Portland, Maine Craft Breweries & Bars Every Beer-Lover Should Try
The northernmost state in the country has much more to offer the culinary curious than lobster rolls and blueberry pies. After a hard day of eating at some of the best restaurants north of New York, consider sipping suds at some of country’s most distinctive microbreweries and bars in seaside Portland.
1. Allagash Brewing Company
Brewery
2. Rising Tide
Brewery
3. Liquid Riot
Brewery
5. Bissell Brothers
Brewery
Since the brothers started pouring beer four years ago, Bissell has gone from a much-hyped newcomer to an established phenomenon frequented by a steady mix of college locals and curious travelers. The brewery serves up big, murky, juicy IPAs in a refurbished brick warehouse near the water just outside downtown Portland. With lots of music, steel tap handles, machined-metal furnishings and plenty of spray paint, the brewery still exudes an intimate feel thanks in part to the owners’ soulful personal touches. Steady choice: Substance IPA. Bold pick: whatever’s rotating on draft.
6. Novare Res Bier Cafe
Cafe, Bar, Brasserie, Craft Ale Bar, Beer
Just “Novare” to locals, this dimly-lit, low-ceiling beer garden has been offering Maine’s best beer for almost a decade. A massive, Belgian-focused beer list is carefully curated by the owners who also own Liquid Riot, and features the best from Maine and abroad. Novare’s only knock is picking which two (or three, or four) beers to try in an evening before the bartender rotates to another gem. In the fall, the brewery welcomes Belgian sour beer masters Cantillon for a tap takeover unlike any other.
7. Great Lost Bear
Bar, Pub, American
8. Thirsty Pig
Pub, American
9. Foundation Brewing Company
Brewery
10. Salvage BBQ
Bar, American
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