By Carol McCracken (Post # 2,668)
“We were headed to Home Depot to pick up yellow paint chips to paint our bathroom,” said Beverly Dacey, this afternoon sitting out in front of Bissell Brothers Brewery at Thompson’s Point in the hot sun. “But we decided to come out here instead and visit the Tasting Rooms of Thompson’s Point. We’ll get back to the chips another day” as they enjoyed samplings from all three venues The local couple had visited Stroudwater Distillery Cellardoor Winery and ending up at Bissell Brothers where mhn.com caught up with them. Soon the couple took off to watch their grandson’s practice at Deering High School.
“Where could you find a place like this? It’s one stop shopping.” said Debbie PereirIas, who with her husband Greg have been visiting their daughter working in Portland for the summer. The gin, Debbie’s preference, at Stroudwater won’t be ready until next week. Instead, she sampled the vodka in a cocktail – North End. The fresh basil in the drink made it outstanding giving it a fresh taste. The couple visited the nearby CellarDoor where they also enjoyed the wine and chocolate pairings in the charming tasting room. “We would definitely come back to Portland and Thompsons’s Point,” they agreed. (See below left photo.)
From Scarborough to Stroudwater came Jennifer and Bill Minkowitz who read about the Grand Opening on-line on Thursday. Jennifer enjoyed the North End vodka drink commenting on the basil in it making it a particularly refreshing cocktail for a hot summer day. Bill enjoyed the Brown Derby – made from Bourbon. It contained honey. among other ingredients. Bill found it “very comforting” because of the honey in it. “I really like it a lot. The honey makes it what it is,” he said.
Bar manager John Myers said he’s still looking for a few experienced tasting room employees. If you are interested, drop by and meet Myers. Rhea Schneider, a resident of the Old Port, knows the Portland bar business well having worked at Gritty’s, Portland Pie, Sebago Brewing Co. and currently tends bar at the newly opened Munjoy Hill Tavern as well – for the past 11 years.
“This is such a great spot out here. I think next year I’ll open a hammock rental business,” quipped Myers. (See above left photo of them.)
Food trucks currently supply tacos & sandwiches etc, to accompany the beverages. It is hoped that “Big J’s” will open sometime in August. Skilled workers are hard to find to complete the specialized work that needs to be done to open up. It will provide fried chicken and sandwiches for patrons of the Tasting Rooms.
its not “spirits row” as that is an incorrect moniker. a spirit is an alcohol of at least 20 percent and is distilled. stroudwater distillery is this, but Bissell and cellardoor are not (fermentation process). so the correct moniker would be perhaps, “drunkards row,” or maybe even “booze central.”
Hey, get crack’n McCracken!
Believe me – you aren’t the first to tell me that! Cheers!
Carol
Thanks for the correction. Personally I like Booze Central. Chris Thompson didn’t like drunkards row when I checked it out with him!
Carol