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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 J U N E 1 0 , 2 0 1 9 F O C U S S M A L L B U S I N E S S Brew Bus offers beer-and-birding road trips such as "Shorebirds and Steins" and "Fall Ducks and Draughts." "We're always looking for ways to get more of Maine's breweries not centered around greater Portland," says Maine Brew Bus general man- ager Don Littlefield. ere are more to choose from all the time. Maine's newest rural brewers include Sasanoa Brewing on a Westport Island farm whose creations are already mak- ing an impression on the beer world, Tattooed Dad Brewing in Jackson, XOTA Brewing in Waterboro, Ambition Brewing in Wilton, Van der Brew in Winthrop and Fluvial Brewing in Harrison, which is getting ready to open later this month. Craft industry disruptors In part, the growth in rural breweries is sparked by craft's overall popularity, with all 16 Maine counties now having at least one craft brewer, as shown in a January report by the University of Maine. It found that the craft sector added $260 million to Maine's economy in 2017. As a predominantly rural state, Maine has become fertile ground for bud- ding entrepreneurs opening brewer- ies and tasting areas on farms and properties where they live, meaning lower startup costs and fewer barriers to market entry than in a city. Many of today's rural brewers start out as home-kit hobbyists, surprised to get help from established players as they get their business off the ground. Some choose to stay small, local community gathering places, while others are expand- ing their brand reach through bottling, canning and "tap takeovers" at pubs and restaurants. at's getting harder as the market gets more crowded. Regardless of what path they choose, country brewers are shaking up the industry and traditional urban hipster tasting-room culture by luring families, older clients and even non-drinkers with live music, games, recreational activities and lodgings. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » ...we're not kidding. The Dunham Group industrial team has more than 85 years of combined experience focused exclusively in industrial real estate. Leading Greater Portland's market, we've sold or leased the majority of the area's industrial properties. Call us today to find the right space for your business. Portland, ME dunhamgroup.com 207.773.7100 Local Knowledge. Regional Focus. Global Reach. When we say we know the industrial market... Maine's Industrial Experts for Over 40 Years We're always looking for ways to get more of Maine's breweries not centered around greater Portland. — Don Littlefield Maine Brew Bus