The Ghost of Paul Revere and Allagash brew a special lager in advance of reunion concerts
Ghost of Paul Revere Returns to the Stage and the Brew‑Hall
After a four‑year quiet, Maine’s own “holler‑folk” outfit, The Ghost of Paul Revere, is back on the road for a pair of highly anticipated reunion concerts. Fans will hear the trio and its extended live lineup perform in Portland on Friday at Live at Madrid’s and again on Sunday as part of the Ghostland music festival at Thompson’s Point. The shows, both of which sold out before the announcement, also double as the launchpad for a brand‑new collaboration with the state‑famed Allagash Brewing Company.
A Long‑Distance Reunion
The band—composed of vocalist‑guitarist Griffin William Sherry, bassist‑singer Sean McCarthy and banjo‑singer Maxwell Davis—first formed in 2012. Their first wave of releases and a 2018 appearance on Conan earned them a reputation as one of Portland’s most dynamic acts. In 2019, the state’s governor signed a bill that named the group’s “The Ballad of the 20th Maine” the official state ballad, cementing their local legacy. The trio called it quits in 2022, but two weeks into 2026 they announced a return for two reunion shows, with no plans to record new material.
Brewing the Ghost
Shortly after the reunion announcement, Allagash Brewing and the band struck a partnership that culminated in Ghostland Rustic Lager—a 4.2 % ABV lager that seeks to please both casual drinkers and die‑hard fans. “We are constantly working on that, and decided in this case to pitch a couple of concepts to them,” Allagash brewmaster Jason Perkins explained. The brewer opted for a lager rather than a hop‑heavy beer, noting that “we don’t expect every Ghost fan to be a hop‑centric beer aficionado, so we wanted something in line with Allagash’s style that would appeal broadly.”
The beer’s label was designed by local muralist and artist Ryan Adams, who said, “When the band said they wanted to work with me, we were ecstatic.” Adams described the can’s palette as “deep blues reminiscent of winter evenings—perfect for a good lager.” The Ghost’s aesthetic and Portland’s vibe guided the artwork, with a clean layout punctuated by the Allagash logo and legally required information.
The collaboration began during the reunion planning phase. Allagash’s pilot brewing system allowed the team to experiment with a handful of recipes before settling on Ghostland. Band manager Derek Lombardi and McCarthy, alongside the Allagash crew, sampled the final brew on the day it was brewed. The band’s comments were upbeat: “Along with their delicious and creative libations, we’ve valued and admired their dedication to the community around them and representation of our home,” McCarthy said.
The Launch Party
Allagash’s flagship tasting room, The Cellars at 100 Industrial Way, hosted a free party on Saturday from 1‑to‑4 p.m. to coincide with the beer’s release. Fans could sample the lager, purchase 4‑packs, and browse a merch pop‑up featuring Ghost‑themed shirts, trucker hats and knit caps. Band members—including Sherry, McCarthy, and Davis—were on hand to sign items from 1:30‑2:30 p.m. The event also featured vinyl spins from Moody Lords’ Due Season Sounds, food trucks, and ice cream from Maine Maple Creemee. RSVP was optional, but the party drew a large crowd of eager supporters.
Live Line‑up and Future Plans
For the two reunion dates, the group will be joined on stage by drummer Andrew Hodgkins, keyboardist Ben Cosgrove, and harmonica player Jackson Kincheloe. A horn section—comprising Emma Stanley, John Maclaine and Brian Graham—comes from the local collective The Fogcutters. While the band remains silent on future recordings, their Instagram page remains a source of updates for any possible next steps.
Reception and Community Impact
The Ghostland Lager has already received positive feedback from both band members and casual listeners. “It’s refreshing, with a crisp hop bitterness that lingers with a floral bite,” a longtime fan remarked. “The malt gives it a rich, multi‑dimensional mouthfeel that’s more robust than the usual light lagers,” he added.
Allagash’s partnership with the band illustrates the city’s vibrant creative ecosystem, combining music, craft brewing, visual art, and community events. As the band returns to the stage and the brewing world, fans and locals alike have plenty to celebrate.
