by Tami Kennedy, Publicist, Maine Brewers' Guild
The decision to get married in Maine was easy. You both just knew it was the place. You chose a picturesque outdoor setting, a quaint inn, a grand ballroom, or a favorite cozy winter hideaway. Now you're thinking about which food to serve on your special day. You'll also want to pay particular attention to the beverages—you're getting married in craft beer country after all!
Maine Brewed
Maine is well-known for its award-winning craft beer. From Federal Jack's in Kennebunk, to Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor, to Kennebec River Brewery in The Forks, visitors are attracted to the state's fresh, locally brewed beer. Many breweries offer tours and tastings, and some have their own restaurants or pubs.
It all started with New England's first microbrewery, D.L. Geary Brewing, which opened in Portland in 1986. Two years later, Gritty McDuff's opened its doors and became the first brewpub in Maine since prohibition. At the time, there were just 50 breweries in the entire country. Today, there are 1,500 craft breweries nationwide and Maine is home to 25 and growing. In fact, Maine ranks fourth in the nation for the number of breweries per capita, with one brewery for every 42,000 residents.
Hit The Trail
The Maine Beer Trail spotlights the high quality and creative diversity No matter where you're getting married, this easy-to-follow brochure can be used throughout the state to find nearby pubs and breweries. Brochures can be downloaded from the Maine Brewers' Guild website (www.mainebrewersguild.org) and are available at visitor centers and participating breweries and brew pubs.
Go Green
The green choice is always to select a local beer. We all know buying local cuts down on transportation emissions and supports the local economy. Many local breweries offer kegs. If you buy bottles, don't forget to recycle them.
What to Choose
Here's where the fun comes in. Ask the people you know in Maine what they're favorite beers are. From Belgian to British, light to dark, and everything in between, Maine brewers have something for every palate. You can also select from special seasonal brews only available in the summer, fall, or winter. Each brewery will have a list of its beers on the web and many also include food-pairing suggestions. The Brewers Association also offers an at-a-glance chart for pairing beer with food (www.craftbeer.com).
How Much
The basic rule of thumb is two drinks per guest per hour. Some people also use an average of three drinks per person for the first two hours. You can find easy-to-use beverage calculators on websites such as Evite, The Party Source, and The Perfect Party Planner. Cheers!
Glorious Maine Grapes
by Bettina Doulton, Owner, Cellardoor Winery
The naturally stunning backdrop Maine offers as a destination for your wedding is an unbelievable venue, with an abundance of local service and products to complete your Maine wedding experience.
The food and wine served on your special day is of huge importance, from the bond it creates with guests at a perfectly set table to the inspiration you draw from what is locally attainable. The Maine wine industry is an ever-changing and ever-growing industry that can add a personal touch from toast to table. Maine wineries offer a wide variety of fruit and grave wines that can create perfect pairings for formal or casual affairs, from lobster bakes to elegant restaurants complete with award-winning chefs and beautiful views.
Lobster served with a nicely chilled Pinot Gris or Viognier in the summer is a lovely way to provide a fun treat for your wedding party at the rehearsal or for your wedding dinner.
Steak and chicken can also be very versatile as far as wine pairings go. I would suggest serving a beautiful and full fresh fruit wine, such as apple, pear, or peach, for a roasted chicken dish.
As you are travelling around the state and planning activities and possible locales, keep the wineries in mind. From Gouldboro and Sebago Lake to the Midcoast, you are sure to find a perfect wine for your wedding.
Tasting rooms can be a lovely place to take wedding parties for a private tasting or food and wine pairing to help in choosing wines for your occasion. Wine can also be a great gift for the members of your wedding party and each Maine winery has its own offerings to help you put together a welcome bag or gift basket.
Maine is a beautiful state with an amazing array of locations, products, services, and wonderful people who can ensure your day is memorable and not one to be missed. The views, lodging, restaurants, and, of course, wineries, each add a special aspect to your wedding day from planning to plate to party, giving you a fairy tale day you've always dreamed of.
