Best Breweries & Craft Beer in Maine

Maine has become a craft beer mecca, boasting a diverse and innovative brewing scene. This guide highlights the best breweries and taprooms, from established names to up-and-coming producers, where you can sample award-winning IPAs, stouts, sours, and more. Explore beer trails, enjoy tasting flights, and discover why Maine is a top destination for beer lovers.

The Maine Craft Beer Story

Maine’s craft beer renaissance started later than states like Oregon or Colorado, but what it lacked in head start, it made up for in quality and creativity. The state now boasts over 150 breweries, with Portland alone claiming more breweries per capita than any other city in America. The scene ranges from pioneering operations like Allagash to cutting-edge newcomers pushing boundaries with wild fermentation and experimental ingredients.

What sets Maine beer apart is an emphasis on quality over quantity, locally sourced ingredients when possible, and a collaborative rather than competitive spirit. Maine brewers frequently work together, share ingredients, and celebrate each other’s success. The result is a scene that feels authentic and unpretentious, where excellent beer comes without the attitude sometimes found in bigger markets.

Portland’s Can’t-Miss Breweries

Allagash Brewing Company

The granddaddy of Maine craft beer, Allagash has been brewing Belgian-style ales in Portland since 1995. Founder Rob Tod chose to focus on Belgian styles when everyone else chased IPAs, and that contrarian streak paid off. Allagash White became one of the most recognized craft beers in America, a refreshing wheat beer brewed with oats, coriander, and Curacao orange peel.

The brewery tour is one of the best in Maine, taking you through the brewing process with knowledgeable guides who clearly love their jobs. The tasting room pours not just the core lineup but limited releases like spontaneously fermented coolship ales and barrel-aged rarities. On sunny days, the outdoor patio becomes a gathering spot for Portland’s beer community.

Visiting tips: Free tours run multiple times daily; reservations recommended on weekends. The gift shop has excellent glassware and brewery-only releases. Located on Industrial Way with several other breweries within walking distance.

Bissell Brothers Brewing

Bissell Brothers burst onto the scene in 2013 with aggressively hopped IPAs that quickly developed a cult following. Their original Thompson’s Point location features a large taproom with a constantly rotating selection of hazies, IPAs, and experimental brews. The Mast Landing Brewing collaboration brought even more variety.

What makes Bissell special is their willingness to experiment while maintaining consistently high quality. You’ll find IPAs hopped with experimental varieties, fruited sours, thick stouts, and creative takes on classic styles. The atmosphere is casual and energetic, often packed with locals and visitors alike.

Visiting tips: Can releases draw crowds, especially for limited editions. The East Bayside location offers a smaller, quieter experience. Food trucks rotate through regularly. Bring cash for merchandise purchases.

Foundation Brewing Company

Foundation occupies a former industrial space on Industrial Way, transformed into a bright, welcoming taproom with garage doors that open to the street. They built their reputation on approachable, well-crafted beers that showcase malt balance alongside hop character. Epiphany, their flagship IPA, demonstrates restraint in a market often dominated by hop bombs.

The brewery excels at lagers and mixed-culture fermentation, producing clean pilsners and complex farmhouse ales. The taproom culture feels relaxed and inclusive, avoiding the beer snobbery that can sometimes plague craft beer scenes. Regular art shows and community events make Foundation a gathering place beyond just beer.

Visiting tips: The Sunday evening jazz series is a Portland institution. Outdoor seating is limited, so arrive early on nice days. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Food trucks on weekends.

Rising Tide Brewing Company

One of Portland’s original craft breweries, Rising Tide has been quietly making excellent beer since 2010 on Fox Street. While other breweries chased trends, Rising Tide focused on balanced, drinkable beers that showcase classic styles done right. Daymark, their pale ale, is a masterclass in balance and drinkability.

The taproom maintains a neighborhood feel despite being in an industrial area. You’ll find longtime regulars alongside first-time visitors, all welcomed equally. The brewery emphasizes sustainability and community involvement, regularly supporting local causes and using Maine-grown ingredients when possible.

Visiting tips: More laid-back than some Portland breweries, perfect for escaping crowds. Limited hours, so check before visiting. Great selection of guest taps showcasing other Maine breweries.

Maine Beer Company

Technically located in Freeport now, but spiritually part of Portland’s brewing scene, Maine Beer Company operates on a “Do What’s Right” philosophy that emphasizes environmental responsibility and quality over growth. Their Lunch IPA achieved legendary status, becoming one of the most sought-after IPAs in America.

The Freeport location includes a large taproom, outdoor seating with fire pits, and hiking trails through the surrounding woods. Beyond Lunch, they produce a rotating lineup of IPAs, pale ales, stouts, and specialty releases. The brewery donates 1% of sales to environmental causes, backing up their commitment to sustainability.

Visiting tips: Lunch and Dinner (the double IPA) are available year-round. The outdoor space is exceptional in good weather. Food trucks most weekends. Hiking trails are family-friendly. Can purchase bottles to go.

Beyond Portland: Breweries Worth the Drive

Oxbow Brewing (Newcastle)

Oxbow focuses on farmhouse ales, saisons, and mixed-culture fermentation in a beautifully restored farm complex overlooking the Damariscotta River. The brewery sources ingredients from their own farm when possible and ages beers in a coolship, allowing wild yeast to work its magic. The result is complex, food-friendly beers that taste distinctly of place.

The tasting room occupies a renovated barn with views across farmland to the river. The beer garden and picnic area make this a destination for a leisurely afternoon. Oxbow also operates a smaller location in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood.

Visiting tips: The Newcastle location is worth the trip for the setting alone. Limited hours, check ahead. Perfect for combining with a Midcoast trip. Portland location offers more convenient access to the beer.

Definitive Brewing (Portland)

Definitive built a reputation as a brewer’s brewery, crafting technically perfect lagers and other styles that showcase precision and restraint. In an era of adjunct-heavy beers and gimmicks, Definitive focuses on classic styles executed flawlessly. Their pilsner is crisp and refreshing, exactly what a pilsner should be.

The industrial taproom on Commercial Street features a minimalist aesthetic that puts the focus on the beer. The crowd tends toward serious beer enthusiasts who appreciate nuance and craftsmanship. Don’t expect fruit smoothie sours or pastry stouts—Definitive’s ethos is classical brewing done right.

Visiting tips: Limited taproom hours, typically Friday-Sunday. Rotating food pop-ups. Some releases sell out quickly. This is for beer purists who appreciate subtlety over spectacle.

Goodfire Brewing (Portland)

Goodfire opened in 2020 and quickly established itself as one of Maine’s most exciting new breweries. They specialize in hop-forward beers with creativity and precision, producing IPAs that balance intense flavor with drinkability. The taproom in East Bayside features clean lines, natural light, and a welcoming vibe.

Beyond IPAs, Goodfire produces excellent lagers, stouts, and mixed-fermentation beers. The brewery emphasizes sustainability and community connection, hosting events and collaborating with other local businesses. The beer quality rivals any in the state, with a freshness and vibrancy that stands out.

Visiting tips: Parking can be challenging in East Bayside. The taproom is dog-friendly. Weekend afternoons are busiest. Check social media for can releases and special tappings.

Beer Styles Maine Does Best

New England IPAs: Maine brewers helped pioneer the hazy, juicy IPA style that swept the country. These beers emphasize hop aroma and flavor over bitterness, with a soft, pillowy mouthfeel and intense tropical fruit notes. Bissell Brothers, Goodfire, and dozens of others produce exceptional examples.

Belgian-Inspired Ales: Led by Allagash, Maine has a strong tradition of Belgian styles. Saisons, witbiers, dubbels, and tripels all find excellent expression here. Oxbow and others have taken these styles in new directions while respecting their origins.

Lagers: Maine’s craft lagers rival any in the country. Definitive, Foundation, and Lone Pine produce crisp, clean lagers that showcase malt character and drinkability. These aren’t afterthoughts—Maine brewers take lagers seriously.

Mixed-Fermentation & Sours: Wild ales and sour beers fermented with Brett, Lactobacillus, and wild yeast have found a home in Maine. Oxbow leads this charge, but many breweries maintain barrel programs producing complex, funky beers.

Stouts & Porters: Maine winters inspire rich, warming stouts. From coffee stouts to barrel-aged imperial stouts, Maine brewers excel at dark beers with depth and complexity. Mast Landing and Bissell Brothers produce particularly sought-after versions.

Brewery Tour Tips

Transportation: Don’t drink and drive. Portland has excellent brewery bus tours, or use rideshare services. Many breweries are within walking distance of each other in Portland’s Industrial Way district.

Tasting strategy: Order flights to sample multiple beers. Start with lighter styles (lagers, pales) and progress to heavier, more intense beers (IPAs, stouts). Pace yourself—Maine beers often have higher alcohol content than you expect.

Food: Many breweries have food trucks on weekends, but not all serve food regularly. Check ahead or eat before visiting. Some taprooms allow you to bring food or order delivery.

Timing: Weekday afternoons are quietest. Weekend afternoons, especially Saturday, draw the biggest crowds. Can releases and special tappings announced on social media create lines.

Buying beer: Most breweries sell cans and bottles to go. Maine’s bottle deposit system means you’ll pay a deposit on each can. Some limited releases sell out quickly. Production beer is widely available at bottle shops statewide.

Brewery etiquette: Be respectful of staff and other patrons. Tip your bartenders. Clean up after yourself. Don’t expect free samples—pay for a flight. If a brewery is crowded, be mindful of taking up space.

The Maine Beer Trail

Maine’s breweries are spread across the state, creating natural beer trails. The Portland area has the highest concentration, with over 20 breweries in the city and nearby suburbs. The Midcoast offers breweries in Bath, Brunswick, Rockland, and Camden. Northern Maine has a growing scene in Bangor and beyond.

Plan themed trips: hit the Portland haze-makers one weekend, explore Belgian styles another, or seek out lager specialists. Combine brewery visits with other Maine activities—beach trips, hiking, shopping in Portland’s neighborhoods.

Why Maine Became a Beer Destination

Several factors combined to make Maine a craft beer powerhouse. The state’s independent, DIY ethos aligned perfectly with craft brewing’s values. Access to pristine water and proximity to hop-growing regions helped. Portland’s walkable urban core created a concentrated beer culture. Most importantly, early brewers focused on quality over shortcuts, establishing a reputation that attracted talented brewers from across the country.

The collaborative nature of Maine’s brewing community also stands out. Rather than hoarding recipes and techniques, brewers share knowledge and ingredients. This rising-tide-lifts-all-boats mentality has strengthened the entire industry.

Maine’s craft beer scene continues evolving, with new breweries opening regularly and established operations expanding. But the core remains: a commitment to quality, creativity, and community that makes Maine beer special. Whether you’re a hop head seeking the latest hazy IPA or a lager lover appreciating clean, crisp pilsners, Maine’s breweries deliver exceptional experiences in welcoming environments.