David Geary (brewer)
David Geary | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 19, 1945 Brighton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 2023 (aged 78) Portland, Maine, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Purdue University |
| Occupations | Businessman, brewer |
| Employer | |
| Spouse | Karen Geary |
David L. Geary (April 19, 1945 – July 26, 2023) was an American brewer who established Geary Brewing Company, New England's first craft brewery. Because of this, he was known as the "godfather of Maine craft beer."
Early life
Geary was born in Brighton, Massachusetts, in 1945 to Jack Geary and Joyce Goldman. He grew up in West Quincy. His family relocated to Portland, Maine, in 1961. He graduated Deering High School, before attending Purdue University, where he graduated with a degree in English literature. He later moved to South Portland, where he began working for Ross Laboratories. He moved again, to Westbrook.[1]
Career
After becoming a regular at Three Dollar Dewey's, in Portland's Old Port, he was introduced to lesser-known European small-batch beers by Dewey's owner Alan Eames in 1981.[1][2]
Geary founded the D. L. Geary Brewing Company in 1983,[3] when there were only thirteen microbreweries in the country. The following year, he trained and studied the art of brewing in England and Scotland,[4] including learning from brewer Peter Maxwell Stewart.[1]
Three Dollar Dewey's poured the first pint of Geary's Pale Ale, priced at $2.75,[2] in December 1986.[1] A decade later, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), made Geary the Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2018, the Maine Historical Society made him a Maine History Maker in 2018.[1]
Geary sold the company in 2017.[4]
Personal life
Geary was marred to Karen, whom he met at Purdue. They had a son and daughter.[4]
His favorite pub in Portland was Brian Boru, which closed in 2019 after 26 years in business.[1][5]
Death
Geary died in 2023, aged 78.[6] He had been a widower for a decade, following his wife's death in 2013.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "David Geary Obituary - Portland, ME". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- 1 2 "Raise a pint to remember David Geary - Island Institute". www.islandinstitute.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ Canfield, Sam (2023-07-28). "Maine craft beer pioneer David Geary dies". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- 1 2 3 4 "David Geary, 'Godfather of Maine craft beer,' dies at 78". The Portland Press Herald. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ "Brian Boru stands as a reminder of Portland's past. Is it time to move on?". The Portland Press Herald. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ Bohl, Chloe Courtney (2023-07-28). "David Geary, who brought craft brewing to Maine, dies at 78". Boston.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.