The Kennebec River Brewery at Northern Outdoors in The Forks, Maine, brews up a flavorful assortment of handcrafted, “cask-conditioned” sippers that delights beer-enthusiasts with a thirst for outdoor adventures and artisan flavors. Its popular new Honey Badger Rye ale is made with real honey just like the mysterious White House Honey Ale that uses honey from First Lady Michelle Obama’s garden beehive.
For over 15 years, The Kennebec River Pub & Brewery has been delighting customers with tasty “cask-conditioned” beer at their brewpub, located at Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort in The Forks, Maine. Northern Outdoors pioneered Maine rafting in 1976 and has developed into Maine’s premier year-round adventure resort. It’s Kennebec River Brewery “flight” of six styles of handcrafted beer , served in three-ounce glasses and presented on a mini-wooden paddle, is a real crowd-pleaser. With names like Whitewater Wheat, Big Mamma Blueberry, Penobscot Porter and of course Honey Badger Rye, what’s not to love?
Just like the much talked-about mysterious White House Honey Ale, which is crafted using honey from First Lady Michelle Obama’s garden beehive, Kennebec River Brewery uses “real honey” in its Honey Badger Rye.
The assortment of specialty brews is handcrafted in a time-honored, traditional pub method where the beer’s carbonation and flavors develop naturally, in stainless steel kegs. “Our beers are never filtered or pasteurized,” says Jim Yearwood, Vice President of Northern Outdoors and Founder of the Kennebec River Brewery. Yearwood developed a keen interest in craft beers during the initial craft brew revolution in the late 1980’s and started homebrewing in 1990. “Our water is ideal for craft brewing – its like it was designed specifically for beermaking – flowing from our deep well as PH and chemically neutral.”
Kennebec River Brewery, which started selling Growlers in the summer of 2011, is savoring the national Growler craze. “Growler sales this year are off the charts.” says Yearwood. The brewery’s overall sales of microbrews have continued to spike, mirroring the national trend of craft beer sales. According to the Brewers Association, craft beer sales rocketed by 14% to $4.7 billion from January through June 2012.
Yearwood started and ran the Kennebec brewery at Northern Outdoors from its opening in January 1997, rolling out their flagship Kennebec River IPA to local and visiting snowmobilers. Originally crafted as an English style India Pale Ale with subtle hops, it evolved into an American Style IPA, sporting robust malt and hops. In 2000, seasoned brewer Mike McConnell took over as Chief Brewmeister. Today Kennebec River Brewery produces eight different ales & lagers, all available on tap. Three popular ales (Let ‘er Drift Summer Ale, Kennebec River IPA, and Sledhead Red Ale) are also available as bottled 6-packs seasonally in select New England stores. Brewmeister McConnell develops new special brews every season to the delight of KRB fans.
Beer-lovers seeking a splash and sip fun weekend flock to the popular end-of-season Raft n’ Brews/Octoberfest Weekend. The raucous season finale is October 6th this year, and includes Class IV- V rafting on the high volume, heart-pounding Dead River, a post-paddle BBQ cookout, live music and $3 pints all day Saturday.
The Kennebec River Pub & Brewery, established in 1997, is a microbrewery and brewpub in The Forks, Maine, located at Northern Outdoors – Maine’s Premier Adventure Resort and winner of Yankee Magazine’s 2011 Best New England Adventures Award. Named after the nearby Kennebec River, The Kennebec River Pub & Brewery – featured on the Maine Beer Trail – is known for it’s handcrafted “cask-conditioned” ales and lagers and flavorful selection of “beer flights.” Northern Outdoors and Kennebec River Pub & Brewery are located 4 hours from Boston, 2 hours from Portland, Maine and 3 hours south of Quebec City, Canada on Route 201, The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. http://www.northernoutdoors.com
