Portland, ME Guide

[mixylplik4]

Taking wife and the little guy to Portland the week of Labor Day. This will be helpful. Thanks for putting it together.

For some reason, "Labor day" read in my head as "Memorial day" the first time around. If everything goes according to their respective plans there should be two more excellent options open in town by then- Arcadia National Bar (craft beer and old arcade games/pinball) and King's Head, which looks to be a beer geek spot owned by Rick Binet of Blackback Pub in Waterbury fame.

 

[tehzachatak]

Wow, I think we must have tried different beers because I was not nearly as impressed.

FWIW, had it immediately after kegging, which I'm sure helped. And they're small enough that I'm sure they can be inconsistent. But that was the best pale ale I've had in just about forever.

 

[oilcan1]

intrigued by potential tap offerings, look forward to the opening this summer

https://www.facebook.com/Kingsheadportland?slog=1472&seq=1454865373&rk=0&fbtype=65&rfid=46

 

[HevvyMetalHippie]

Was just up in Portland yesterday, I love that city, so much stuff there. The Monster Box or whatever, with all the 80s **** from when I was a kid, was a blast, as well as all the nooks and crannies where stuff is tucked away. Of course I had my fill of beer

Great Lost Bear
Allagash
Bissell
Foundation
Austin Street
Infiniti
Dobra Tea (had to take a break)
Novare
Pei Men
Outliers

phew!

 

[sparged]

Nice. I've done the Bissell>Foundation>Austin St.>Allagash loop twice so far. It's a doozy. Big fan of the food trucks and the vibe at Bissell Bros too.

 

[neorunner]

Heading up to Portland on Friday. Any events worth hitting?

 

[Brez071]

Heading up to Portland on Friday. Any events worth hitting?

Um, there is a beer movie at Allagash I guess...

Actually, I don't know of anything specific but places around town might be doing stuff for Old Port Fest. If I hear of something I'll report back. Sadly, you will also have to deal with the cretons this event draws in from all corners of Maine. It's also First Friday Art Work, so yuppie/hipster central. I'm sorry you choose this Friday.

 

[neorunner]

Um, there is a beer movie at Allagash I guess...

Actually, I don't know of anything specific but places around town might be doing stuff for Old Port Fest. If I hear of something I'll report back. Sadly, you will also have to deal with the cretons this event draws in from all corners of Maine. It's also First Friday Art Work, so yuppie/hipster central. I'm sorry you choose this Friday.

We're staying on Treasure Square Pond Island through Monday, fly back in the evening. Planning a couple excursions.

 

[mixylplik4]

Yeah, Portland is going to be a **** show this weekend- especially Sunday. But King's Head is having a soft open tonight. I am definitely going to check it out.

 

[Brez071]

Yeah, Portland is going to be a **** show this weekend- especially Sunday. But King's Head is having a soft open tonight. I am definitely going to check it out.

Oh that is awesome. Thanks for the tip!

 

[mixylplik4]

Slab is now open.

 

[JBP]

Slab is now open.

I'm more excited by the fact that there are now 3 active Mainers on TB.

Movin' up in the world!

But yes, Slab looks dope. A little heavy on the crust from some photos I've seen though, I don't need 35-40% of my slice to be giant crust.

 

[neorunner]

This guide was an amazing help. Might be helpful to add that most places are closed on Mondays if I didn't miss that in the above info.

Wish I had more time in Novare Res, but we bolted to make Pai Men Miyake before our flight. That food was amazing, I'd go back just for their ramen. Duckfat was also tasty, dipping the poutine in their salted caramel sauce for the donut holes was a great idea.

Ebenezer's was nice, but a haul of a drive.

Infinity Distilling vodka is tasty if you like anise / black liquorice.

 

[tehzachatak]

I'm more excited by the fact that there are now 3 active Mainers on TB.

Movin' up in the world!

But yes, Slab looks dope. A little heavy on the crust from some photos I've seen though, I don't need 35-40% of my slice to be giant crust.

I'm like 5% Mainer!!! Hopefully fulltime again sometime in the next half decade...

 

[DougOLis]

Rising Tide's Maine Island Trail Ale is soooo good. Just about a perfect light, citrusy and refreshing pale ale for the summer (in a can too!). Wish I would have bought more when I visiting.

Urban Farm Fermentory's Mosaic Kombucha was ridiculously good too.

 

[chaggy5]

I see Bissell bros is canning the substance tomorrow and selling at the brewery as well. Any shot itll be around on Sunday in the Portland area? Making the trip up this weekend and would love to try it

 

[JBP]

I see Bissell bros is canning the substance tomorrow and selling at the brewery as well. Any shot itll be around on Sunday in the Portland area? Making the trip up this weekend and would love to try it

Sunday might be pushing it for cans at most stores, you could possibly find a few stragglers at RSVP. It is on draught all over town though and shouldn't be that hard to find if you're just looking to try it. If you will be up Friday you can reserve some cans through the Bier Cellar website tomorrow but I believe the holds are only good for 24 hours.

 

[tehzachatak]

Rising Tide's Maine Island Trail Ale is soooo good. Just about a perfect light, citrusy and refreshing pale ale for the summer (in a can too!). Wish I would have bought more when I visiting.

I was incredibly impressed by this beer as well. I have been drinking Rising Tide since commercial batch #1 and while I have enjoyed their stuff, I would not have ever held them up as an example of completely flawless brewing, but that stuff is so, so clean...

 

[chaggy5]

Sunday might be pushing it for cans at most stores, you could possibly find a few stragglers at RSVP. It is on draught all over town though and shouldn't be that hard to find if you're just looking to try it. If you will be up Friday you can reserve some cans through the Bier Cellar website tomorrow but I believe the holds are only good for 24 hours.

Thanks for the info. I was looking to at least try it on draft and possibly bring some cans home with me. I will give bier cellar a call tomorrow and see if they can do anything for me.

 

[JBP]

Thanks for the info. I was looking to at least try it on draft and possibly bring some cans home with me. I will give bier cellar a call tomorrow and see if they can do anything for me.

Good luck, and if you don't score any I'd happily send you a couple 4-packs for some NEBCO stuff when the next round of cans hit.

 

[chaggy5]

Just paid for my allotment at bier cellar to pick up Sunday, awesome!

 

[JBP]

Just paid for my allotment at bier cellar to pick up Sunday, awesome!

Oh yeah, I forgot about the new pay-in-advance feature on the website. Enjoy!

 

[Brez071]

I'm more excited by the fact that there are now 3 active Mainers on TB.

Movin' up in the world!

But yes, Slab looks dope. A little heavy on the crust from some photos I've seen though, I don't need 35-40% of my slice to be giant crust.

Went to Slab last night. Yeah the crust is pretty big (my "hand slab" probably had about 4" of it) but it's ******* delicious. For me, already second best pizza in town behind Ottos. Also, tap list is legit. Substance Diavoleeto is HHHHHHHNNNGGGG.

 

[chaggy5]

What is this slab place like? Hard to find much info about it. Only gonna be there this Sunday and part of Monday, with the gf so trying to narrow down the places to hit

 

[JBP]

Went to Slab last night. Yeah the crust is pretty big (my "hand slab" probably had about 4" of it) but it's ******* delicious. For me, already second best pizza in town behind Ottos. Also, tap list is legit. Substance Diavoleeto is HHHHHHHNNNGGGG.

Right on, I'll probably make it over there next week. Have not tried the Diavoleeto yet, hope it lasts (probably won't). This really is a golden age for the Portland food and drink scene we are living in, it's awesome.

 

[JBP]

What is this slab place like? Hard to find much info about it. Only gonna be there this Sunday and part of Monday, with the gf so trying to narrow down the places to hit

What's on your list so far?

 

[Brez071]

Right on, I'll probably make it over there next week. Have not tried the Diavoleeto yet, hope it lasts (probably won't). This really is a golden age for the Portland food and drink scene we are living in, it's awesome.

Pretty sure they have multiple kegs of it as when I went to order my second, they said it would take a minute due to keg change. Seems like the industry folk did some damage on Monday haha

Edit: Just realized I called it Substance Diavoleeto. Whooooops.

 

[oilcan1]

What is this slab place like? Hard to find much info about it. Only gonna be there this Sunday and part of Monday, with the gf so trying to narrow down the places to hit

Between here and BA you will find plenty of info on places to hit here in Portland. Personally, I wouldn't include Slab on my list of places to eat. But some of the collab brews they did with local brewers are potentially worth a pour.

 

[chaggy5]

What's on your list so far?

Driving up from Hampton Sunday, gotta pick up my Substance cans first off at Bier Cellar. Then probably stop somewhere for lunch (maybe Nosh? or duckfat) Then walk around the downtown area near the water. The gf isnt huge into beer, so just trying to mix in some places to eat with good beer and then check out allagash on Monday before we leave. So trying to do some non beer related things as well. First time in Portland so im open to any advice from the locals

 

[JBP]

Driving up from Hampton Sunday, gotta pick up my Substance cans first off at Bier Cellar. Then probably stop somewhere for lunch (maybe Nosh? or duckfat) Then walk around the downtown area near the water. The gf isnt huge into beer, so just trying to mix in some places to eat with good beer and then check out allagash on Monday before we leave. So trying to do some non beer related things as well. First time in Portland so im open to any advice from the locals

Nosh and Duckfat are both delish. Duckfat will probably have a bit of a wait at lunchtime but nothing too crazy. Nosh has massive portions so plan to split some stuff or be in a food coma for the following couple hours. If you do Nosh be sure to get the bacon dusted fries. Allagash is releasing Neddles on Monday if you weren't aware so if you want to avoid a rush go later in the afternoon (they open at 10), also you need to reserve your free spots on the tour in advance through the website if you're planning to do the tour (which is really cool, and a free flight!). Have fun!