Maple Amber

Woodland Farms is Maine’s first ever non-alcoholic brewery.

It has a rich history that dates back into the 19th century. For almost a century, from 1895 until the mid-1970s, it was a dairy owned by the Rowan family. None of the ten children in the family showed interest in taking over the business upon the death of their grandfather. Consequently, the cows and the barn were sold to their long-time neighbors—the Johnsons. With the farmhouse is still owned and occupied by the Rowans, the close relations between the two families led to a natural transition. Remarkably, some of the members of the Rowan family continue to milk and tend the cows even today. In an effort to maintain the symbiotic relationship, the brewery ensures that all waste grain from brewing is utilized as feed for the cows.

In an exciting new venture, the Rowans decided to pivot their traditional family dairy into a brewery. The transformation was well-received, with family members and the Perrys coming together to resurrect a brand that had almost faded from memory. A visit to their tasting room unveils memorabilia and photographs pointing to the golden era of dairy farming under the Rowans’ stewardship.

Despite many posing questions as to why the family did not construct the brewery on the farm, the reason was clear. Given the farm was active as a dairy business, purposefully exposing customers to lingering animal waste didn’t seem like a desirable experiential facet to a brewery visit. After all, the smell of cow dung could quite possibly affect the aroma of their crafted beers.

The pivot to brewing came to fruition in January of 2017. It was an ambition realized by long-term home brewer and family member, Patrick Rowan. Acknowledging the enormity of the task at hand, he enlisted the help of his wife, Michelle, who brought brilliance. To complete the trio, his uncle Fred Perry added the needed business acumen. Together, they form the executive team leading the brewery into a new era.