Headed to Portland ME, where is the best beer scene?

Thanks so much for all of the information that you provided. We are super-excited and will definitely be doing MW now based on yours and Dave's posts. So Yankee is a safe walk? (ie not along a very busy highway and has sidewalks to MW?). We got a very solid rate, they have a refrigerator, and the reviews on trip advisor or great so if we could actually walk that is a major bonus. Pai Men in on our food list as well for portland.

 

I honestly don't see you having a problem with the walk. There aren't any sidewalks leading up to Marshall Wharf/Three Tides, but it's easy to traverse on foot and they are directly off of the wharf. The Yankee Clipper's website even recommends taking the footbridge into town-
"The Yankee Clipper Motel is the closest motel to downtown Belfast. One can take a scenic walk to town, with a wonderful view of the harbor by crossing the Belfast Bay footbridge, in less than fifteen minutes."

Map view for reference

Pai Men Miyake will be well worth it; you'll end up daydreaming about it months later. Trust me (just see below).
Some other places in Portland to check out that haven't been recommended yet are Vignola Cinque Terre, Bard Coffee, and the Holy Donut. If you're a fan or interested in learning more about mead/cider/kombucha, the Urban Farm Fermentory is a must. Plus it's conveniently located near to Rising Tide Brewing, Bunker Brewing, and Tandem Coffee Roasters.
Outside of Portland, I'm sure that you've already been told to stop at Ebenezer's in Lowell.


PMM's Tokyo Ramen, with no egg
("Tokyo Abura-Soba", no broth, chili oil, egg yolk, nori, & sambal)

 

Here's a certainly-incomplete list of Portland restaurants that have very good food AND reliable craft draft lists:

Pai Men Miyake (superb on both fronts)
Flatbread Company
East Ender
Eventide Oyster
Vignola

Note to attendees of The Festival: Flatbread, East Ender and Eventide all are a fairly close walk, and Vignola isn't much further. Pai Men would be a long walk but a quick taxi ride.

Other Portlanders please remind me (or teach me) what I'm missing. Some restaurants which really should have better beer (e.g., The Front/Grill/Corner "Rooms") fall short.

Despite living a block from The Great Lost Bear, and having full respect for its second-only-to-Novare Res beer list, I have to say that the food is pretty lame and I don't go there very often as a result. If you're fine with an indifferent burger and fries, go for it. But Portland has such outstanding food, so if you want that too then look to the list above.

 

Infiniti also belongs on any list of excellent food/draft restaurants.

 

Thread hijack: where is the best place to watch the Bruins this Saturday in Portland (beer selection important)

 

Does thirsty pig have tvs? I think so... I bet someone else will chime in with a few good recs.

 

Thirsty Pig has a TV; game should be on. Another option is Nosh; game will definitely be on

 

Maine Beer Company is also next door to Allagash. Be sure to make reservations or buy tickets for Allagash online. Last year, wife and I missed the tour (it was sold out/full) and we couldn't get samples at the brewery since we weren't on the tour. We did take home some bottles and other items.

 

Maine Beer Co has moved to Rte. 1 Freeport with an expanded tasting room. Allagash has also expanded with a full tap room. You no longer need to go on a tour to get samples. You still need to register to go on the tour though.

 

Thanks for the update! We're hoping to drive down there again soon.

 

Sebago Brewing Co. is near where The Festival will be happening. They have TVs.

Edit: It's on the corner of Fore St and Franklin Arterial, in the first floor of the building that houses the Hampton Inn.