The art of brewing beer and storytelling has been around for centuries and it is no wonder why we, as a country, have always found the heart of any idea, cause, or even revolution, to have been born in a tavern, generally over a pint of fresh ale. So for those of you who don’t know about Burnt Island Lighthouse, sit down, pour a pint of 10 Lewis Ale, and read on.

Built in 1821, the Burnt Island Lighthouse was constructed to assist mariners in navigating in and out of the bustling fishing port of Boothbay. The lighthouse remains original since its construction with occasional upgrades over the centuries to make the light itself more effective and reliable. Over those years, clever inventions not only kept it lit, but further identified it as Burnt Island to the mariner. Can you imagine the age of no electricity? The constant care of oil burning lamps was painstaking and never-ending, not to mention the thought that the lives of seamen depended upon them being visible. A present day engineer would be giddy to find counterweights and clockworks used to rotate a lens or to strike a bell during foggy weather.

Due to technological advancements in navigational aids, lighthouses all along the coast are being relinquished from federal government ownership to non-profit or private ownerships for preservation. Most of the navigational lights themselves are still maintained by the United States Coast Guard, however, the iconic lighthouse structures are no longer needed.

So it was about 18 years ago when an ambitious, state education director within the Dept. of Marine Resources (think Aquarium) saw an opportunity to acquire Burnt Island and its Light Station from the government for the purposes of preservation, education, recreation, and public access. The perfect combination in our book! Although there are many other lighthouses that have been secured by non-profit preservation groups, you will be hard pressed to find one better suited for a true lighthouse educational experience. Accessed by boat, but within the safe confines of the inner harbor, makes it a breathtaking experience for locals and visitors alike. The recent addition of an education center outpost, complete with kitchen and overnight facilitates, makes it a hugely valuable asset to our region.

“The Keepers”

Many don’t know that although the state did acquire Burnt Island, the state has never created a budget using taxpayers' dollars for its care. The education branch within the Department of Marine Resources certainly sees it as a valuable asset, so costs associated with its continued maintenance and preservation have been charged to the non-profit group called “Keepers of Burnt Island Light.” In existence since 2009, this small group of passionate, local citizens has done an exceptional job in operating the living lighthouse museum tours for the public, which helps raise money toward this goal. Just this unique, summer attraction alone gives visitors another reason to come to our region. So it is ours, “The People’s Lighthouse,” and now it is our obligation to help take care of it.

This story kicks off the fundraising campaign where we are asking young and old, people from here or from far away, to “Be a Keepah.” Please help us preserve the Burnt Island Light Station and keep it lit for generations to come. In just five short years, our lighthouse — Maine’s oldest “original” tower — will be 200 years old. Its height, shape, and foundation have remained the same, but the elements have caused its mortar to crumble and its cast-iron lantern-room to corrode. The inside brick liner is cracked from alterations made over time and proper ventilation is needed for its continued longevity. The final phase of restoration is being planned, which will not only include the tower’s make-over, but historically correct exterior siding and windows for the keeper’s dwelling.

About 10 Lewis Ale

We are in the beer business and the creation of a new beer is not a simple task. On top of recipe development, regulatory requirements, and name and label registration, it really starts with a passion and a vision to tell a story. For us here at Boothbay Craft Brewery, we always try to tell a local one, and as local as the beer itself, so must be the creation of the label.

The now infamous Jeff Brown of Southport was commissioned to draw an artist’s rendition of Burnt Island Light. Then our technologically savvy Cody Mitchell took over and added depth and color and put the art into a label quality digital format for printing. We think the labels, signed by the artists, further tell a story of collaboration, share a fascinating tidbit about the Lighthouse, and also showcase our region’s artistic talents.

Although a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every 10 Lewis Ale will go toward the preservation of the Light, more will be needed to make this a successful campaign. We hope the message we are sending sparks the interest and support needed to preserve “Our Lighthouse” far into the future.

Now that you feel a strong calling to give toward this cause that helps us all preserve our heritage, go to www.keepersofburntislandlight.com and donate! After that, go have a beer to celebrate your awesomeness! You will be able to find 10 Lewis Ale in many of our great neighborhood stores on the peninsula as well as right up here at the Brewery.

If you haven’t had the chance to go out and visit Burnt Island Light Station grab the kids, grandkids, or just your camera and make plans to visit history alive in our inner harbor. Have you ever been up in a lighthouse? Well it’s yours, so get out and enjoy it! Information on when and how you can visit can be found online at www.keepersofburntislandlight.com or go see Capt. Campbell down at Pier 8 and board the Novelty for a cruise out to Burnt Island.

Cheers from Win, Lori, Cody, and the entire BRU Team