My second book, Distilled in Maine: A History of Libations, Temperance & Craft Spirits, is now available! I feel like I found the groove when I wrote this one, so I hope you enjoy it. It begins with the history of alcohol in Maine, starting with the earliest European explorers who brought brandy and wine and then the exhaustive work of Portland's mayor Neal Dow who was hellbent on ridding our state of alcohol and its attendant evils. Of course that never happened, so there's plenty of tales of coastal smuggling and high-speed (for the 1920s) car chases.
The second half of the book profile the nine (at the time) craft distillers in the state from the earliest Cold River potato vodka to the new wave of Portland distillers like Maine Craft Distilling and New England Distilling.
One of the most exciting things about the book is that famed Portland John Myers, currently of Portland Hunt & Alpine Club, wrote the foreword! John is entertaining, witty, and a good writer. At times I feel like he should have written the book, but I was asked, so there you have it.
The books are available through independent bookstores like Sherman's Books and Longfellow Books in Portland, online, and at Books-A-Million. I'm having a launch party this Friday at Sherman's Books (49 Exchange St) from 5-7pm. Stop in and say hello! I'll be signing books and there will be sample cocktails.
I'll also be at the Rails, Tails & Ales at the Boothbay Railway Village this Saturday, July 18th from 12-4pm. There will be live music, beer from several Maine craft breweries, and even train rides. Sounds like great fun, I only wish my nephew was still visiting to enjoy it!
Also, pick up the latest copy of Zest magazine to see amazing caricatures of local food writers along with our top 5 dishes and drinks around the state. I got mine at the Rosemont market on the Hill, but you should be seeing them around - there's a big, beautiful enticing shot of ice cream sandwiches on the cover.
Hope to see you at an upcoming book event!
