Maine Brewshed Alliance Helps Protect Clean Water
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Clean water is essential for great beer. That’s why the Natural Resources Council of Maine has teamed up with the state’s top craft breweries to establish the Maine Brewshed Alliance. The coalition is committed to helping protect clean water in the state’s rivers, lakes, streams, and ocean.
Maine Brewshed Alliance members educate their customers and the public about the critical role clean water plays in the production of great beer, and to support policies and programs that protect the waters of Maine that are vital for the state’s economy, recreation, and quality of life.
Maine is unique because it has clean drinking water sources that are not readily available in many parts of the country. The average beer is more than 90 percent water, and the characteristics of Maine’s sources of drinking water – such as pH, mineral content, and purity – are central to the quality of beer that is enjoyed by many millions of residents and visitors.
According to an economic impact study by the University of Maine and Maine Brewers Guild, the craft beer industry contributed more than $260 million to Maine’s economy in 2017, with more than 1,900 direct employees who received $54 million in total wages, and another 650 indirect jobs.
What Brewers are Saying about Maine's Clean Water & the Maine Brewshed Alliance
“Clean water is one of Maine’s most important natural resources, and it’s one of the most important reasons why Maine is home to so much great beer,” says Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban. “None of us takes our clean water for granted. We all have a role to play. I am proud to help announce that Maine brewers are stepping up to the plate and saying: ‘We’re in!’ We are committed to helping protect the watersheds that are cherished by all of us who live, work, and play in Maine.”
“The clean water that Maine provides to its breweries is critical to the quality and reputation of the craft beer we produce,” said Christie Mahaffey, co-founder of Foundation Brewing. “Maine craft breweries are fueling economic growth across multiple sectors of employment in Maine, including equipment and infrastructure, manufacturing and engineering, farming, dining, and tourism. We are committed to protecting the clean water that is vital to the current and future economic growth developing around Maine’s craft brewing industry.”
“We’re lucky to have outstanding water quality in Maine,” said Jason Perkins of Allagash Brewing. “We want to make sure that’s not taken for granted. Whether or not you drink our beer, every Mainer benefits from clean water and strong environmental protections.”
For example, the water used to brew beers in the Portland region comes from the Sebago Lake watershed, which also serves as the drinking water supply for one in six Mainers. Sebago Lake is renowned for its pristine quality, and is one of only six municipal reservoirs in the country that does not need filtration or treatment before becoming drinking water.
“Our dependence on Maine’s clean water extends far beyond its primary and incredibly important role in the beers we produce, but is also a number one resource we all rely on in our day to day,” said Hester Bissell of Bissell Brothers Brewing. “This industry has a lot of strength, we need to use that to uphold and encourage what’s best for our beautiful state and its natural resources. We all need to be a voice for clean water.”
“Water is critically important to both our quality of beer and quality of life. Here in Maine we enjoy the lakes, rivers, streams, and ocean as places that provide great outdoor adventures,” said Abe Furth of Orono Brewing. “By protecting Maine’s water we’re not just ensuring our ability to keep making great beer, we’re also giving future generations the chance to enjoy Maine waterways as much as we have! Orono Brewing Company is excited for the opportunity to join the Maine Brewshed® Alliance and to work together to protect Maine’s natural resources.”
“Clean water is the lifeblood of our business. But it’s not just about us,” said Nathan Sanborn, Co-owner and Director of Brewing Operations at Rising Tide. “As major industrial water users, it’s part of our responsibility to steward this resource for everyone and ensure that our children and our children’s children continue to have access to safe, clean, high-quality water.”
Maine Brewshed Alliance Members
Here is a list of current Maine Brewshed Alliance member breweries. An asterisk (*) denotes that the brewery was a founding member of the Alliance. You can also view a map of all of the Maine Brewshed Alliance member locations.
| Allagash Brewing Company* | Atlantic Brewing Company | Austin Street Brewery* | Banded Brewing |
| Bangor Beer Company | Barreled Souls Brewing Company | Batson River Brewing & Distilling | Baxter Brewing Company |
| Bissell Brothers Brewing* | Boothbay Craft Brewery | Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company | Definitive Brewing Company* |
| Fogtown Brewing Company | Footbridge Brewery | Foulmouthed Brewing | Foundation Brewing Company* |
| Frosty Bottom Brewing | Geary Brewing Company* | Goodfire Brewing Company* | Lone Pine Brewing Company |
| Lubec Brewing Company | Maine Beer Company* | Mason’s Brewing Company | Mast Landing Brewing Company |
| Orono Brewing Company* | Oxbow Brewing Company* | Rising Tide Brewing Company* | Saco River Brewing |
| Sebago Brewing Company* | Shipyard Brewing Company* | Side by Each Brewing Company | Tributary Brewing Company |
| Trinken Brewing Company | Waterman's Beach Brewery |
How to Become a Maine Brewshed Alliance Member
Breweries and brewery-affiliated group are invited to join the Maine Brewshed Alliance and can learn more about how to get involved at www.mainebrewshedalliance.org. The Maine Brewshed Alliance is fashioned after similar alliances that have been organized in Washington and Oregon.
The Maine Brewshed®Alliance is a coalition of brewers and the Natural Resources Council of Maine, who are committed to protecting the waters that make our state a great place to live, work, brew, and enjoy great beer.
