I will be in Maine for Christmas....unfortunately I arrive in Boston the morning of the 24th, and leave the evening of the 25th. We will be staying near Portland. My wife is already there and I can give her a beer shopping list. Since it's a super short trip, no brewery visits. What do you guys recommend, outside of Allaghash, which is distributed here in California?
I just noticed that you're arriving in Boston and driving up to Maine. Go up 93, stop by Redstone Liquors in Stoneham and buy whatever. Then go on to 95 up to Portland. It will add maybe 5 minutes to your trip. MA has excellent distribution (way better than ME), and Redstones is probably the best store in the state. You should be able to find just about anything you want there. Including the ones I just mentioned (except Oxbow, never seen them). Dope
Maine gets an insane Distribution outside of the normal great Maine breweries. Head to RSVP, Bier Cellar, Downeast Beverage- all in Portland. You shouldn't be dissapointed.
Marshal Wharf and Maine Beer Co are the local breweries that are essential aside from Allagash. With luck you might find some Marshal Wharf Cant Dog DIPA. Oxbow does not distribute, at the brewery or on tap only. I'd also look for some of the Pretty Things beers from Massachusetts (they are distributed in Maine). They are not the currently fashionable hop bombs or high ABV monsters just very well crafted beers. I like St Botolph's Town (Northern England style brown ale/old ale) and Field Mouse's Farewell (amber saison/farmhouse) the best but all their line up is solid. You might find a few semi obscure import gems at Bier Cellar or RSVP. As noted Massachusetts has a much broader distribution reach than Maine does.
If you can find any extra time I would definitely take the time to go visit Allagash. I am pretty sure there is still some Coolship Resurgam, and Midnightt Brett at the retail shop. Their new taproom is sweet too. You can always call an ask them before hand too. Maine is a great state for beer, and they get very good distribution. I;d recommend the stop at Red Stone on the way up and hit up the stores in Portland while you are there. Get the best of both worlds.
Tiarna is amazing. All of Allagash's limited edition brews have been great, but the Tiarna is really well done (and currently on tap for the tasting tour).
Thanks for all the feedback. I live in California, so I'm excited for a white Christmas and tasty Maine beer. I'll let you guys know what I ended up with.
Just had my friend from Portland pick me up some Midnight Brett earlier this week, and now I have to send him back there again. Thanks for the heads up. Is it a two or four bottle limit?
