Craft brewing in Portland since 1986.

Maine’s strong and vibrant craft brewing industry can trace its roots back to a single visionary man and brewery: David L. Geary and D.L. Geary Brewing Company, founded 31 years ago by David and Karen Geary. At that time, there were only thirteen microbreweries in the United States, almost all of them in California and the Pacific Northwest. They faced many challenges, including learning the science of brewing, finding vendors, building a brewhouse, and selling the concept to area bars and restaurants. The business rapidly grew, launching a craft brewery craze, and paving the way for the many breweries now in the state and across the country.

In the winter of 1984, David Geary began a period of training and research in Scotland and England. With the help of Peter Maxwell Stuart, a Scottish nobleman and brewer who arranged introductions and itineraries, he worked in a half-dozen small commercial breweries.

On December 10, 1986, the first pints of Geary’s Pale Ale were sold;
New England’s first microbrewery had arrived. Since then, Geary’s has increased its product line to six full time products and three seasonal specialties.

In 2017, with brewing at the forefront of Maine’s local food revolution, the brand that paved the way for the state’s success moved into a new phase of operations. D.L. Geary Brewing Company announced that a group of Maine investors, led by Robin and Alan Lapoint of Freeport, Maine, acquired the assets of Geary’s Brewing.

The new ownership is committed to preserving Geary’s classic beers, maintaining the highest quality standards customers have come to expect, and at the same time growing the brand in new directions.

Admin Note: After the brewery sale in 2017, the name D.L. Gearys Brewing Co. was changed to Geary Brewing Company under the new owners. No major change to beers or recipes.