Sign-up for our latest news, events & competitions
-
ABOUT SHIPYARD BREWING CO.
Shipyard Brewing Company is a family owned brewery based in Portland Maine for over 20 years – rooted in tradition and brimming with innovation. Our award-winning beer is handcrafted by our team of brewers who learned their art from world-renowned master brewer, Alan Pugsley.
We have come a long way since entrepreneur Fred Forsley and master brewer Alan Pugsley started Federal Jack’s Restaurant & Brew Pub in 1992. Based in the picturesque seacoast village of Kennebunkport Harbor, the birthplace of Shipyard ales.
The launch of Federal Jack’s coincided with the birth of America’s craft beer industry and, just two years later, demand outpaced the brewing capacity at the pub and Fred and Alan opened the Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland in 1994.
Shipyard is now one of the fastest growing craft breweries in the USA, ranked as the 25th largest craft beer company in the U.S. and 31st overall.
All of Shipyard’s recipes are developed by Master Brewer Alan Pugsley, who is one of the most influential people in the craft brewing movement in North America. Since moving to the United States he has assisted with the establishment of more than 65 microbreweries and brew pubs throughout the world.
THE UKCOLLABORATION
The craft brew industry was just starting in Maine when Alan moved to America from England where he’d learned to brew under the legendary Peter Austin at Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire, England.
Since then Shipyard Brewing Co. and Ringwood Brewery have been collaborating on beers. Shipyard continue to brew Ringwood Old Thumper for the American market, along with an American specific variant, Double Thumper.
Since Ringwood joined the Marston’s Beer Co family in 2007, the relationship has developed further with Shipyard with the launch of the first permanently available Shipyard American Pale Ale in May 2013. Since then we have introduced Shipyard IPA and Shipyard Rye Pale Ale as permanent members of the family. We have also added a whole host of guest beers to satisfy the thirst of British drinkers for American craft beer.
-
1992
Shipyard first began in 1992 at Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in Kennebunk.
Shipyard first began in 1992 at Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in Kennebunk, and becomes one of Maine's original brew pubs and working breweries.
Within two years, demand for Shipyard beer outpaced the small operation.
-
1994
Businessman Fred Forsley and brewer Alan Pugsley opened the Shipyard Brewing Company.
Businessman Fred Forsley and brewer Alan Pugsley opened the Shipyard Brewing Company in the heart of the waterfront in Portland, Maine on the site of the former Crosby Laughlin Foundry.
-
1996
Shipyard opened a 20-barrel, 5,000-square-foot microbrewery in Orlando airport’s main terminal
Shipyard opened a 20-barrel, 5,000-square-foot microbrewery in Orlando airport’s main terminal. Passengers could look thorough 6-foot glass windows, watch beer being produced, and take a self-guided tour along the perimeter of the facility to learn about the workings of the brewery. At the time this was the only operating brewery inside an airport in the world.
-
2000
Helped open a new brewery at Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Clearwater, Florida
Helped open a new brewery at Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Clearwater, Florida
-
2007
Ringwood brewery (the home of Alan Pugsley and Old Thumper) joined the Marston’s Beer Co family and conversations of collaborations began.
Ringwood brewery (the home of Alan Pugsley and Old Thumper) joined the Marston’s Beer Co family and conversations of collaborations began.
-
2008
Shipyard Brewing Company brewed 81,641 barrels of ale across 40 US States
Shipyard Brewing Company brewed 81,641 barrels of ale across 40 US States
-
2013
In May, Shipyard launch their first permanently available beer in the UK. Shipyard American Pale Ale is an immediate hit with British drinkers
In May, Shipyard launch their first permanently available beer in the UK. Shipyard American Pale Ale is an immediate hit with British drinkers
-
2016
Shipyard American Pale Ale becomes the UK’s best-selling kegged craft beer
Shipyard American Pale Ale becomes the UK’s best-selling kegged craft beer