Tributary Brewing Company

Microbrewery in Kittery, Maine, United States 🇺🇸
Associated Venue: Tributary Brewing Company

Established in 2014

Contact
10 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery, ME, 03904, United States
Description
One Tributary Leads to Another… that was the aha! moment when Tod Mott and his wife, Galen came upon the name of their new brewery. Tributary Brewing Company is Tod’s long-held dream of brewing his own beer and having his own place to serve it. Tod has been a master brewer for over two decades, working with some of the region’s most renowned breweries. Most fans know him as New England’s brewing legend, the creator of the original recipe of the highly acclaimed Harpoon IPA, and Portsmouth Brewery’s cult-status, Kate the Great Russian Imperial Stout.

We find the inspiration for Tributary beer in the landscape of Southern Maine, with its winding brooks, salt water marshes, and tidal rivers converging into the mighty Piscataqua River. Tod and Galen are passionate environmentalists and understand the critical importance of good, clean water.

Water is the most vital component in the brewing process; Tributary is our metaphor for the delicate brewing process. Tod’s skill, ingenuity, and creativity, combined with our mission to preserve this way of life, results in small batches of Tod’s favorite recipes for traditional, well-balanced, full-bodied beers — many of them! Tributary’s home is the coastal town of Kittery, Maine. We use only the finest malt and hops in our brews for beer lovers locally and beyond.

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7.6
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle sample at a tasting at the Beer & Beyond shop. Thanks Amit. Spring 2015 bottle. Black with a tan head. Great aroma of chocolate, dark fruits, wood, vanilla. Bittersweet flavor with chocolate, roast, wood, fruitiness. Full-bodied. Really good.

Tried from Bottle on 13 Mar 2016 at 10:02


7.6
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Draught at Novare Res, 3/6/16.
Lightly to minimally hazy, straw-golden body is well-carbonated and topped by a large, well-retained white head.
Strong floral overtones coupled with zesty citrus dot the nose, while a bit of light grains sit in the background; perhaps just a touch of toasted malt character. Very spicy, citrusy and floral with no alcohol or flaws.
Soft, effusive texture shows light dextrines and plentiful dry grains, adding crispness and textural complexity. Nicely dry, with just a touch more toasted malt character than I’d prefer. Spicy and floral with strong grapefruit and lemon character, as well. Very textbook APA here and it’s nice to see not everyone is giving in to the NE IPA trend and still making good old-school pale ales.

Tried on 10 Mar 2016 at 16:42


6.6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Tap at Novare Res Bier Cafe, Portland. Colour is almost black with small white head. Aromas and flavours: Chocolate, some coffee, some spices and roasted malts. Needs body.

Tried from Draft on 27 Feb 2016 at 11:57


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Pours mahogany tinged black into a snifter. Mocha head with good retention recedes to coat surface. Chocolate and pumpernickel aromas. Soft with roasted caramel and chocolate upfront turning to pumpernickel and nutty espresso in the lasting finish.

Tried on 21 Feb 2016 at 19:00


7.5
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle shared, thanks! Black with a big bubbly beige head. Aroma is big malt and roast upfront, chocolate, caramel and toffee. Flavour is moderate to heavy sweet and bitter. Light full bodied with soft carbonation.

Tried from Bottle on 07 Feb 2016 at 09:17


7.1
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Sampled at the source. Brown in color, with fleeting white head. Aroma is mild chocolate hints, moderate roasted body and notes of English malts.

Flavor is leans on an English or European character from the malts. The malt character has the chocolate, mild coffee grounds and barley. Body is medium that maybe leans toward full. Dry roasted texture. This is absolutely worth a sample if you are at the brewery.

Tried on 16 Jan 2016 at 09:55


7.4
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Draft at the source. Indeed a reddish /Amber color. Thin lasting head on top of the liquid. Aroma is nice, floral, pine and light traces of citrus.

Flavor has a balanced hop profile that over rides the malt in the back of the sip. Floral up front with a fruit hint in the center. Mild pine, traces of grapes. The bitterness is moderate with a medium body. Great malt and hop balance. Very easy to drink with a slightly different hop profile.

Tried from Draft on 15 Jan 2016 at 23:12


7.2
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

4 oz at the source. Slightly hazy orange in color, thin head. Aroma displays moderate yeast with spicy hints and a hearty amount of malt.

Flavor is a rendition of the aroma. Soild yeast and malt backbone. Spicy from yeast comes through in the finish. Body is medium with a slightly dry texture. Nicely crafted

Tried on 15 Jan 2016 at 18:04


7.6
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle. Pours opaque black, medium brown head, dissipates slowly, good lacing. Aroma is roasted malts, anise, cocoa, hint of coconut. Flavor is medium sweet, medium bitter, roasty and anise. Medium plus body, lingering bitterness.

Tried from Bottle on 20 Dec 2015 at 18:01


7
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Draft at Cornerstone Pizza and Beer, Ogunquit, ME. Darker brown with fast dying head. Aroma is very light German yeast, brown sugar and very minor Munich malts.

The flavor is more around the malts then the yeast. German yeast is lightly noticeable throughout the sip. Moderate carbonation, medium body, and smooth texture, very drinkable. Malty and sweet wheat beer. Never would guess the ABV is over 7%. Nice example of the style and right on the money for what it should be. Another finely crafted ale from the gentlemen at this brewery.

Tried from Draft on 07 Dec 2015 at 11:02