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Finding a perfect way to weather a frigid January afternoon, Nathan, Chris, and I were graciously given an up-close-and-personal guided tour of Sebago Brewing Company’s brewery. Tucked in the far corner of the Gorham industrial park in a non-descript metal building, SBC’s brewery is easy to miss. Tours are by appointment only so they can schedule the timing around the brewing. Brewer, Ryan McCarthy welcomed our trio with free samples, including their seasonal specialty, Slick Nick Ale. As we cradled our keg cups, we were lead through the airplane hanger-style warehouse that houses their various fermenting and bright tanks that enables them to work their magic.
During our tour, we learned it was back in 1998 when owner Kai Adams
opened Sebago’s South Portland location. Initially, all of the brewing
occurred on location. As their popularity spread and word got out, the
Portland location soon opened, also brewing its beer onsite. Today,
Sebago Brewing Company has three locations, and their latest pub is
located on Elm Street, in Gorham Village. Gorham Industrial Park is now
the sole location for brewing their products. The tanks that are
visible at the restaurant locations are actually used for carbonating
the final product during their busier times, during the summer. What
was most impressive was how few people actually run the establishment.
The four people handling the brew process put out about three brews per
week (one brew is equal to forty kegs of beer!). During the summer
months, they can brew as many as ninety kegs per week. They also have a
small, but rather sophisticated bottling machine from Germany. It’s a
nine bottle rotary machine that can bottle two cases of beer per
minute. The bottles themselves are hand packed with care by whoever
happens to be lucky enough for that task.
We found ourselves warmly welcomed, and Ryan was happy to not only
share the brewing process with us, but he also patiently answered any
questions that happened to arise. Overall, scheduling a trip to see
this brewery is well worth your time. Sebago Brewing Company is just
another example of why we are proud to be in Maine!
For Sebago Brewing Company information or to Schedule a tour visit www.sebagobrewing.com
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