LYMAN, Maine — Fans of Funky Bow’s distinctive craft beers, currently on tap at select restaurants and bars in Southern Maine, will soon be able to find them on the shelf at their local supermarkets and convenience stores statewide. Funky Bow Brewery and Beer Co. of Lyman has teamed up with Pine State Beverage Co. of Gardiner for the sales and distribution coverage offered by Pine State — the leading beer and wine distributor in the state of Maine.
As of July 1, 2014, 12-ounce cans of Funky Bow’s End of the Line Pale Ale and So Folkin’ Hoppy IPA will be available to retailers and restaurateurs from Kittery to Fort Kent. Funky Bow’s seasonal beers will be added to the lineup as they are produced. Launched just a year ago by father and son team Paul and Abraham Lorrain at the family farm in Lyman, Funky Bow has already experienced tremendous growth. Their first beer, End of the Line Pale Ale, was introduced last March at The Great Lost Bear in Portland.
“We immediately realized we had to double our capacity, so we went home and ordered new tanks,” said Paul Lorrain. The Lorrains — both exuberant, enthusiastic promoters of their beer — have grown Funky Bow with old-fashioned legwork and smart salesmanship, hosting events at restaurants and bars from Kennebunk to Brunswick, in addition to welcoming fans to the brewery on Friday evenings for “growler nights,” featuring food, a roaring bonfire and live bluegrass music. Together with Pine State, they are poised for the next level of growth — expanding their brewery, increasing production to 10 times its current level and packaging their beer in cans. “It’s like surfing: you don’t dictate what the wave’s going to do, you ride it,” said Paul Lorrain.
Pine State will be riding the wave right along with them, with the sales and distribution support to allow Funky Bow to focus on the brewing operation. “We interviewed distributors in Massachusetts as well as Maine; we chose Pine State for their distribution reach and the quality of their people,” Lorrain said. “Pine State is thrilled to strategically partner with another family-owned craft brewery,” said Nick Alberding, CEO of Pine State Trading Co. “We look forward to working with Paul and Abraham, building the Funky Bow brand throughout Maine.” Retailers interested in carrying Funky Bow’s beers should contact Pine State Beverage Co. at 800-873-3825 ext. 4499 for more information.