BPI's Guide to Maine Brewers
9:43 AM
If you are a beer enthusiast, look no further. Maine is
considered one of the best states for craft beers throughout the U.S. With
nearly 30 breweries and amazing beer pubs around every corner, you could easily
call Maine a beer lover’s paradise.
In this week’s blog I’d like to take you through some of
Maine’s best Breweries and my favorite local brew pubs in the area. Here at the
Black Point Inn we love to support local business, and use as many ingredients
and products from the area as we can. Our 2014 bar program starred several of
these products from beer and liquor to fruit and herbs. Enjoy, and Drink
Responsibly!
Maine Breweries
Allagash Brewing Co.
This Belgian-Style brewery has
quickly become one of the industry’s most well-known brands. Allagash Brewing
founded in 1995 in Portland Maine started by producing around 120 barrels a year and growing to more than 16,000 barrels a
year today. Their standard brews include White, Dubbel, Tripel, Four, Black,
and Curieux. If you have not yet tried an Allagash beer you are truly missing
out!
Andrew’s Brewing Co.
Andrew’s was the 5th craft
brew company to open in Maine, located in Lincolnville. Their Flagship beer is their Andrews Pale Ale,
brewed along with the other three beers Summer Golden Ale, Northern Brown Ale,
and St. Nicks Porter. Andrew’s is not always talked about as one of the better
or more well known brewery’s in Maine but it’s definitely worth trying.
ph: 828-321-2006
Atlantic Brewing Co.
Atlantic being one of my personal
favorite breweries is located in beautiful/rural Bar Harbor Maine. Three of
their award-wining beers are Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale, Real Ale, and Coal
Porter. Atlantic brewing which started in 1991 has grown immensely in the past
13 years and has continued their dedication to tradition and quality beer.
Bar Harbor’s first microbrewery, also brews up high quality and award-winning beers. Their standard brews include Thunder Hole Ale, Cadillac Mountain Stout, Harbor Lighthouse Ale, and True Blue Blueberry Wheat Ale. If you haven’t already visited the spectacular mountainous landscape of Bar Harbor and enjoyed some of their microbrews, add it to your to do list, you will not be disappointed.
8 Mount Desert
Street, Bar Harbor, Maine
Baxter Brewing Co.
Baxter Brewing is located in Lewiston, and is
Maine’s first brewery to distribute all of its beer in metal containers (cans
and kegs). Their standard brews include Stowaway IPA, Pamola Xtra Pale Ale,
Amber Road Amber Ale, Celsius Summer Ale, and Hayride Autumn Ale. Don’t let the
metal can fool you, these are some great beers just waiting to be tried.
ph: 207-333-6769
Black Bear Brewery
Black
Bear is a family owned microbrewery located in Orono. Established in 2007 Black
Bear is Neighbors with University of Maine. They distribute kegs on draft only
in Maine. Black Bear also has a tap room in Orono where they serve food and
exclusive/experimental brews. If you have a chance to stop by in Orono or are
lucky enough to see a Black Bear brew in a Maine pub you must try it.
- 19 Mill Street, Suite 4, Orono, Maine 04473
- ph: 207-889-9123
Bray’s Brew Pub & Eatery
Bray’s Brew Pub is located in a 130 year old Inn similar to the Black Point Inn. They started brewing their own beers with a small 3½ barrels system in an old barn on property. Located in Naples, Bray’s has been serving up great food and handcrafted beers since 1995. Their standard brews include Old Church Pale Ale, Mount Olympus Special Ale, Brandy Pond Blonde Ale, Pleasant Mountain Porter, Epicurean IPA, and several more. If you’re on route 302 or on your way up to Shawnee Peak for a ski trip stop in at Bray’s Brewpub & Eatery for some good food and good beer.
678 Roosevelt Trl, Naples, Maine 04055
ph: 207-693-6806
Geary’s is Maine’s/New England’s first microbrewery
founded in 1983. Since then Geary’s has become one of Maine most recognizable
craft beers. Their standard brews include Pale Ale, Hampshire Special Ale,
London Porter, Summer Ale, Autumn Ale, and Winter Ale. Geary Brewing Co. has so
much history here in Maine it’s a must try for all you beer lovers.
Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Co.
Gritty’s started Maine’s very first brewpub
right in the center of the Old Port in Portland Maine in 1988. They now have
three brewpubs in Portland, Freeport, and Auburn. Their standard brews include
Original Pub Style, Best Bitter, Maine’s Best IPA, Black Fly Stout and
Vacationland Summer Ale. Gritty’s has a fun and laid back atmosphere, whether
you’re just going for one beer or to listen to live music on Friday or Saturday
you’re sure to have a blast.
396 Fore Street,
Portland, ME 04101 ph: 207-772-2736
Lower Main Street, Freeport, ME 04032 ph:
207-865-4321
68 Main Street Auburn, ME 04210 ph: 207-376-2736
www.grittys.com
68 Main Street Auburn, ME 04210 ph: 207-376-2736
www.grittys.com
Maine Beer Co.
Maine
Beer Company is a small microbrewery located right in Portland. All their beers
are very unique and 100% bottle conditioned. Their production is limited so if
you’re out to eat and see one you haven’t tried you know what to get. Some of
their standard brews are Lunch IPA, Peeper Pale, and Mean Old Tom Stout. These
are some beers you can’t miss trying when you’re in Maine.
- 525 US Route 1
- Freeport, Maine 04032
Peak’s Organic Brewing Co.
Peak’s is a Portland based company dedicated
to using only the freshest organic ingredients they can find. They work with
local farms and businesses to create brews that are not only delicious but use
sustainable ingredients too. Some of their standard brews are their Pale Ale,
Fall Summit Ale, Summer Session Ale, and Simcoe Spring Ale. Peak’s Organic
beers were created as a toast to life’s peak experiences!
Rising Tide Brewing Co.
Rising Tide is one of my favorite new craft
breweries on the “rise”. As another Portland based brewery, Rising Tide stands
out as a family-owned business pumping out unique handcrafted brews 90 gallons
at a time. They distribute these great small batch brews across southern Maine
to bars, restaurants, and beverage retailers. I tried my first Rising Tide Brew
this past summer and was not disappointed.
One Industrial
Way, Suite #2, Portland, ME 04103
Phone: 207-370-BEER
(2337)
Sea Dog Brewing Co.
Founded in Camden in 1993, Sea Dog has
brewpubs in Bangor, South Portland, and Topsham. If you’re looking for a good
beer and great pub fare Sea Dog is the place to go. Some of their standard
brews include Bluepaw Blueberry Wheat Ale, Owl’s Head Light Ale, Old
Gollywobbler Brown Ale, and Old East India Pale Ale.
South Portland, ME ph: 207-871-7000
Bangor, ME ph: 207-947-8009
Topsham, ME ph: 207-725-0162
Sebago Brewing Co.
Sebago started as a brew pub in 1998, but has
grown so much that they started to distribute and packaged and draft beer
throughout Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. They have brewpubs in
Portland, Gorham, Scarborough, and now Kennebunk. Using the fresh water from
Sebago Lake, all American Malt, and hops, their beer is sure to go down easy.
Sebago Brewing plays a big part in the community and is involved in Alive at
Five, Old Port Fest, Portland Greendrinks, and Portland Buy Local. It’s a great
company and a great beer; make sure to stop by their closest beer pub when
you’re in the area.
201 Southborough Dr, Scarborough, ME
211 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Shipyard Brewing Co. / Federal Jack’s
Restaurant & Brew Pub
Shipyard Brewing co. was founded and 1994 by
brewer Alan Pugsley and entrepreneur Fred Forsley. Shipyard and KBC
(Kennebunkport Brewing Co.) first began in Federal Jack’s Restaurant in 1992 located
in Kennebunk. Fed’s as locals call it became one of Maine’s first brew pubs. Within
two years (1994) the demand was so high, Shipyard opened their brewing company
on the waterfront of Portland Maine. The company brews more than 12 year round
and seasonal ales, which are available in 38 states!
Located
right next to Dock Square in Kennebunkport, a day trip to Kennebunk and Federal
Jack Restaurant & Brew Pub is a must. From their large bar with beer mugs
hanging from the ceiling for members only to their newly added/renovated
outside seating it’s a site to see. Grab a bite to eat, play some pool, or
wonder downstairs to their gift shop and watch the beer brew right through the
window.
ph: 207-761-0807
ph: 207-967-4322
Beer Pubs
So I’ve gone through my favorite
breweries in Maine, but where can you go to get a variety of great Maine beers
without going to every brewery? I can also help you with that. Below I will go
through what I consider Maine’s Best Beer Bars.
Ebenezer’s Brewpub
Lovell, Maine
Lovell, Maine
There’s a reason this is my first
shout-out for beer bars. Located in a small town about 90 minutes west of
Portland, this pub stands out. Some people have considered this to be the best
beer pub in the world. The owner is not only a beer connoisseur but a beer
collector as well. In his private beer cellar he has some of the rarest beers
you can find in the world.
Although this pub is not revolved
around Maine beers, it’s a must see Maine beer attraction. My first visit to
Ebenezer’s was two years ago after a long day of skiing on Shawnee Peak. Not
only was I impressed with their 35 beer tap system or their list of unique
bottled beers, but their food was phenomenal. I went in expecting classic pub
fare and left knowing Ebenezer’s will be one of my favorite places to go when
I’m in the area.
From the Bangor Daily News.
Great Lost Bear
Portland, Maine
If you’re looking for a casual place
to try all kind of local draft beers this is the place to go. With 69 beers on
tap you may have some trouble decided what to get. They have 5 taps dedicated
to Allagash beers one of Maine’s most renowned brewing companies. Great lost
bear carries beers from 15 different craft breweries in Maine, many of which I
mentioned above. Right off Forest Avenue in Portland, The Great Lost Bear is
the place to go for some good messy food and a tall Maine brew.
From the Portland Daily Photo
Portland, Maine
Novare which is sort of off the
beaten path of Exchange Street, is an inviting cozy bar to enjoy a cold beer.
With several rooms and communal tables it has a very friendly and local feel.
They have 25 rotating taps to choose from along with over 500 varieties of
bottled beer. It’s really an experience to go here and drink beer, everything
comes in a different glass or bottle which is one of my favorite parts. So if
you’re are around Portland and want something a little different Novare is the
place to go.
From the Portland Press Herald
Enjoy the
beer and don’t forget to drink responsibly!
Written by Taylor Benenti
(Restaurant Manager, Black Point Inn)
(Restaurant Manager, Black Point Inn)
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