Once again the leaves have fallen and the tourists have left us in peace for a few months. All in all, it has been a pleasant fall. I did manage to get out and about for a few outings. In early October, I visited our good friends the Southern Maine Homebrewers for a brewing demo held at Steven Loignon’s Shapleigh Hops. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and by the time that I arrived; several teams and individuals were hard at work doing what we love the most. Steven’s home team was doing multiple batches, including pumpkin ale, a pear wine and a cyser. The pear wine was of particular interest as Steven and his crew used a small fruit press to squeeze the juice from the fruit, rather than using an extract kit. I can’t wait to try that one! Mary-Jo and Rick Martel were on hand demonstrating the process that they use to make elderberry wine. I had a taste of their previous years effort and was greatly impressed. I think that I will try to locate some elderberry bushes this summer and give this recipe a try. Also on hand was Fred Bearham, the winner of the 3rd place ribbon in the Stout Category at this years Homebrewer’s Jamboree. Fred was concocting a whole-grain English Brown Ale at his table and sharing samples of previous batches. Hannah, the company dog, from her perch next to the BBQ, handled quality control for the event. It was a great day, in the company of good folks with good food and great beer. The Southern Maine Homebrewers have been very supportive of the Jamboree and the Littleton Homebrewers Competition and it was a pleasure to be able to reciprocate.

After leaving Shapleigh Hops, I had a long overdue visit with my old friend Biker Bob in South Berwick, Maine. Bob, like myself, is a pack rat from the old school. Over the years, he has contributed some amazing pieces to my collections of church keys, beer trays and glassware. I was thoroughly delighted when he pulled out a sizable stash of pint glasses from several former and present local breweries and best of all, there was a collection of tap handles! Now all that I need is a half dozen beer faucets and a walk-in cooler and I would never have to leave home. I rounded out my visit to the seacoast area with a side trip to the John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth. This is the home were the Revolutionary War Naval Hero lived while supervising construction of the U.S.S. Ranger, which he commanded during that war. One of the things that really caught my interest at this museum was a wooden beer keg from the original Frank Jones Brewery in Portsmouth. Oh well, you know how those sailors are.

I took a day trip down the Connecticut River one day in early November to stock up on beer at a couple of my favorite breweries, First I stopped at the Norwich Inn in Norwich, Vermont. Unfortunately, I missed brewer Tim Wilson, but I was able to pick up several bottles of his Old Slipperyskin India Pale Ale, which is one of my favorites. Next, I paid a visit to the good folks at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, Vermont. Harpoon has a great little eatery set up in the hospitality area at the brewery and I always try to time it as my lunch stop when in the area. I had a bratwurst and sauerkraut sandwich and washed it down with a Harpoon I.P.A. I learned that Harpoon has plans to increase capacity at their Windsor brewery and will be adding several more tanks to their tank farm next summer. After all, there can never be too much Harpoon!

Until next time, Happy Homebrewing!