9 BEST Portland Maine Breweries for Classic & Unique Flavors
There are a host of fun things to do in Portland Maine. Maybe you are planning a trip to Portland Head Light. Perhaps you want to swing by the Victoria Mansion. On your way, don’t forget to check out a few of the best Portland Maine breweries.
Maybe you are looking for a unique beer that you can’t find anywhere else. Perhaps you are interested in a traditional lager, porter, stout, or IPA. Regardless, these breweries in Portland Maine have plenty of options on tap that you are sure to fall in love with.
Allagash Brewing Company
50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103
When you think about craft beer in Maine, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Allagash Brewing Company. This brewery has been providing your favorite Belgian-style beers since 1995, and it continues to produce quality, delicious, smooth pours.
The local brewers have become legends of the Portland region and have received a tremendous amount of attention across the country. There is a good chance that you have had an Allagash White somewhere across the country, but why not get a taste where it all started?
This brewery has a wide range of sour, unique, and unusual beers on tap, but you can find many of your traditional favorites as well. If you are planning a brewery tour of Portland Maine, we recommend that you start here.
Foundation Brewing Company
1 Industrial Way #5, Portland, ME 04103
If you need to stop somewhere that is a bit under the radar in Portland, consider checking out Foundation Brewing Company. This Brewery first opened in 2014 and has a variety of small-batch beers on tap. It focuses on providing quality above all else and takes an innovative approach to the beers it produces.
Yes, this brewery is only a few steps from the famous Allagash branch above, but it does everything that it can to maintain limited production lines to provide a unique experience. It is still in the tiny industrial space that it started in and has a variety of beers.
If you need something delicious, consider checking out Epiphany. This citrus IPA has some unique notes lurking underneath. Don’t hesitate to ask about new beers on tap as well.
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Another brewery that is recognized across the country, Oxbow Blending & Bottling got its start approximately a one-hour drive north of Portland. However, it has a barrel house right in the middle of the city.
When you set foot inside the brewery, you might feel like you have walked into a farmhouse. Then, you will see a large tasting room with an opportunity to try countless beers.
You should not hesitate to get a beer flight, but don’t forget to try the Barrel-Aged FPA. This flagship Saison beer has a variety of complex flavors that have made Oxbow Blending & Bottling famous.
Bissell Brothers Brewing Company
38 Resurgam Pl, Portland, ME 04102
Are you looking for a delicious IPA in Portland Maine? If so, you should check out Bissell Brothers Brewing Company. It is one of the most popular breweries in the New England area and has a variety of New England-style IPAs from which to choose.
If you need a delicious place to start, try the Substance Ale. This beer still carries the banner for Bissell Brothers Brewing Company, and 75 percent of the grain that goes into the beer is grown in Maine.
This brewery has even become so popular that it opened a second location in Milo called Bissell Brothers Three Rivers. If you need a juicy, complex, and deep IPA, you should check out Bissell Brothers Brewing Company.
Bunker Brewing Company
17 Westfield St D, Portland, ME 04102
If lagers are what you are after, you should check out Bunker Brewing Company. This unique focus allows the brewery to separate itself from other Portland Maine breweries. Some of the beers mellow in barrels for months on end, so you will detect some complex notes.
Even though you can certainly get an IPA or stout when you visit, lagers are the true specialty. You will probably see some of them in local grocery stores, but if you want the freshest lagers available, you need to swing by the brewery in person.
Lone Pine Brewing Company
219 Anderson St, Portland, ME 04101
If you are interested in a brewery that has a wide range of beer styles, you need to visit Lone Pine Brewing Company. This brewery has worked hard to produce everything from double and triple IPAs to traditional, smooth lagers. It also has a variety of stouts, sours, and porters.
Lone Pine is not afraid to experiment from time to time, so if you are looking for a tropical, hazy IPA, consider starting with the Oh-J. This Imperial IPA has more layers to it than you can count.
Finally, Lone Pine Brewing Company has also opened up a small tasting room in Gorham, so consider swinging by if you have some extra time.
Austin Street Brewery
1 Industrial Way #8, Portland, ME 04103 (tasting room and bottling plant)
115 Fox St, Portland, ME 04101
If you are starting to notice a trend, you can explore a few Portland Maine breweries on Industrial Way. Austin Street Brewery is one of them and actually has two locations in the city, which is a reflection of just how delicious the beers are.
The original location on Industrial Way is a bottling plant and has a small tasting room. The newer location on Fox St has a bit more space, providing plenty of opportunities to explore everything it has to offer.
If you want to get a good feel for Austin Street Brewery, check out both locations.
Even though it has a wide selection, you might want to start with the Patina Pale Ale. This beer is very hoppy but still smooth and easy to drink. If you have a growler to fill up, the brewers would probably be happy to oblige.
Goodfire Brewing Company
219 Anderson St Suite 6, Portland, ME 04101
Another brewery that focuses on brewing in small batches, Goodfire Brewing Company specializes in making extremely hoppy IPAs and pale ales. The brewers are always down to experiment with something new. So if you ask nicely, they might even offer a beer that they haven’t released yet.
This brewery is also great to visit if you are looking for something seasonal. For example, if you visit during the summer, you might be able to get a taste of its famous tangy, salted, fresh lemon gose called Lutro. You might even want to fill up a growler to take to the beaches of Portland during your visit.
Foulmouthed Brewing
15 Ocean St, South Portland, ME 04106
Are you looking for some delicious food to have with your beer? If so, you should swing by Foulmouthed Brewing, which has not only beer but also a nice pub. All of the food has a local theme to it, so if you show up during the spring or summer, you could get a fresh lobster roll.
The brewers would also be more than happy to provide recommendations for food and beer pairings. While they have plenty of delicious regular beers on the list, some unique options might bring out underlying flavors in the food.
In particular, you may want to try the Ume Gose. This beer combines shisho and salted plums — called umeboshi — to create a beer unlike anything that you have ever tried before. With salty, sour, and complicated notes, this is one that you won’t want to miss.
Explore Beyond the Portland Maine Breweries
Clearly, there are a variety of amazing Portland Maine breweries that you should check out, so take your time to soak in the flavors, notes, and styles of these different spots.
Once you are done with your brewery tour, grab a superb meal at one of the top restaurants in Portland. Maybe you want to check out Hot Suppa on Congress St, or swing by Fore Street Restaurant for a delicious farm-to-table meal.
Portland Maine is a beautiful place to visit throughout the entire year, so make sure you add these breweries to your list. There are several Portland hotels and lodging options to keep you comfortable during your getaway.
