Beer Spotlight : Woods Ride

"No two rides are ever quite the same." In the case of our rotating, experimental NEIPA series, this couldn't be more true. Repping a consistent malt bill, yielding an ABV of 6.3%, Woods Ride reinvents its hops schedule with every iteration.

With a large proportion of flaked grains, but only a comparably modest helping of caramel malts, this New England-style IPA touts a hazy, golden complexion that prominently showcases the hop-balanced flavors and aromas, imparted at various points in the brewing process. Woods Ride #3 displays mild bitterness with juicy, citrus-forward flavors, while Woods Ride #2 favors a stronger bitterness with earthy and floral tones. Some iterations favor heavy-dry hopping schedules, while others focus on boil and whirlpool additions. There are no rules when it comes to adding hops to our Woods Ride creations, making each one unique from the last.

Thus far, Woods Ride has four iterations--three of which are available in cans! And, speaking of cans, did you know that our cans are available for sale online? Check out our online store, where we offer a wide range of 4-packs for in-house pickup and local delivery (currently servicing all Aroostook County communities!) Don't live in the County, but still want to partake in the hype? We are also offering various merchandise options, ranging from glassware to t-shirts, available for purchase online with the option to ship!

Once again, we thank you all for your unwavering support amidst the shelter-in-place order. We look forward to seeing all back in the taproom, congregating and making merry, as per usual once the shenanigans come to an end.

On the bright side, we continue to keep traditions alive by offering our first-ever online trivia event! Tonight at 7pm, Amanda will be hosting a trivia live-stream on our Facebook Page. The theme is "All Things First Mile." All is fair game. Nothing is off-limits. (That last part's not true, but just barely.) Winner gets a prize!

We're still hard at it, folks!

Despite fears of apocalyptic plagues and full economic collapse, demand for FMB beer continues to remain high!

Two weeks ago, brewing at First Mile was put on hold indefinitely. With the state-wide mandatory closure of all restaurants and bars, our pipeline for beer distribution was effectively halved. Also, with a storage cooler brimming with product, the need for new beer any time soon seemed highly unlikely.

What we didn't expect was the meteoric surge in demand for beer in cans!

Along with brewing more beer, Nate and Ezra have been busy repackaging kegged beer into cans to meet the many requests for home delivery, as well as to maintain stock at the many retail outlets that continue to remain open. In fact, along with our newly-established online store, customers can now find our cans at Paradis Shop n' Save, at both their Fort Kent and Madawaska locations!

Along with the continued support of our retail partners, the FMB taproom is still open for take-out orders, with abridged hours, Wednesday through Saturday. Also, if you find yourself enjoying one of our delicious canned beverages in a socially responsible (read: distant) manner, give us a shout-out on social media with the hashtag: #showusyourFMBcans

Once again, we thank you all for your unfaltering patronage during these trying times. Exciting things are on the way, so stay tuned!

Did you say...BEER DELIVERY??

Social distancing got you feeling glum? Never fear, we've got you covered. As of Monday, March 30, 2020, First Mile Brewing will be offering beer delivery services to our local County communities!

On the First Mile Brewing website, there is now an online shop offering our current assortment of 4-packs for home delivery. Deliveries require 24-hr notice and will be facilitated on the following schedule:

Monday: Fort Kent west, as far as St. Francis Church

Tuesday: Fort Kent east, as far as St. David (this includes St. Agatha and Sinclair)

Wednesday: Fort Kent south, including Eagle Lake, Wallagrass, and Soldier Pond

Thursday: Caribou, Presque Isle, and Houlton

Friday: Fort Kent (in-town deliveries only)

Delivery is FREE with a $50 minimum purchase (orders of less that $50 will incur a handling fee, so take the opportunity to stock up!)

As this is fully (albeit blissfully) uncharted territory for the malt beverage industry, we would love to hear your feedback on how we can improve our methods, so as to better serve your needs. Also, depending on the popularity of this new feature, we reserve the right to adjust the schedule as needed. Any changes will be advertised on social media, so keep an eye out!

...and, of course, the tap room will be open on the following schedule to field your in-house beer pickups:

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 3:30pm - 6:00pm

Saturday: 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday: Closed

IMPORTANT POST SCRIPT:

In these trying times, don't forget to continue supporting your local businesses. Along with offering personalized delivery services, we are still making regular deliveries to the convenience stores and beverage warehouses remaining open during this period of quarantine.

Remember to wash your hands, limit social contact, and stay healthy, friends!!