7/24/2018 Gritty McDuffs Brewing Company, 396 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101 phone: #207-772-2739   website: Grittys.com
Hours: 11:00am to Close

Experience before you go . . .

Tucson friends of ours, Peter and Kiki spend the summers in Kennebunkport, Maine. A "Why don't you two come visit us" quickly turned into flights, rental car and a hankering for some lobster. Kat and I hadn't been to the northeast for almost thirty years. And that time was during the fall colors in a Buick Reatta convertible and we went as far north as Bar Harbor, Maine. Even a Midwesterner can sound like a local by saying Ba Har Ba.....ain't it great, try it again...Ba Har Ba.....it's just fun to say. So anyhow the trip was planned and of course I got busy locating some breweries we could visit.

So we flew into Boston Logan Airport, jumped into the white Mazda SUV, pointed the car north and hit the gas. Our first night was in downtown Portland and after a great dinner at Evo Kitchen and Bar where we sat at the bar watching the whole kitchen in action......kinda like dinner and movie. The head Chef had recently won the show "Chopped" so the food was outstanding and of course had the price to go along with it. From a fun couple to our right, after solving all the worlds problems the conversation turned to beer. "You have to stop at Gritty's, right down the street"! So after we started walking the cool little street of Fore. We took a left down a cobblestone street a little too early and actually came across Gritty's from the back entrance which was way cool because that was the ordinal brewery, small, dark and worn out.....just the way I like it. It was fabulous!! Small L-shaped bar, a couple tables and Michaela working the tappers. Out comes the HBT card with a 10 second elevator pitch and yes, the Hoppin Brewery Tour strikes again and this time in its 10th state......10 down, 40 to go! Eugene overhears the pitch and comes over to say hi. He's one of the Brewers and offers to give me a little tour of the original setup....this place has got it going on!

Once back downstairs, Michaela starts pouring a flight for Kat and I to share. Starting with Burton on Brussels - Bitter Ale, definitely not my go to beer but interesting none the less, bitter and then bitter...did I say bitter. Next up we have Black Fly - Irish Stout (4.7%, 16 IBU) as shared in Advocate Magazine....."One of the top stouts brewed in the US, very well balanced and is even more heavenly on nitro-tap, certainly a stout lovers stout!" Sipping next we have Vacationland Ale - Golden Pale Ale (4.8%, 22 IBU) perfect brew for all things summer, refreshing! Followed by Original Pub Style - British Style Pale Ale (4.5%, 18 IBU) fresh, classic pale ale with plenty of hop character. And finishing with a one-off brewed by the 21 year old son of the master Brewer called Galactically Stoopid - IPA, I do believe this young man has got a future, hoppy, refreshing and just plain good!

To my right we have Hines, new chef at Gritty's. Hines is from Boston and he gets the "Best Dreads Ever Award".....daily wash and major care for these dreads! Nice young man with smarts and passion to go far, no matter what or where it is...Hines will figure it out!

Next time in Portland, you gotta stop at Gritty McDuff's......it's Portland's original brewpub!

Until next time and remember.........

Go get'cha one!!