Keith,
In Vermont we can sell our own products without going through the state distribution system. We got this law enacted ourselves a few years ago.
We can get up to 10 4th class licenses. This could be a retail store or a farmers market spot.
We can get up to 36 special event permits per year. These multi-day permits allow us to sell at festivals and shows, no limit on sales.
We are not limited to the amount we can sell either.
Bars/Restaurants still have to buy from the agency stores.
You all are going to need to work on getting the state to change the laws. Have you formed a Maine Distilled Spirits Council yet, so you can have a larger voice at the statehouse? That helps a lot.
While your at it, get Maine to relax their tasting laws too. ALL spirits sold in Vermont can conduct their own tasting events in the stores, and there isn't too much of a hassle. Every weekend the larger stores have these going on. You can remind them that YOU all are the best people to sell and represent your products among the 1000,s out there, you'll sell more, make more money, the state will make more money, stores will sell more and make more money. I can't believe ME is "anit-biz" more so than VT, but they changed these things once they heard from us and allowed us to explain how it will help. We now have a track record that these law changes work and have helped, and we're growing here. Good luck.