Summer vacation was over, and we were sad about leaving Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and all of Mount Desert Island. Only one thing could soften the blow – lunch at a brewpub!

After checking out of the Bar Harbor Inn and a final walk along the Shore Path, we loaded up the Grand Caravan and started our journey home. We had to pick up I95 in Bangor, which is just over an hour from Bar Harbor – perfect timing for lunch at the Sea Dog Brewing Company!

I’ve loved Sea Dog beer since my first visit to Maine in the 90’s. We’ve visited their brewpubs in Topsham (awesome location overlooking the Androscoggin River) and Camden (since closed, unfortunately). We had never been to the Bangor location, so I was really looking forward to adding another brewpub to my collection.

We sat outside on the covered deck overlooking the Penobscot River, and I ordered the sampler, which included:

• Owls Head Light Ale, a light ale for the masses
• Apricot Wheat Ale, a crisp Wheat Ale with subtle apricot flavor
• Blue Paw Wheat Ale, made with Maine wild blueberries
• Old Gollywobbler Brown Ale, an English mild session ale
• Windjammer Blonde Ale, a refreshing Blonde Ale
• Bangor Sea Dog Pale Ale, a English style Pale Ale
• Old East India Pale Ale, a classic English style IPA that was also on cask
• Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter, a flavorful nutty Porter
• Sea Dog Stout, a classic Irish Stout
• Summer Ale, a thirst-quenching Wheat
• Old Thumper Extra Special Ale, from Shipyard Brewing Company

The Sea Dog brewpubs offer a delicious menu — I had the blackened haddock sandwich and Beth enjoyed yet another lobster roll.  Sea Dog makes a wide variety of beers and they always have 10+ house beers on draft.  The standout is the Blueberry Wheat, which is one of Beth’s favorite beers. It’s available in the DC metro area – I just picked up a six pack from the Total Wine and More in McLean, Virginia.

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