Education tours with the USBG Portland Chapter

The Maine Brew Bus is a proud partner of the Portland, Maine Chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild. We specialize in providing a literal vehicle to assist in their professional development.

In Portland, we are lucky to have a very active chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG). The USBG was started in California in 1948, and now has spread to be active in over 50 cities nationwide.

Our Chapter in Portland was formed just a year ago, and was officially chartered in March, 2015.

Now with over 80 members from our vibrant bars and restaurants, the Portland Chapter of the USBG has established an impressive program mix of formal training sessions, special events, social gatherings, and educational outings – such as what we are able to provide them on The Maine Brew Bus.

Our monthly Industry Education Tours for the USBG helps bring front-line bartenders, owners, and other service personnel directly to producers and suppliers or craft beverages in Southern Maine. Held typically on quiet Monday afternoons (often an industry day off), the tours are a great way for members to learn first hand about the people and the process behind some of our great craft products.

We recently brought a full group out on a special tour of one of our favorite fermentation areas, the neighborhood of East Bayside. Staff from Central Provisions, Sur Lie, Old Port Sea Grill, Sonny’s, Vignola/Cinque Terre, Dimillo’s, and Vena’s Fizz House were all represented on the tour.

The group visited with Luke Davidson of Maine Craft Distilling, Will Pratt of Tandem Coffee Roasters, and Chresten Sorensen of Bunker Brewing Company.

They also enjoyed a very special preview of Lone Pine Brewing Company – due to open by mid-February.

For more about the plans that Tom Madden and John Paul have for this new East Bayside brewery (as well as big news about the just announced relocation of Portland’s Bissell Brothers brewery) check out this Urban Eye article from our friend Kathleen Pierce.

We had a great time, and learned a lot directly from the founders of these local producers, and we thank them for taking time on a Monday to tell us more about their operations.

Here are some pictures from this outing, and we are already planning our next one. Cheers!

Luke Davidson, the founder and head distiller of Maine Craft Distilling, explains the time consuming process of floor malting that they use to produce their Fifty Stone Whiskey.

Luke describes their processes of fermentation and distillation in order to make all of their products.

At Tandem Coffee Roasters, founder Will Pratt talks about their new roaster capable of roasting coffee in a much more time efficient way.

While we were visiting with Will, a batch of artisan coffee was roasted in about 12 minutes. It was destined to be shipped out into their coffee CSA members later that day.

At Bunker Brewing Company, founder and head brewer Chresten Sorensen talks about his inspiration for producing quality ales and lagers.

The group enjoyed listening to Chresten, but they really enjoyed the three different beers that were poured as samples during our stop.

A special preview of Lone Pine Brewing Company was the surprise stop. Here, founders Tom Madden and John Paul talk about the final steps towards opening to the public.

Nobody in the group had heard of the new brewery, scheduled to open in February 2016. But now they are all aware, and everyone left with pint glasses, stickers, and cards to provide discounted growler fills to the group.

The Maine Brew Bus and the USBG Portland Chapter wish to thank the team behind Lone Pine for the great preview visit. Founders Tom Madden (L.) and John Paul (R.).

Want to find out more about the USBG Portland Chapter? Check out their social media pages for additional information and membership options. [Facebook] [Twitter] [Instagram]

Don Littlefield is the Assistant Principal of The Maine Brew Bus and last enjoyed a Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA. Twitter: @BeerinME

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