A sugar shack (French: cabane à sucre), also known as a sugar house or sap house.These are a small building or group of buildings where sap is collected from sugar maple trees boiled into maple syrup. They are often located on the same land as the sugar bush and intended to produce maple syrup by traditional hands-on methods. Historically, sugar shacks are a product of Native American and European ingenuity. The indigenous tribes first practiced maple sugaring, which became a tradition adopted by early settlers to North America throughout the 17th century. The syrup was produced for trade or sale and personal use during the cold months of Winter.The busiest period for sugar shacks in Maine’s Kennebec Valley region is during the thawing period of early spring. Beginning in late February or early March—depending on the weather—the sugar maples are tapped, and the smell of wood smoke fills the air as the sap boilers spring to life. Lucky for visitors to the area a wide variety of maple products are available for sale at these local producers, grocery stores, and farmers’ markets year-round.
Maine Maple Sunday
There is no better place to celebrate all things maple than in Maine’s Kennebec Valley. On the fourth Sunday in March, sugarhouses across the region open doors to their barns and welcome visitors to get a taste of that sweet stuff. Maine maple syrup reflects tradition, science, and innovation, all while relying heavily on unpredictable weather. At its core, it is an age-old process, from bucket to evaporator to bottle. But every sugar-maker has stories that describe why their syrup is the best you’ve ever had.Visit maple producers region- and state-wide.
Dead Stream Farm Maple
Dead Stream Farm Maple produces Maine maple syrup right on our property and sells syrup year-round. In the early part of the year, they also sell maple candy. The farm is home to six alpacas: Teddy, Mel, Ollie, Rollie, Ferris, and Dante. Visitors can find maple products, items hand created with the alpaca's fleece, and hand-forged items from the nearby NFforge, in the shop and online.67 Winthrop Rd, Readfield
Raider's Sugarhouse
A family affair, Doug, Gail and their sons Cameron and Glen, started tapping the trees around their property in 2003. Just getting started they boiled in an old ice shack using a large pot on a propane turkey cooker. In 2012, the sugarhouse was built, and a LaPierre wood-fired evaporator was purchased. The business has continued to grow over the years, much to the pleasure of their many loyal customers.148 Bog Brook Rd, South China
Bacon Farm
Bacon Farm Maple Products is located in Sidney, Maine, is now in our sixth generation of sugar makers. Our farm was originally founded in 1881 by Henry Otis Bacon and operated as a dairy and market farm. The farm is owned and operated by Kevin & Shelley Bacon and their son Nathan.When Maine Maple Sunday Weekend arrives(the 4th Sunday in March), the sides of the road are lined with cars as far as one's eyes can see with visitors, young and young at heart, anxious to see, smell, and enjoy the maple goodness. Bacon Farm products are guaranteed for their freshness and 100% pure natural flavor and are available year-round.Intersection of Route 23 and Goodhue Road, Sidney
Battleridge Syrup
During Maine Maple Weekend, Andrew at Battleridge Syrup will explain the syrup-making process. Try some ice cream with maple syrup or sharp cheddar cheese dipped in maple syrup. Purchase some maple goodies right on-site to take home.898 Battle Ridge Rd, Clinton
Wilson Family Maple Syrup
Family-owned since 1990, they are open 10-4 Maine Maple Sunday. If you want to purchase some of their syrup, maple products, or home-baked goodies, they are cash or check only.652 Benton Road, Albion
Haulk's Maple
Haulk's Maple is owned and operated by Robert and Diane Haulk of Madison, Maine. Started in 2000 with about 250 taps today there is a Sugar House and 2,300+ taps. Their Leader Vortex 4' x 12' evaporator can process 300 gallons of sap per hour to produce 7.5 gallons of syrup.882 Lakewood Road, Madison
Luce's Maine Maple Syrup
Luce’s Maple Syrup is an eight-generation production that has been in the family since 1795. They take pride in producing the best quality maple syrup using the skills and knowledge passed down by their ancestors.Their motto: Life is short, Make it Sweet, Make it Luce's54 Sugar Maple Drive, Anson
Moscow Maple
A family-run operation, Moscow Maple is set along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway and offers delicious Maple Cream and dark syrup. 1451 Canada Road, Moscow
Sawyer's Maple Farm
Sawyer's—a small family-owned and operated business that was started in January 2010— is a certified organic producer of Maine Maple Syrup. Organic certification requires trees tapped for maple sap to be at least 300 feet from fields sprayed with chemicals and pesticides. This also goes for roadside trees, where weed killers, road salt, and other treatments may enter the roots of the trees.Located in Somerset County, (the largest Maple Syrup producing county in the United States) the farm is nestled in the foothills of Boundary Bald Mountain of Moose River, Maine. Enjoy their tasty, delicious maple syrup that is 100% pure and natural. “Maine made the way syrup oughta be!45 Heald Pond Rd, Moose River
Smith Brothers Maple
Smith Brothers Maple is a small family-owned business that has been producing maple syrup and pure maple products for 28 years. You can purchase maple syrup, creams, candies, lollipops, cotton candy, lip balm, goat's milk soaps, bourbon barrel-aged sugar, and more, all made on the farm.52 Rowe Road, Skowhegan
Libby Maple
Three generations of the Libby family have joined together to produce small batches of Maple Syrup the old-fashioned way.117 Bowman Road, Cornville
Corson Farms Maple Products
Join them for the annual Maine Maple Weekend, featuring free tours, free samples, and plenty of maple goodness for sale.117 Bowman Road, Cornville
