Sat, 04/20/2024 - 1:30pm

Andrew Stewart and Jeremy Howard, founders of Blue Barren Distillery

Hope Library’s new monthly program, “Hope Works and Friends,” features the farmers, makers and creators in our town and the towns nearby, their stories, in their own words. The next program in this series is Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. and features Blue Barren Distillery.

Blue Barren Distillery was born between two friends, Andrew Stewart and Jeremy Howard, discussing the fate of Maine's wild blueberries.

In 2019, they started off by fermenting 32,000 pounds of Brodis blueberries into the most authentic blueberry spirit that they could make, an Eau de Vie. From there, they started making gins, rums, and vodka to create a full portfolio.

After a 2020 fire near their first location in Camden, they moved all production to the Brodis farm in Hope where it remains.

In 2022, Blue Barren opened a new facility on Camden Harbor that serves as tasting room, storefront and restaurant. They also welcome guests to the farm distillery in Hope where they serve cocktails, offer tours, and sell everything Brodis Blueberries. They are expanding throughout Maine and are excited to see how far they can push this craft distillery from Hope.

Hope Library is privileged to have Andrew and Jeremy share their story as part of the Hope Works and Friends series. This event is free and open to the public. Donations to the library will be gratefully accepted.

Hope Library is a 100% volunteer, 100% donation funded library housed in the Hope Town Office and open during Town Office hours. More information is online at hopelibrary.me