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Bottle/Tap: Tap

Remember that Portland trip I went on some time back? Well, Shipyard wasn’t the only thing I sampled while visiting the great chilly yonder. For lunch we stopped in the Flatbread Pizza Company for a daily special, and I had a Riptide Red Ale.

First and foremost, the Flatbread Pizza Company has two New England locations, as far as I know, Portland and Burlington, Vermont. I’ve now been to both. The interesting thing is how they use all natural and organic food for their pizza. Everything is made fresh and cooked in a large oven. I felt badly not wearing Birkenstocks and shorts made of hemp.

Our waiter greeted us with the daily specials, and we were hooked on the first one: white pizza, maple bacon, scallops, chives and a fresh cheese blend. In all of my eating I’ve come up with this- bacon makes everything better, and I mean everything. We ordered right off, and I felt it appropriate to order a red ale to compliment the pizza.

The Casco Bay had a nice red tint and a bitter taste at first. Yet after a few sips it reminded me of the Publick House Altbier I sampled a few months back. This was a smooth red beer that was perfect for the early afternoon.

It also went very well with the free-range bacon and scallop pizza. I imagine it would fair with anything. If you happen to be enjoying the Maine coast and are looking for something refreshing, take a dip in Casco Bay.