There are a few ways for a brewery to stand out in this golden age of craft: make beers that are better than the rest or set up a brewery experience that makes it a must-visit. Oxbow Brewery, in rural Newcastle, Maine, not only has a strong collection of farmhouse and Belgian-style ales, they also give you a place to stay when you’re there. The brewery rents out a three-bedroom farmhouse on Airbnb, giving visitors an intriguing reason to stop by and a $25 credit to the tasting room for each night.
“We’ve got that beautiful property and it’s definitely unique,” says Tim Adams, Oxbow’s founder and brewmaster. “We’re looking to maximize the experience as much as possible.”
The farmhouse, located at the edge of 18 acres of property, is large enough to sleep nine people, with three bedrooms and five beds. Its kitchen overlooks the brewery and a pond, and there’s an orchard out back.
There is a multitude of trails, which in the summer can be used for biking or hiking, and, in the winter, snowshoeing or animal tracking. It’s even possible to cross-country ski from the Airbnb to the brewery, stand up your skis, and come in for a beer. Portland is only an hour away and Acadia National Park is a little more than two.
The idea to rent out the farmhouse came from a simple realization: the brewery had the space available, so why not make something out of it? Adams says Oxbow assessed what they had and what they could do with it. The result? An Airbnb.
“It seemed like it would be a fun way to diversify what we had to offer our customers,” Adams explains. “It makes sense. The brewery is kind of out there and it’s nice for people to stay on site.”
