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The Maine Brews Cruise and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to resurrect our collaboration for three very special outings in 2024.

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

Shorebirds and Steins Sunday, August 11, 2023 10:00am – 4:00pm​ ​

The original BoT Roadtrip! in 2015, our most popular tour returns to Scarborough Marsh at prime time for a good variety of migrant shorebirds. We’ll learn how to identify our common species, and search for the rare. Up to 20 species of shorebirds are possible! We’ll practice identifying our “peeps” (Least, Semipalmated, and White-rumped Sandpipers) and attempt to tease out a rare Western or even a Baird’s among the masses. We’ll look for local breeding American Oystercatchers and Willets, while searching for migrants such as Red Knots on their way from the high Arctic to the southern tip of Argentina.

And not to worry, we’ll take a look at everything else, such as Common, Roseate, and Least Terns; herons and egrets, and who knows what else? We may even get a chance to see Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows depending on time, wind, and tide.

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local breweries to sample their offerings and learn their styles.

The samples are included in the tour price, and The Maine Brews Cruise will supply a light snack and water. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We also recommend bringing a lunch or additional snack if you so desire. Sunscreen, a light jacket in case the wind turns onshore, and sturdy comfortable walking shoes are also recommended – we will be out in the sun for the duration of the birding portion of the tour.

We’ll be doing all of the driving, so you can relax!

Meeting Location

• Meeting time: 10am
• opposite the intersection of Diamond St & Marginal Way
• just East of Franklin Ave.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time.

We’ll return to Marginal Way Park & Ride (Portland) at 4:00pm

The Boat Trip!  Sunday, October 20th 9am – 2pm

For the first time ever, Birds on Tap! is hitting the water! That’s right, we taking a cruise. And our goal is to find a rare bird or two.

This very special trip will take us across Portland Harbor to the private House Island. We’ve been granted special permission to come ashore and scour the island here in the first peak of the fall “Rarity Season.” We’ll follow well-maintained trails through the island’s mosaic of open habitats, scrub, and young woods. These are great habitats to search for vagrants and other seasonal rarities, and we’ve eyed the habitat from our birding days on Peak’s Island.

While rare birds are rare, we are still going to expect the unexpected. But more likely are regular migrants of the season such as a variety of sparrows, and a growing diversity of waterbirds. At the very least, we’ll have resident waterbirds and several species of gulls to sort through. We are having daydreams of a rare flycatcher!

As we motor across the harbor, we’ll begin to familiarize ourselves with some of the common waterbirds, such as Common Eiders and Common Loons to look at, while you enjoy a local craft beverage produced in the city of Portland.

The beverages are included in the tour price, and The Maine Brews Cruise will supply a light snack and water. Bring binoculars We also recommend bringing a lunch or additional snack if you so desire. Sturdy comfortable walking shoes are also recommended, as are a variety of layers as it can be quite chilly on the water by the end of October.

• Meeting time: 9am
• on street parking is available in Portland’s Old Port
• Fore Street Parking Garage – 427 Fore Street, Portland
• Fisherman’s Wharf – 202 Commercial Street, Portland
• Custom House Parking Garage – 25 Pearl Street, Portland

We’ll return to Portland Beer Hub at 2:00pm

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Exploring Portland: Tour the Town by Water, by Wheel, and by Foot

• Posted: June 13, 2023

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• Tuesday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Wednesday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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• Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Maine Brews Cruise

Maine Brews Cruise provides unforgettable tours and experiences showcasing Maine’s incredible craft beverage industry. Let us provide you a behind-the-scenes look at Maine’s craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more.

320 Fore Street Portland, ME

P. (207) 200-9111

Maine Brews Cruise was initially founded as The Maine Brew Bus in September 2012 by husband-and-wife Zach and Allison Poole.

Our all-inclusive tours and experiences provide guests a behind-the-scenes look at Maine’s craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more. Tour guests enjoy having an expert guide, and often a dedicated driver, to lead them to both established and up-and-coming producers.

This offers an opportunity to learn much more about the craft alcohol business than they could learn on their own.

Over 35,000 people have been connected to Maine’s craft alcohol producers since our tours began almost 10 years ago.

Visit us online for more information and to see a current schedule of tours and events.

• Old Port Walk, Talk, and Taste: $80
• Bike and Brews: $90
• Beerunch: $90
• Casco Fiasco: $110
• Local Pour Tour: $90
• Drinks About Town: $90
• Best of Portland: $85

Special Events

Upcoming events for Maine Brews Cruise.

Seasonal birdwatching meets Portland Maine’s finest craft beers

The Best 16 Breweries in Portland, Maine

If you are planning a trip to Maine, chances are you are going to be visiting a few breweries in Portland along the way. 

The Portland Maine brewery scene boasts the most breweries per capita in the United States.  With roughly 70,000 in population and over 25 breweries, that’s a lot of beer per person!

We visited most of the breweries in Portland, Maine over the course of three days in Portland .  We even threw in a distillery and a winery just for fun too.

We have grouped the Portland breweries together based on proximity to each other and how we’d suggest hopping around! We’ve also added brewery tour information, if they have food, and if they offer outdoor seating. 

Short on time? Here are the key takeaways:

• We’ve broken up the breweries by location for ease of access (see the Table of Contents for details) and ranked them in order by location
• Most breweries in Portland offer a food option.
• In our opinion, don’t miss Rising Tide, Allagash, and Bissell Brothers.

This post was originally published in October 2018, and was updated in January 2024.

**Boozing Abroad contains affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to purchase items through these links, we will earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure policy here **

Overview of Portland breweries

Depending on which region of the country you claim as home, you may hear Portland, Maine, referred to as “The Other Portland.”

Often in the shadows of the Oregon city by the same name, Portland, Maine is a bit of a hidden gem in the northeast US.

While you’ve likely heard about the great beer scene out west in Portland, Oregon, the breweries in Portland Maine rival any other beer city out there.

Must be something about the name Portland that coincides with great beer!

How many breweries are in Portland Maine?

There are over 25 breweries in the Greater Portland area.

Maine Beer Trail Info

While there isn’t a specific beer trail that’s exclusive to the breweries in Portland, there is a Maine beer trail that will cover all the breweries.

It’s free to sign up and you’ll get rewarded for your brewery visits.

At 25 visits, you’ll receive a hat and at 50, you’ll get a t-shirt.

The Best Breweries In Portland, Maine (Ranked)

Rather than trying to explain our pretty strong views on what makes a brewery the best, we’ve designed our own formula to objectively tell you what’s literally the best. 

We’ve devised our own ranking system based on 3 factors: 

• Public ratings (sites such as Google and Yelp)
• The brewery’s rating on Untappd

The last two rankings showcase how loved they are while our personal opinion also plays into the overall ranking. 

In the end, each brewery receives a score out of 5, but a brewery can score  higher  than five based on the bonuses for Untappd ratings at 4 and above and how popular it is. We will break ties using the total number of reviews. In general, the higher the score, the better! 

Here is our ranked list of which breweries offers the best breweries in Portland, Maine (by area):

Industrial Way

Downtown/ East End

Old Port / West End

If you want to learn more, read our  ranking formula .

Ready to learn about each of these breweries and choose your own favorite brewery in Portland?

Map of Breweries in Portland, Maine

Click the interactive map below!

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: To view the layers and see the names of the places on this map, click the tab in the top left corner. You can select the check marks to show or hide certain layers. If you select the icons on the map, you will get more information about the point of interest.

HOW TO SAVE THIS MAP: If you select the star icon next to the map name, you can save this map to your Google Maps account. To view it, open Google Maps in desktop or on your phone, select the menu button, go to “Your Places,” scroll to the right to Maps, and you will see this map.

Industrial Way breweries

The Industrial Way breweries are about 15 minutes outside of downtown Portland.

Don’t let that get you down though – Uber/Lyft are aplenty!

The best part? There are 6 breweries within walking distance, so you can definitely make a day of it hopping around on the outskirts of downtown. They are ranked in order based on the ranking system referenced above.

1. Allagash Brewing Company

• Tour Available: Yes, starting in Nov 2022
• Food: Yes, a stationary food truck
• Outdoor Seating: Yes

Allagash Brewing is one of the most popular breweries in Portland and one of the places you’ve likely heard of even if you haven’t visited Portland.

While they are known nationwide for their Allagash White, a refreshing and easy drinking witbier, they have an incredible line up of Belgian beers.

Most of their beers are Belgian-inspired which means they’ll typically be higher in ABV.

There are so many options from the at least 17 taps inside and out. Grab the pre-determined daily flight of 4 beers or opt to sample some half-pours.

Tour info: Allagash stopped offering tours during 2020, but will be resuming them in November 2022 in a whole new way. Be sure to check their website if you are interested. 

2. Battery Steele Brewing

• Tour Available: No
• Outdoor Seating:  Yes

Battery Steele Brewing is just down the road (literally, Google Maps says 492 feet) from Definitive Brewing.

Sharing a wall with the Austin Street Brewery, Battery Steele Brewing offers ( surprise surprise ) many different types of hop-forward beers with the Flume, a tropical and citrusy double IPA, being one of the mainstays. 

As you’ll continue to see, hoppy beers are a staple at many of the breweries in Portland, Maine!

They have also branched out and offer other options such as sours, pilsners, Helles lagers, and stouts.  

The tasting room is rather small, but the back patio outside of the garage doors serves as a nice overflow area to enjoy the beautiful Portland, ME weather.

3. Foundation Brewing Company

• Food: Yes, pizza kitchen open Thursday-Monday

Foundation Brewing Company   is on the backside of the building from Battery Steele and Austin Street.

(Seriously, this little building houses three separate Portland breweries – goes to show size doesn’t matter…). 

It must be something about this building because it was also the former home to Rising Tide Brewing, Bissell Brothers, and Maine Beer Company before each found their current homes in Portland and surrounding cities.

Foundation has the widest variety of beers in our opinion. Yes, it does have the hop-heavy portion of the menu, which is all very good, but it also had several sours, a pilsner, and a lager on tap when we were there.

Flights are 4 generous pours of their beer. Fill out a flight card while waiting in line and then enjoy your brews in the tasting room or out on the patio.

4. Geary Brewing Company

Geary Brewing Company is said to be New England’s first craft brewery – holding the 13th microbrewery license dating back to 1983, also making this brewery the first Maine brewery.

Geary’s is about a 10-minute walk (.5 miles) from the cluster of breweries on Industrial Way and only open Thursday – Saturday.

Another small tasting room, Geary’s is definitely still doing things its own way.  With 8 rotating taps, you can try a few different styles in a flight. 

They have stuck to what they’ve done well for so many years and we found many of their beers true to style.

Geary’s Pale Ale was the beer that got this place started back in the 1980s and it continues on today with the boom of breweries in Portland Maine. 

5. Austin Street Brewery

• Food: Light Snacks only; rotating food trucks

Austin Street Brewery is right next door to Battery Steele and offers, you guessed it, an array of IPAs and pale ales. (Are you seeing a trend with breweries in Portland Maine?). 

The Patina Ale is Austin Street’s flagship pale ale which is citrusy, piney, and has just enough bitterness to balance everything out.  

Similar to their neighbors, very small tasting room with a larger outdoor patio space and picnic tables.

6. Definitive Brewing Company 

• Food: Yes, snacks only / Food trucks on weekends

Right across the street from Allagash, Definitive Brewing   boasts a wide variety of different types of IPAs, like most of the breweries in Portland, Maine. 

They do not serve flights but offer 5oz pours if you want to try a few. 

They did have a few non-IPA choices for those hop-averse folks out there. They also serve wine and cider.

The Definitive Ale gives off notes of cantaloupe and other tropical flavors and is their flagship IPA, as you might expect given the name.  

It was “definitely” a good stop for enjoying hop-forward beers!

Downtown and East End

These breweries are ranked in order based on the ranking system referenced above.

1. Urban Farm Fermentory 

• Outdoor Seating: No

About a 5-minute walk up the road from Rising Tide, Urban Farm Fermentory creates kombucha, jun (similar to kombucha), cider, gruit (used for bittering and flavoring beer prior to the popularity of hops), and mead.  

A flight of (5) 2-oz. pours costs $6 if you stay within the same type of alcohol, and $7 if you mix and match.

These were some funky drinks which perfectly matched the funky, hipster-vibe. But nonetheless, it was another stop on our brewery crawl!

Of all the breweries in Portland Maine, this place will have the most unique flavors for your taste buds!

2. Lone Pine Brewing Company

Another hop-forward brewery in Portland, Lone Pine Brewing Co   is located near the northernmost point of the Portland peninsula.  While their main location is in Gorham, this taproom is small with limited indoor seating. 

They usually have about 7 craft beers on tap, and most, if not all, will be some sort of IPA or pale ale. They do have sours and other seasonals as well. 

Our favorite part was their flight board which is a ski!

The tasting room was a bit crowded and cramped, as was the small outdoor patio.  

If you want some space to spread out a little, head up the hill and down the alley to Goodfire Brewing.

3. Rising Tide Brewing

• Food: Yes, 

Rising Tide Brewing Company is one of the anchors of the up and coming East Bayside neighborhood and boasts a huge outdoor area right outside of the large garage bay doors leading into the tasting room.  

A wide-ranging menu of beers should satisfy any beer palate, and includes some of their flagships such as the Ishmael (an interesting copper ale) and the Zephyr (one of the mainstay IPAs). 

For those not in the mood for beer, they also have wine and hard cider available. 

If you are unsure of what to get, they offer flights in addition to 10- and 16-oz beers.

Overall, a really cool place in a hip neighborhood. The vibes of this place makes this one of our favorites of the breweries in Portland Maine!

4. Oxbox Blending & Bottling

• Food: Yes, Duckfat is their in-house food partner

Oxbow Blending and Bottling   is actually a small farmhouse brewery located in Newcastle, Maine, which is about an hour north of Portland.

However, their urban outpost, right in the heart of Portland, is where all of their production and bottling occurs…aptly named!  

The bar has a wide selection of Oxbow and guest beers on tap, as well as a selection of wines.  

Numerous sours, saisons, and other farmhouse-style beers are on tap to sip and enjoy at one of the many large, communal tables.

Duckfat is notorious in Portland for their food and is a perfect combination to add to drinking delicious craft beer. 

5. Goodfire Brewing Company

• Food: Yes, food trucks only

If you guessed that Goodfire Brewing would have a bunch of IPAs on draft, congratulations.  

But you don’t win anything because who wouldn’t have guessed that?!  

The CMYK (yes, those letters on your color-printer ink) is their main IPA and in the popular New England-style.  Decent sized tasting room with some overflow picnic tables outside.

They have 8 rotating taps and are currently open 7 days a week. 

6. Shipyard Brewing Company

• Food: Yes, snacks, pizza, sandwiches and salads

Shipyard Brewing Company is one of the largest Maine breweries and tend to have crowd-pleasing beers. If you have a pickier beer drinker, we suggest starting here. 

We expected an entrance filled with fanfare, but we found the exact opposite.  Other than the large mural of Shipyard’s logo on the side of the building, the inconspicuous entrance was under a simple blue awning and brings you right into the brewery store.

Walk towards the back of the store and you’ll enter the tasting room in which you can do a flight of (4) 5-oz beers or full pours that are 10 or 16 oz.  

They had 14 beers on tap and included many beers from Sea Dog Brewing Company, which they also own.

Since this is one of Samantha’s favorite breweries in Portland Maine (and in general), we decided to get 2 flights to try as many beers as possible straight from the source.  

Some of Samantha’s favorites include the Melon Wheat Ale (summer seasonal) from Shipyard and the Blueberry Ale by Sea Dog, both of which were on tap.  As you can see above, she was rather happy!

We also made sure to get the Pumpkinhead Ale, one of the most popular Shipyard beers, to ring in the cooler fall weather and the start of football season. 

In her opinion, this is a must-do when visiting the breweries in Portland, Maine.

Old Port and West End

1. bissell brothers.

Only about 5 minutes from Bunker Brewing, Bissell Brothers is very well-known in the beer world for its hoppy New England IPAs and its long lines of people waiting to get their hands on the newest 4-pack of beer.  

Since moving to its much larger current location, Bissell Brothers was able to double its production capacity and now boasts one of Maine’s largest tasting rooms.

The size of the current brewery on Thompson’s Point allows Bissell Brothers to accommodate the droves of beer fans who flock here to scoop up the newest release.  

Cans are released every day that they are open (except Sundays) and oftentimes sell out.

Their release schedule is online , so do your homework and figure out what day you want to go. Be prepared for a wait too as this is one of the top breweries in Portland, Maine!

2. Bunker Brewing Company

• Food: Yes, rotating food trucks

Bunker Brewing is located in the West End of Portland if you’re heading back towards the airport from the city.  

It was a little bit difficult to get to based on where our GPS took us, but rest assured, it’s there.

Just keep going and you’ll come upon the building with large garage bay doors leading into the tasting room. 

Yet another hoppy Portland brewery, but Bunker also offers sours, lagers, and even porters.

Large indoor tasting room which opens up to the brewing operations to the immediate right.

3. Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company 

• Food: Yes, full restaurant

As one of the only true brewpubs in the heart of downtown Portland, Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company offers many different types of beers. Many of the beers are in that old English-style pub variety and all are brewed onsite and have “never travelled more than 30 yards from ‘grain to glass’.”

The Best Bitter was the original beer back in the late 80s and is still a part of Gritty’s rotating drafts. 

They do have seasonal beers as well as pub styles with 2 -3 guest taps too. 

4. Liquid Riot

Liquid Riot Bottling Company is located right on the waterfront in Old Port and was Maine’s first brewery/ distillery/ restaurant/ bar. 

The setup inside Liquid Riot allows you to sit at the bar while peering into the actual production rooms for the various beers and liquors which are all made onsite. 

Since they produce both beer and liquor, you have to make the choice between a great craft cocktail or craft beer. (Or plan to eat at the restuarant and order one of each!). 

We hesitate to pinpoint any beer here as they are constantly changing.  However, we can tell you that each of the beers that we had, plus the jumbo pretzel with beer cheese, were very good!

If you are feeling frisky, they offer a “happy meal special” which is a sidecar of Bierschnaps or Fernet to any full pour for just $3. 

Definitely a must-do when seeking out breweries in Portland Maine.

Bonus Breweries

Sea dog brewing company.

Sea Dog Brewing Co   actually started up in Camden, Maine, which is about an hour and a half north of Portland.  

However, there are several brewpubs in Maine, New Hampshire, and even Florida.

The Portland brewpub is located about 5 minutes from the airport, which made it the perfect last stop on our beer journey through Portland.  

We had a quick snack, grabbed a souvenir koozie, and Samantha had her Blueberry Wheat Ale one last time before we made our way to the airport.

Sebago Brewing Company

• Food: Yes, full menu

The headquarters of Sebago Brewing Co   are actually located in Gorham, Maine, about a 20-minute drive west of Portland.  

However, there are several brewpubs around Maine, with the closest one to the city just outside the aiport. 

The Frye’s Leap IPA is what they call “Maine’s Legendary IPA”, but Chris was actually more partial to the Hop Swap IPA.

The breweries in Portland we missed

These are the breweries that we missed along the way. We added them to the map above. 

• Banded Brewing Co. 
• Batson River Brewing & Distilling 
• Belleflower Brewing Co 
• Fore River Brewing Co Tasting Room & Beer Garden
• Falmouth Brewing Co 
• HI Fidelity Beer
• Island Dog Brewing 

BONUS: Maine Craft Distilling

This is a bonus more so because it was on the way from lunch to our next brewery stop, but make sure you stop by this place if you enjoy craft cocktails. Remember, craft isn’t just for beer! 

Maine Craft Distilling produces many different types of liquor and crafts them into delicious and crafty cocktails. From whiskey and vodka to flavored rums, gins and brandy, we were happy with our detour in. 

We had one of their bestsellers, the Lemonshine, which is a mixture of their blueberry liquor and lemonade.  Very refreshing! They also have a food menu and offer many local craft beers on tap.

Phew!  What a whirlwind of a journey to taste all of the breweries in Portland Maine.

By our count above, over 25 breweries/ wineries/ distilleries are all within a quick drive of downtown Portland, Maine.  We know we missed a few, which only means we will have to return to complete the list!

Seems like we only had time for boozing in Maine, right?  Wrong! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Portland, Maine   post, including where we eat, what to see, and where we stayed!

Before you go signing us up for an AA meeting, we want to say that we did this at an attainable pace by sharing flights and drinks at each location. 

We also made sure to drink water at every place and ate frequently.  Uber/Lyft or our own two feet were our only modes of transportation.   Always drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. 

Ready to visit to Portland? Read hotel reviews on TripAdvisor then book your room here !

Don’t forget to pick up an Maine guidebook for your other New England adventures.

Love this guide? Have questions? Get in touch with us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Samantha and Chris fell in love with traveling together back in 2015. They met, married, and lived together in Richmond, VA for 7 years before becoming full-time travelers in 2020.

Along the way, they've traveled to over 40 U.S. states and 20 countries while drinking local beers, wines, and spirits during their journeys.

Join them as they share travel resources, stories, and guides based on their personal experiences drinking locally when traveling globally.

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New England Wanderlust

Maine  ·  March 2, 2023

21 Best Breweries In Portland, Maine You Have To Check Out In 2024

It’s safe to say that Portland, Maine is home to one of the most exciting brewery scenes in the U.S.! In fact, it’s often named as having more breweries per capita than any other city, which can make it overwhelming when you’re trying to decide which to visit during your trip.

Good news, I’m here to help! Having visited quite a few of them in my years of exploring New England (thanks to my beer connoisseur husband!), I’ve narrowed down the very best breweries in Portland, Maine to visit on your next getaway. Let’s get planning!

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How Many Breweries Are In Portland, Maine?

The number continually changes, of course, but as of writing this post in 2023, there are over 60 breweries in Portland, Maine.

• Best Breweries In Portland, Maine

Okay, let’s get into the list! I compiled this list together with my husband, who, as mentioned, knows a lot about beer. We drew from our own experiences and tastings at each brewery, did a lot of research, and considered things like overall atmosphere and food (because, let’s face it, a brewery with good beer and a cool vibe gets extra points).

1. Bissell Brothers

It’s hard to say what my absolute favorite brewery in Portland is, but Bissell Brothers always comes to mind. It’s also a brewery that a lot of local beer tours include on their itinerary, which is another clue that this is one of the best. I love the beers here so much that we always have to make a stop at Bissell Brothers when we’re in Portland.

Known For: IPAs and porters.

Best/Most Popular : Swish Double IPA (worth the hype – order it!). A malt base with notes of citra, mosiac, and simcoe hops.

I Also Recommend: Angels With Filthy Souls, a barrel aged maple porter that I actually l like more than Swish, and check out the Here’s To Feeling Good All The Time IPA.

Brewery Highlights:

• Indoor and outdoor seating.
• No flights, but 6oz pours are available on request.
• Awesome food menu with comfort food favorites and home-made soft serve ice cream.
• Non-alchoholic drinks like ciders and seltzers available.
• Cans available to-go.

Location : Bissell Brothers is located in South Portland, close to Thompson’s Point, which is a cool waterfront area to check out that also has ice skating in the winter. So, you’ll have to drive, take an Uber or public transit to visit if you’re staying right in downtown Portland – but it’s more than worth it!

Bissell Brothers is also a short 5-minute drive to Fore River and Bunker breweries.

Parking Tips : A third party company owns the parking outside Bissell Brothers, and it’s all metered. Be sure to pay to park before heading inside!

Looking to do a beer tour in Portland? 🍺 This is the best option! 🍻 Click here to check rates and availability!

2. Belleflower Brewing

Belleflower tops almost all the lists of best breweries in Portland, Maine, and I have to agree! With a focus on small-batch, craft brews made with the best, local ingredients, you can taste the difference. This one is always worth a stop.

Known For : IPAs and stouts

Most Popular : Into The Kaleidoscope Double IPA

I Also Recommend : Grab The Good China, an Imperial Stout brewed with maple syrup and toasted pecans. This one’s our absolute favorite, and probably one of the best beers I’ve ever had!

• Small indoor seating area, medium outdoor seating that’s lovely in the summer and fall.
• No flights, but they offer 6oz pours.
• Light snacks available, and they sometimes have food trucks on-site for food.
• They allow you to bring your own food (or have it delivered!).
• Dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio.

Location : In the East End of Portland, and walkable to Lone Pine, Rising Tide, Austin Street, Goodfire, and Oxbow breweries.

3. Goodfire Brewing Company

Goodfire has two locations, and lucky for Portland, one of them can be found in the East End (the other is in Freeport!). This little brewery started as an at-home passion project in 2017, and and since flourished into one of the best breweries in the city that focuses on quality over quantity.

The tasting room is Portland has a rotating selection of 10 beers on tap, and this is an awesome stop to make while exploring the breweries in the East End.

Known For: IPAs

Best/Most Popular : Super Prime Double IPA

I Also Recommend : Moon Jellies Sour, which has notes of passionfruit and raspberry. Sours aren’t typically in my rotation, but this one was worth ordering.

• Indoor and outdoor seating available.
• No flights, but they have 6oz pours.
• Food trucks are sometimes on-site, but if not, you’re welcome to bring your own food.
• Parking is street parking.
• Dogs allowed in the outdoor seating area.

Location : In the East End of Portland, and walkable to Lone Pine, Rising Tide, Austin Street, Belleflower, and Oxbow breweries.

4. Battery Steele Brewing

One of the coolest things about Battery Steele (besides the great beers, of course!) is the location. It can be found steps from Allagash and a couple of others, making this a great one to add to your itinerary when in the area – but it’s also worth making a special trip. Especially if you love IPAs .

Their Flume IPA is a crowd favorite throughout Maine, so it’s worth a stop just to taste it for yourself fresh from the tap. Of course, this it’s worth sampling a few others while you’re here as well.

Known for : IPAs

Best/Most Popular : Flume Double IPA

I Also Recommend: Onsite New England IPA

• Indoor and outdoor seating available (some outdoor seating is covered if you happen to visit on a rainy day).
• Small, but fun outdoor seating vibe with corn holes, other games and fire pits.
• Flights available.
• Food trucks often parked in the area, and serving all the nearby breweries.

Location : In the Riverton neighborhood, which is about 20 minutes from downtown. Nearby, you’ll also find Allagash, Foundation, and Definitive breweries (as well as one of the Austin Street locations!) all within walking distance. In fact, many are only steps from one another.

5. Austin Street Brewery

With two tasting rooms to choose from, Austin Street has become one of the best breweries in Portland, Maine. While they’re known for their IPAs, what I love about them is that they really have a good repertoire of rotating brews, including Stouts and Pale Ales, all of which are great! While their IPAs definitely stand out to me, I honestly think you should try a variety during your visit.

Known For : IPAs and Pale Ale’s, but they really have a good selection of brews that are highly-rated.

Best/Most Popular : Offset Double IPA, as well as Patina, a Pale Ale with notes of citrus and pine.

I Also Recommend : Six Grain Milk Stout, which has notes of chocolate.

• Both locations have indoor and outdoor seating.
• A small food menu is available, and they sometimes have food trucks on-site.
• Dogs allowed on the outdoor patios at both locations.
• Cans available to-go at both locations.

Location : One tasting room is located in Riverton, close to Allagash, Battery Steele, Foundation, and Definitive breweries. The other is in the East End, close to Lone Pine, Rising Tide, Goodfire, Belleflower, and Oxbow breweries.

6. Foundation Brewing Company

In the little Riverton beer corridor (as I’ve decided to call it), close to Allagash and a few other breweries, you’ll also find Foundation Brewing. And it’s definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area! I’m not normally a fan of Brown Ales, but I actually really like their Burnside, which is worth a sip. But this is another brewer that really offers a up a variety of styles, so a flight is definitely the way to go.

Known For : IPAs, Sours, Stouts, Porters – honestly, they kind of do it all!

Best/Most Popular: Epiphany Double IPA

I Also Recommend : Burnside, a Brown Ale with notes of coffee, chocolate and burnt sugar.

• Outdoor seating is often open in the winter, with fire pits and heat lamps.
• Dogs allowed in the outdoor seating area!
• Awesome food menu which features Detroit-style pizzas (so yum!), and also has things like tacos and soft pretzels.

Location : In in Riverton, close to Allagash, Battery Steele, Austin Street, and Definitive breweries.

7. Lone Pine Brewing Company

One of my favorite brewery vibes in Portland can be found at Lone Pine Brewing, and the beers are equally as great. They have a really nice outdoor seating area with a bar, making it easy to order drinks, and they do an awesome job with creative and unique flavors.

And guys, they serve up their flights on little skis! I’m just going to let that one speak for itself with a photo 🙂

Known For : IPAs, Stouts and Sours

Best/Most Popular : Oh-J Double IPA

I Also Recommend : Holy Donut Lemon Glaze Sour, which has notes of citrus, lemon meringue and marshmallow (so good!), and Cloud Cake Milkshake IPA, which features notes of lemon meringue, pineapple and vanilla frosting.

• Indoor and outdoor seating available with fire pits outdoors.
• Flights available, and served on little skis! Definitely have your camera ready.
• Not sure if this is intentional, but it smelled beautifully of fresh cut pine here, and I was very into it.

Location : In the East End of Portland, and walkable to Belleflower, Rising Tide, Austin Street, Goodfire, and Oxbow breweries.

8. Fore River Brewing

A great brewery in South Portland, Fore River has a fun little outdoor area that’s perfect for sippin’ and stayin’ a while, and the beers are, of course, awesome. IPAs and Stouts are what shine at this brewery, and this is also a location where your furry friends are allowed both inside and outside.

Known For : IPAs and Stouts

Best/Most Popular : Estruary Double IPA

I Also Recommend: John Henry Milk Stout, that’s poured on nitro in the tasting room, so this is a good one to order in person. It has notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel.

• Light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available.
• Foods like soft pretzels and specially-flavored whoopie pies available on weekends (check their Instagram page for updates).
• Dogs allowed in the outdoor and indoor seating areas!

Location : In South Portland, and is a 5-minute drive from Bissell Brothers and Bunker breweries.

9. Allagash Brewing

You can’t talk about the best breweries in Portland, Maine and not mention Allagash, right? This is probably the most well-known brewery in the city, and arguably, Maine. And it continues to be a stand out, especially for their atmosphere.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allagash Brewing Company (@allagashbrewing)

Allagash has one of the best outdoor spaces of any brewery in Portland, and it’s also large, so you have a higher chance of getting a table. Their outdoor seating area has a bar for easy drink ordering, and their indoor space is also really cool. They also have a pretty great food menu.

While personally, the beers at Allagash aren’t my favorite because I’m just not an Ale person, the beers are worth sampling if you do love Ales (or even if you don’t, because Allagash may change your mind!). But I’d happily come here any day for a relaxing afternoon outside with great food.

Known For: Ales and Belgians

Best/Most Popular : Curieux Belgian Tripel, a bourbon barrel-aged Golden Ale.

I Also Recommend : North Sky, a Stout with notes of fruit and roasted malt.

Brewery Highlights :

• Indoor and outdoor seating available, with an awesome outdoor bar.
• Great food menu from Bite Into Maine’s food truck, which features lobster rolls, soft pretzels, sandwiches and more, and also features a special Allagash beer-infused whoopie pie!
• You can also choose to bring your own food.
• Completely dog-friendly.
• Flights have been discontinued, and the smallest size pour they offer is 8oz.

Location : In Riverton, close to Austin Street, Battery Steele, Foundation, and Definitive breweries.

10. Oxbow Brewing

Oxbow has a few locations around Maine, and their taproom in Portland is awesome! They have a great indoor seating area, with a cute outdoor patio, and their brews are impressive. This is where to come if you’re looking for the best Farmhouse Ales in the city.

Known For : Farmhouse Ales/Saisons and Sours

Best/Most Popular : Catalyst Farmhouse Saison, which is a Farmhouse Ale brewed with honey.

I Also Recommend : Arboreal, an American Sour aged in bourbon barrels.

• Indoor and outdoor seating area, with a decently spacious indoor area. The indoor seating area is actually really cool, and one of my favorites in the city.
• Cute little chalet-style outdoor covered seating (they only have two of these, but they’re awfully cozy if you can snag one!).
• Outdoor bar that’s open seasonally.
• No food available, but the Duckfat Frites Shack takeout window is pretty much in their outdoor seating area, making it easy to fuel up.

Location : In the East End of Portland, and walkable to Belleflower, Rising Tide, Austin Street, Goodfire, and Lone Pine breweries.

Tip : If you’re exploring Maine, you may also want to check out their Oxford Beer Garden location, which is especially cool in the winter. They’re close to some cross-country and snowshoe trails, and they have those cozy chalets, fire pits and more for the perfect apres-ski vibe.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oxbow Beer Garden (@oxbowbeergarden)

11. Liquid Riot Bottling Company

Located right on the water in the Old Port neighborhood is Liquid Riot Brewing, and this is an awesome brewery to check out while you’re exploring downtown Portland. Not only does it have a great taproom with a very cool atmosphere, it also has beautiful views of Portland Harbor, and of course … delicious beer.

But the unique thing about Liquid Riot is that because they’re also a distillery, they have cocktails on their menu. If someone in your group is gluten-intolerant or doesn’t like beer, this is the perfect place to make everyone happy. Between all that, and their amazing food menu, it’s a win for everyone.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Liquid Riot Bottling Co. (@liquid_riot)

Known For : IPAs

Best/Most Popular : NSFW Triple IPA

I Also Recommend: Mocha Stout, with notes of coffee and cacao nibs.

• Indoor and outdoor seating available, with more space indoors (the indoor seating is actually pretty great here!).
• Outdoor seating has views of the harbor.
• Awesome food menu with appetizers, snacks, tacos and sandwiches.
• Cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks available.
• Cans/bottles available to-go.

Location : Right in downtown’s Old Port neighborhood, and a 15-minute walk from Banded Brewing.

12. Rising Tide Brewing

There are actually quite a few beers at Rising Tide that stand out, making it one you don’t want to miss while exploring all the best breweries in Portland! The best thing to do here is to start with a flight and sample a variety of flavor profiles and pick your favorite because, I guarantee, it’ll be tough to do.

Known For : IPAs, Sours, Porters, Stouts (another one that really does it all, and well!)

Best/Most Popular : Cutter Double IPA

I Also Recommend: Nikita Russian Imperial Stout, Wicked Whoopie Imperial Stout (be sure to order a whoopie pie to go with it!).

• Indoor and outdoor seating available, both of which are pretty spacious for being right in the city.
• Dogs allowed in the outdoor seating area (they even offer dog treats!).
• Cider and other non-alcoholic drinks available.
• Food available from their own kitchen, serving up pub-style snacks, sandwiches and whoopie pies.

Location : In the East End of Portland, and walkable to Lone Pine, Belleflower, Austin Street, Goodfire, and Oxbow breweries

13. Bunker Brewing

Bunker Brewing is another worthy competitor in the South Portland brewing scene, and does a great job with different varieties including IPAs, Stouts and more. They also have a nice indoor and outdoor seating area, making this a wonderful place to hang out on a chill afternoon.

Known For : IPAs, Stouts, Pale Ale’s, Lagers

Best/Most Popular : Terrarium IPA

I Also Recommend: Dark Wave Baltic Porter

• Indoor and outdoor seating areas.
• 4oz, 6oz, and 8oz pours available.
• Food trucks usually on-site for food and snacks.
• They do host private events, so be sure to check ahead that they’re open.

Location : Technically in Libbytown, but generally in the South Portland area, and only a 5-minute drive from Bissell Brothers and Fore River breweries.

14. Batson River

Another brewery that’s also a distillery, Batson River has one of the coolest indoor spaces you should definitely visit during your time in Portland. While the beers here are good, I do actually think their spirits and cocktails are even better. But, it’s really hard to not include them on this list simply for atmosphere, food and vibes alone.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Batson River (@batsonrivermaine)

Known For : Lagers, IPAs

Best/Most Popular : Session IPA

I Also Recommend: Citrana Neipa IPA, which is somehow hoppy and fruity all at once, and was surprisingly good!

• Takes reservations!
• Probably the coolest vibe of all the places on this list.
• Amazing food menu, which includes snacks, pizzas, entrees and desserts.
• Wonderful cocktails.
• Also serves brunch.
• Batson does an awesome job during the holidays, too, and their Holiday Camp should not be missed if you visit this time of the year!

Location : In the Bayside neighborhood, and is a short walk from Banded Brewing. It’s also only a 15-20 minute walk from the Old Port district.

Tip : Batson River has a few locations in Maine, including Kennebunkport, Biddeford, and Wells. If you happen to visit Maine in the winter, definitely consider the 30-minute drive to Kennebunkport to have drinks and snacks in their adorable little private fish shacks! But all the locations are amazingly fun and cozy.

15. Banded Brewing

Even though it’s a bit far from most other places on this list, Banded Brewing shouldn’t be skipped! With fun indoor and outdoor seating areas and great brews, this is another awesome stop to make while touring the best breweries in Portland, Maine.

Best/Most Popular : Daikaiju Double IPA

I Also Recommend: Jolly Woodsman Coffee Stout, which has notes of chocolate, orange, cacao, and cranberry.

• Indoor and outdoor seating available, with fire pits in their outdoor seating area.
• Completely dog-friendly!
• No food served, but light snacks like popcorn available.
• Allowed to bring your own food.

Location : Also in the Bayside neighborhood, and is a short walk from Batson River. They also have a location in Biddeford.

16. Definitive Brewing Company

Lastly for breweries right in Portland is Definitive Brewing, which is a great one to visit that specializes in IPAs. This one is also close to the Allagash brewery circuit in Riverton, making it easy to squeeze into your itinerary. Of course, the brews are worth a visit alone, too.

Best/Most Popular : Particles IPA

I Also Recommend: Double Stuffed Milk Stout, with notes of chocolate sandwich cookies.

• No flights, but they offer 5oz pours.
• Dog-friendly!
• Food trucks on-site, and their website does a great job letting you know which will be there during your visit.
• Wine, ciders and non-alcoholic drinks available.

Location : In Riverton, close to Allagash, Battery Steele, Austin Street, and Foundation breweries.

Best Breweries Near Portland, Maine

While Portland proper is packed with breweries, some of the best ones in the area are just a short drive away, and it felt wrong to exclude them from this list. All of these are 30 minutes or less from Portland’s downtown, and are more than worth your time. Here are the best breweries near Portland, Maine you should definitely add to your itinerary!

17. Barreled Souls Brewing Company – Saco

Barreled Souls is such a cool little brewery in Saco, and has a really fun “underground” vibe to it. Walking in, you almost feel like you’re part of a secret club that happens to serve awesome beer.

All that aside, this brewery balances flavors really well, and I highly suggest you get a flight of small pours and try an IPA, a sour and two stouts (because honestly, I think stouts are where it’s at for these guys).

While they have both indoor and outdoor seating, you’ll definitely want to head indoors and check out their cool barrel chairs!

Known For : IPAs and Sours

Best/Most Popular : Hip Hops Are F*cking Dead Triple IPA and Dark Matter Stout

I Also Recommend: Stout ME with notes of raspberry jam and vanilla (this was honestly shockingly amazing!), and V For Vanilla.

• Flights of 4oz pours available.
• Bottles and cans available to-go.

18. Maine Beer Company – Freeport

Maine Beer Company pretty much kills it when it comes to vibes and awesome beers, so this had to make my list of the best breweries in Portland, ME! Only a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland, the tap room here is expansive and inviting, while still being really cool and modern.

And the beers? Well, they’re pretty amazing, and were also an immediate stand out when we first visited.

Known For : IPAs and Pale Ales

Best/Most Popular : Dinner, a Double IPA

I Also Recommend: While you’re at it, grab Lunch, too! Lunch is an IPA, in case that was confusing 🙂

• Huge indoor space, with covered outdoor seating, too.
• They take reservations!
• Great food menu with wood-fired pizzas, snacks and salads. A lot of people just come here to eat.
• Bottles available to-go.

Location : Maine Beer Company is only a 5-minute drive from the L.L. Bean Flagship store and campus.

19. Mast Landing Beer Company – Westbrook

Mast Landing has 3 locations, one of which is in South Portland, but the Westbrook taproom is the original, and I think it’s actually worth venturing out of the city for. With a bigger seating area (both indoors and outdoors), it feels more like a destination when you’re in Westbrook.

And the beers are wonderful, of course. This is another brewery that offers a wide variety of styles, so flights here are recommended to have a well-rounded experience.

Best/Most Popular : Gunner’s Daughter Milk Stout

I Also Recommend: Shake Up Your Bones Double IPA

• Small snacks menu, but outside food is welcome.
• They host trivia nights and have live music, too. See their website for updates!

Location : There are two other Mast Landing locations: South Portland and Freeport. So, you can still taste the beers if you happen to be in Portland, and the South Portland location is also right next to Cape Whoopies.

20. Blaze Brewing Company – Biddeford

One of the best breweries near Portland, Maine is Blaze in Biddeford, and guys, they have a sour here that’s really good. And as mentioned, I’m not normally a sour beer person, so that means a lot coming from me. Be sure to check out the recommendations below to make sure you try it during your visit.

And while I was impressed with their sours, they also make some really awesome IPAs, and know how to blend flavor profiles together very well.

Known For : Sours and IPAs

Best/Most Popular : Blazing Love Blueberry Cobbler Sour. This was another sour that totally surprised me (in the best way possible) since I usually don’t love them.

I Also Recommend: Percolate Imperial Stout

• Indoor and outdoor seating available, which sits along the river.
• Nice food menu with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas and even entrees.
• Cider and non-alcoholic drinks available.

21. Flight Deck Brewing – Brunswick

Okay, so Flight Deck is 35 minutes outside of Portland, but it’s definitely worth the drive! Between the awesome beers on tap, the beautiful indoor seating area and the even better outdoor seating options, a visit to Flight Deck feels like a relaxing escape from the city.

Flight Deck also gets bonus points for making all their beers with 100% renewable energy via solar panels and anaerobic digestion.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Flight Deck Brewing (@flightdeckbrewingco)

Known For : IPAs, Ales

Best/Most Popular : Wings New England IPA

I Also Recommend: Breaking The Sour Barrier, which has notes of plum and apricot.

• Indoor and outdoor seating available, including nice Adirondack chairs outdoors with fire pits.
• Completely dog-friendly (indoors, too!).
• Hand-stretched, wood-fired pizzas available to order.
• Heated huts available to reserve ahead of time seasonally (including in the winter).
• Cans and pizza available to order online.

I’m Still Overwhelmed! What Are The Top 5 Breweries In Portland?

If I had to narrow it down to a Top 5, I would say these are my personal picks for the best breweries in Portland, Maine:

• Bissell Brothers
• Belleflower
• Barreled Souls
• Maine Beer Company (I know this one is outside Portland, but man, it’s really fun to visit with awesome beer!)

Where To Stay In Portland To Tour Breweries

A large amount of the breweries on this list are located on the East End of Portland, with a few in Old Port, South Portland, and then, some that are outside Portland, but within a 30-minute drive.

If your main focus is visiting Portland to tour the breweries, I think staying in the East End is a great idea because you’ll be within a short walking distance to several breweries including Lone Pine, Baston River, Oxbow, Belleflower and Rising Tide.

Old Port is also a great choice if you’re visiting for a mix of everything that also includes breweries. Old Port is where I recommend that most people stay because it’s home the most iconic sites and streets in Portland, great restaurants and attractions – including cool waterfront views.

There are a few breweries on this list in Old Port, including Liquid Riot and Banded Brewing, and you’re only about a 20-minute walk (maybe less) to all the breweries in the East End.

Tips For Visiting Portland Breweries

• Be sure to drink responsibly! While many of the best breweries in Portland, Maine can easily be walked to, some may require driving. Be sure to have a designated driver if that’s the case. If you can’t, check out this tour option instead , or rely on Ubers/public transportation.
• Don’t plan to visit more than 2-3 per day. After that, your palette won’t be able to distinguish flavor profiles as much, and they’ll likely all start to taste the same, which takes a lot of the fun out of it.
• All the breweries will have water available, so be sure to stay hydrated (especially if you’re visiting Maine in the summer! ).
• Keep in mind that not all of the above recommendations and best sellers will be available on tap. Usually, the most popular beers are on tap, but since great breweries know to only serve what’s fresh, they may not have it available. This is your sign to try some others and find the next best brew!
• When in doubt, ask the bartenders for recommendations.

More Of My Maine Travel Guides:

• Maine In November: Is It Worth Visiting?
• Maine In The Spring: Where To Go & What To Do
• Maine In October: Best Fall Foliage Spots & Things To Do
• The Best Acadia National Park Itinerary
• Maine In The Winter
• Portland, Maine In The Winter
• Best Stops To Make On A Portland, Maine To Acadia National Park Road Trip
• Where To Find The Best Whoopie Pies In Maine
• Best Day Trips From Portland, Maine
• The Best Maine Lighthouse Road Trip Itinerary
• My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor, Maine Road Trip Itinerary

That’s A Wrap On The Best Breweries In Portland, Maine

And there you have it – you’re now ready to plan the most epic brewery tour around Portland, which is literally one of the best cities in the U.S. for sipping on brews. Whether you’re looking for a fun brewery to chill at in the afternoon, or you’re planning a mini pub crawl, one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be amazing!

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Portland, Maine, Brewery Tours

Price & Hours

• Facilities 4.5
• Atmosphere 4.5

U.S. News Insider Tip: For nondrinkers or those looking to take a booze break, check out places like Root Wild Kombucha and Urban Farm Fermentory . They offer a range of nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks with atmospheres comparable to the breweries nearby. – Mariya Greeley

Beer is to Portland is what lobster is to Maine. If you visit without sampling some brew, you're missing out. Portland is considered by experts to be one of America's best beer cities thanks to its large crop of local brewers as well as its role in the microbrew movement. For a city with a population of a little more than 68,000, its nearly 20 breweries offer plenty of choices for both residents and visiting beer enthusiasts.

If you're looking for a guided experience, Maine Brews Cruise is highly rated for its knowledgeable guides and ample selections of beer. For those who want to brewery hop on their own, Allagash , Shipyard , Bissell Brothers and the family-owned Rising Tide , are some of the city's most popular breweries. Allagash is consistently recognized as Portland's best by both experts and travelers alike. The brewery stands out for helping reintroduce Belgian-style brews to the country in the mid-'90s and is considered a leader in the microbrew movement.

Prices and hours vary depending on the brewery. Though there are breweries scattered throughout Portland, there are several significant walkable clusters. One is the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland, home to Rising Tide and five or so other breweries within about half a mile of each other. Another is on Industrial Way, toward the outside of Portland. Industrial Way hosts about four breweries, including Allagash and The Cellars at Allagash , where beer enthusiasts and novices alike can enjoy a 90-minute, five-pour tasting experience for $38 per person.

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#1 Old Port

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don't miss Wharf Street in Old Port, which has an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants along its pedestrian-only cobblestone street. Try Street & Co.'s upscale seafood, The Independent Ice Co.'s fine whiskeys and the Bar of Chocolate's specialty martinis and sweets. – Mariya Greeley

This downtown neighborhood is considered the city's center and bustles with things to do left and right, all the while gracefully maintaining its historical facade. The area is lined with cobblestone streets and 19th-century warehouses, and with the wharf just steps away on Commercial Street, the city's heyday as a world-renowned port town is easily felt. Tourists can benefit from ferries and cruise experiences, as well as the delectable catches aboard the lobster boats that dock there daily.

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Welcome to the Cellars

Immersive tasting and tour experiences.

The Cellars at Allagash is built to delight guests with unique beer-focused experiences and tours. Small groups of guests will sample a wide range of specialty beers in a curated tasting session run by our knowledgeable staff. No matter if you’re a seasoned beer fan or simply someone who is curious about the range of flavors that beer can provide, these one-of-a-kind beer experiences are for you.

*Guests must be 21+

Beer & Barrels

Our signature tasting experience, taste of allagash, the origin tour, how to get here.

The Cellars at Allagash Brewing 50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103

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Views navigation, event views navigation, beer release: the cellars #10.

We aged a two-year-old batch of our spontaneous Coolship ale in clay pots for eight months, adding wild blueberry honey before blending the beer with a barrel-aged version of Snow...

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How is it different from your tasting room?

Our tasting room is open to the public without the need for reservations. It offers more than a dozen beers on tap, lots of beer and merchandise to go, and an onsite food truck. The Cellars is a reservation-based experience that focuses on our wild and sour beer program, with a more intimate guided tasting experience among the barrels and vessels we use to age these special beers.

Where are The Cellars located?

The Cellars is located at 100 Industrial Way right down the street from our main tasting room at 100 Industrial Way.

What will the experience include? What will we see?

The experience includes a welcome sample of Allagash White, and then a guided tasting and discussion of barrel-aged, wild, or sour beers, intertwined with stories and history of Allagash. The amount of beers you will taste depends on the experience you select.

The experiences will conclude with a wander through our barrel room to see where the magic happens. There will also be some time once the tasting has ended to purchase beer and merch to go, and/or purchase additional pours to taste before you go.

When and how will I be able to make a reservation?

Through our booking site , which has 30 days rolling availability.

How far in advance can I book?

30 days out.

Will you have beer and merchandise for sale?

We will have a selection of limited-edition beers and specially-branded merchandise available for sale exclusively at The Cellars, along with some well-loved year-round beer offerings.

Will beers from The Cellars be available in the tasting room also?

On occasion, we expect to have these beers available in the tasting room, but the majority of the blends we create for The Cellars will be sampled and sold through their namesake space .

Will you have food available?

We’ve created space for food trucks on our new Cellars patio and look forward to offering all sorts of food options at some point in the future. We will not have food trucks on a regular basis to start.

What are your hours?

Cellars Experience Schedule

• Friday, 12 pm, 3 pm and 5:30 pm
• Saturday 12 pm, 3 pm and 5:30 pm
• Sunday 12 pm and 3 pm
• Monday 12 pm and 3 pm

Can anyone drop in at any time?

Sorry, our Cellars experience is reservation-only. There is a chance we might be able to accommodate you if there are openings, but advance reservations are highly recommended. Please check our booking software for openings.

Do you have any outdoor seating?

We do! While it can be chilly in colder months, our Cellars patio is open year-round to ticketed guests.

Where should I park?

Please park in our tasting room parking lot at 50 Industrial Way. There are signs directing you to the Cellars which is accessible via a sidewalk. There is accessible parking directly outside of The Cellars at 100 Industrial Way.

Can I bring my kids?

Sorry, as this is an immersive experience in close proximity to sensitive materials, we won’t be able to allow children into the building. Our main Tasting Room at 50 Industrial Way is always family friendly.

Can I bring my dog?

Kindly leave your pets at home, as you will be in our production space and we cannot allow them into the building. As required by law, we can make exceptions for well-trained service animals.

Are you on social media? Where can I find updates?

Follow us on Instagram @allagashcellars for news and updates. We also have all sorts of brewery news available on our newsletter, so be sure to sign up at www.allagash.com.

Do I need to be vaccinated?

Do you require masks, can i attend if i don't drink.

Yes, you are welcome to attend the educational tour without drinking. We offer a designated driver ticket for $20 which includes access to the educational experience along with a seltzer, modest snacks and a 10oz chalice to take home.

Will you have any other beverage options available other than beer?

Yes! We have our own house-made hard cider on hand, as well as non-alcoholic seltzer options.

What if I have to cancel?

A full refund will be given for cancellations made 24 hours ahead of your booked experience.

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• Walk this Way

A Walkable Guide to Portland, Maine’s East End Breweries

It doesn’t take long to get a feel for Portland, Maine. As you walk the streets of the tourist-intensive Old Port district, your senses are piqued by the salt-laced air and high-pitched shrill of the ever-present seagulls. Fishing boats bob on their waterfront docks. Scores of local seafood eateries are ready to curb your craving for a lobster roll or fried clam plate accompanied, of course, by a local beer.

Portlanders love their locally-produced brews. The seaside city was a pioneering force in the East Coast craft beer crusade and the brewing scene has only gained momentum. High-profile Portland breweries such as Allagash Brewing and Maine Beer Company have been joined by an expanding collection of upstart beermakers, elevating the coastal community to a premier beercation destination.

(BEER TRAVEL: Plan a Brewery Road Trip )

The brewery walking tour described below begins just east of Portland’s Old Port and takes you across the Portland Peninsula, with visits to four breweries. The total distance is just over a mile.

Shipyard Brewing

A wily veteran of Maine’s craft beer scene, Shipyard Brewing began life in a former shipyard in 1992 and moved to its current large production facility two years later. The business has grown into Maine’s largest brewing operation, and 28th nationally.

The expansive gift shop is evidence of the brewery’s popularity among tourists. Hour-long tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday. While many breweries who are a similar size as Shipyard have installed highly-automated brewing systems, the Shipyard system remains a largely hands-on operation. Of special interest are the rarely-seen open fermenters, ranging in size from 50 barrels to an impressive 300 barrels.

(FALL SEASONALS: Oh My Gourd: Offbeat Pumpkin Beers for 2017)

The tasting room dispenses over a dozen mostly session-strength beers. The brewery’s flagship is Export, an unassuming golden ale originally created to appeal to the many Canadians who vacation on the Maine coast. Shipyard’s largest seller is its seasonal Pumpkinhead, which was first brewed in 1996 and is distributed in 40 states. While the brewery has an old school feel, they try to keep things fresh with new brews such as the recently-introduced line of tea-infused beers.

Oxbow Blending and Bottling

The short walk to your next stop will take you past the Eastern Cemetery, established in 1668. A short stroll through the grounds is a worthwhile diversion.

Oxbow Blending and Bottling is tucked discreetly down a short alleyway adjacent to a brick structure housing a meadery and distillery. Beyond the nondescript exterior is an airy warehouse-like space that’s been tastefully imbued with an artsy look and feel. Picnic tables and a long copper bar populate the large tasting room. A short wall separates drinkers from the production area. Rows of wooden barrels stacked floor-to-ceiling mostly obscure a collection of stainless fermenters lined up along a wall displaying an intriguing graffiti-style mural.

Oxbow’s farmhouse-style beers are brewed on a farm located about an hour north in Newcastle, then trucked to the Portland facility where mixed culture fermentation, barrel-aging, blending and packaging take place. The house beers are an interesting assortment of dry-hopped, sour and fruited saisons, grisettes and other styles that are both approachable and nuanced, making for a rewarding tasting experience.

Rising Tide Brewing Company

In 2010, longtime homebrewer and Portland native, Nathan Sanborn, decided to test the waters of commercial brewing by opening a modest one-barrel nanobrewery. Two years later, Sanborn went full throttle, expanding the brewhouse to a 15-barrel operation, and eventually adding a tasting room. From its humble beginnings, Rising Tide is now riding a wave of popularity.

The brewery’s easy-going ambiance attracts both thirsty locals and out-of-towners enjoying Portland’s vibrant beer culture. A variety of indoor seating options is supplemented by a fleet of picnic tables on the parking-lot-turned-patio, where crowds gather for warm weather imbibing.

Heather Sanborn, Nathan’s business partner and wife, is a former lawyer and past-president of the Maine Brewers’ Guild. Her work helping legalize brewery tasting rooms in the state was an important step in elevating Maine’s reputation as a great beer destination.

Rising Tide’s brewhouse produces beers in a wide range of genres. Maine Island Trail Ale, a hoppy session ale, is a longtime crowd pleaser. Partial proceeds from the beer go to the Maine Island Trail Association, an organization dedicated to protecting the wild islands of the Maine coast.

Lone Pine Brewing Company

Although Lone Pine is a relative newcomer to the local beer scene, it has made a big splash among Maine’s beer devotees. This is largely due to the runaway success of Portland Pale Ale, which drew instant accolades when the fledgling brewery opened in the spring of 2016. The eminently quaffable American Pale Ale is now on tap at 120 locations throughout the state.

Lone Pine specializes in American-style hoppy beers. That’s just fine with local hopheads who flock to the brewery to linger over pints of IPAs, double IPAs and, of course, the pale ale. On Thursdays, brewery fans line up en masse outside the peach-pink building when new canned offerings are released to the public.

On occasion, Lone Pine tones down its hop obsession to brew more esoteric creations featuring locally-sourced ingredients. One example is the Maple Coffee Brown Ale brewed with Maine maple syrup. An earthier formulation is the Chaga Stout, brewed with health-enhancing Maine Chaga mushrooms.

A modestly-sized tasting room is furnished with a few cushy sofas contributing to a relaxed vibe. An assortment of board games encourages you to kick back for an extended stay at your final stop on the Portland East End walking tour.

Dan Rabin is an award-winning beer and travel journalist from Boulder, Colorado. He is author of the guidebook, Colorado Breweries, and has contributed to numerous beverage and travel publications during his 20-year writing career. As a longtime homebrewer, he has won dozens of awards in regional and national competitions.

CraftBeer.com is fully dedicated to small and independent U.S. breweries. We are published by the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers. Stories and opinions shared on CraftBeer.com do not imply endorsement by or positions taken by the Brewers Association or its members.

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Maine Brewery Tours – In Style & Comfort!

Portland is a goldmine of breweries and distilleries..

Rising Tide Brewing (Tasting & Tours)

Rising Tide Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery located in Portland, Maine. We specialize in artisanal, hand-crafted ales brewed in small batches

Tasting Room

We invite you to visit the tasting room at our brewery in Portland, Maine. We sell samples, growler fills, and bottles of our beer, as well as pint glasses, hats, t-shirts, and other gifts in our tasting room.

Tasting Room Hours  Monday – Thurs 12:00-8:00pm, Fri-Sat 12:00-9:00pm, Sunday 12:00-8:00pm

Private Events: Click here

As a production brewery rather than a brewpub, we focus solely on making beer. We leave it to our friends in Portland’s food truck fleet to feed our visitors. We host a rotating line-up of food trucks in front of our tasting room year round.  Please check their  Home page to find out which food truck will be here when you’re visiting!

DL Geary Brewery Co (Tasting & Tours)

• Monday Closed
• Tuesday Closed
• Wednesday Closed
• Thursday 12-5
• Friday 12-5
• Saturday 12-5
• Sunday Closed

Allagash Brewery (Tasting & Tours)

Since 1995, we’ve been brewing Belgian-inspired beers right here in Portland, Maine. Come visit our spacious outdoor beer garden to taste a wide range of beers on tap, enjoy food from Bite Into Maine, and choose from plenty of beers and merchandise to bring home

Mon & Thurs 11-6, Fri & Sat 11-7, Tue & Wed Closed

Shipyard Brewery (Tasting & Tours)

 Hours: 11-8 (Mon-Sat) 11-6 (Sun)

Maine Mead Works (Tasting & Tours)

Maine Mead Works was founded in 2007 with the goal of re-introducing the world to the oldest of all fermented beverages. Using wildflower honey, water and our own proprietary yeast strain, we blend ancient tradition and modern science to produce a highly distinctive product at our Meadery in downtown Portland, Maine.

In collaboration with South African scholar Dr. Garth Cambray, Maine Mead Works developed a state-of-the-art continuous fermentation system, bringing mead making into the 21st century. HoneyMaker, a decidedly modern mead — crisp, dry and refreshing — is the result. For more info on Maine Mead Works click here

Tasting Room Hours

• Monday – Thursday: 11:00am – 6:00pm // Friday: 11:00am – 8:00pm // Saturday 11:00am – 9:00pm // Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• Tastings: We offer various sized tasting flights everyday from open to close.

Mast Landing Brewing Company (Tasting)

• Monday – Tuesday 12-8
• Wednesday – Saturday 12-9
• Sunday 12-6

Foundation Brewery (Tasting)

• Wednesday – Saturday 12-7pm
• Sunday 12-5pm
• Monday 12-7pm
• Closed Tuesday

Liquid Riot Brewery (Tasting and Pub)

• Sun-Thurs 12-10
• Fri & Sat 12-11

Online Reservations Request a Quote

Other Breweries in the area

• New England Distilling-Prtld
• Maine Beer Company – Freeport
• Lone Pine Brewing – Prtld
• Oxbow Blending and bottling – Prtld
• Stroudwater Distillery – Prtld
• Bissel Brothers Brewing Co.- Prtld
• Bunker Brewery – Prtld
• Run of the Mill – Saco
• Barreled Souls Brewing – Saco
• Fore River Brewing Co.- So Prtld
• Austin Street Brewing – Prtld
• Banded Horn Brewery – Biddeford
• Foulmouthed Brewery – So Prtld
• Gritty McDuff’s-Prtld
• Kennebunk Brewing Co – Kennebunk
• Sea dog Brewing Co – So Prtld
• Sebago Brewing Co – Scarb & Prtld

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Bottoms Up! Pro Wrestling Event Tickets 2024 | Definitive Brewing Company, Industrial Way, Portland, ME, USA

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Provided by Kemelly | Published Jul 6, 2024

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Day Trips in Maine: 3 itineraries for eating, drinking and adventuring your way through Vacationland

Summer day trips are a big part of life in New England. We visit our favorite beaches and ice cream spots, and we discover new bookstores and trails.

Journalists from the New England News Collaborative have been on the road, seeking out the best local spots in the region. Find ideas for Maine and other New England states at http://mainepublic.org/daytrips .

Jump to: Portland and Southern Maine | Bar Harbor and Coastal Maine | Rangeley and Western Maine

Maine is known as “Vacationland,” and it really lives up to that name. Whether you want a day trip to the beach, a coastal hike or a mountain lake swim, Maine has it all. As you may have heard, we are known for our seafood, especially our lobster. When it comes to finding the best lobster roll, know that fresher is better, but be prepared to spend some money. We are also known for our spectacular lighthouses and ocean views. You might even see a whale or a moose if you're lucky!

Check out this list of fun things to do, places to see, and food to eat in three key regions of the state — southern Maine and the Greater Portland area; Down East Maine; and the Western Mountains. Know that this is not an all encompassing list but a good place to start your day trip plans.‎

Southern Maine & Greater Portland

Southern Maine and Greater Portland offer a great mix of beach aesthetic and small-city living. Known for its vast array of eateries, Portland in particular is a foodie and beachgoers dream. Plus, there are breweries galore to satisfy all your IPA dreams. As someone who lives here, these are the spots I can thoroughly recommend if you're looking to spend the day eating and exploring in the area.

What to do if you're a...

Beachcomber

If you’re looking to surf, relax with a good book on the sand, or find a spot for your dog to run, these are some of the best beaches in southern Maine.

• Higgins Beach — This is a great beach for surfing and for lounging. Parking is limited, so make sure to get there early.
• York Beach — A classic Maine beach with miles of sandy beach to walk, run and play beach games.
• Ogunquit Beach — A popular beach with a cute downtown within walking distance, Ogunquit also has a natural lazy river that occurs with the tidal change and provides a calm area for kids to play in the water.
• Old Orchard Beach — This is a busy location, but the beach and activities are well worth it! Ride the Ferris wheel and get some ice cream while you're there.

Lighthouse Geek

• Portland Head Light — This is a favorite among lighthouse lovers, and is located in Cape Elizabeth, about a 10 minute drive from Portland. The lighthouse is located in Fort Williams Park, with 90 acres of land for walking and outdoor activities. 
• Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse — A lesser known lighthouse, and my personal favorite, Spring Point Ledge lighthouse is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Portland and offers a great view of the water. Note that it's not easily accessible as it has some large rocks you have to walk across to get to the lighthouse. 
• Nubble Lighthouse — Located in York, Nubble is a picturesque lighthouse that's classic coastal New England. 

• Evergreen Cemetery — Established in 1854, Evergreen cemetery is the largest in Maine and, as a garden-style cemetery, it offers walking trails and a pond. It's also a great location for bird watching.
• Portland Fire Engine Co. Tours — Take a guided tour in style! Ride a vintage fire engine while seeing historic landmarks and learning about the city of Portland's rich history.
• Portland Art Museum — Located in downtown Portland. Note that there is free admission to all 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Through the Portland Art Museum, you can also get tickets to the Winslow Homer Studio tour in Scarborough, and see where the famous Maine painter made much of his work. (Available May 20- Nov. 10, tickets range from $25 to $70.)
• Longfellow Books — Located in Monument Square, it is easily accessible by foot as you walk through downtown Portland. They have a robust collection of new books and very friendly staff.
• Cove Street Arts — Check out Cove Street Arts to learn about Maine’s place in American art history and see multidisciplinary art exhibits. Note that they are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

With so many good food options across Maine, you'll be happy we have three meals a day. (Or more, if you dispense with formality!)

• Scratch Baking Co. — Located in South Portland, Scratch is known for their bagels and baked goods. Make sure to grab some Maine salt bagels, and don’t worry, the line moves fast! Note that Scratch is open Wednesday-Sunday. 
• Bird and Co. — This taqueria serves brunch on the weekends and has a wide variety of delicious vegan options. 
• The Highroller Lobster Co. — famous for their lobster rolls, Highroller is conveniently located right in the Old Port and has a bright inside seating area as well as outdoor seating. Make sure to check out their merch as well!
• Duck Fat — As the name suggests, this restaurant is known for using duck fat to fry their Belgian style fries, giving the food a rich flavor. Don't miss the poutine!
• Sweet Pea's Ice Cream — Don't forget dessert! Stop by Sweet Pea's after a day at the beach in Ogunquit, Maine.

• Eventide Oyster Co . — Grab some oysters and fresh seafood at Eventide, and make sure to try their famous brown butter lobster roll.
• Crispy Gai — Incredible Southeast Asian street food in a casual dining setting. You have to try their famous chicken wings, which come with your choice of sweet or spicy sauces.
• Allagash Brewing — Take a tour of the brewery, order samples and grab a bite to eat. Allagash White, a Belgian-style wheat beer, put this brewery on the map.
• Bissell Brothers — Bissell has a large beer selection as well as fun events happening throughout the year, and especially during the summer. 
• Tomasos Canteen — This is a great casual spot to grab a beer, share some wings with friends and maybe even munch on some fried pickles. Note that they have limited seating.  
• Oxbow Brewing — Located in Portland’s walkable East End, Oxbow is a great spot to listen to live music and drink an authentic farmhouse ale in their beer garden. Also make sure to grab some Duckfat frites at their takeout window. 

Bar Harbor & Coastal Maine

The Maine coast stretches some 3,500 miles, including bays and inlets — meaning there are a myriad of beaches, islands and coastal towns to explore. Bar Harbor is just one part of the Maine coast, but it's a top destination, with Acadia National Park as a backdrop and a beautiful, quintessential downtown as well. Maine’s Down East region is known for its natural beauty and fresh seafood, especially lobster! I grabbed a coworker and spent the day checking out some of these spots.

Nature Lover

Coastal Maine is a nature lover’s utopia. Near Bar Harbor, the go-to spot is Acadia National Park . Acadia has a perfect mix of coast and mountains and has tons of trails and views for everyone. You will need to purchase a park pass for your vehicle upon entering the park, but note that these passes last for seven days.

If you want a chill outdoors experience…

• The Ocean Path Trail — This is a flat, 4.5-mile trail along the rocky coastline offering some amazing views of the water and nearby islands. This is a great path for all ages and abilities. You can park along the road parallel to the trail and start walking at any point, or you can park at the start of the trail at Sand Beach. This might be my favorite thing to do in the park!
• Sand Beach — The name says it all! This beach is tucked between rocky cliffs and provides a great spot to have a beach day, go for a swim or play in the sand with your kids. Be aware that it can be crowded during peak season. Also make sure to take advantage of the free Island Explorer shuttle, which stops at all popular locations in the park, to help you avoid parking in the busy lots. 

If you want something a little more challenging…

• Cadillac Mountain — The Cadillac summit is famous for being the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard and, depending on the time of year, it contends for the first place to see the sunrise in the U.S. You can either reserve a permit to drive up to the top; get an early start and hike up the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, a 4.2-mile out-and-back trail; or cycle up one of the best-regarded, most challenging bike climbs in the state.
• The Beehive trail — This is a rung-and-ladder trail, which can be challenging for some hikers and not easily accessible. But if you’re up for the challenge, the 1.4-mile round trip promises great views that overlook Sand Beach and the Gulf of Maine. 
• Cafe This Way — a cozy breakfast spot with outdoor seating and friendly, quick service. This was a perfect way to start off our day in Bar Harbor. You can even get a breakfast sandwich with French toast as the bread!
• Looking Glass Restaurant — A great spot for breakfast with a view of the ocean. Make sure to order a Looking Glass-exclusive item.

• Geddy's — A classic Bar Harbor restaurant located right in downtown. The interior highlights a rustic Maine aesthetic with high-quality food and fresh Maine seafood. Don't forget to order a lobster roll! 
• Finback Ale House — There are a variety of whale-themed restaurants in Bar Harbor, as visitors can spot humpback, finback, and minke whales off of the coast of Maine. I had some fresh clam chowder and, of course, we had to grab a beer to finish off our day of eating and drinking.
• Thirsty Whale — If you want more of a tavern feel, visit the Thirsty Whale a few doors down that has a wide variety of seafood, appetizers and specialty cocktails.
• El El Frijoles – If you are headed down the coast towards Sedgwick, make sure to check out El El Frijoles (a play off of Maine’s famous L.L.Bean). This family-owned summer restaurant serves homemade Mexican food made with local Maine ingredients that you can enjoy indoors in a beautiful screened-in porch area, or share a meal with friends around the outdoor fire pit. 

Lifelong Learner

If you’re a history buff or find yourself in Bar Harbor on a rainy day, there are tons of places to check out.

• Abbe Museum — Located right in downtown Bar Harbor, the Abbe Museum is the spot to learn about the Wabanaki Nation’s heritage, culture and homeland.
• La Rochelle Mansion and Museum — If you are interested in turn-of-the-century homes, you need to take a morning or afternoon and walk through the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s well-preserved home from the early 1900s. The mansion offers a look into a classic New England high class home with beautiful grounds and views. 

If you’re more interested in Bar Harbor’s wildlife and ecology…

• Mount Desert Oceanarium and Education Center — Here you can meet Maine’s coastal critters including fish and lobster, and learn about coastal habitats.
• George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History — If you’d rather stay closer to downtown Bar Harbor, check out the College of the Atlantic’s Dorr Museum, where there's a touch tank for all ages to get up close and personal with starfish, crabs and other crustaceans. If you are traveling on the free Island Explorer bus, the shuttle stops right near the Dorr Museum throughout the summer, making visiting easily accessible to all.

If you are an art lover and are traveling down the coast from Bar Harbor, have you ever heard of the giant trolls of Maine?

• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens — The trolls are a big attraction at the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Their real name is “Guardians of the Seeds,” and they were made by Danish artist and sustainability activist, Thomas Dambo. The botanical gardens have lots of things to see, including gardens in bloom and a butterfly and moth house. They are open May through Oct. 20, and there is an admission fee. This is a great spot for the whole family!
• Center for Maine Contemporary Art — Make sure to visit the gallery in Rockland. This museum focuses on art made by Mainers or people who are inspired by Maine. It’s a great chance to see and support local Maine art. 

Rangeley & Western Maine

The western mountain and lakes region of Maine is known for winter season activities including skiing, snowboarding and hunting. But the area also is a great summer getaway, with tons of swim spots, hiking trails and places to eat. I would argue this drive is the most scenic in this guide. I made sure to stop by some of these places and see what Western Maine is all about.

Nature lover

• Winter skiing — The mountain region is known for winter skiing. Check out Saddleback Mountain, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Mt. Abram and Pleasant Mountain. 
• Cascade Stream Gorge Trail — For a quick day hike for the whole family, check out this short, 1-mile loop that leads you to see a series of waterfalls. This is a great option for kids.
• Saddleback Mountain via Ski Lodge trail — If you’re looking for a more challenging day hike, trek the 5.9 miles (about 3.5 hours) up and back.
• Rangeley Lake State Park — A great spot to camp, swim or enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake on the public access lawn area.
• Coos Canyon — Check out Coos Canyon on Route 17, located right on the Swift River. There are swimming and cliff jumping spots, plus places where you can pan for gold!

Breakfast...

• Looney Moose Cafe — Located in Stratton, this might have been my favorite meal of the day! Not only can you eat a hearty breakfast, but they also make homemade doughnuts. Stop by on your way to Sugarloaf to fuel up for skiing or hiking. 
• The Red Onion — Right on Main Street Rangeley, the Red Onion is a local favorite known for their pizza.
• Classic Provisions — This is a go-to breakfast and lunch spot in Rangeley. They have a variety of sandwiches and salads, as well as coffee drinks and house-made pastries. Plus you can walk two steps and grab an ice cream next door.

• Rangeley Inn and Tavern — Not only is this a great lodging spot, but it also has an attached tavern that serves quality food in cozy dining rooms.
• The Mountain Social Kitchen and Bar — This is a great fine dining option. They have locally made food and are located right on the main street in Bethel. 
• Furbish Brew House & Eats – Situated on Main Street in Rangeley, you can sip on your brew while enjoying a view of Rangeley Lake.
• Outdoor Heritage Museum — This is a small but robust museum where the whole family can learn about western Maine’s history of hunting, fishing and wildlife from the 20th century. They even have a 100-year-old cabin!
• Rangeley History Museum — Stop by to learn about the history of Rangeley and western Maine. This location is right on Main Street. 
• Maine Mineral and Gem museum — Who knew you could hold a piece of the moon in western Maine? Plus, we even got to touch 7 billion-year-old stardust. This museum has the largest meteorite collection in North America, plus tons of beautiful gems and stones. Their staff can answer all your burning questions about space rocks! Note that admission ends at 4 p.m., while the museum closes at 5 p.m.
• Did you know that Rangeley is located exactly halfway between the Equator and the North Pole? There’s even a spot on Main Street where you can stand and be exactly in the middle!

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Spirited ‘Funny Girl’ captures excitement of early musical theater

The show that made Barbra Streisand famous is playing at Maine State Music Theatre through July 13.

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Jenna Lea Rosen as Fanny Brice with the cast of “Funny Girl” at Maine State Music Theatre. Photo by MSMT/Jared Morneau Photography

Who are the luckiest people in the world? At least for theater fans, the answer is “people who need people,” a line made famous well over half a century ago by Barbra Streisand in the original production of the musical “Funny Girl.”

THEATER REVIEW

WHAT: “Funny Girl: the Musical” by Maine State Music Theatre

WHERE: Pickard Theater, Bowdoin College Campus, Brunswick

REVIEWED: June 28 (matinee); continues through July 13

TICKETS: Starting at $93

CONTACT: 207-725-8769, msmt.org

On the heels of the show’s recent Broadway revival, the Maine State Music Theatre has opened a spirited production of the classic musical on its home stage at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

The show primarily captures the rousing excitement of early musical theater while unavoidably making us think about how it launched the career of Streisand. At a lengthy but enjoyable two-and-one-half hours, plus intermission, it’s a show that still charms with its memorable songs, old-style comedy and bittersweet love story.

The impressive production, directed and choreographed by Kenny Ingram and with the time-honored music of Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, tells the semi-fictionalized story of Fanny Brice, a real-life figure who rose from humble origins to showbiz stardom as a give-it-everything-you’ve-got performer in the early 20th century.

At first socially awkward and vulnerable, but with a unique talent and an admirable determination to succeed, Fanny gained the attention of famed impresario Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. and went on to star in many of his glitzy stage shows. At the same time, Fanny’s personal life was a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

Jenna Lea Rosen takes the lead role and scores comedically with her initially wide-eyed approach to Fanny’s personal and professional challenges. Armed with a feisty “New Yawk” accent, the actress easily takes charge of backstage, front stage and offstage scenes. Her vocals are compelling on both comic numbers (“Sadie, Sadie” and “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat”) and in more intimate moments (“People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”). Advertisement

Douglas Raymond Williams plays Fanny’s handsome rogue of a love interest who brings her to a fuller life but fails her in the end. His opera-trained vocals alongside Rosen (“I Want to be Seen With You” and “You are Woman, I am Man”) establish both the heat and uncertainties within their relationship.

Among the many standout secondary actors and choristers, Tyler Johnson-Campion is a tap-dancing whiz. His work with Sue Cella, who plays Fanny’s mom, is a treat on “Who Taught Her Everything.” Cella also has some fun moments squabbling with a competitive friend played by Maine State favorite Charis Leos.

Tommy Betz shines as a Tenor and David Girolmo returns to the Pickard stage as the stern but supportive Mr. Ziegfeld. Jeremiah Valentino Porter gets to toot a hot horn on “Cornet Man.”

The Maine State Music Theatre Orchestra, led by Jason Wetzel, mixes up the period flavors with a newer Broadway expansiveness. The costumes designed by J. Theresa Bush and scenic design by Jeffrey D. Kmiec take the audience back to a distant era when musical theater and its early stars were on the rise.

Steve Feeney is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.

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