Micro Brew NewsThe Original Craft Beer Club’s

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D.L. Geary Brewing Company

Located in Portland, Maine, D.L. Geary Brewing Company has an impressive past, present and no-doubt future in the world of craft beer. With the help of his wife

Karen, founder and president David Geary has built one of the state’s most well-known and respected microbreweries, which in two years will celebrate its 30th year of brewing highly-rated, traditional English-style ales. The D.L. Geary Brewing Company became a reality in October 1983, a time when there were only 10 microbreweries in the United States (all of which were in California and the Pacific Northwest). David and Karen Geary wanted to create their own world-class beer, but the dream didn’t happen overnight. They spent the next three years doing training and

research in Scotland and England with the help of Peter Maxwell Stuart, a Scottish nobleman and brewer who worked in a half-dozen small commercial English breweries. The Gearys also spent this time creating a business plan, designing packaging, specifying equipment, finding investors, as well as the right home for their new brewery in

Portland, Maine. D.L. Geary Brewing Company (now commonly known as “Geary’s”) was finally ready to start brewing in the fall of 1986 and their first beer, Geary’s Pale Ale, was born. The brewery also earned the title of first microbrewery in Maine and New England! Since then, Geary’s beers have garnered serious attention in the craft beer world, including having their London Porter named the Best in the World in a New York Times blind taste test. Their flagship Pale Ale remains a customer favorite and has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years. Today, Geary’s is still recognized as a pioneer in America’s brewing renaissance and as a model of quality and excellence for the industry. The brewery recently opened its first ever tasting room that will give visitors the opportunity to sample Geary’s beers, chat with the staff, and learn about their nearly 30 years of brewing experience. Sadly, co-founder Karen Geary passed away in November of 2013 after a long battle with cancer. She will be remembered as the first female brewery owner in Maine and Geary’s beers are now brewed in her honor. Karen and David’s daughter Kelly still works at the brewery and assists David in many of the day-to-day brewing tasks.

One of the pioneers of the craft beer movement, Portland, Maine’s D.L. Geary Brewing Company serves as a model of quality and excellence for English-style ales.

D.L. Geary’s flagship ale, the Geary’s Pale Ale is a classic British Pale Ale with a nod to the legendary beers of Burton-on-Trent. Copper in color, Geary’s Pale Ale is dry, clean and crisp with lots of late hop taste and complex fruitiness from the imported Hampshire yeast. It’s such a flavorful and drinkable beer that finds a perfect balance between bitterness and fruitiness. This

is D.L. Geary’s most celebrated brew, and one of the forerunners of the craft beer revolution. Enjoy!

Geary’s Pale Ale

www.CraftBeerClub.com800-200-2959

British Pale Ale4.5% ABV

Once Maine’s legendary seasonal specialty, Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale is now available year round. It pours an amber red color and offers malty aromas on the nose. Its huge toasted malt flavor is balanced by an assertive hoppiness and notes of toasty, caramel, honey fruitiness. The finish is long and lingering with the malt and hop notes blending with the alcohol warmth. Overall,

this is a very impressive, full-bodied English Strong Ale that would pair well with grilled lamb, beef or salmon.

Geary’s Hampshire Special AleEnglish Strong Ale7.0% ABV

www.CraftBeerClub.com800-200-2959

Food for your Brew

1 lb. peeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1/4” match-sticks2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil1/2 tsp. cumin1/2 tsp. oregano1/2 tsp. coriander1 tsp. kosher salt1 tsp. parsley1/8 tsp. black pepper

For the Honey Lime Dip:6 oz. container plain, low-fat yogurt1 Tbs. mayo 1/2 Tbs. honey1 Tbs. fresh lime juice1/4 tsp. cumin1/8 tsp. oregano1 tsp. parsley1/2 tsp. onion powder1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Honey Lime Dip

Who is Alan Pugsley and what is his significance in the craft brewing movement?

Alan Pugsley was one of the most influential players in the revival of craft brewing. He joined Peter Austin & Partners and the Ringwood Brewery in 1982, after graduating from Manchester University with a degree in biochemistry. He learned the brewing process from the ground up, overseeing the formulation of a wide range of ales and traditionally English beers. During his time at Ringwood, he supervised the installation of 20 breweries around the world, and also collaborated with Peter Austin in the development of the original Peter Austin brick kettle brewing system. Peter Austin’s brewing philosophy has withstood the test of time and to date, more than 120 Austin systems have been installed worldwide. In 1986, Alan Pugsley arrived in the United States to help set up the D.L. Geary Brewing Company in Portland, Maine and has since helped set up more than 70 breweries in North America. He is focused on helping clients produce balanced, consistent, English-style beers and has been dubbed the ‘Johnny Appleseed of Craft Brewing’ by a well known trade journal.

Trivia Time!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, combine cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, parsley, and pepper.

Place sweet potatoes in a pile directly on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Use hands to toss until all pieces are well coated. Sprinkle seasoning mixture on top and toss again with hands to coat.

Arrange sweet potatoes in a single layer so that pieces are not touching each other. Place pan in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Use a metal spatula to gently flip fries and then return pan to oven. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until fries are starting to lightly brown and crisp. Remove pan from oven and cool 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

While the fries are in the oven, make the Honey Lime Dip. Mix all of the ingredients and chill until ready to use. Enjoy! Recipe sourced from www.ourbestbites.com.