Projections for 2015 are about 3,800 barrels. Initially, it produced 29 barrels in 2010, which rose to 149 barrels in 2011 and 2,505 barrels in 2014. It set up a proof-of-concept operation in 2011 and installed equipment in 2012. The brewery was financed by the Sanborns, who then took out a loan from Bangor Savings Bank.
The company operates its brewery and tasting room in 5,500 square feet in Portland and its warehouse in 8,400 square feet in Westbrook. Rising Tide's total sales grew 262% from 2012 through 2014, making it Mainebiz's fastest-growing company in the small category, with 25 or fewer employees.
The current tasting room at its brewery in Portland's East Bayside neighborhood accounts for one-third of total revenue. Heather Sanborn, who also serves as president of the guild, says Rising Tide plans to greatly expand its tasting room in 2016. There are now about 42 operating tasting rooms in Maine, according to the Maine Brewers' Guild.
And perhaps most importantly, it was the first full year a new law allowed on-site tasting rooms to operate and charge for their beer. It also was when Heather Sanborn, then a lawyer, joined her husband Nathan's brewing company, which they co-own. The company started to expand its physical plant and fermentation capacity, and was pumping out 10 barrels of beer per week. The year 2012 was a landmark for Rising Tide Brewing.