Maine oven Craft on the Road: Hearthfelt Stories
On a rainy, gray, summer day, I made my way along twisting roads in Millinocket, ME. Down a long dirt road, with few man-made landmarks, and suddenly you’ll find yourself at the stunning NEOC.
At lunch time on a Monday, the relatively deserted brewery slowly fills with people, bringing a steady flow of life with them. Logs, beams and taxidermy paint the space with rugged Maine energy, while modern light fixtures, large windows and enormous photographs bring a touch of sophistication.
Wind and rain outside the dining room’s floor to ceiling windows, and a gray sky, replace what I am told are normally sweeping views of Mount Katahdin. Kids set up to play games in the adjacent lounge, tables fill with eager guests and rain drips from jackets hung on chair backs.
Chatter and the scent of pizza rapidly warm the space. The team behind the counter swiftly navigate, taking orders, stretching doughs, tossing salads and expertly managing the enormous, blue copper patina wood-fired oven.
A steady stream of wood-fired pizza and wings line up on the counter, hot from the oven. A colorful wall mural and the bright blue oven, invite intrigued guests to linger in awe.
Pizza, beer and good vibes are strong here.
An expansive trail network, and adjacent Millinocket Lake offer abundant outdoor recreation year round. Eco lodges, lake-side cabins and plenty of campsites offer the right accommodations for every type of adventure.
Hike, bike and swim in the summer, snowmobile, ice fish, snowshoe and ski in the winter, and unwind in with pizza, beer and views in the Knife Edge Dining Room all year.
Want to learn more about Knife Edge Brewing?
Check out Matt’s interview to learn more about Knife Edge Brewing, their dedication to the land they sit on, and how a Maine Oven Craft oven elevated their business and their values simultaneously.