Microbrewery boosts Lubec's economy
In just a year, Lubec Brewing Co., a microbrewery of craft beers that use hops grown by local farmers and organic grains grown in Maine, has gained a central place in helping revitalize the year-round local economy.
The Quoddy Tides reported the brewery started at 30 gallons per week and is now up to 120 to 240 gallons a week.
It is on the Maine Brewery Trail, which brings in about 10 visitors a week. The café and pub have become a year‑round presence for people to socialize. The café and pub employ 13 year‑round employees, with an additional seven during the summer.
The brewery’s wider economic impact includes four area farmers who are growing different varieties of hops for White. For example, Lubec resident Alba Briggs is growing two varieties of hops for owner Gale White.
"We've made some really good beer from their hops," White told the paper, of the over 100 pounds he's purchased from the four farmers.
According to a biography on Acadia Visitor, White is a former medical products executive. Before moving to Maine, he brewed beer as a hobby for a decade in eastern Pennsylvania. His day job was vice president of infusion systems marketing for B. Braun Medical Inc. in Bethlehem, Pa.
Maine ranks fifth nationwide in the number of craft breweries per capita. In February, John LeGassey, co-owner of the recently opened Fore River Brewing Co. in South Portland, told Mainebiz that, with neighborhood brewers coming back into fashion, there's plenty of room for growth.
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