Banded Horn Brewing – A Name And An Attitude

, Banded Horn Brewing – A Name And An AttitudeI first met Ian McConnell, the owner and brewmaster of Banded Horn Brewing Company, at the Mount Snow Brewfest over Labor Day weekend last year. His beers were great and he seemed like a fascinating guy. I corralled him later that day to learn more about Banded Horn and everything he’s doing.

Ian how did you get into the Craft Beer Business?

IM: I was working as a foreman for an HVAC outfit in Portland, Maine when I took up homebrewing in 2005. After a couple years I ended up moving to Brooklyn, NY for a girl (we’re married now with two minions). I visited, emailed, and dropped my brews off at every brewery in the area and almost right away Sixpoint took me on as an intern. I did my best to make myself very necessary to their operation and a few months later was hired on full time.

Banded Horn Brewing is a terrific name for your company. What’s it about?

IM: I always liked the imagery of drinking horns. They remain a ceremonial vessel in many cultures and to us they represent celebration and the beauty of enjoying a delicious beer with great people. The ‘Banded’ connotes banding together.  As humans we need to band to survive, and as an industry, Craft Beer needs to band together and collaborate to keep beer free and independent. So Banded Horn represents Friendship, Collaboration, and Celebration.

, Banded Horn Brewing – A Name And An AttitudeYou’re currently producing four year-round beers – Pepperell Pilsener, Veridian IPA, Norweald Stout and Bineary Double IPA. Which one is the most popular?

IM: Right out of the gate it was Veridian. IPA’s are just so popular there was no contest. Pepperell has been gaining traction as more beer drinkers realize that a solid pils can’t be beat. Now they’re about even month to month. Personally I love both (drinking a Veridian right now), but I think it would be a victory for the dynamics of craft beer if Pepperell came out on top!

You also brew several seasonals. Can you tell us more about them?

IM: Wicked Bueno is our newest – It’s a well-hopped Mexican-style lager and will be available in bottles for spring and summer. Here’s some other things we’ve done…

  • Greenwarden – An American Pale Ale brewed with freshly foraged Maine spruce tips. Every year in late May/early June we get a big team together to frolic about outdoors and go ‘Sprucing’. In the beer we actually replace ALL the flavor and aroma hops with spruce tips. It’s absolutely delicious. This will be available on draft June-August and in bottles only at the brewery.
  • Session Ender. An 11.5% Monster of an IPA. We brew a small batch every august for our best draft accounts in Maine, and sell a limited number of bottles from the brewery. This one goes in a flash!
  • , Banded Horn Brewing – A Name And An AttitudeJolly Woodsman is our coffee stout in collaboration with Speckled Ax Coffee.  We actually blend Mountain (our Russian imperial stout) and Norweald (our American stout) and then cold steep Kenyan espresso directly in the finished beer.  This usually comes out in December and is available in draft/bottles till it runs out.
  • Mountain – A HUGE 12% ABV Russian imperial stout. It’s brewed in December. We slowly release kegs for special events throughout the year, and barrel-age a portion to release only in bottles at our Anniversary party the following December.

We’ll also be doing a hybrid Rauchbier/Märzen this September, but don’t have the finer points worked out yet. And we’re always trying to work some one-offs into the picture (like Bärchen). The goal is to always offer something special in the tasting room that you can’t get anywhere else.

Banded Horn Brewing Company is located in Biddeford, Maine. Can you tell us about your tap room hours and where people can find your beer?

IM: We send beer in bottles and kegs to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We’re located in the Pepperell Mill, formerly a textile mill and originally built in the 1840s. The tasting room is a great place to hang out and have a beer. My team and I built the whole thing from reclaimed materials that were originally part of the Mill.

Is it true that you have yoga at the brewery?

IM: Indeed. We’re trying to work it into the schedule once a month. Who would say no to a beer after Yoga?

, Banded Horn Brewing – A Name And An AttitudeIf you could have a dream six pack what six beers would be in your dream six pack?

IM: This is a tough one…

  • Barrier Brewing Money IPA
  • Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier
  • J. W. Lees Harvest Ale (1997 Vintage)
  • De Glazen Toren Saison d’Erpe Mere
  • Wurzburger Hofbrau Pilsner (I would have to be in Wurzburg)
  • Rochefort 10

If you two could be a cast member of any TV Show in the last 10 years what show would you be on and why?

IM: Easy, although I’ve got to take it back to 1993. The JLP- Captain Jean-Luc Pickard of the Starship Enterprise. He’s classy, sciency, moral, and can hold his own in a bar fight. Plus I’ve already adapted his catch phrase: “Make it so.”

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