Novare Res Bier Café
4 Canal Plaza
Suite 1
Portland, Maine, 04101
United States
(207) 761-2437 | map
novareresbiercafe.com
Notes:
Reviews: 140
| Ratings: 286
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Reviews by CHADMC3:
CHADMC3 from Connecticut
4.53/5 rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
This place is awesome! A must visit in my opinion.
The old brick building is lined with old specialty bottles, long tables, a great bar, and low lighting. I could sit in this place all night. Great music too, laid back, and very appropriate for the surroundings. Also, there is a HUGE beer cooler/locker I could do a dance in if given the chance.
The beer menu is fantastic featuring 20+ taps (I think) and pages of bottles broken out by style and/or region. One of the better menus I have seen, but can get pricey. I had a Nogne O Imperial Stout and a Stone Ruination. My wife had a Hennepin and a St. Bernardus 12. All served in appropriate glassware and quite excellent.
The staff was extremely knowledgeable and could talk not only about the individual beers, but the breweries and could share stories about meeting the brewers. Great place for the true Geek!
Only cheese dishes, snacks, and small sandwiches are served. The prosciutto plate was fantastic as well as the hummus and fruit plate (forget name).
I will certainly be visiting Novare Res again.
In parting, the menu is a must see, absolutely great offerings for a great atmosphere.
Jul 02, 2009
4.53/5 rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
This place is awesome! A must visit in my opinion.
The old brick building is lined with old specialty bottles, long tables, a great bar, and low lighting. I could sit in this place all night. Great music too, laid back, and very appropriate for the surroundings. Also, there is a HUGE beer cooler/locker I could do a dance in if given the chance.
The beer menu is fantastic featuring 20+ taps (I think) and pages of bottles broken out by style and/or region. One of the better menus I have seen, but can get pricey. I had a Nogne O Imperial Stout and a Stone Ruination. My wife had a Hennepin and a St. Bernardus 12. All served in appropriate glassware and quite excellent.
The staff was extremely knowledgeable and could talk not only about the individual beers, but the breweries and could share stories about meeting the brewers. Great place for the true Geek!
Only cheese dishes, snacks, and small sandwiches are served. The prosciutto plate was fantastic as well as the hummus and fruit plate (forget name).
I will certainly be visiting Novare Res again.
In parting, the menu is a must see, absolutely great offerings for a great atmosphere.
Jul 02, 2009
More User Reviews:
acurtis from New Jersey
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Aug 31, 2020
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Aug 31, 2020
atlbravsrno1 from New Hampshire
4.75/5 rDev +6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Aug 02, 2020
4.75/5 rDev +6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Aug 02, 2020
socon67 from New York
4.83/5 rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Easily one of the best beer stores I've ever been in. Place does look like it belongs in Belgium; very rustic and chill vibe. Their selection is heavily influenced by imports, but I jumped at the chance to get a crowler and some bottles of Maine locals I'll not see back home. Service was incredible, and while I didn't have food it was evident that the small plates they offered were high quality. So glad to be able to stop by.
Jul 29, 2020
4.83/5 rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Easily one of the best beer stores I've ever been in. Place does look like it belongs in Belgium; very rustic and chill vibe. Their selection is heavily influenced by imports, but I jumped at the chance to get a crowler and some bottles of Maine locals I'll not see back home. Service was incredible, and while I didn't have food it was evident that the small plates they offered were high quality. So glad to be able to stop by.
Jul 29, 2020
tjcarbone from New Jersey
4.47/5 rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Visited spring and fall of 2017. Welcoming, cozy tavern. A very impressive selection. A must visit for any beer lover. Seasonal seating outside available.
Mar 29, 2020
4.47/5 rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Visited spring and fall of 2017. Welcoming, cozy tavern. A very impressive selection. A must visit for any beer lover. Seasonal seating outside available.
Mar 29, 2020
Jgitelman from Massachusetts
5/5 rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I could only give this place 5's across the board because it really was that perfect. Wide, eclectic list of draught and bottled beers. I had a great local Maine sour and my buddy had a Weisse beer in his favorite glass that brought him back to Europe. Ourr server, Jasmine, knew her stuff. Surprisingly the pork taco special is the thing that still stands out in my mind - what flavor! Cannot wait to go back to Novares Res and explore more. A happy place.
Nov 16, 2019
5/5 rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I could only give this place 5's across the board because it really was that perfect. Wide, eclectic list of draught and bottled beers. I had a great local Maine sour and my buddy had a Weisse beer in his favorite glass that brought him back to Europe. Ourr server, Jasmine, knew her stuff. Surprisingly the pork taco special is the thing that still stands out in my mind - what flavor! Cannot wait to go back to Novares Res and explore more. A happy place.
Nov 16, 2019
REVZEB from Illinois
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Oct 10, 2019
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Oct 10, 2019
A_Rad from Wisconsin
4.41/5 rDev -1.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5
Aug 09, 2019
4.41/5 rDev -1.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5
Aug 09, 2019
Rifugium from North Dakota
4.35/5 rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
I FINALLY got to tick Novare Res off my bucket list last trip to Portland. I almost couldn't find the place because the building it's in didn't look like a bar at all, and at first I didn't notice the stylized letters running down the wall. But once inside, it's a truly genuine Belgian bar vibe. This is probably the only bar in the US that I've been to other than Monk's that really gives me that authentic feeling that I experienced in the bars I visited in Belgium, albeit with an obvious American twist. When I went there was an event going on, I forget what, maybe an anniversary or something. All I know is I got a relatively inexpensive pour of Hommage, and there was also a rare Black Albert variant on tap, as well as a bunch of other stuff. Despite the event, the place wasn't too crowded and service was fine. I did not sample the food or even look at the menu. If I wasn't pressed for time, I could've spent the whole day there, and hopefully one day I will get back.
Jul 19, 2019
4.35/5 rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
I FINALLY got to tick Novare Res off my bucket list last trip to Portland. I almost couldn't find the place because the building it's in didn't look like a bar at all, and at first I didn't notice the stylized letters running down the wall. But once inside, it's a truly genuine Belgian bar vibe. This is probably the only bar in the US that I've been to other than Monk's that really gives me that authentic feeling that I experienced in the bars I visited in Belgium, albeit with an obvious American twist. When I went there was an event going on, I forget what, maybe an anniversary or something. All I know is I got a relatively inexpensive pour of Hommage, and there was also a rare Black Albert variant on tap, as well as a bunch of other stuff. Despite the event, the place wasn't too crowded and service was fine. I did not sample the food or even look at the menu. If I wasn't pressed for time, I could've spent the whole day there, and hopefully one day I will get back.
Jul 19, 2019
Griffith from Connecticut
4.23/5 rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Mar 19, 2019
4.23/5 rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Mar 19, 2019
thegink from New York
4.19/5 rDev -6.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 5 | service: 2.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3.75
Feb 18, 2019
4.19/5 rDev -6.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 5 | service: 2.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3.75
Feb 18, 2019
chippo33 from Vermont
5/5 rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
When I walk into this place, I feel like I am back in Belgium. The beer list ranges from old traditional beers (Cantillon, Tilquin, Boon, 3F, westmale, Orval, Fantome, Weihenstephaner, Ayinger, De dolle, De la senne) to newer styles and breweries (Trillium, Aslin, Holy Mountain, the Veil, Trve, Prairie, Burial, Jester King, Lawson's, Fonta Flora, Modern Times, etc.). Plenty of the latest local beers (Bissell, allagash, definitive, barreled souls, good fire, Battery Steele) always available.
Jan 08, 2019
5/5 rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
When I walk into this place, I feel like I am back in Belgium. The beer list ranges from old traditional beers (Cantillon, Tilquin, Boon, 3F, westmale, Orval, Fantome, Weihenstephaner, Ayinger, De dolle, De la senne) to newer styles and breweries (Trillium, Aslin, Holy Mountain, the Veil, Trve, Prairie, Burial, Jester King, Lawson's, Fonta Flora, Modern Times, etc.). Plenty of the latest local beers (Bissell, allagash, definitive, barreled souls, good fire, Battery Steele) always available.
Jan 08, 2019
ajemianj from Massachusetts
4.88/5 rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This is the best beer bar in Portland. Can’t believe it hasn’t been rated more.
Dec 11, 2018
4.88/5 rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This is the best beer bar in Portland. Can’t believe it hasn’t been rated more.
Dec 11, 2018
spolgrean from New York
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5
Great place for Belgian beers, always have unique beers on draft, and a bottle list that is out of this world.
Sep 25, 2018
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5
Great place for Belgian beers, always have unique beers on draft, and a bottle list that is out of this world.
Sep 25, 2018
PhillyStyle from Georgia
4.03/5 rDev -10%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25
May 25, 2018
4.03/5 rDev -10%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25
May 25, 2018
Budlum from Maryland
4.27/5 rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75
May 20, 2018
4.27/5 rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75
May 20, 2018
Beersilio from Massachusetts
4.23/5 rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.25
May 06, 2018
4.23/5 rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.25
May 06, 2018
Tmappin from Canada (NS)
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Mar 12, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Mar 12, 2018
xtonytx from Connecticut
4.05/5 rDev -9.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Nov 25, 2017
4.05/5 rDev -9.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Nov 25, 2017
orangesol from Pennsylvania
4.41/5 rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Oct 30, 2017
4.41/5 rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Oct 30, 2017
jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)
4.68/5 rDev +4.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Oct 28, 2017
4.68/5 rDev +4.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Oct 28, 2017
Montanabeerz from Montana
4.33/5 rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Aug 21, 2017
4.33/5 rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Aug 21, 2017
Uconnelmo from Connecticut
4.32/5 rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Aug 05, 2017
4.32/5 rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Aug 05, 2017
Harrypotter7 from New Hampshire
1/5 rDev -77.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 1 | food: 1
Not great.
Jun 30, 2017
1/5 rDev -77.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 1 | food: 1
Not great.
Jun 30, 2017
dfecteau from Massachusetts
3.21/5 rDev -28.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3 | selection: 3
May 09, 2017
3.21/5 rDev -28.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3 | selection: 3
May 09, 2017
Novare Res Bier Café in Portland, ME
Place rating:
4.48 out of
5 with
286 ratings
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