Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get to Work: Take a Maine Brewing Vacation and Learn the Craft

Kennebunk, ME, September 28, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Maine vacationers are invited to roll up their sleeves and learn to brew with professional brewers at the Kennebunkport Brewing Company (KBC), where the award-winning Shipyard Brewing Company first began at Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub. Established in 1992, Federal Jack’s is one of Maine's original brew pubs and all of Shipyard’s beer was brewed at KBC until 1994 when Shipyard opened its brewery in Portland. KBC is still located right downstairs from Federal Jack’s and head brewer Mike Haley and assistant brewer Paul Smith hand-craft brews for the pub.

This intimate three-day educational vacation will give guests the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a brewer, ask questions, and get hands-on in the brewing process. It’s the perfect fit for craft beer enthusiasts, people who want to learn more about techniques and ingredients to help improve their own home brewed beer, or be inspired to home brew for the first time.

On the first day, guests will be treated to a special welcome reception at Federal Jack’s. The second day, guests will spend a full day brewing in the heart of the picturesque coastal village of Kennebunkport before traveling up the coast to Portland the next day for a personal tour of the Shipyard Brewing Company. Guests will also have plenty of time to relax and sample Maine’s award-winning beer and experience the variety of restaurants in the area.

This all-inclusive package includes:
- Two nights lodging at the King’s Port Inn in Kennebunk -- www.kingsportinn.com
- A special welcome reception and dinner
- Two lunches
- The chance to brew with award-winning professionals
- A behind the scenes tour of Shipyard Brewing Company led by an experienced brewer

Availability: January through May (Tues-Thurs or Wed-Fri)

Cost:
$800 for double
$600 for single
$300 for single not including lodging

Schedule:
Day 1: Arrive in Kennebunk for a special reception and dinner at Federal Jack’s

Day 2: 7:00am – 3:30pm Brew at Kennebunkport Brewing Company. Lunch will be served at Federal Jack’s. Guests are free to enjoy exploring the area in the evening.

Day 3: 10:30am Behind the scenes tour of Shipyard Brewing Company followed by lunch at Sea Dog Brewing Company in South Portland.

Please note that guest brewers must be 21 years of age.

To book: 1-800-BREW-ALE or email Bruce Elam, Trade Brewer, at belam@shipyard.com

More about Shipyard Brewing Company:
Shipyard Brewing Company was founded in 1994 and is Maine’s largest brewery. Shipyard is the only brewery in Maine to rank in the top 50 U.S. brewing companies: it is the 21st largest craft brewery and 30th largest overall brewery in the country. Shipyard is located on the historic waterfront in Portland, Maine and produces more than a dozen varieties of award-winning English style and seasonal beers. Its products are distributed in over 35 states. A full list of Shipyard Brewing Company’s distributors can be found at this link: http://www.shipyard.com/pdf/distrolist.pdf.

All of Shipyard Brewing Company’s recipes are developed by Master Brewer Alan Pugsley, who is one of the most influential people in the craft brewing movement in North America. Pugsley’s career began in England where he worked with renowned brewer Peter Austin at the world-famous Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire. After moving to the United States in 1986, Pugsley assisted with the establishment of more than 65 microbreweries and brew pubs throughout the world before partnering with entrepreneur Fred Forsley in 1992. A well known trade journal dubbed Pugsley the “Johnny Appleseed of Brewing,” an acknowledgement of the dominant role he has played in the renaissance of craft brewing.

Shipyard Brewing Company:
www.shipyard.com

Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub:
www.federaljacks.com

###