Zimmermann is the owner and operator of Maine Brewing Supply, which opened at 542 Forest Ave. last October in the old Haven’s Candy space right next to the Great Lost Bear. Now Portland homebrewers can get their supplies locally, and with the addition of Maine Brewing Supply, Forest Ave.’s 540-542 block has become a premier destination for beer enthusiasts.
After sampling a brew at the Bear, patrons can slide over to MBS and figure out how to reproduce it on their own. Zimmermann regularly posts recipes at the back of the store near the beer cooler so homebrewers can attempt to replicate their favorite flavors. He’s partial to specialty Belgian and German beers, but whatever your preference, Maine Brewing Supply has the equipment and ingredients you need to sustain — or begin — your homebrew hobby.
If you’re a first timer, there are kits with everything you need to get started. The equipment kit, which is a one-time investment, costs between $75-$95, and the ingredients kit runs around $30. So even if you’ve never brewed before, you can produce your first five-gallon batch for around $100. But will it be good?
“I don’t think you should have a bad batch,” Zimmermann says, “as long as you’re clean. Cleaning is 80% of the brewing process.” According to Zimmermann, if you can follow a recipe in a cookbook, you should be able to make homebrew — and you don’t need a lot of space, either. A 16-quart pot on the stovetop is sufficient for brewing, and after that you just need a corner where you can let your five-gallon bucket of ale ferment. Of course, unless you plan to drink it straight out of the bucket or put it in a personal keg (which Zimmermann can supply), you’ll need room for approximately 53 12-ounce bottles as well (also available at MBS), but hey, your friends are sure to be helpful when it comes to storing those.
Once you’ve brewed your first batch, you can reuse your equipment for years, and as you gain confidence you can save money by buying ingredients in larger quantities. MBS carries 50-pound bags of barley malt and plenty of other specialty ingredients in bulk for regular brewers.
Since opening, Zimmermann has served a variety of shoppers, from absolute beginners and experienced brewers to folks who’ve been on a homebrew-hiatus for years because they couldn’t easily access the supplies they wanted. The Hop Shop, a brewing supply store in Gray, which has been in operation for nearly 15 years now is a great resource, but it’s also a long drive for lots of people. “I always wondered why there wasn’t a homebrew store in Portland,” says Zimmerman, who’s been brewing his own ales for 10 years now. “It’s such a beer city.”
Indeed, with multiple microbreweries and brew pubs successfully operating on the peninsula, it’s clear the people of Greater Portland appreciate good beer, and that makes Greater Portland a great fit for Zimmermann. Originally from South Africa, Zimmermann landed in Maine by way of California after meeting and marrying his wife, a Massachusetts native who yearned to return to the East Coast. In California, Zimmermann worked as a mechanical engineer, creating automated gates for gated communities among other projects. He’s been homebrewing for 10 years now, and says it’s a pastime that appeals to a lot of engineers. “It’s very scientific,” he says, and as with mechanical engineering, attention to detail is key. “You have to be meticulous.”
Zimmermann brews all kinds of beer, typically in 10-gallon batches which he stores in converted kegs. What was once a hobby for him has become a business, and like a true engineer, he has delved deeply into the science behind the craft, even going so far as to obtain a diploma in Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering through the American Brewers’ Guild (www.abgbrew.com). That diploma now hangs at the back of his store, overlooking his excellent beer selection.
Personally, I’ve never considered homebrewing. After visiting Zimmermann’s store, however, I’m starting to think it could be fun. But even if you don’t plan to whip up a vat of lager anytime soon, you might want to stop by Maine Brewing Supply to check out the beer. Zimmermann stocks several premium beers, including some new Canadian brews featuring hibiscus leaves, black peppercorns and other interesting accents. He also carries French farmhouse beer — yes, the French make good beer in addition to wine — and plenty of unique microbrews. Plus he can order those kegs you need for your next party, or even help you build your own kegerator.
Oh, and when you stop in, be sure to offer the Zimmermanns your congratulations. Their son, Max, just turned 1 week old. Sounds like a good time for a toast.
— Belinda Ray