Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Ed Stebbins, Richard Pfeffer |
| Headquarters | Portland, Maine , United States |
Area served | Maine |
| Products | Craft beer |
| Website | www |
Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company, commonly referred to as Gritty's, maintains brewery locations in both Portland and Auburn, Maine.
History
Established in 1988 by Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer at 396 Fore Street in Portland, Gritty's holds the distinction of being Maine's first brewpub since the end of Prohibition. A larger brewing operation was launched in Freeport in 1995. During the late 1990s, Gritty's experienced a decline in sales similar to many other craft breweries. The company expanded with a third brewpub opening in Auburn in 2005, producing over 250,000 gallons that year. By 2006, Gritty's was recognized as the third-largest brewery in Maine, trailing only Shipyard Brewing and D. L. Geary Brewing. The Freeport brewery ceased operations on November 30, 2024.
Critical reception
Gritty's craft beers, such as Vacationland Summer Ale and Best Bitter, have received numerous honors including titles like "Maine's Best Brew Pub," "Best Maine Microbrew," and "Best Bar" in statewide surveys. In 2011, the Maine Restaurant Association awarded Gritty's the Restaurateur of the Year accolade. Their ales have achieved recognition at events like Chicago's Real Ale Festival and have been showcased at the Great British Beer Festival. To celebrate its 21st anniversary, Gritty's introduced the 21 IPA—originally named "Punch You in the IPA"—brewed at their Freeport facility.