52 Maine Breweries Craft One Epic Beer

(Courtesy Maine Brewers Guild)

Beer collaborations usually involve two breweries, sometimes three, but 52 breweries? Now that’s a bigtime collaboration.

Here’s the deal…

With more than 150 breweries now licensed in Maine, it’s becoming increasingly important for each Maine brewery to differentiate their brand. So, you might ask “why are 52 Maine brewers teaming up to release the same beer, with the same name, all across the state and beyond?”

“We chose to brew the beer to support the Maine Brewers Guild and the entire Maine brewing community,” said Jamie Blood, founder of Corner Point Brewing in Kittery. “Without all the guidance, support, and insight from the other brewers; as well as the support of the best guild around, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love for a living!”

Collaboration IPA v2 is a 5.8% ABV is a 5.8% ABV India Pale Ale that start with the same recipe that is given a unique twist by each Maine brewery. For example, Foundation Brewing in Portland used the basic recipe but fermented the beer using lager yeast. Woodland Farms Brewery in Kittery is brewing a non-alcoholic version. And Bateau Brewing in Gardiner split the batch, fermenting one with a traditional IPA yeast, and the other with a yeast that produces lactic acid to make a sour IPA.

Interesting…right?

(Courtesy Mine Brewers Guild)

Now in its second year, the Collaboration IPA helps support the Maine Brewers’ Guild, the nonprofit that serves the craft beer industry in Maine. In 2020, 44 breweries participated, raising $27,000 to directly support the Guild and this year’s collaboration brew is expected to raise nearly $34,000.

And craft brewing’s collaborative spirit spreads well beyond Maine taprooms and to the entire supply chain, with hop growers and maltsters donating ingredients to make Collaboration IPA v2 a reality.

Crosby Hop Farms of Oregon and Yakima Chief Hops of Washington, along with two Maine-based maltsters, Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon, and Maine Malt House in Mapleton, donated the hops and malt needed to brew the IPA. And a New Hampshire based label company, Amherst Label, stepped in to help brewers reduce costs for printing their labels.

“This beer is a celebration of the collaborative spirit that has kept Maine brewers strong throughout the pandemic,” said Sean Sullivan, executive director of the Maine Brewers’ Guild….

“So many people have discovered craft beer in the past five years, and what they love about it is the way we all work together. When we all brew the same recipe, it keeps that spirit alive and supports our industry.”

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