Solo Portland Maine Beercation

Discussion in 'New England' started by Sean227, Apr 18, 2018.

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  1. Sean227

    Sean227 Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2007 New Jersey

    Hello all! I was thinking of heading up to Portland next week (Monday- Wendsday) for a little getaway. I noticed that a lot of the breweries are open Mondays and Tuesdays, any suggestions on which ones to hit up? Would be cool to meet up if any fellow BA’s will be around too! Thanks for any input.
     
  2. Piels25

    Piels25 Savant (1,010) Dec 17, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/15/
     
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  3. AirBob

    AirBob Pooh-Bah (1,718) Jul 15, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    My "must visits" every time I visit Portland are Allagash, Austin St., and Oxbow. The quality and variety available at Allgash and Oxbow are unparrelled, and I love Patina from Austin St. If you're looking for IPAs, then Bissell Brothers and Foundation are a must visit.

    During warmer months I've also enjoyed time at Rising Tide and the old Bunker location (not sure where they are now).

    Allagash, Foundation, Austin St., and Battery Steele (and I think Gearys too) are all located in the same section of Industrial Way so you can hope around from one to another as long as you can find a safe way back to Old Port (or where ever you may be stay).

    While not a brewery, I'd also recommend grabbing a couple of beers at Novare Res.

    Portland's a great eatting and drinking city. I'd suggest combing through this forum for similar threads - there's a lot of excellent recommendations buried in past threads.
     
  4. cdilisio

    cdilisio Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2015 Maine

    Goodfire (closed T-W)
     
  5. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)
    Deactivated

    This is the answer for me too. Not a BB fan, but I do like Substance and that can be found on tap around the city. Go to Allagash, pop across the street to Austin. Then go park yourself at Oxbow before finding a delicious dinner somewhere.
     
  6. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Duckfat and Eventide are probably less than a five minute walk from Oxbow. Since both are extremely busy, if there’s a wait, they’ll text you when your table is ready.

    Put your table in, then walk over to Oxbow for some drinks and maybe a charcuterie plate while you wait.
     
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  7. jmanic

    jmanic Initiate (0) Sep 27, 2016 New Jersey

    Another great tip I saw in some of the Portland threads was about Bier Cellar.
    I always make a stop there, but didn't realize they will hold beer for you.
    A great way to get some good local stuff.
    Before you go, check out their IG feed and inventory at their website.
    Purchase online and you have 7 days to pick it up.
     
  8. Oceanbear1

    Oceanbear1 Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2013 Colorado

    completely off topic, but I find it amazing that Bier Cellar and Craft Beer Cellar haven't gotten into a trademark war.
     
  9. JoeK89

    JoeK89 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2015 Massachusetts

    Definitely make a stop at Industrial way: Allagash, Austin Street, Foundation, and Battery Steele all in same business park. -- Do this on Monday since most are closed on Tues and Wednesday.

    Oxbow appears to be closed M-W so unless their posted hours on google are wrong, you won't be able to go here.

    Since you will be there 3 days, I would make a day trip to Freeport to the outlets if it's a nice day and then hit up Maine beer company.

    Definitely go to Bissell one of the days. Big J's chicken is right next door. I recommend the chicken and waffles (Nashville hot if you like heat).

    Restaurants:
    Great Lost Bear- Large amount of NE/Maine taps. Food is decent but not the best in that area.

    Nosh- smaller amount of taps (still good), creative food/sandwich options. Go here if you like crazy stuff like mac n cheese bun burger, burger with pizza buns, bacon dusted fries.

    Slab- same owners as Nosh. Go here if you want good Pizza and solid beer selection.

    Salvage BBQ- best BBQ in the area IMO. Tons of hot sauces and not so hot sauces. Decent amount on tap. Live music sometimes.

    Novare Res- Huge tap list. More of a bar than a restaurant. Just small food items. Highly recommended.

    Beer Stores:
    Bier Cellar- Prob the best store with newer releases coming in. You can sign up for their email updates to see what they have recently gotten in. Sometimes you can find Hoof Hearted stuff.

    RSVP- I would hit this up if you pass near it. It's kind of on the way from Allagash to downtown Portland. Good prices. Probably check dates on beers. DFH 120 min was 8 bucks here.
     
  10. JoeK89

    JoeK89 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2015 Massachusetts

    Also, Stop at Barreled Souls if you are driving back Wednesday (closed Mon &Tues). Small taproom with some really solid Barrel-aged beers. Also has pale ales.
     
  11. WolfsburgVW

    WolfsburgVW Zealot (570) May 21, 2013 Maine
    Trader

    Oxbow's Portland location is open every day of the week, I believe it's the Newcastle location closed M-W.
     
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  12. JoeK89

    JoeK89 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2015 Massachusetts

    Right. Disregard my Oxbow comment OP.
     
  13. Auror

    Auror Pooh-Bah (1,641) Jan 1, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Usually state corporation licensing prevents people from using too similar "Doing Business As" (DBA) names. I guess the spelling of bier vs. beer was considered distinct enough? It is in print, if not audibly.
     
  14. Seacoastbrewer

    Seacoastbrewer Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 New Hampshire

    If you're going to Barreled souls you have to do Banded Horn! I really enjoy their taproom with portland pie co in the same building.
     
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  15. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)
    Deactivated

    My favorite part of posts asking about a certain location is to see how far away they can actually get.

    OP: Hey guys, what are the Portland necessities?

    (A few posts about Oxbow, Allagash, Bissell)

    "On your way out of town, hit up ..."

    "Yeah, and if you're there, go 20 minutes south to ...."

    "Oh good call. Also, since you're in the area ..."

    And eventually you're only about 30 minutes from Tree House or Alchemist or Trillium. Literally doesn't matter where you start from. Someone will eventually get you about 120 miles away.
     
  16. JoeK89

    JoeK89 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2015 Massachusetts

    True, on second thought, don't stop at Barreled Souls for delicious BA stouts and strong ales. Just drive past it because it's not directly in Portland proper.:rolling_eyes:
     
  17. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (1,977) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Other killer food suggestions downtown. Hot Suppa; Empire Chinese; Little Tap Room; Central Provisions; Duckfat and the oyster place next door. All will have Substance on tap at a minimum and most will have 5 or 6 local options.
     
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  18. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    The Little Tap House and Mash Tun have the best local tap lists in Portland.

    I put those two over Novare Res. Novare Res is a nice spot for a huge beer list from all over, but if I'm in Portland, I want local beer. Although the roof deck at Novare Res is killer.

    I could post two links that contain write-ups of previous Portland trips which are fairly extensive. But I'm too lazy right now. Can't wait to head back there in June. I haven't even heard of Empire Chinese, and still haven't been to Hot Support or Central Provisions. Plus the couple breweries I still haven't hit up.

    Seems like every year there's more and more restaurants and breweries moving into the area. I was just there last summer, and there' still more to see/do. I used to say you need at least three days in Portland to do it right, I may have to amend that to four or five days now.
     
  19. CanesHeatFins305

    CanesHeatFins305 Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2014 Florida

    Any updates? Will be in town in 2 weeks. thanks
     
  20. darkandhoppy

    darkandhoppy Pundit (955) Dec 26, 2008 Connecticut

    surprised no one mentioned High Roller Lobster Co. for food. Lobster Tacos are the BOMB! Cant beat the reg Lobster Rolls either. Nice local ME tap list too.
     
    AirBob likes this.
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