Bissell Brothers (2018)

I like the Synchronicity colors.

 

Looks like I might be in the Sebago area on Saturday. Thinking about trying to duck out and grab some Nothing Gold if time allows. When's the smartest time to show up for a short wait and a guarantee of getting cans?

 

Id guess you are up against a 30-40 min wait if you show up at 11 but you would definitely get cans. Ive been told that you can push it a little and show up at 1130 and still get cans with less of a wait. Im yet to test this theory as I don't make it up there that often and want to be sure I get cans when I do.

Perhaps a local can chime in.

 

Normally I'd agree with this but it's the summer and they've been really busy lately. They sold out of Here's to Feeling Good All The Time in 2.5 hours on a rainy Thursday. A nice Saturday is going to bring the crowds. Last NG release was nice and they sold out by 2pm but the line never really died down. I was still outside in line at 12:30.

 

How long is the usual wait? Under an hour?

 

Yeah, that's about the longest - an hour if you're a ways back from the doors. They'll just be selling cans so the line moves fairly fast.

 

Am I crazy or does recip really improve with a little time? I wasn't as in love with the stuff the first week that I picked it up.

 

Making my first trip next week and should get there around 5pm on Thursday. Sounds like 0% of Reciprocal being around so will have to trade for that. Any chance of Baby Genius hanging on that long? Just trying to get a feel for the weekday schedule. Excited to check it all out!

 

Slim. It's been selling out by 2pm recently.

 

Heading up this Saturday, probably getting there around noon? Hopefully we have a shot at Nothing Gold cans.

I went back in late September/early October (Zwanze Day actually) and was able to score cans around 1 or 2 pm with no issue. Granted the did sell out just as we were sitting down with a few draft pours.

 

My guess is noon is OK for a 10am opening. If you're not hell bent on getting cans that's a good time. If your sole purpose of going is to get cans I would get there earlier.

The toughest thing in figuring out when to show up is the tourists. In October it's locals and diehards that make the trip so you can walk in 2 hours after they open and leave with a full allotment no problem. I managed to get SWISH 3 times this winter without ever having to stand in line for it. But in the summer we have so many more people here locally that it makes it tougher to judge when they'll sell out.

 

Sounds good, thanks for the info. I don't envision us getting there any earlier than noon, and we would be going there mostly just for cans. Most of their stuff is on tap around Portland, and we're staying for the weekend. I'll probably just call on the way up/check Twitter to see if there's anything left, otherwise just head right into town.

Portland in two days is always so tough, so many places to go. Trying to figure out how to check out the breweries, with many closing at 7 on Saturday, and 5 on Sunday (staying Sat/Sun night).

Never been to Battery Steele, Rising Tide, or Fore River...so trying to figure out when to fit those in.

Been to Bissell plenty of times, Austin Street, Foundation, and Allagash. Also Oxbow on the last trip.

Then of course all of the food...

 

I enjoyed the Lone Pint tap room a few weeks back. Its a good stop too! I'll be there (Portland) this weekend as well, but not a total beer trip.

 

Damnit! I don't need MORE places to go to.

Have a great time, ours isn't a total beer trip either. I've stayed in Portland for 3 days and still haven't been able to do anything. It doesn't help there's even more restaurants/bars than a few years ago.

 

Barreled Souls in Saco is always one of my favorite stops too, to add to your list!

 

This is great advice. I just hit up the breweries on Industrial Way (Allagash etc.) and they are great--Battery Steele is a gem!

 

They seem to update via Instagram more frequently than the other social media apps.

 

Goddammit, how many social media apps am I going to have sign up for for the sole purpose of following beer?

Thanks for the heads up.

 

One tip to add here I learned from a local. Ask if they have a fifth sample on the free flight...they typically have five taps going in the tap room.