Maine Beer Company Installs First-Ever Fin Whale Skeleton Outside an Educational Institution in the U.S.

Freeport, ME — Maine Beer Company announces the permanent installation of a 53-foot fin whale skeleton at its Freeport tasting room — the first such installation outside an educational institution in the United States.

Installed on September 15, the skeleton is suspended above the tasting room, offering visitors a rare and immersive opportunity to experience the scale and presence of the world’s second-largest whale species.

The company’s inspiration dates back to 2009, when co-founder David Kleban visited a whale museum on a rainy day and learned the story of Lunch, a whale that inspired the name of Maine Beer Company’s signature IPA. While not Lunch, the fin whale skeleton serves as a reminder of the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting Maine’s marine mammals.

That same year, Maine Beer Company initiated its partnership with Allied Whale through its first donation via 1% for the Planet — a $100 gift that has since grown into more than $4 million in contributions to nonprofit organizations. The fin whale skeleton now stands as a symbol of the company’s enduring dedication to conservation, education, and community impact.

The skeleton, in a rare hands-on opportunity, was collected last year by College of the Atlantic students with support from Maine Beer Company, and prepared and rearticulated by Dan DenDanto of Whales and Nails, one of the world’s leading whale skeleton specialists. The project represents years of marine research, conservation, and collaboration between Maine Beer Company, College of the Atlantic, and Allied Whale.

“This isn’t just about honoring the past 16 years,” said Steve Mills, CEO of Maine Beer Company. “It’s about celebrating the science, collaboration, and shared commitment to conservation that brought us here — and what lies ahead.”

An official celebration of the installation and the 16-year partnership will take place on October 1 at Maine Beer Company’s tasting room in Freeport. The event will feature remarks from Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company; Sean Todd, Director of COA Allied Whale; Dr. Sylvia Torti, President of College of the Atlantic; and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative for Maine’s 1st District. Tickets are now available through College of the Atlantic.

About Maine Beer Company

Maine Beer Company, founded in 2009, is based in Freeport, Maine and is known for its commitment to “doing good through great beer.”  A proud member of 1% for the Planet, the company donates 1% of its gross annual sales to environmental nonprofits.  Their mantra “Do what’s right” guides everything from brewing and business to giving and partnerships with nonprofits.

About Allied Whale

Allied Whale is the marine mammal research division of College of the Atlantic, located in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Since 1972, it has played a leading role in the conservation of whales, seals, and ocean ecosystems.  Allied Whale houses one of the oldest and largest photo-identification catalogs of North Atlantic humpback and fin whales and is internationally recognized for its scientific contributions.