5 Best Breweries in Portland, Maine

 

Portland, Maine, is home to some of the East Coast’s most delicious breweries. Here are 5 of my favorite Portland beer spots you MUST check out!

What’s greater than a delicious, cold craft beer? A delicious, cold craft beer served 10 feet from where it’s brewed. I’m talking about breweries, my friend, and after a recent trip up the East Coast, I can confidently say that Portland, Maine, has one of the best brewery scenes around.

Be it nationally known spots like Allagash or hole-in-the-walls like Lone Pine, Portland has its beer scene figured out. So pack up your car, fellow beer lovers, because it’s time to hit up the best breweries in the hop heaven that is Portland, Maine.

1. Allagash Brewery

I’ve been in love with Allagash Brewery for many, many years. I fell hard during my stint in Boston, where their brews were on tap at pretty much every bar. Then I moved to Ohio, where I had zero access to my all-time favorite, the Allagash White. {Wipes away tears.}

And then, I moved to New York City, where I’ve been reunited with that magical elixir. But on tap didn’t prepare me for the pure joy of visiting the one, the only, Allagash Brewery in person!

Located just outside Portland, Allagash was everything I had hoped it would be – casual, relaxed, beer people (my people), dog friendly and, as you’d imagine, a delicious assortment of beers. To note, you don’t actually pay for a tasting at Allagash. You’re allotted one flight per entry, so sip and savor wisely!

 

 

2. Rising Tide

Located in a huge garage-type setting, Rising Tide is like a classed up version of your best friend’s basement rager. There’s live music and food trucks on the outside, sampler flights and pints on the inside and, yet again, this brewery is dog friendly. Now that’s something Harry could get used to!

 

3. Lone Pine Brewing Company

Lone Pine’s a little bit out of the ordinary. As you approach what looks like an empty warehouse, you may begin wondering if you’re stuck in a scene of True Detective. But fear not – Colin Farrell’s not waiting on the other side with a furrowed brow and pistol (sigh), but a delicious lineup of craft beer is (OK, I guess that’ll do).

The staff at Lone Pine was beyond friendly, and made sure the whole family – including Harry, again – felt right at home. Two thumbs up!

 

4. Maine Beer Co.

After a full day in Freeport, we hit up Maine Beer Co. for a quick bite and – duh – a much-needed brew. They had a nice variety of IPAs and pales on tap, served up in a flight for my mom and me to share. Meanwhile, Harry stared longingly at the gigantic pretzel we were snacking on, knowing my no-human-food rules are no match for his big, brown eyes.

So, yeah. Harry won. But despite my inevitable loss, Maine Beer Co. was a blast.

 

5. Shipyard Brewing Co.

Shipyard drew me in years ago with their delicious pumpkin ale, so I had to stop by their tap room in downtown Portland to check it out. Tap-wise, they had a lot of unusual brews I’d never tried, including a peach and grapefruit wheat ale, but I had to chug quickly, because they don’t let pets inside (GASP!) and I can’t keep Harry waiting.

But don’t worry – my dad stayed outside to keep him company while I speedily imbibed. (Oh, you weren’t worried? Because I was … always.)

 

With dozens of breweries and countless locally sourced restaurants, it’s no wonder Portland, Maine, is a beer geek and food lover’s paradise. The part I wasn’t expecting, though, was just how much the breweries embrace their patrons’ pets. Not only was Harry greeted with “oohs” and “ahhs,” he had a water bowl waiting for him at each dog-friendly spot. Talk about a craft-beer-loving dog mom’s paradise!