There is a golden liquid, neither wine nor juice, that emerges from a small mill nestled on the windswept shores of Portland Harbor. It carries within it the hazy mist of New England, the breath of fragrant hop gardens, and the pure yearning of two brothers – to write a new definition of beauty. That liquid, they call it... The Substance – not a name, but an affirmation.
It is the soul that initiates an entire journey, a silent declaration brewed from gentle boldness: that a glass of beer can be both an easy-listening pop song and a multi-layered poem, inviting the drinker into a world of ripe mango and papaya flavors and heartwarming stories. This is not just the story of a beer, but the story of a fateful encounter between people, ingredients, and a perfect moment to change the way we feel.
1. The Journey of Bottled Dreams: Bissell Brothers Brewing Co.
In a small, warm room filled with the scent of yeast in Portland, during the winter of 2013, a dream officially took flight. Not with grandiose plans, but with brotherhood – the most primal and powerful bond. Noah and Peter Bissell, two hearts beating as one, decided to name their brainchild simply and proudly: Bissell Brothers. That name is like a promise, a vow of companionship, sharing, and joint creation.
And then, that November, The Substance – the first essence – touched the lips of beer lovers. It wasn't simply the first can of beer, but a declaration in a bottle. Amidst a market intoxicated by the harsh bitterness of traditional IPAs, Noah brewed a different symphony – opaque, fragrant like a ripe fruit garden, gentle as an embrace. He wanted to create a beer "for every day," a pure essence that could resonate with both beginners and seasoned connoisseurs. The name The Substance is the heart, the soul, the first whisper of a philosophy they will carry with them throughout their journey: sincerity.
In the early days, the aroma of beer spread from a small establishment at Thompson's Point. The hum of the machines, the joyful laughter of the first customers – these were the sounds of a happy beginning. But the dream wouldn't stay within those confines. In early 2017, a major turning point led them to One Industrial Way – a larger new home, a gathering place for master craftspeople. Along with the brewery, the Taproom also opened, becoming more than just a place to sell beer; it became a connecting sanctuary, where the scent of hops mingled with the stories and smiles of an entire community.
From a local brand nurtured with a love for Portland, their flavors embark on a gentle yet powerful conquest. The Substance Along with its siblings, it quietly crossed the Maine border, infiltrating every bar and store shelf throughout New England. They became pioneers, among the founders and shapers of the style. Hazy IPA – something that took the Northeast by storm – in the American Northeast.
Looking back, Bissell Brothers' journey is a beautiful story of beginnings from the basics: brotherhood, belief in local ingredients, and a pure desire to bring something truly authentic to the community. Each can of beer, therefore, contains not only beer, but also a story about a place, about the people, and about a spirit called "passion" brewed from their hearts.
2. The Blurry Dance: The Substance's Style
If I had to use a metaphor, The Substance It is not an ironclad manifesto. It is a hazy poem written in hops, a soft prelude to a culinary revolution. It belongs to the warm ale family, carrying the blood of India Pale Ale (IPA), yet possesses a completely different soul: a Hazy IPA – also known by the poetic name, New England IPA.
Look at it, you'll see a color. opaque yellow, Like the morning sunlight piercing through the mist on a lake, or like a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice. That "cloudiness" isn't a flaw, but rather a mark, a whisper of a smooth, soft texture about to touch your lips.
Bring the glass of beer to your nose, and you'll be swept up in a whirlwind of aroma. Not the smell of dry grass or damp earth, but a tropical orchard in full bloom: sweet mangoes, fragrant papayas, tangy grapefruit segments, and luscious pineapples. It's the scent of carefully selected hops, sourced from distant lands, meant only to fill this New England dream.
Then you taste it. Bitter – which is the dominant note of a traditional IPA – is here just a subtle, distant low note. It appears smooth and controlled, like a gentle touch to guide, not a punch. Instead, your entire palate is filled with the juicy, sweet sensation of fruit. The 6.61 TP3T alcohol content is just right to provide a gentle warmth, embracing those flavors without overpowering them.
And then, the structure. Oh, structure That's the real magic. The beer is full-bodied and smooth, gliding seductively across the tongue like a layer of fresh cream. The slightly dry aftertaste leaves no harshness, but rather a graceful farewell, inviting you to take another sip.
The Substance embodies the philosophy of Hazy IPA: a delicate balance between the exuberance of floral notes and the restraint of bitterness. It doesn't attack, it seduces. It's not ostentatious, it invites. Each sip is a journey into a hazy, mysterious, and sweet garden, where all preconceptions about IPAs melt away, leaving only the purest essence of joy.
3. The Art of Opening Your Heart: Fully Enjoying the Substance
For a bottling dream to truly take flight, it needs the right setting. Enjoying The Substance is not simply an act, but a gentle ritual where all the senses are invited into a refined feast.
3.1. Temperature and the Glass
Imagine you are awakening a sleeping garden. The temperature is pleasantly cool, about 4°C – 7°C, It is the gentlest spring breeze. At that temperature, countless aromatic compounds from hops – the scents of ripe mango, papaya, and grapefruit – shyly emerge and float, not being paralyzed by the cold. Don't rush; let it breathe a little in the palm of your hand.
Then give it to a worthy glass. The Tulip Glass A graceful glass, with its rounded body and closed mouth, will be like a delicate flower petal, concentrating all its complex aromas to fully present them to your nose. Or a cozy Snifter glass, allowing the warmth from your palm to caress the beer's body, slowly awakening its flavor. Each sip from these glasses is an intimate conversation with the soul of the beer.
3.2. Fate at the Dinner Table
The Substance It's a generous companion, always knowing how to enhance the beauty of others. Find it a culinary soulmate.
At a barbecue, pair it with a slushy cheeseburger. The beer's subtle bitterness and refreshing quality will be like a summer rain shower, washing away the richness and preparing you for another exciting bite.
It's also ready for a transcontinental adventure. A plate of sweet teriyaki chicken, or a light bowl of Japanese curry, will find a strange harmony with the tropical flavors in a glass of beer. They dance together in a subtly balanced symphony.
Think of the pieces Maine lobster Sweet and succulent, or golden-brown grilled scallops with butter. The rich, sweet flavors of the sea are complemented by the refreshing fruity notes in the beer, creating a harmonious blend of land and sea.
3.3. Moments That Belong to a Glass of Beer
Some beers are made for specific moments. And The Substance, it's made for memorable moments.
It's the soul of connection in weekend gatherings with friends, where laughter and conversation mingle with the aroma of BBQ grilled meat. It's a confidant on a cool autumn afternoon, when you sit alone and listen to the layers of flavor unfold.
It carries the essence of a New England summer – perfect for a sunny day at the beach. But it's also warm and comforting enough to soothe a soul in the autumn with its falling leaves.
And there's something magical about it: it's a bridge. A gentle bridge that leads newcomers into the diverse world of craft beer. It's also a bridge that brings connoisseurs back to their most primal emotions – the pure joy of tasting something truly beautiful.
So, open that can of beer, at the very moment your heart tells you to. Because The Substance is not just a drink, but an experience waiting to be felt, a perfect piece for the memories being written.
4. Conclusion: The Lingering Taste of a Meeting
The Substance It's not the kind of beer you drink and forget. It's an encounter. A gentle meeting with yourself, with kindred spirits, or with the dreamy Portland that gave birth to it. Each sip of that hazy beer is like a gentle touch to the Bissell brothers' dream – a dream of a captivating and inclusive IPA, where bitterness is merely a distant background for a resonant fruity melody.
It teaches us that, sometimes, true strength comes from gentleness. That genuine essence doesn't need to be ostentatious, but simply shines through honestly. When the glass is empty, what remains is not just a refreshing sensation on the palate, but also the warm aftertaste of a beautiful story – a story of passion, brotherhood, and the courage to be different.
And then, you'll understand why they call it The Substance. Because after all, it's the pure essence of joy condensed, waiting to be opened and shared, in any moment your heart needs something beautiful.
