Q & A with Alan Pugsley (Shipyard Brewery)

Alan Pugsley is a name that is synonymous with beer in Maine. This is the man whose card reads Master Brewer/Owner of Shipyard Brewing Company. Not a bad gig considering its the largest brewery in the state, the largest contract brewer in New England and just landed the number 15 spot in the Brewers' Association's annual top 50 microbreweries list.

Over the years Alan has lent a hand in opening other Maine breweries/brewpubs such as Geary's (Maine's first brewery), Gritty McDuff's (Maine's first brewpub), Sea Dog, Federal Jack's to name a few. Its almost hard to find out a brewery in Maine that isn't using the famous Peter Austin Brewing System! A system Alan brought to the US from his native England over 20 years ago.

Even with all of his successes, Alan remains a very humble person. I had met him years ago when I dabbled with the idea of getting into the brewing industry. A few weeks back I emailed him and asked him a few questions. He was nice enough to invite me to the brewery for a tour, that he himself would give, and answer my questions in person. Cheers Alan!

(RHP) As a young man growing up in England, what were the first beers you remember that really spurred you to consider brewing as a career?

(AP) It wasn't really beer that drew me to brewing as a career. It was my degree in biochemistry and love of traditional English pubs which helped segway a career into brewing in the UK.

(RHP) What were your first impressions of Maine?

(AP) I loved it. The way of life and the very friendly people and a State that is renowned for its quality craftsmanship. Its also a great place to live and bring up your children.

(RHP) You've designed all the Shipyard beers (and countless others I'm sure) yourself, is there a particular one that you are most proud of?

(AP) All of them! They all have a niche and all have a space to fill.

(RHP) According to the Shipyard website you've played a part in the establishment of over 65 microbreweries worldwide. That is incredible! What locations has your career taken you that you might not have expected?

(AP) South Africa and China stand out.

(RHP) What is something that most people don't know about Shipyard?

(AP) Shipyard is currently helping to set up a small brewery in an existing distillery in Romania. It will brew beers with the Shipyard name as well as some of their own craft beers.

(RHP) Are there any breweries that you've not been to that you dream of visiting?

(AP) Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada in the US perhaps. It would most likely be a small European brewery but there are so many of them that there isn't a specific one that I have in mind.

(RHP) Its Friday evening and Alan Pugsley is thirsty for a beer, what kind of beer is in the fridge (other than Shipyard)?

(AP) I don't have beer that isn't Shipyard! But if there was going to be some, it might be a British import of some sort but nothing in particular.

(RHP) Do you still enjoy coming to work each day?

(AP) I've never been to work a day in my life!

a common sight in a lot of Maine breweries

Gritty McDuff's (Portland)

Maine's Original Brewpub

Its been twenty years since Gritty's became Maine's first brewpub back in 1988. Over those two decades, its become a familiar Maine drinking institution. The Gritty's in the Old Port is a great example of what a brewpub should be. Small working brewery (7-barrel), mug club, blue collar and white collar blending together, interior of wood and exposed brick and, of course, a very casual atmosphere. 

Gritty's is a perfect place to meet up with people. Its location right on Fore St. is hard to miss and the masses converge here on the weekends as well as the weeknights (especially on Tueday when the mug club allows members to drink 20 ouncers for only two bucks!). This past week I met up with some other beer geeks at Gritty's for the inaugural meeting of the Maine Beer Writers' Guild. It was a great place to start.

Ben Low, author of the Gritty's Brewer's Blog, and member of the Guild showed us around the brewery in the basement and gave us a sneak peak of his latest creation, a "Rye PA". It should be pouring in the next ten days and sounds like it will be a great beer. I look forward to more one offs like the Rye PA. If you are around the Portland area stop in and help drink it all so Ben get creative again soon!

Luckily, Gritty's still had some of their IRA (Irish Red Ale) on nitro tap. That is a ridiculously smooth drinking beer! Its an interesting style to pour on nitro and it works. The creaminess of the head and slight bitterness go really well go together. Along with the IRA we drained copious amounts of the Black Fly Stout, Best Brown and Best Bitter. Good times were had by all and lots of geeky beer stuff was discussed. 

Gritty's operates two other brewpubs, one in Freeport and the other in Auburn. Along with the great beers on draught at all three locations, you can also find it in bottles and those huge tappable keg/cans. Try their Scottish Style Ale, its nice and malty with a dry hop finish. Its a great seasonal!

BREWERY FACTS:

Name: Gritty McDuff's Brewpub

Location: Portland, Maine, USA

Since: 1988

Ben Low's "Rye PA" in the open fermenter