Raising a Glass to 40 Years of Original Pale Ale & Supporting Maine's Working Waterfront!
Geary Brewing Co. Original Pale Ale – Celebrating 40 Years!
Announcing Partnership with Maine Lobster Community Alliance
PORTLAND, ME — May 1, 2026 — Forty years ago, Geary Brewing Co. poured the first pint of “Original Pale Ale,” making history as the state’s first craft brewery and the 13th licensed in America post prohibition. Debuting in 1986 at Three Dollar Deweys as the first beer in the U.S. brewed on the legendary Peter Austin system, this lobster-logoed copper-colored classic didn’t just set a benchmark—it sparked a movement in our city that now boasts the most breweries per capita in the nation. Today, Original Pale Ale remains the industry standard in balance, offering a smooth malty backbone and signature stone fruit sweetness with the same crisp finish that defined the birth of Maine’s craft beer culture.
A Partnership Built on Maine’s Independent Spirit
For Geary Brewing, the lobster on the label isn’t just a logo; it’s a forty-year promise to stand with the working waterfront. To celebrate this anniversary, Geary’s is turning that symbol into action through a partnership with the Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA). A portion of proceeds from all Original Pale Ale case sales will be donated to support the Lobstermen’s Leadership Program. This initiative invests in the business and leadership skills of the men and women who keep our coastal economy thriving, ensuring their heritage remains as resilient as our own.
The MLCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to protecting the families and the future of Maine’s vital lobster industry by supporting educational initiatives and investing in scientific research that helps sustain the resource. While many identify lobster as a Maine staple, few people understand that each individual Maine lobsterman is, by law, a small business. The Lobstermen’s Leadership Program will serve as a “business school for the bays,” bringing the next generation of lobstermen off the water and into a program focused on business management, global markets, policy engagement, and industry advocacy, ensuring Maine’s lobster industry remains resilient, informed, and strong for decades to come.
Quotes from Leadership
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate 40 years of Original Pale Ale by giving back to the community that has been so generous to us,” said Alan Lapoint, President of Geary Brewing. “The independent spirit of the men and women in the lobstering industry is at the very heart of the Maine identity. We want to ensure that spirit thrives for another 40 years.”
“This partnership is a perfect match,” added Patrice McCarron, President of the MLCA. “Geary’s has been a fixture on our coast for decades. Their support for the MLCA and the Lobstermen’s Leadership Program comes at a critical time, helping us empower the next generation of harvesters to lead their businesses and our coastal communities into the future.”
How to Support the Cause
As we celebrate 40 years of Geary’s Original Pale Ale, we dedicate this milestone to the future of Maine’s working waterfront. The best way to support the MLCA is simply by choosing Geary’s. A portion of every sale goes directly to the Lobstermen's Leadership Program, meaning every 6-pack and 12-pack helps ensure Maine's independent lobstermen remain strong for generations. We encourage retailers and restaurants statewide to stock up, giving customers an easy way to support this vital industry. To make a direct impact, donate securely at mlcalliance.org/gearys. Join us in raising a glass to 40 years, our coast's future, and Drinking Maine's Original.
About Geary Brewing Company: A Legacy Continued
Founded in 1983 by David and Karen Geary, Geary Brewing Company, a pioneer in the American craft beer movement, is New England’s first craft brewery and the 13th licensed in the United States post prohibition. For over four decades, operations have remained at the same historic location, utilizing the country’s very first Peter Austin brewing system. Stewarded by the Lapoint family since 2017, the brewery remains fiercely independent and family-owned. Today, a second generation of Lapoints is actively shaping this beloved brand's third generation of craft excellence. Through it all, the iconic Original Pale Ale is still brewed on that legendary system, honoring a steadfast commitment to quality, tradition, and Maine's hardworking spirit.
About Maine Lobster Community Alliance
The MLCA, founded in 2010, preserves Maine’s lobster industry by educating the public about its heritage, advancing sustainability research, and supporting distressed fishing families. The industry serves as a global model for sustainable fisheries management, built on conservation, generational knowledge, and respect for the resource. As an educational charity, MLCA connects fishermen and the public, ensuring Maine’s historic lobster industry remains resilient, scientifically grounded, and rooted in the communities that depend on it.
Media Contacts:
Geary Brewing Company Maine Lobster Community Alliance
Nathaniel Lapoint Chris Payne
Director of Marketing Associate Director
