WGME || Good Day Maine
Maine Makers: Local business creates craft beer soap
Maine Makers are putting together their holiday orders amid a push to go local this holiday season.
Elaine Kinney in South Portland is creating craft beer soap right out of her home after deciding two years ago that she needed a change.
"If you're going to start a business in 2020 it might as well be soap, right?" says Kinney. "Everyone is washing their hands."
Her business, White Pine Bath & Brew, features scents made by local brewers, including Lemongrass Shea and IPA, Maine Woodsman, and Sea Salt and Clay.
She says the beer brings its own benefits.
"There are amino acids and hops which can be soothing for irritated or sensitive skin and there are biotin and vitamins in brewer's yeast so you're getting that cleansing feeling of soap and you're getting those extra special oils but you're also getting the extra boost of the beer itself,” Kinney said.
Kinney quickly learned that while owning a business is extremely fulfilling, it's a lot of work.
"I design the recipes, I do the art on the labels, I obviously design, make the soap itself, I do the social media marketing and the inventory," she says, "Everything goes through me."
She says that's what makes her products so special.
"You're getting again that high quality attention to detail where I'm making sure like everything that goes out is something I can be proud of."