WILLOW CREEK — The Dry Dock restaurant at Thorne’s Bend has been added to the official Maine Beer Trail, making it the first Willow Creek establishment to appear on the state’s craft beverage passport program and the northernmost stop on the trail.
The Maine Beer Trail, operated by the Maine Brewers’ Guild, features more than 160 breweries, cideries, and brewpubs across the state. The Dry Dock earned its spot based on its curated selection of Maine craft beers, its house-made Thorne’s Bend Cider, and its commitment to pairing local beverages with locally sourced food.
“We’ve been watching the craft beverage trail for years and thinking we belong on it,” said Dean Moreau, owner of The Dry Dock. “This isn’t just about beer. It’s about being part of a statewide tourism network that draws people to places they’ve never heard of.”
The designation is expected to increase visitation from beer tourists, a demographic that the Maine Office of Tourism says spends an average of $175 per day on lodging, food, and experiences — significantly above the average tourist spend.
Patricia LaFleur, who oversees liquor licensing for the county, noted that the designation required the restaurant to maintain a rotating selection of at least eight Maine-produced beers, a threshold Moreau had already exceeded.
Passport holders visiting The Dry Dock and collecting the trail stamp will receive a 10 percent discount on food purchases. The Maine Beer Trail map and app have been updated to include the Willow Creek location.