If you ask either of my siblings they will tell you I do not know the first thing about beer.  I have no appreciation for the taste, the brewing process, the flavor,  or those hoppy things, (jk, I know what hops are.) My tastebuds do not care for the flavorful ales or the dark lagers.  I drink one beer.  If you know me, you know what beer I am speaking of.  I'm really more of a scotch/whiskey girl, but that's for another blog.

Anyway, I was asked to take a trip up to Rising Tide Brewing Company in Portland, ME with some peeps who were filming a TV show.  Joe Gatto's From Scratch   Whoohooo.  Shameless Plug.  Contrary to what my brother and sister think of me, I was very interested in the brewing process and there are so many elements involved, I loved every minute of it.

The owners, Heather and Nate,  were fantastic people who really had a great story about how Rising Tide came to be and why they chose Portland as the home for their brewery. The staff was great, they put up with a film crew being their most of the day and they didn't let us put a dent in their production of that sweet, sweet nectar called BEER. Nate walked us through the entire brewing process amidst his busy day and even gave our TV host some unique tastings.

When the film crew was busy doing their thing and didn't need me,  I found great pleasure in snooping around to get some great images.

Grains in handsJust a little grain   Row of beer tapsWhat's on tap?

Board of grainRising Tide Brewing Co. Established 2010 The ingredients of beerWhat's in a beer? The ingredients of beerWhat's in a beer?

All in all a fantastic place.  Rising Tide has tours and even will host private parties.  Granted the experience hasn't completely changed my taste buds, it will take a few more trips for that to happen. But I loved the visit and consider myself much more educated and certainly appreciative of good brewing than I was before.

Until we meet again.  Maybe I will try the "mocking fish" next time I am in Portland.