Success where it counts, failure where it doesn't

Hey all.  Today was a monumental day of sorts.  We officially signed our first contract (above) with one of our Maine distributors (Nappi Distributors).  For those of you that don't know, the way sale of alcohol works is we sell to the distributor, who then delivers our product to on-premise (bars/restaurants) and off-premise (liquor stores/convenience stores) accounts to sell it.  They are the required, and very necessary, middleman in our business.  Nappi distributes in and around the Portland area, and tomorrow we will sign with Pine State Trading Company, who covers the rest of the state.  They are great people and we look forward to working with them.

We are very close to arriving at a final recipe for our first draft cider, and are within days of beginning our first large-scale batch.  We have come to an agreement on our label design, and should have a website up shortly.  If everything goes well, we will see our first tap line before the month is over.  We will be hosting promotional nights in various bars throughout Maine, and everyone we know is encouraged to come.  Chances are you're gonna get some free cider, free swag, and have a damn good time while you're at it.  When we are closer to these events, we will let everyone know via our facebook page (facebook.com/downeastcider), twitter (@downeastcider), and website (downeastcider.com).

On a more serious note, the crew, plus Mike, headed down to Mainely Brews (great food/drinks/atmosphere if you're ever in Waterville, Maine) for our weekly trivia night and posted our most embarrassing score yet, answering 10 out of 30 questions correct.  Apparently our lack of having a TV is catching up with us, as we definitely had the lowest score in the bar.  To add insult to injury, we couldn't finish our 10 "damn hot" wings, which resulted in complaining, whimpering, intense sweating, and quite possibly, a few tears (Ben said it was eye sweat...).

Regardless of these minor yet shameful setbacks, we continue to move forward, and we hope to be the largest producer of hard cider in Maine by the time the snow melts.  It is only with your help that we will make this dream a reality.  Come visit us sometime and have a cider on the house, you won't be disappointed.