Bissell Brothers (2018)

Hello there! Someone told me about this thread. I don't spend much time on the site but wanted to jump in to give anyone listening an update - It looks like there are some questions about our operation, so I'll do my best to answer -

-Bissell Brothers is now 100% located in the Brick North building at Thompson's Point. It is a spit of land jutting into the Fore River at the mouth of Portland Harbor. Gorgeous, and privy to up-close aircraft takeoffs and landings, as PWM is located right across the river. It is accessible by exit 5A on I-295. address is-
BISSELL BROTHERS
4 THOMPSON'S POINT ROAD STE 108
PORTLAND ME 04012

We have been open all of 4 days at this point so there is very little data to go by in terms of "what to expect". Our tap room is now 2500 square feet (2000 main floor and 500 mezzanine area where guests can view our packaging and brewing areas) plus a 900 sqf patio area, so needless to say, for those familiar with our old space, it's quite a change for the better!

On anticipated busy days, we are opening with 4 full-service POS stations, and after last Saturday's opening day insanity, our GM Hester and Tap Room Manager James have devised a draft-only line so that you don't get stuck waiting in line for another beer after you've gotten your cans. I have stayed out of the way of that planning, but I am excited to see it implemented for Saturday's Nothing Gold release! The overall consensus was that the lines were moving fast and steady.

The last two midweek days have seen lines at opening, but give way to a very manageable, chill environment with plenty of cans. Don't forget that we have increased fermentation capacity by 70%! So there is definitely more beer.

We have food on site every day, a lot of the same great mobile kitchen vendors you may remember from our previous location, along with some new ones.
In July, our friend and restauranteur Jay Loring (Nosh, Slab, Rhum) will open Big Jay's Fried Chicken and Waffles in an adjacent space, WITH AN ORDER WINDOW INTO THE TAP ROOM. This is next level shit. We're so excited! Beyond the two titular food types, the menu is very diverse, and as anyone familiar with the Portland food scene knows, this guy doesn't mess around....

Tap Room vibe- very kid friendly. well-behaved (both socially and going to the bathroom) dogs are allowed. Parking is decent, but on concert nights (the place is also a concert venue) I can tell already it's going to get hairy. If you come on a concert day after 3pm, it may be slow getting down onto the actual point itself. BUT that remains to be seen. That was the case last Saturday. But Thompson's Point (the organization) has a dedicated parking services company working all these days. I have faith.

HOURS - these are subject to change - we just need to see how much draft we go through on average, etc.
WEDS 12-6PM
THURS 12-6PM
FRI 12-8PM
SAT 12-8PM
SUN 12-5PM
All can releases are first come, first serve until sold out, except for Substance, which is allocated each day based on the total amount we have. We are currently canning about 35-40 BBL of Substance every week. I would reccommend following us on twitter and instagram for daily/hourly updates on what's going on in the taproom in terms of what we have left on a given day, or what we're starting with etc. It's the best bet until we get a web interface set up for up-to-the-minute can updates.
ALSO, there are NO scheduled can releases for Sundays. If anything is left, we will certainly roll it over, but the goals with Sunday are to provide a brunch style vibe - chill, great food that deviates from the normal offerings during the week, and a place to socialize and enjoy our beers without the factor of cans and the possibility of lines.

I saw that someone posted the release schedule through July 4th weekend on this thread - there ya go.

Hope to see you all out there, we're thrilled with the tap room, new production facility, and how good the beers are tasting with the improvements we've made to the brewing process.

-Pete

 

That right there might be the best and most informative post from a Brewery operator yet.

 

Hi, I know they just opened new brewery, but I was wondering about getting Substance. I'll be arriving in Portland at 3 pm saturday(7/2), would Substance will be sold out then?

 

I thought last Saturday was oustanding and was very well organized for the first day at the new spot. I arrived at 11:45 and the line was pretty long , but it really moved once the doors opened. I was out the door by 12:30 although I only picked up cans. The space and location is fantastic. Cheers!

 

It's a who knows situation. It's spelled out pretty clear in the post above, from the brewer, I would hope you took the 5 minutes to read.

 

Looked up their Twitter and seems like it would be hard for me to get some cans. Thanks.

 

They're going to have higher allottments on Saturdays, but obviously more people in line at opening. Some of the local release hype might be turned down, but it's also a long weekend. I wouldn't bank on it for the long weekend factor.

 

Might have to make my second trip in 3 days tomorrow for Nothing Gold before heading back to CT. Trying to decide how early to get there (driving from York).

 

Not a good line situation out here. I guess they can only hold 200 in the building so people just wanting to buy cans need to wait for those enjoying a pint to leave. Why don't they just sell cans outside for those who want to grab and go?

 

Anybody there now? How are the lines?

 

Bissell Brothers ‏@BissellBrosBrew 2 minutes ago
All cans are sold out for the day, but we still have all beers on draft, Nothing Gold included!

 

On my way to Portland first thing Wednesday (June 22) morning. There's a Substance and Baby G can release. I'm hoping to be there by 12 at the latest. Just want to get some feedback on what the line could be like and if there's a possibility I won't get cans. Any insight is appreciated.

 

^^ You're good at 12 on a Wednesday

 

I know it's only been a few weeks in the new brewery but Any ideas on how long lines will be Tomorrow or Friday? (looks like just substance) Do I need to be there at opening? how long have cans been lasting? I'm thinking of heading up from wells but will have my kids with me. Thanks

 

this would be nice to know, wife and i are heading up on friday for a wedding and we were planning on getting to bissell for opening.

 

I was up there two Fridays ago, barely any line. Got my Substance and a couple of pours in 10 minutes

 

Can you get growler fills at the new site or just cans and pint pours?

 

Very cool! Thanks.

 

Heading up to Portland tomorrow Saturday 6/25 (will not be up in time for Dinner release). Bissell shows Substance/Lux on for Saturday. Should be arriving around 4-5 PM. What are the chances those beers will still be around in cans when I arrive?

 

To be honest no probably not, esp after a dinner release. But they have like 7 or 8 taps going right now so you'll be able to get pour for a few hours.

Cheers!