Beer, like our bodies and like the surface of the earth, is mostly water. Roughly 90% of a beer’s makeup is water, and any brewer will tell you that a quality H2O source is an essential starting point for brewing a good beer.

In Maine, we’ve got the best. We’ll get into that.

So, why is water so important to beer? Clean surface water gives brewers a trustworthy base to achieve pinpoint pH accuracy. That’s really important. Without pristine water, brewers wouldn’t be able to reach ideal sulfate-chloride ratios and cut out off-flavors that contaminated liquid can bring in (like chlorine).

Think of water as both the canvas and the paints on the palette. There simply is no masterpiece without it.

At Shipyard, we (and all of our other Portland-area brewery friends) are fortunate to draw our water source from Sebago Lake and the Sebago Lake Watershed. Sebago isn’t just a beautiful setting full of recreational opportunities like sailing, fishing, and swimming—it also has some of the highest quality water in North America. And we all benefit from it, both in our drinking water and in our pint glasses.

OK, so you may be asking: what’s a watershed, and what does it have to do with my pint of APA? Happy to help!

A watershed is a land area that collects rain and snowmelt and channels it to creeks, streams, and rivers. Those sources in turn funnel that water to an outflow point like a lake or ocean. In the case of the Sebago Lake Watershed, all of that water is carried through the surrounding natural landscape and dumped into, you guessed it, Sebago Lake. And it’s from there that Portland and the surrounding area draw its water for all kinds of uses, including drinking and brewing.

Not all watersheds are created equal. Fortunately for us here in Maine, the dense forests that surround Sebago act as a natural filter for the water that feeds into the lake, resulting in a water source that is free of minerals and contaminants. And Sebago Lake itself is massive, nearly 300 feet deep in some areas and covering 45 square miles, giving us huge amounts of pristine liquid to serve all of southern Maine.

So, the watershed feeds Sebago, and Sebago feeds us.

We’re lucky to have such a high-quality water source, not just for brewing, but for serving our communities. But luck alone won’t keep it that way. We’ve got to stay vigilant and protect our resources.

Maine brewers wanted to do just that in an official capacity. The Maine Brewshed Alliance is a coalition of local craft brewers and the Natural Resources Council of Maine collectively working to bring awareness to the need to protect our water resources. The Alliance is doing important work protecting Maine water for all the reasons it deserves protection, not the least of which are the spectacular beers we get to consume locally. Visit the MBA’s website for more details! We are honored to be a part of this group.

Next time you crack open a Shipyard American Pale Ale, and Allagash White, or a Maine Brewing Lunch, or any of southern Maine’s fantastic offerings, think of the water. Think of the water, and thank the water.

The post What’s the Most Essential Ingredient in Beer? first appeared on Shipyard Brewing Company.

Pack the swim trunks for your next trip to Vacationland. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite beaches in Maine for kicking back and relaxing with a few Shipyard brews in the cooler. Check out the list below. And don’t forget the lime wedges.

Old Orchard Beach Pier

Old Orchard Beach

As far as lively beaches go, Old Orchard Beach is the jewel of Southern Maine. Visit this classic getaway in the summer for seven miles of sandy beaches, an amusement park, delicious fair food, and a guaranteed good time. Walk the historic Old Orchard Beach Pier. Dip your toes in the surf. Grab a slice and ice cream for the kids, and when the sun sets, the nightlife comes alive. That’s where you’ll find the Shipyard. Nothing like a few crisp Summer Ales after an afternoon of sittin’ in the sand.

Scarborough Beach State Park

Scarborough Beach is but a hop skip and a jump south of Portland proper, but this strip of coastline can sometimes feel like the most serene beach in Maine. Gorgeous views and hovering seagulls welcome you to the warmest swimming water in the region; in July and August, water temperatures can reach the high 60s. Throw that towel down and stay awhile. Pairs well with an Export Ale.

Side note: just north of Scarborough Beach up the coast is Higgins Beach, also well worth a visit. When the tide is out, a famous shipwreck is visible embedded into the sand. Very cool.

Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

This Acadia National Park hideaway is famous for its beauty. No trip to Mt. Desert Island is complete without a quiet stroll down to this quaint strip of sand and broken seashells. Breathe the delightfully crisp and salty air in the shadows of Acadia’s famed granite mountains. Climb boulders, wade into the cold streams, hike the Great Head or Beehive Trail for a gorgeous view of the beach. It’s a postcard.

Ogunquit Beach

Ogunquit is a five-star coastal town on its own, and the easy access to the stunning Ogunquit Beach takes it over the top as a must-see Maine destination. A seemingly untouched white stretch of sandy beach is surrounded on three sides by water for a feeling of cutoff serenity. Perfect for the family, for splashing around in the surf, and for enjoying a beach read with a Shipyard ale. This is one of the best beaches in the United States – don’t miss it.

Popham Beach – Phippsburg, ME

Popham Beach State Park

Conveniently located about 15 minutes south of Bath, Popham Beach State Park is 500+ acres of gorgeous land with much to do. The Kennebec and Morse Rivers form the borders of a beautiful beach, where swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking fill the summer afternoons. Bring some sandwiches and some Shipyards and your day is sure to be well spent.

The post Beaches We Love first appeared on Shipyard Brewing Company.

Check out this (decidedly incomplete) list of some of our favorite hikes in our state. Try ‘em all, and earn those backpack beers.

Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail

One of the most famous and well-tracked hikes in the Eastern United States, the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail will take you to the beginning of a new day. The first location in the continental United States to see the sunrise, Cadillac Mountain is an extremely popular destination with views that will take your breath away. Prepare for an early rise that’s completely worth it.

Cadillac Mountain trail, Bar Harbor, Maine

Mount Katahdin / The Knife’s Edge

Mount Katahdin, famously known as the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the highest point in the state of Maine, really lives up to the billing. It’s a difficult hike to the top, and an even greater challenge awaits after you summit: the Knife’s Edge. This infamous 1.1-mile strip of exposed rocky ridge is not merciful to even the most experienced of hikers, but the views make it more than worth the adventure. You deserve a cold beer after the Knife’s Edge.

Beehive Trail (Acadia)

Acadia National Park is chock full of amazing trails, and Beehive Trail is one of the most unique in the entire park. This strenuous jaunt features spectacular granite cliff faces with iron rungs for climbing up and up. Take in sweeping views of the rocky Maine coast and the famous Sand Beach below. Throw in a couple of Export Ales in your backpack for when you get to the summit. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

Robinson Woods Preserve (Cape Elizabeth)

The Robinson Woods Preserve rises above the Cape Elizabeth coast south of Portland and is a 145-acre expanse of wooded terrain full of adventures ready to be explored. There are fields and ponds, quiet woodlands, and wonderful walking and hiking trails abound everywhere you look. The Robinson Woods Preserve Loop or Outer Loop are recommended trails. Perfect for a day trip with the family, and beautiful Cape Elizabeth is nearby for a late lunch.

Pleasant Mountain

Located an hour’s drive from Portland, Pleasant Mountain is a beautiful hike featuring quintessential New England terrain – rocky trails through aromatic pine forests. Clamber up some steeper sections at the beginning of the trail before being rewarded with more mellow elevation gain and sublime panoramic views of the White Mountains and surrounding lakes. Breathe it all in at the top of Pleasant Mountain – it’s one of our favorites.

“The Hundred Mile Wilderness” section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine

100 Mile Wilderness

This wild expanse in central Maine is the last push for northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hikers on their way to Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin. Rugged, remote, and gorgeous, the 100 Mile Wilderness is famed for its toughness, but the rewards speak for themselves. Best visited between late June and August. This is the backcountry of New England. A cold Shipyard will be here when you get back, dusty and smiling.

The post Earn Those Backpack Beers first appeared on Shipyard Brewing Company.

As longtime Mainers and lovers of this great state’s food and beer, we thought we’d present a list of where you can snag the best lobster rolls in the greater Portland area. With a Shipyard brew in hand.

Read on, lobster heads. We’ll see you this summer.

Becky’s Diner

Becky’s is a classic Portland waterfront mainstay, and one of the Shipyard team’s favorites for breakfast, lunch, and lobster. The roll is genuine, it is beautiful; a heaping portion of freshly shucked lobster meat dressed the Maine way with mayo and lettuce sits next to a large pile of crispy fries. The fisherman or fisherwoman sitting next to you at the counter may have caught that lobster themselves. Be sure to thank ‘em.

Sea Dog Brewing Co.

With multiple locations in South Portland, Bangor, Topsham, and Camden, Sea Dog Brewing Co. is an excellent option for visitors to Maine looking for a good beer and a great lobster roll up and down the coast. Shipyard’s sister company places an equal amount of emphasis on the quality of their brewing process. The beers are top-notch, and the lobster is to die for.

Sea Dog Brewing Co, Camden, Maine Location

The Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Ah, Two Lights. Just ten miles south of Portland in Cape Elizabeth, where the rocky coast meets Casco Bay, sits Two Lights Lighthouse and the Lobster Shack. Come for the gorgeous scenery that is classically Maine, stay for the lobster roll that will knock your socks off. This place just screams summer in Vacationland.

Eventide Oyster Company

A lot of the recent (and glowing) press that the city of Portland has received as a renowned food city features some mention of Eventide, located on Middle Street just north of the Old Port. Try the Brown Butter Lobster Roll with a half-dozen raw Maine oysters, and you’ll find yourself in heaven. Our mouths are watering just writing this.

Susan’s Fish-N-Chips

Susan’s is a no-nonsense joint with a no-nonsense lobster roll. Equally famous for their fried seafood as they are for their delicious rolls, you simply can’t go wrong at this Portland institution. Grab a lobstah roll from Susan’s and a six-pack of Shipyard Summer Ale, and you’ve got the makings of a glorious day.

Three Dollar Deweys

Three Dollar Deweys is the Old Port’s original ale house. Find a full roster of Shipyard beers on tap, delicious pub fare, and of course, a Maine lobster roll. This roll, guaranteed to be fresh-caught, comes tossed in mayo with lettuce on a toasted New England-style roll. It pairs perfectly with Shipyard’s flagship offering Export Ale. Visit Three Dollar Deweys on Commercial Street for a truly Portland experience. We love it. You’ll want to stay a while.

The Inn on Peaks Island

Soak in the romanticism of coastal Maine at the Inn on Peaks Island. For an elevated Maine B&B experience, take the ferry from Portland to Peaks Island, where the Inn’s cottage-style accommodations will welcome you. The Inn can be experienced in myriad ways; a sunset dinner, an overnight getaway, or a weeklong vacation. However you do Peaks, one thing is guaranteed – the lobster roll will blow you away. Don’t miss it.

Inn on Peaks Island

The post Best Places to Get a Lobster Roll In Portland first appeared on Shipyard Brewing Company.