Bar Harbour (Part 2) ME USA

The Atlantic Brewing Company

As we had seen in other east coast ports, there has been something of an explosion in the number of microbreweries and Bar Harbour is no exception.  The Atlantic Brewing Company [Ed: with its slogan ‘Save the Ales!] was one of the earliest microbreweries and has been in business since 1991.  Its main brewing premises are a bit further east on Mount Desert Island but in Bar Harbour they have an experimental set up and an attached bar.  We were very happy to be the ‘lab rats’ and try out some of their latest productions.

We had spotted the bar during our previous run ashore but after spending Marching Monday hiking ‘the most thrilling and most exposed hike[s] in the park’, on our way back to our dinghy we stopped off to try out the microbrewery’s wares as a mini reward for our hiking efforts. [Ed: Another indulgence to have to walk off?!?].

Our selection from the micro brewery’s menu

With so many interesting beers on offer we went for the easy option of a flight of 5 different ales so that we could taste the full spectrum of what was on offer.  And, because of a barrel change, we ended up with more than the normal 5 glasses which was a bonus.  They had a Blueberry Ale which we tried expecting it to be too fruity but surprisingly that ended up as being our favourite, so we clinked as we walked back to the dinghy with our rucksack full of bottles of that one.

The fuel dock

Right beside the dinghy dock is the fuel dock and we stopped off at the office to check on their opening times. Our plan was to come by first thing in the morning and top up BV with fuel and water before we headed on.  We caught the staff just a few minutes before they shut up for the night but discovered that the fuel dock would be closed the following day because there would be a cruise ship in port.  The fuel dock is where the cruise ship passengers are disembarked and so no fuel can be dispensed during that time.  Fortunately, we were not desperately in need of fuel and, scouting around, we found another dock where we could get water.

So, it was time to return to BV to enjoy the evening.  The tide had risen enough for us to take the direct route back, straight over the now submerged bar and in next to no time we were working on dinner.

Our take on Spaghetti all’Astice

I had steamed 'Larry the Lobster' the previous evening so now we just pulled him out of the fridge and picked the shell.  We then conjured up an approximation of a Spaghetti all’Astice, which is Venetian dish, where the lobster meat and spaghetti are tossed with garlic, tomatoes, basil, and white wine.  What a great meal with which to end our time in Bar Harbour!

Bar Harbour, Maine, USA