stew Maloney buy out Lacharite. Smith takes over all brewing operations. The Katahdin Spiced Brew is dropped.
May		Casco Bay Pilsner introduced. Pilsner is first beer under the Casco Bay name. Thus begins Casco Bay Brewing's commitment to brewing only the finest beers, regardless of time or process complications.
June		Jason Oullette joins the brewery. Plays Dead music.
June		Casco Bay Brewing begins contract brewing the Carrabassett Pale Ale for Sugarloaf Brewing Co. Although there have been other contract brews since, this one is significant because Carrabassett eventually becomes part of Casco Bay Brewing.
September		Casco Bay Lager is introduced. With the Pilsner and Lager, Casco Bay Brewing Co. is the only brewery in northern New England committed to brewing year-round lager style beers.
November		Renovations are made and capacity is added in response to rapid growth and success.

1999

February		Katahdin label, and all Katahdin beers discontinued.
March		Using a tweaked version of the Katahdin Red Ale recipe, Casco Bay Riptide Red Ale is introduced.
June		More renovations made and a full-time whirlpool tank is added to handle increased demand.
June		Paul Fickett joins team as Northern sales rep. Sarcasm level in company reaches new highs.

2000

February		Casco Bay Brewing buys brand rights to Carrabassett beers. Now has full ownership of brand.
March		Capacity is increased from 8,500 to 11,000 bbls per year. Brewery is re-configured to handle production flow better.
June		The Riptide Red Ale wins gold medal at the 2000 World Beer Cup in the Irish-Style Red Ale category. The World Beer Cup is considered one of the top two beer competitions in the world.
September		Bryan Smith gets married. Cooper the Brewery Dog gets first bath.
October		The Casco Bay Old Port Ale is introduced as Casco Bay Brewery's first dip into the seasonal pool. At 7.8 % ABV, it gets banned by our friends' wives.
November		The Carrabassett IPA is introduced.

2001

May		Casco Bay Summer Ale is introduced. Sales exceed greatest expectations. More tanks added to increase packaging efficiency.
June		Six-pack and case erectors are purchased to speed up packaging line.
October		Salty Pete's Peg Leg Ale introduced. Start of partnership with the Portland Pirates AHL hockey team.
December		Casco Bay Brewery completes fourth straight double digit growth year.

2002

March		Smith, Fisher and Maloney buy out Bob Wade.
May		Jimmy "the wonder worker" Walters hired to anchor production team.
May		Brewery introduces new Casco Bay packaging, designed by Melany Kuhn Design. Sales take off thanks to new look.
June		Bambi St. Pierre hired as office manager. Office reaches new level of organization and productivity.
June		Steve "the Prince of Sales" Prince hired as Carrabassett sales rep.
October		Carrabassett Winter Ale is introduced and takes off like a rocket. This is the first seasonal beer in the Carrabassett line.
October 18		Martha Smith gives birth to Bryan's successor. Cooper gets second bath.

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