Drink Your Way Through Portland, Maine
The Portland, Maine brewery scene offers something for every beer enthusiast. From renowned breweries like Allagash and Bissell Brothers to hidden gems like Goodfire and Oxbow, you can expect a wide array of exceptional brews, innovative flavors, and a welcoming community of beer lovers. If you're in town, here are five destinations to check out.
Belleflower Brewing
My personal favorite is currently Belleflower. If you love craft beer, it's a must-stop destination. Their IPAs like Hexology, Scraggy, and Into the Kaleidoscope are top-notch, packed with hoppy goodness that can stand tall alongside heavy hitters from the Northeast like Tree House, Trillium, and Hill Farmstead. And let's not sleep on their Imperial Stouts—they go all out with crazy adjuncts, bringing the best flavors of Maine to their pastry stouts. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
Website: https://www.belleflowerbeer.com/
Goodfire Brewing
Next on the list is another must-stop for IPA fans. If you're craving some top-notch beer, make sure to stop at Goodfire. Their lineup of IPAs, including CMYK, Prime, and Super Prime, packs a strong 1-2-3 punch, and if you're lucky, sometimes you'll find hoppier versions of each available as well! If you happen to visit on 4/20, they have an annual release of Tricombs & HASH that will blow your mind. Conveniently located within walking distance from Belleflower Brewing, it's definitely worth making a stop at Goodfire to experience their incredible brews.
Website: https://goodfirebrewing.com/
Oxbow Brewing
Looking to change it up from IPAs or craving something different overall? Oxbow is the spot for you. They specialize in crafting remarkable mixed fermentation beers, saisons, and wild ales that deliver. My personal favorite is any mixed fermentation beer with cherry—don't skip it. And to make things even better, the Duckfat Frite Shack is conveniently located right outside the brewery, offering delicious fries and milkshakes for those looking for a snack. With its prime location within walking distance of notable breweries like Belleflower and Goodfire, as well as must-visit destinations such as Radici, Terilingua, and Island Creek Oyster, Oxbow Brewing is truly a hidden gem in East Bayside.
Website: https://oxbowbeer.com/
Definitive Brewing
Sours, sours, and more sours, that’s the best way to explain Definitive Brewing. They offer a medley of fruited sour beers that will captivate your taste buds. They have every combination of fruited sours that I’ve seen and they stand with some of the best I’ve had in the country such as The Answer, The Veil Brewing, 450 North, and Mortalis Brewing. Don’t like sours? They also offer a bunch of great IPAs and pastry stout options as well. You can enjoy these brews in their great outdoor space, which is also dog-friendly. Plus, being within walking distance of renowned breweries like Allagash, Austin St, Battery Steele, and Foundation, you'll be in beer lover's paradise. And when your hungry, grab a bite from the nearby food trucks or indulge in a mouthwatering Lobster Roll from Bite Into Maine. Definitive is a great stop on the Portland Brewery tour.
Website: https://www.definitivebrewing.com/
Bissell Brothers Brewing
Last, but not least, one of the most well known spots in Portland is Bissell Brothers. Known for coveted releases like Nothing Gold, Swish, and Angels with Filthy Souls. This team doesn’t miss on any beer style they take on. Best known for their IPAs, you can’t go wrong with any beer style that they make, they’re good at all of them. One of my favorite parts of Bissell is the space, the open floor plans give you a front-row seat to witness the brewing magic and magnitude of brewing that goes on here. If you happen to visit during the summer, the Fort Point concert series is a must, just a short walk from Bissell, you can catch a show from some of the best acts in music in the world. Don't sleep on the kitchen either because they whip up some of the best food in Portland to accompany their beers. A great way to end or start your Portland Brewery tour every time!
Website: https://bissellbrothers.com/
