Heark! The Taproom Re-Openeth!

An update of the taproom board can only mean one thing: we are finally prepared to reopen the taproom! As of this weekend, after almost 90 days of prolonged closure, we will now be serving beer for consumption on the premises.

Here at FMB, we are beyond ecstatic to once again serve our patrons in-house, whom with great patience and understanding have continued to support our business through these strange times. We must, however, address some important caveats to our reopening process:

1) When can I come to the taproom to grab a delicious and refreshing craft beer?

Starting this weekend, we will be observing the following weekly hours in the taproom:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 3pm - 8pm

Thursday: 3pm - 8pm

Friday: 3pm - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 8pm

Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

2) Where can I sit to enjoy my tasty beverage?

We have spent the earlier part of this month preparing an outdoor patio space, adjacent to the taproom, to accommodate your seating needs. Fortunately, nothing pairs better with our beer than a bit of fresh air!

3) Are there measures in place that promote social distancing?

As per state-mandated guidelines, parties will be limited to 8 per table. Unfortunately, parties will not be permitted to commingle with each other. All beer will be served in plastic, disposable cups for your safety and convenience. Each table will be furnished with a bottle of sanitizer spray, and the bartender will clean and disinfect each table additionally in between parties. All staff will be wearing masks while operating behind the bar, and we recommend that our customers use masks at their own discretion (and though it goes without saying, wash your hands often and stay home if you feel sick!)

4) Plastic cups, you say? What if I want to order a flight?

We've got you covered. Our plastic cups come in 4oz-size as well.

5) Can I drink my to-go 4-pack out on the patio?

While situated outside, the patio space acts as an extension of the indoor taproom. Drinking to-go beer is not permitted within the taproom, nor will it be permitted in the patio space.

6) Can I bring food to eat while out on the patio?

Yes! As always, we encourage our customers to bring food to eat while drinking our beer. Feel free to pack a picnic or order in from any of the number of local restaurants that offer delivery.

If you have any other questions, feel free to come in and talk to our bartenders!

Summertime Surprises??

As I sit here, dripping sweat from the sweltering humidity of today's 87-degree weather, I can't help but remember the SNOW that fell JUST LAST TUESDAY here in Fort Kent. Summer seems to have slipped its way into Aroostook County overnight--and not a moment too soon, either. To commemorate the much-anticipated seasonal shift, we have some interesting tidbits of FMB information to share with all of you:

1) Blueberry Witty is back in stock!

A few of you might remember the last time we had Blueberry Witty in stock--but, since our previous inventory lasted a mere ninety minutes, we can't blame you if you don't! A twist on our best-selling crowd favorite, Blueberry Witty combines our classic Belgian witbier with Maine's favorite fruit: blueberries. This time, instead of a handful of 4-packs, we made a whole batch of it. You won't be able to find this one in stores, so swing by our taproom between Wednesday and Saturday, or request a home delivery* via our online store!

2) Big Black gets barrel-aged!

Our anniversary beer is pretty darn delicious in its own right, but we've set out to make it even better. Last week, we transferred just over 50 gallons of Big Black into an American Oak bourbon barrel that previously held maple syrup. That's right: maple bourbon barrel-aged Big Black is happening. You aren't dreaming. It's as real as the Pavlovian salivation you and I are both undoubtedly experiencing. Six months from now, we'll release our barrel-aged anniversary beer alongside its traditional stainless-aged counterpart--and we'll let you be the judge of which one's better. (Shout-out to River Drive Cooperage for the barrel!)

(If you weren't already salivating, the empty barrel smelled just like fresh-made waffles...)

3) We're preparing to open again! (eventually...)

As per state mandate, breweries statewide have the green light to reopen on July 1st. While a bit later than originally anticipated, this has us slated to reopen right in line with Independence Day weekend! Social distancing will continue to be required, but to make this easier for our beloved customers, we have plans to build out a patio space off of our entryway. So, if you are as excited as we are to have a proper First Mile beer, poured straight from the tap, rest assured that we're only a month away from that reality. In the meantime, we have been busy restocking your local restaurants with FMB beer, so continue to support local by stopping into your favorite eatery and enjoy one of our awesome brews there instead!

Online Store FAQ

Since launching the SHOP section of the website, a number of customers have posed some great questions and, in the interest of clarification and the general widespread sharing of knowledge, we have some answers!

Q: Where do I find the online store?

A: The online store is accessible on our website, via the toolbar located at the top of the page. (Feel free to add the following link to your bookmarks, as well: www.firstmilebrewing.com/shop )

Once you've reached the online store, you can select an item to buy by selecting the Add to Cart button below its corresponding picture and description. This brings up the Quick Cart menu to the right of the screen, which can also be accessed at any time by clicking the shopping bag icon on the toolbar. If you would like to learn more about a product before adding it to the cart, clicking on its picture will open the product page.

Q: The website advertises a $10 gift card. What if I want to buy a $50 gift card?

A: Some items, including Gift Cards, Glassware, and Hats, offer different options that can be selected from the product page. These items will provide a drop-down menu that offers their available selection options.

Q: Can I have these items delivered to my house?

A: Yes! For those of you living in Aroostook County, we offer delivery service for all of our products offered online. To get your merch delivered directly to your doorstep, select "Home Delivery from the drop-down menu on the Cart Page. All orders over $50 include free delivery, so we greatly encourage you to purchase a First Mile t-shirt along with your 4-pack of preference. If don't want to wait for your order to be delivered, no worries! Select "FMB Taproom" from the same drop-down menu, and we will have your order curated and ready for pickup by the time we open on the next business day.

Q: I don't live in Aroostook County. Can I get my items shipped?

A: Although we cannot ship our 4-packs (would that we could...), we can certainly ship you any of our other merchandise. Any product with the "Want this item shipped?" message is available for shipping.

As per the instructions, select "FMB Taproom" from the delivery options drop-down, then select the "Add a Note" option to include your phone number or email. A First Mile representative will reach out to you to confirm shipping location and additional costs.

Q: I'm ready to complete my purchase. How do I confirm my delivery location?

A: If you have requested Home Delivery for your purchase, the first portion of the Checkout page will ask for your shipping information. Note: this should be your physical address--we won't deliver beer to your post office box!

Q: I want to buy beer for my mother and have it delivered directly to her house. Is this possible?

A: Yes! Simply populate the first portion of the Checkout page with the desired delivery address. However, be sure to clarify that the billing address associated with your payment option is different from the delivery address, which can be specified at the bottom of the payment portion of the Checkout page.

Q: I live in Presque Isle. When can I expect my order to be delivered?

A: We make our deliveries according to the following weekly schedule:

Q: What if I live in Fort Fairfield, or Mapleton?

A: Within reason, we can accommodate certain deliveries within the vicinity of our scheduled delivery locations. If your location is too far out of the way, fear not! If possible, we would love to meet you halfway. If you are concerned that your location does not qualify as "within reason," shoot us a message. We will respond to you as soon as possible with a strategy to fulfill your order as best as we can.

Q: I have a question that you didn't answer--what gives, dude??

A: Shoot us a message! We'll be happy to respond to your question as soon as we can.