LEWISTON — Baxter Brewing’s head brewer is moving on, according to company President Luke Livingston.

But brewmaster Michael LaCharite, who developed the brewery’s three beers, said on the website beeradvocate.com that the idea he “moved on” was untrue.

“The fact is, I was fired this morning without cause,” LaCharite wrote.

Livingston declined to describe the circumstances of LaCharite’s departure. “I’m not really at liberty to discuss the finer points of it,” he said.

Livingston said he wishes LaCharite well. “I hope he finds something in the industry,” Livingston said Thursday. “His ability to make great beers is without question.”

LaCharite has been the head brewer since the company was announced in mid-2010.

Benjamin Low, who has brewed for Gritty’s in Portland and Freeport, will lead brewing operations on a temporary basis, Livingston said. Baxter assistant brewer Geoff Newman will assist Low, and a nationwide search for LaCharite’s replacement will begin early in 2012, he said.

Livingston said Low and Newman will maintain Baxter’s quality in the meantime. “There’ll be no change in quality or the high standards of our products.”

LaCharite co-founded Casco Bay Brewing in 1994, where be brewed Katahdin Golden, Katahdin Red Ale and other varieties before selling the brewery to Shipyard in 1999. He set up the Baxter last year using equipment purchased from Ninkasi Brewing in Oregon.

Baxter Brewing, founded in 2010, is based in the Bates Mill. As Maine’s first all-canning brewery, they make Pamola Xtra Pale Ale, Stowaway IPA and the company’s newest beer, Amber Road. The brewery distributes to Maine and Massachusetts.

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