Brew England: How One Man’s Passion for Craft Beer Found a Home in Biddeford
- Brick + Tides
- Sep 30
- 6 min read
If you stroll down Main Street in Biddeford, Maine, it’s impossible not to feel the buzz. The old mill buildings that once hummed with textile machinery now host restaurants, studios, and independent shops. Among the storefronts, one new addition has quickly become a beacon for craft beer lovers: Brew England, a retail beer shop owned and operated by Brad McCourt.
Brad is a quiet presence, someone who prefers spreadsheets and conversations about saison yeast strains to the spotlight. But step into his store, and you’ll realize he’s built something remarkable: a retail hub that connects Biddeford to the booming craft beer culture of Maine and beyond.
From Buffalo to Biddeford
Brad’s story doesn’t begin in Biddeford. He grew up in Buffalo, New York, a city with its own gritty reputation and passionate food-and-drink culture. Later, he moved to Boston, and eventually Portland, before settling in Biddeford four years ago.
“Part of it was affordability,” Brad says with a laugh. “We were looking for space for me, my girlfriend, and our cats. Portland was tough. Biddeford gave us room—and it’s been great watching the city grow.”
Biddeford’s affordability may have been the practical reason, but the city’s energy was the real draw. Over the last decade, Biddeford has transformed itself from a struggling mill town into one of Maine’s most exciting small cities, fueled by a mix of artists, entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking business owners.
Brew England fits right in.
Brewing an Idea
Brad’s path to beer retail wasn’t straightforward. Early in his career, he worked at one of the original “true beer bars,” a place that introduced him to the complexity and creativity of craft brewing. “It was a real education,” he recalls. “I was surrounded by beer people at a time when the industry was just starting to explode.”
When the pandemic hit, Brad—like many—was looking for an outlet. He launched Brew England, a blog where he documented hikes, bike rides, and brewery visits across New England. It was part travelogue, part beer journal.
“That was kind of my creative outlet,” he says. “I’d go for a hike, check out a brewery, and write about it. Later I started posting videos on YouTube. It was fun, but I didn’t know it would grow into anything bigger.”
Then in 2024, Brad lost his job. Instead of despair, he saw an opportunity. “That gave me time to rethink things I could be doing,” he explains. He met with the Maine Small Business Development Center, received mentorship, and put together a business plan. Bangor Savings Bank—just steps away from his current storefront—approved a loan. Within months, the blog had grown into a brick-and-mortar shop.
Data, Marketing, and Beer
Brad is quick to deflect compliments about being a natural entrepreneur. “I don’t know if I’m excellent at owning a retail store,” he says with a shrug. “Time will tell.”
But his background suggests otherwise. He has a love of data and an eye for detail that few retailers bring to their shelves. “I’m a data guy,” he admits. “I love spreadsheets. I love tracking what sells, what customers are asking for. That helps me make smarter decisions.”
On top of that, Brad worked in marketing before opening Brew England. That experience now saves him money. He designs his own website, manages social media, and creates promotional content—tasks that could easily overwhelm a new business owner.
A Curated Craft Beer Experience
What sets Brew England apart is its carefully chosen selection. Over half of the shop’s beers come from Maine, with the rest representing the best of New England. Brad stocks heavy-hitters like Allagash, Maine Beer Company, and Bissell Brothers, alongside cult favorites such as Orono Brewing’s Tubular IPA and Thirsty Botanist.
But Brad’s true passion lies in supporting smaller, independent breweries that don’t always have the benefit of large distribution networks. “Sometimes I’m talking directly to the brewer,” he says. “That’s always rewarding—you get insight you’d never get from a distributor. And for some of these breweries, I might be the first retail shop to carry their beer.”
Recent additions include:
Freeport Brewing’s Brown Hound Brown Ale, their first beer distributed in cans.
Sasanoa Brewing, north of Portland, known for their farmhouse saisons.
Local Biddeford gems like Sacred Profane, Banded Brewing, and Lucky Pigeon Brewing—all proudly represented on Brad’s shelves.
For customers, this means Brew England isn’t just a store—it’s a gateway to discovering new flavors, styles, and stories.
Old-School Connections in a Digital Age
The craft beer industry may rely on social media, apps, and word-of-mouth, but Brad points out that sometimes the best connections still happen face-to-face.
He recalls the day the owner of Freeport Brewing walked into the shop with samples of a new brown ale. “It was great,” Brad says. “They’d been around for years but were just starting to distribute. I tasted it, loved it, and now it’s on my shelves. That’s old-school marketing—just showing up. And with beer, it works. Beer is exciting. It’s not like selling vacuum cleaners.”
That personal touch extends to Brew England’s customers too. Whether you’re a craft beer connoisseur or just someone looking to grab a six-pack for the weekend, Brad is happy to talk through the options, explain what makes each brewery unique, and point you toward something new.
Expanding with Kegs and Community
Recently, Brad has expanded Brew England’s offerings to include kegs, opening up new opportunities for parties, weddings, and community gatherings. It’s one more way of connecting people with local beer, and a sign that Brew England isn’t just about retail—it’s about becoming part of the city’s fabric.
And that fabric is Biddeford itself.
Biddeford’s Renaissance and Brew England’s Role
Biddeford has been called one of Maine’s comeback stories, a city that reinvented itself through food, drink, and creativity. Brew England fits seamlessly into that narrative.
Main Street is no longer just a corridor of empty storefronts—it’s a place where residents and visitors linger. A coffee shop here, a pet groomer there, and now a craft beer shop where you can discover the latest IPA brewed just a few streets or towns over.
Brad sees Brew England as both a business and a contribution to Biddeford’s growth. “I love supporting local breweries,” he says. “And I also love being part of this community. There’s so much happening here, and it’s exciting to play even a small role in it.”
Brad also makes it a priority for Brew England to be part of the wider Biddeford community. One of his first partnerships is with the historic City Theater, a cultural cornerstone of downtown. “City Theater is amazing,” Brad says. “Whenever there’s a show, restaurants are packed and downtown is so lively.” To support that vibrancy, Brew England is sponsoring the theater this season. Customers who bring in their playbill receive 5% off store-wide—a small but meaningful way Brad ties his business to Biddeford’s arts scene while encouraging residents to support local performance.
Brad also spoke warmly about Heart of Biddeford, emphasizing how central the nonprofit is to the city’s growth and vitality. He sees the organization as more than just a downtown booster—it’s a true community builder. Heart of Biddeford, Executive Director Delilah Poupore and her staff organizes events, supports local businesses, and fosters the kind of energy that makes Main Street a destination. For Brad, their work is essential because every time the organization activates downtown—whether through festivals, markets, or cultural events—it brings new life and visitors to the area, which directly benefits small businesses like Brew England. He’s proud to be part of a community where such an organization is dedicated to keeping Biddeford vibrant and welcoming.
More Than a Store
At its heart, Brew England is more than a retail shop. It’s a celebration of craft beer, community, and the spirit of Biddeford. It’s a place where spreadsheets meet saisons, where old-school connections meet new ideas, and where a quiet man with a love for beer has created something worth celebrating. “Beer brings people together,” Brad says. “That’s what I love about it. And that’s what I want Brew England to be about, too.”
Many thanks to Brad for his time and opening early for us to make photos and chat about Brew England, Maine, Beer and Biddeford.
Visit Brew England: 193 Main Street #104, Biddeford, Maine 04005
Visit their website at brewengland.beer
BRICK+TIDES is a weekly digital magazine based in York County, Maine. We share stories about local businesses, people, and places that make Southern Maine special. Explore more and subscribe,