Tim Gallon puts the beer he makes at his Black Bear Microbrewery in Orono right within the spectrum of American craft brewing — which is, as he puts it, “pretty much everything.”
After all, the beauty of contemporary American beer is that, basically, anything goes. Want to make Belgian beers with big American hops? Go for it. Want to experiment with spices, fruit or other flavor profiles? Give it a shot! Or, like Gallon, if you want to make a variety of classic brews — a stout, an IPA, a red, a pale — you can do that too. The world is your oyster. And yes, you can make oyster beer, too.
Black Bear Brewery launched in early 2008, when Gallon, a passionate homebrewer, decided to take his beer to the next level and begin distributing it around the Bangor area. First, it was at just a few bars and stores; now, it’s a staple in draft lines in northern Maine. You can find Black Bear beers in places as far flung as Lubec, Greenville, St. Agatha and Millinocket; you can also buy it at most beer and wine stores in eastern and northern Maine.
“I’m pretty sure we’re the furthest north brewery in Maine,” said Gallon, 35, a Bangor native. “I like that that’s part of our thing. We want to be your local brewery.”
Last week — Sept. 5, to be exact — Gallon opened a tap room in downtown Orono, in the front part of his brewery, which is located in back of the Roost on Mill Street, facing the municipal parking lot. Three days a week, residents and visitors can come in for a fresh pint of one of Black Bear’s many varieties, from year-round favorites like Gearhead Ale, Pail Ale and Demon Stout, to seasonal brews such as the summertime Liquid Sunshine Ale, and the current seasonal offering, Ichabod Ale, a fall brew.
“It’s a hoppy red that’s easy to drink,” Gallon said.
The tap room hours are 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. For more information on Black Bear Microbrew, visit blackbearmicrobrew.com.
The best sort of Black Bear to kill, and no one has to die.
Wow! Beer made by the “Gallon”!!
Being more familiar with the ale culture of Asheville, NC, did Maine eliminate alcohol restrictions on micro breweries i.e. craft ale brewing is unhindered?
How appropriate, a brewery in Orono. Just what they need for more underage drinking. I’m sure the college crowd is happy. Put in a pipeline to the fraternities.
How appropriate, a cynic commenting on the BDN website. Just what we need for more negativity. I’m sure the rest of the readers are happy. Put in a microphone for the whiners.
Your post is a fine display of your ignorance. Well done!
Cry me a river. Drinking age should bve lowered to 18, as it was when I was growing up in New York. Vote at 18…..join the military at 17, but cannot legally consume alcohol until 21…….BS.