Banded Horn Brewing Company

Ian McConnell leans against a 100+ year old pallet from the Pepperell Mill Campus, now set in the tasting room of the Banded Horn Brewing Company. Photography by Portland Headshot.

Brewed in Biddeford

Ian is a jack of all trades who turned his passion for craft beer into one of Biddeford’s top destinations. Much of the tasting room was built by his own hands, and he oversees the entire brewing process, canning, and even making music about his beer (search for the Jolly Woodsman). Check out a little about Banded Horn below:

Who are you and where are you from?

Ian McConnell, owner and brewmaster of Banded Horn Brewing Co. Originally from Etna, ME. Now resides locally.

Tell me a little about your business?

We are a 20bbl craft beer brewery and tasting room. It’s a great place to stop and pick up a growler, play corn hole with a few friends, and just relax after a long day’s work.

What made you choose the mill for your business?

In looking for a place to open our doors in the great state of Maine, finding the space in the 150-year-old Pepperell Mill was the perfect bit of luck. We take great pride in the notion of bringing life back to the city, a resurgent mill town. The location is absolutely stunning and infused with character, from the huge pine beams and columns to the views of the pristine Saco River, which serves as our twater source. We’re happy to say the historic city of Biddeford has welcomed Banded Horn with open arms.

How long have you been doing this?

We brewed our first batch of beer on November 22, 2013. We opened our tasting room to the public in December of the same year.

What makes your business interesting to you?

A love for brewing great craft beer, from the ingredients and the process, to the creativity and the stringent parameters for optimization, and, of course, the finished product and sharing it with others. (AKA Banding Together!)

What makes you stand out from others in the same industry?

Brewing a variety of styles, from traditional to cutting-edge beers that defy classification. A passion for achieving the one common virtue shared by the best beers: balance.