Today I'm going to talk about a very dirty word to anybody who loves beer or
any alcoholic beverage. That word is prohibition (GASP!). Many people
are aware of the nationwide effort to ban the manufacture, sale, and
consumption within the United States during the period from 1920 when the
Volstead act was made law and it's subsequent repeal in 1933. This was a
tragic period in American history and a great example of the intrusion into
an individual's private life by government and special interests that we
still see here in the 21st century.
What many people don't realize is that prohibition was not new in this
country in the twenties. Though it had never been attempted on a national
scale, it had indeed been enacted in many states during the mid to late 19th
century, though not with the vigor with which it was pursued during the
roaring twenties. To be sure, early attempts at prohibition in the 1850s
were a display of Protestant zeal, but they were also a nativist reaction
against the massive influx of German and Irish immigrants who enjoyed their
drink and came from a culture that embraced pubs and beer gardens as a
social event, as most European cultures did.
The first state to enact a mandatory temperance law was Maine in 1851, and
as a result the prohibition laws of the day were known as Maine Laws.
The Maine Laws did spread to other states but never were efficiently
enforced and were eventually repealed.
Today, of course, Maine is attempting to atone for its sin against beer by
producing a wide array of delicious craft brewed ales and lagers. The state
has become one of the nations premiere brewing centers thanks to the efforts
of brewers like Sea Dog, formerly of Camden but now a brand owned by
Shipyard. Sea Dog had a location in Bangor as well, and used a Peter Austin
system with the famous Ringwood yeast at both breweries.
One of my favorite Sea Dog beers has been their Bluepaw Wild Blueberry
Wheat Ale. Maine is famous for its blueberries as well as its beer, and
this beverage combines the two perfectly to create a crisp, refreshing
libation perfect for the sweltering summer heat. Though some are averse to
fruit in their beer, I love it, and in my estimation blueberries work
extremely well in beer. Sea Dog's Bluepaw is lighter bodied than
Bar
Harbor's Blueberry ale , and therefore more drinkable if a bit less
flavorful. I would put it a peg beneath my (now) local blueberry ale,
Sweetwater Blue .
The label used to say "wheat ale brewed with blueberry juice"; now it claims this is a "wheat ale with natural flavor".
I think that today, in 2007, Bluepaw seems a bit lighter overall than it has
in the past, or at least the bottle I'm sipping today is. Blueberry beers do
make a perfect summer beer with their quenching character, but with the
weather as it is lately (77 degrees at 6 PM in mid-October), this is a great
beer for fall as well. Why not enjoy a bottle while watching your favorite
football team?
Update November 9th, 2016: Here's a first: Sea Dog Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale on tap at Taco Mac. Sea Dog, as mentioned above, is now a Shipyard brand, and though I have seen both in bottles here in Georgia, this is the first time I've ever seen a Shipyard beer in draft form here in Georgia. The beer has a lovely crisp biscuit maltiness, is lightly buttery, with vibrant fresh blueberries and a tart wheat finish. A lot like a slice of blueberry pie in a glass ($6), I'm so happy to revisit this old friend.
Update April 19th, 2019: Here I am again enjoying yet another trip down memory lane with a delicious can of Seadog Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat. I picked this up in South Carolina (I have never seen it in Georgia) and I wish I had bought more. It's a great deal at just $8.99 for a 6-pack of cans. Love the juicy blueberry fruit popping against the biscuit malt and soft buttery notes.
About Shipyard Brewing
Shipyard Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery based in Portland Maine for over 25 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.
Sea Dog Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale in a Sea Dog Glass
Tasting Notes
It's a cloudy yellow in color with good carbonation and a prodigious head as well as a rich blueberry-pie nose. The blueberry flavor is a bit more subdued than in the past but still delicious against a crisp wheat background. The beer isn't at all overpowering or cloying. There's a faint touch of buttery Ringwood character but it's very light, much lighter than in most Ringwood brews. The finish is nicely balanced, leaning ever so slightly to the sweet side. A perfect summer refresher, even if I think I liked it better when the company was independent.
Value & Verdict
I paid $6 for a 20-ounce draft at Taco Mac most recently. As of July of 2026, Total Wine has this listed for $16.49 a six-pack in Greeneville, South Carolina. It's a better deal at their Dedham, Massachusetts store where you cna get a 12-ack for just two bucks more. They also have a 4-pack of pint cans advertised for $9.99 a 4-pack in their Tampa, Florida, store but they are currently out of stock.
Just for fun, try dropping a few blueberries in your glass as you sip and enjoy with a dish of vanilla ice cream for a cool refreshing dessert.
