PORTLAND, Maine — How about this for a work perk?
Employees at Portland-based Allagash Brewing have just returned from a trip to Belgium over the past week. It's a pilgrimage paid for by the company.
It’s a longstanding tradition of founder Rob Tod to invite employees on the trip when they reach five years with the business, which is one of the oldest craft breweries in New England.
Many of Allagash’s beers, including its famous “White,” are inspired by traditional Belgian brew styles.
Seventeen people made the trip this time, visiting breweries, eating together, and even catching a soccer match.
Mike Elvin works in their marketing department. Like multiple others who made the trip, he had been with Allagash for more than seven years at that point. But the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the weeklong excursion he said he looked forward to since before being hired.
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"To actually, you know, be in a place that initially produced these styles and these beers, you really just feel that deep connection to the history of the styles," he explained. "And the philosophical approach to making beer out there is so unique."
He has more to look forward to, as well. Every additional five years an employee is with the brewery, he said, they get a month-long sabbatical.
Elvin said he planned to use his to return to Belgium.
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