07/14/2026
Ten years ago, I knew almost nothing about beer.
Back then, beer was my son's territory. He chose the first four beers we put on tap, and two of those original picks, Allagash White and Weihenstephaner, are still with us today. Four taps became six, then eight, then twelve. Recently, we added a thirteenth.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped saying, "I'm not a beer girl."
Owning a restaurant has a funny way of changing you. You start by learning enough to get by, then suddenly you're fascinated by things you never imagined caring about. You learn that great draft beer is equal parts agriculture, chemistry, engineering, and hospitality. You discover that pouring a Guinness is less about pulling a handle than about respecting a process perfected over generations.
I still smile when someone says, "You should get..." as though choosing beers is as simple as filling empty taps. Every handle has earned its place. Our lineup has been built slowly and intentionally: eleven craft beers, one from the world's oldest brewery, one Irish classic, and one American standard.
One of the greatest joys of the past two years has been working with Ben from Murder Hill. Collaborating with another small business owner who cares as deeply about quality as we do has been invaluable. Recently, he helped us fine-tune our entire draft system so every beer pours exactly as its brewer intended. Most guests will never see that work, but they'll taste it in every pint.
Generation Beer from Murder Hill has quickly become our best-selling beer. I don't think that's just because it's delicious. I think people recognize care, even if they can't always explain it. A pint poured the way it was meant to be simply tastes better.
Running a small business has taught me that the best partnerships aren't transactional. They're built on shared pride, mutual respect, and a commitment to doing things well, even when no one is watching.
Those are the businesses that strengthen a community. And in the end, the real winners are the people gathered around the table, raising a glass.
Cheers!
Murder Hill Allagash Brewing Company Guinness