Off the beaten path: Liberty & Union
By Heather Chandler and Jasmine Haines
Getting off the beaten path requires a spirit of adventure and a desire to discover your own true experience of a place. In this new series, we profile our favorite places to get off-the-beaten-path in Maine. These articles are meant to be an introduction, and not at all comprehensive. There are just so many sweet spots to explore, we couldn’t possibly include them all in this inaugural section. Consider this a jumping off point to fuel your own sense of adventure, with a few guideposts along the way. One great resource to find out what’s happening in Maine’s downtowns is the Main Street Maine program, a compilation of local life in Maine’s nationally recognized historic downtowns. Learn more at mainstreetmaine.org.
Sara Trunzo performing on the deck at Liberty Craft Brewing. Photo courtesy of Liberty Craft Brewing.
Liberty & Union
Most people are familiar with the coastal charms of Rockland and Camden, but just inland from these well-loved seaside attractions, you’ll find an idyllic community with plenty of New England charm worth the 30-minute drive out of town. One of Maine’s best-kept secrets, the area has long been an attraction for “back- to-the-land” types, and today an ethos of living simply and in harmony with nature characterizes everyday life. Dotted with lakes, ponds, rolling hills and soaring pine trees, these towns have been known to spark inspiration and become favorite repeat destinations. As the locals say, “Liberty is a little beyond Hope, and just short of Freedom.”
A prize-winning pumpkin in the Exhibition Hall at the Common Ground Country Fair.
Unity may not make it into the clever quote, but this little town is an anchor in its community. It is home to Unity College, “America’s environmental college,” which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on “Sustainability Science.” Undergraduates live at the college’s scenic campus, with 225 acres of woodland bordering Unity Pond. Unity is also the location – and the theme – for the annual Common Ground Country Fair, organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, which takes place every September. Not your average country fair, Common Ground showcases the products and practices of sustainable and humane agricultural practices, along with crafts, music and plenty of fun for families.
You don’t have to wait for the fair to indulge in some tasty treats in this neck of the woods: there are many great places to grab a bite to eat or taste the locally crafted beer, cider and spirits. Those who appreciate a view with their beer and pizza will fall in love with Liberty Craft Brewing, a treehouse brewpub with unforgettable vistas of the surrounding Camden Hills. This small craft brewery always has a few different seasonal brews on tap, along with a couple well-loved standbys – such as the Squatch Elixer, with elderberry and licorice root (like a sasquatch would brew), plus cider and wine. Chef Matt Allen uses fresh and local produce when available, and the menu is stacked with tasty options including wood-fired pizzas (served on Saturdays), gyros and ribs. visit their website, www.libertycraftbrewing.com, for a complete lineup of the live music offerings and more details.
Liberty is also home to Lake St. George Brewing Company. The family-run brewery, which first opened in 1993, has a long history in the community. Guests can lounge in the cozy loft while sampling oatmeal stout or chat with friends at the countryside picnic tables while enjoying an IPA. Check out their website at lakestgeorgebrewing.com for hours and brewery tour information.
In neighboring Union, Sweetgrass Farm Distillery is a family-owned and -operated winery and distillery known for their small-batch Back River Gin. Sweetgrass uses fruits and grains grown in Maine to create their wine and spirits, making a flavor that is uniquely theirs and adored by gin lovers everywhere. Experience it yourself in the tasting room, which gives visitors the option to try their creations in cocktail mixes designed to showcase the local flavors. Try the cranberry gin, made with Maine cranberries, for a twist on the classic gin and tonic. As a bonus, explore the picture-perfect hiking trails on the surrounding 70 acres.
Sweetgrass Farm Distillery in Union.
While in Union, you’ll also want to plan a stop at Savage Oakes Winery. This 200-year-old, solar powered farm creates award-winning wines from Maine-grown fruits. It is also home to an outdoor concert series in the summer featuring well-known national acts. Highlights of this year’s lineup include Amos Lee and the Record Company. Enjoy tastings at the bar or a wine flight on their deck overlooking the vineyards. Summer in the country. It doesn’t get much better.
If you’re looking to fuel up earlier in the day, a favorite weekend brunch spot among locals is Barrettstown Farmhouse in Hope. With a full bar and views overlooking an apple orchard and refurbished barn, the farmhouse offers home-cooked meals in a rustic ambience. Check out their Facebook page (@42hatchetmountainroad) for daily specials and the most up-to-date hours.
For an authentic New England small- town experience – and for lunch – visit the Hope General Store. Visitors to the store, which was founded in 1832, may feel as though they have stepped back in time, but they’ll soon find that the menu offers plenty to appeal to 21st- century tastes, including 140 types of beer and over-the-top delicious deli sandwiches. Try the Hope Reuben, a Maine take on the classic, or the Ooo La La, a brie, salami, tomato and spicy mustard sandwich that’s so good and affordable, you just might want two.
Of course, any time of day is right for ice cream. If you are driving on Route 3 in Liberty this summer, a stop at John’s Ice Cream is mandatory. It may look inconspicuous on the outside, but this isn’t just another roadside ice cream stand. Their homemade ice cream and sorbets are offered in a large assortment of classic and unique flavors made with local ingredients like strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries and honey. The air-conditioned interior is the very picture of a small-town ice cream parlor; there are also plenty of picnic tables outdoors, so bring the whole gang.
Finally, no feature on the dining highlights of this region could fail to mention Freedom’s renowned Lost Kitchen, beloved by foodies all over the country. A visit here takes some advance planning and luck; in fact, you will want to start planning now for 2020, since reservations are only accepted via postcard during a two- week window (it was in April this year) – and then drawn at random. Chef Erin French uses fine-tuned culinary skills to create one-of-a-kind meals like grilled stone fruit with bleu cheese and Maine halibut Niçoise – using the freshest local ingredients.
Time for some shopping? Find flea market meets old-fashioned hardware store at the Liberty Tool Company on Main Street in Liberty. Peruse four floors of antique woodworking tools, vintage furniture, collectibles and more for treasures at affordable prices and an authentically Maine shopping experience.
Liberty Tool on Main Street in Liberty. Photo courtesy of Liberty Tool Company.
You’ll find another one-of-a-kind experience at The Octagonal Post Office Museum, which claims to be the only octagonal post office in the United States. It was built in 1867 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Liberty Historical Society makes its home there and operates a small museum, open on weekends through the summer.
For a gift that boasts a true mark of the area, pick up a t-shirt or two featuring local artwork at Liberty Graphics. Since the 1970s, Liberty Graphics has been using ecologically- sound printing methods – featuring water-based inks – to print on their signature organic cotton t-shirts. Showcasing the natural world, designs range from barnyard animals to frog metamorphosis, and beneficial herbs to butterflies. They even offer a tie-dyed lobster tee.
Looking to stay for the weekend or more? For a relaxing getaway in a pastoral setting, book a stay or treatment at Ravens’ Crossing spa. Located on an 1850s farm in the town of Appleton, this rustic retreat offers visitors a moment of Maine zen, with a hot tub to soak in as well as a wood- fired sauna and available massage therapy. Lodgings include two quaint cottages to curl up with a good book, and the grounds consist of miles of scenic trails to explore at your leisure.
Any visit to this area offers ample opportunity to get outdoors, and Lake St. George State Park is a good place to start. The 1,017-acre, crystal-clear lake is peppered with tiny islands waiting to be explored. Great for swimming and snorkeling, the park also features camping spots, a public boat launch and fishing for brook trout or landlocked salmon. An insider tip: Lake St. George Brewing is just a short walk up the road.
For more hiking and outdoor recreation, visit neighboring Jefferson, home to the Hidden Valley Nature Center. With more than 1,000 acres of wilderness open to the public, its multiple trails cover a variety of terrains for visitors to explore. The bog trail, for example, offers the opportunity to experience a fragile and beautiful ecosystem up close. It’s a dog-friendly place, so feel free to bring your four- legged hiking buddy. Don’t miss out on access to the gorgeous pond – the center offers canoe and paddle board rentals. Make an overnight trip by reserving one of the camping sites or choose from several cabins and a sweet six-person yurt. Learn more on the Midcoast Conservancy website.
Save the date!
Common Ground Country Fair
Late September
Organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Common Ground celebrates the rural and agricultural traditions of Maine. Not your average country fair, the event showcases the products and practices of sustainable and humane agricultural practices, along with crafts, music and plenty of fun for families.
Off the beaten path: read more from this series
Winding roads, rivers and coves lead to picture-perfect seascapes and classic New England small towns in Maine’s Mid-Midcoast