Portland Maine best draft list

Peter Bissell partnered with Highroller Lobster when they opened a restaurant location up the street from Novare and Thirsty Pig a few years ago, so they tend to have a good draft list (although I think only 8 taps). Right now per Untappd they have 2 Bissell taps, 2 few Vitamin Sea taps, a Mast Landing, Prairie Bomb, Modelo and a cider. Also a large Allagash cellar selection if interested.

I am still "banned" from Maine as I don't want to use a precious Covid test just for the privilege of traveling there, so am unsure of the seating situations around the area. I have seen the street is blocked off so Highroller for one has a bunch of picnic tables in the road in front of the restaurant, but not sure if that is an occasional thing or full time and when the road may reopen due to weather making outdoor dining no longer feasible.

 

Novare Res has the best tap list in the "city", but if you are specifically looking for hoppy options or Bissell, the options mentioned in the post above are good choices (High Roller and Thirsty Pig.

Novare and Thirsty Pig are basically across the street from one another so you could check both out. They both have outdoor seating.

Another one to check the tap list is King's Head. It is a short walk down to the port from Novare. They have 12 IPA/DIPA/TIPA on tap right now as per their online list including Bissell Nothing Gold.

Austin Street (Fox St. location) is a great choice. You can walk from there to Goodfire which also is known for good hoppy brews.

 

Came here to suggest Highroller and Kings Head, although I’ve found it reasonably consistent to find beers like Patina (Austin St) and Substance (BB) at any place around town. I have Swish at Salvage once.

I tend to consider Novare Res the place I’ll go to splurge on a couple bottles or high end draft i can’t get literally anywhere else in New England.

 

I have no idea what is currently open or the seating situation, but we go down to Portland every now and then for beer-centric weekends.

For hoppy stuff I like Bissell, Goodfire, and Battery Steele. Novare Res and Great Lost Bear tend to have lots of taps. Have not tried Thirsty Pig yet.

We always spend a whole day at Industrial Way. You can't beat the density of great breweries, and Allagash is worth a visit if you've never been. Lots of taps with quite a few sours, and a great outdoor seating area (during normal times). The original Austin location is on Industrial Way, but much smaller than the new location downtown. Some hoppy stuff at Austin and Definitive, usually.

Maine Beer Company may be worth seeking out. The brewery is under 30min north of Portland in Freeport if travelling that way is on your list.

No matter what, you can't go wrong with beer in Portland.

 

Not sure what is open, but I have to plug the Mash Tun as well. Tucked away in an alley about halfway between Novare Res and King's Head.

 

Mash Tun is great but you couldn’t pay me to squeeze in there right now. That whole alley is sketchy COVID city packed with tourists.

 

I feel that way about everything outside rural central VT. I do go to work near Montpelier, but it is a state facility, very locked down, 5-6 of us in a building meant for 75 workers. I do not go to the Burlington area unless I have to visit another state office. The most adventurous we have been since March is getting takeout from Blackback pub most weeks, because we want to support them. Sure wish they sold growlers...

 

I hear the best Maine taplists for hops are at weddings

 

The two best tap lists in Portland for local beers, especially hoppy beers, are Mash Tun and The Little Tap House in my opinion. The Little Tap House does flights too as a bonus (well they used to before Covid). But, also previously mentioned, Mash Tun is small and there might not be outdoor seating.

But there’s plenty of great options that have been mentioned.

OP, if you like I can beer mail you my Portland word doc with more detail than you’ll ever want or need on all things food and beer in Portland.

 

Ouch

 

What are hops?

 

Beyond the punchline, my brother actually had a rural wedding somewhere north of Sebago Lake around 5 years ago, and neither of the couple drinks but were allowed to bring in their own alcohol to the venue. So they had the "bartender" (a close friend) make a Trader Joe's trip in Portland for wine and beer and she went for the Shipyard mix packs. Goes to show you don't need the "perfect" beer at all times. That Monkey Fist IPA was tasting pretty nice for the occasion of an intimate wedding.





...then yes, I grabbed those hoppy whalez like my life depended on it before leaving Maine!

 

If you could report on your trip that would be awesome.

I love Portland and want to live vicariously through you since I can't go.

 

I'd say I go on the Oxbow & Allagash pages 2-3 times a week to live vicariously through those lucky enough to have that option. It's funny, though, because I've had most of what both places have available (this is not to say I won't have them again). I'm getting so selfish that I'm thinking, "They really need a few more releases to inspire me these days."

 

I like high roller.

But during Covid did not enjoy them seating us next to some gnarly looking stranger at the end of our picnic table. Honestly if we weren’t so hungry we would’ve left.

That’s even a wtf during normal times

 

The lobster taco makes it worth it.

 

It blows my mind that if I were still living in MA I wouldn’t be allowed to visit Maine, but now that I live in NJ it’s A-Okay.

Hmmm, I think I see a road trip in my future. I only got 2 dozen oysters @ Eventide last year and I’m still upset about it (I’m presuming they’re closed now tho )

 

I don’t even go to Eventide anymore up there now that it’s in Fenway. Too many other places to hit up.