Portland Recommendations (2022)

Just got up here last night and only had the chance to stop by Bissell so far. There are 4 Angels with Filthy Souls variants on tap which is great...but all served in their typical 10oz full pours for higher ABV options which is not. I wish you could get 4 oz flight sizes (at least during slower periods like yesterday) in order to try them all.

For to go options: I enjoyed an Enchanted Forest (saison with spruce tips) bottle last night back at my mom's. Another can besides Swish and Reciprocal I picked up but haven't tasted yet was Lucky (formerly iLucky), an IPA with ginger and rice that hasn't been released in awhile. I was a big fan of this beer years back as a change up from their other hoppy offerings, hopefully it hasn't changed.

 

Nah we prefer hotels, but this is good to know, thanks! Also we definitely prefer staying in Old Port. Even though we walk about 10-15 miles per day when up there, so that's not an issue. I've stayed at that Holiday Inn before that's right there.

They do half pours of anything if you ask. At least every time I've been up there.

 

I like their lagers a lot.

 

Whoa, looked at the prices even in January for some of those places. Yikes.

Went with the Hilton on the water since I'm a member there. That always looked nice. Courtyard is nice too but they didn't have what we wanted for rooms.

 

Was at Bissell today. Was considering having pours until I saw the scene inside. Kids, kids and more kids. Got cans and left. With school vacation this week, it was nuts.

 

Bummer, it was super relaxed on Monday but arrived at around 4pm so I guess there is not as much traffic direct from the museum then.

 

I was there at about 1:30. High chairs everywhere, I’m sure it would have been a more adult, relaxed environment had we arrived later. Even when it’s slower, I’ve never enjoyed going to that location.

 

Interesting. I really like the location when it’s not overrun with preschoolers.

 

You can thank the museum across the parking lot and families who have just found craft beer in 2022 and look forward to it more than their kids trip to the museum

 

For me, it’s the tight parking, the cafeteria-style taproom, the minuscule outdoor setup, and add to it the shit-show romper-room environment.

 

Also the food is good too, so they can get the kids some fries and also have beers.

I always love going there, but that's just me. Granted we usually get there on a Thursday or Friday around noon. So it's very quiet and comfortable.

We do hit it up on the way out as well on Sunday. It's typically a shitshow then, but I still love it there.

 

On a weekday when kids are in school, the atmosphere is fine.

 

I do like the food and visiting but as a parent it’s just not as enjoyable for me with my daughter.

 

Oh yeah, I'm with all adults. That sounds like hell.

 

Not new, but Independent Ice and Sagamore Hill should be on there for spirits, mostly their bourbon lists. Also been hearing rave reviews about the food at Wayside Tavern, although I’ve not been. And Broken Arrow is newish and excellent, in the same realm as Central Provisions.

 

Man, I haven't been to any of those, I'm slacking!

It might be easier at this point to start recommending where NOT to go. Might be a shorter list.

 

I don’t care what’s added to the list as long as you keep giving the play by play of your weekend visits. They get me vicariously jacked up for my own Maine trips.

 

Ha, will do. I didn't do one for my June trip. Got lazy, plus there weren't too many new spots. Heading up in two weeks, I'll correct that!