After a crazy-busy August, I am hoping September will allow more time for the blog.  More from my Maine Beer Trip Report…

We left our vacation spot in Belfast, Maine to drive home and get back to the real world. But not before one more Maine beer adventure!

Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company was founded in 1988 in Portland, Maine as the state’s first brewpub. The original location in downtown Portland is simply a classic, but we went to the Freeport location. After a morning of shopping at the massive L.L. Bean flagship store and other stores in downtown Freeport, it was time for lunch and a beer.

I ordered a sampler tray so I could try all nine house brews.

On tap:

• Sebago Light, a light beer for the masses
• Raspberry Light, this thirst quencher is Sebago Light brewed with raspberries.
• Original Pub Style, a classic Pale Ale
• Best Bitter, another true English classic
• 21 IPA, this well-balanced IPA was first brewed in 2008 to celebrate Gritty’s 21st anniversary,
• Red Claws Ale, a session Red
• Black Fly Stout, a traditional dry Irish Stout
• Vacationland Summer Ale, a drinkable Golden Ale
• Halloween Ale, this rich, full-bodied ESB is one of my favorite fall seasonals

Gritty’s has a huge menu of pub grub, plus a nice seasonal menu. Tough decision, but I knew I wanted one more dish of fresh Haddock, so I ordered the Fish Tacos. The kids had Lobster Mac & Cheese and loved it.

I wished we could have stayed all afternoon, hanging out on the outdoor patio drinking Gritty brews.

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