Portland, ME Guide

[Auror]

GF and I stayed at the Brunswick Hotel & Tavern a few years ago and enjoyed a lot (I am generally a big fan of Brunswick - you are in reasonable range of Popham Beach/Morse Mountain, and it's a cute little town). That being said, that was back in the days when Lion's Pride was still an enjoyable place to go to, rather than Chris Lively's Brewery and Restaurant, or whatever it's called now, which I don't really enjoy at all.

I lived in Bath for a couple of summers and really loved it; not sure what the lodging options are but there you're even closer to Morse Mountain/Popham Beach and like a ~35 minute drive from Oxbow Newcastle.

We went to Bailey Island/Brunswick for a family reunion a few years back and went to Lion's Pride before the brewpub switchover, but it's a good suggestion. I've never actually been to Ebenezer's Pub, anything to do around there? Is it still a bucket list stop?

 

[PHBoiler]

I wish we had the time last Friday to drive up to Newcastle. A few friends told me that it was worth it, but we were just too jammed up with traveling so many places. Oxbow was one of the breweries I was really looking forward to until I stepped foot in that tire fire on Friday night. I never thought I'd be served a 5 oz stemmed taster of a BA farmhouse ale with cara cara orange in the middle of an overbuilt garage/hanger with intensely loud house music and some dudes selling 3 pieces of fried chicken for $18. The coup de grace was the human fence of smokers blocking the entrance/exit. I was utterly shocked and spent 5 minutes there. The one saving grace was the two staff members that helped me couldn't have been nicer and more helpful. They'd fit in anywhere. Final verdict though on Oxbow Portland:

 

[pjl44]

an overbuilt garage/hanger

This is my chief complaint. I find the space depressing. Stopped there with a bunch of friends last year, all of whom refuse to go back when we've been in Portland since.

 

[tehzachatak]

Huh. To each their own, I suppose. I ******* love that space.

 

[janeinma]

I love the Oxbow Portalnd space, chilled, amazing beers, awesome staff and great food nearby you can bring in. Though all this may be influenced by the fact I was compleetely toasted when I first visited and they recognised me from Goods in the woods with a 'Norm' like experience. LOVE the fact it is open on Sundays and the fact you can buy all the oxbow bottles there. We never leave Portland without visiting for a beer or three.

 

[HevvyMetalHippie]

Anyone going to Sleep and Windhand tonight?

 

[mikeywtc]

Anyone going to Sleep and Windhand tonight?

I ******* wish. I heard Matt Pike was actually wearing a shirt at the Philly show!

 

[HevvyMetalHippie]

I ******* wish. I heard Matt Pike was actually wearing a shirt at the Philly show!

I got a squad up here if you're drinking tonight. Windhand is ripping it up right now.

 

[mikeywtc]

I got a squad up here if you're drinking tonight. Windhand is ripping it up right now.

Again, I wish. Down here in western Mass hoping for a good nights sleep before the Tree House anniversary tomorrow! Have a good time at the show, report back on Pike's shirt/lack there of situation.

 

[HevvyMetalHippie]

Again, I wish. Down here in western Mass hoping for a good nights sleep before the Tree House anniversary tomorrow! Have a good time at the show, report back on Pike's shirt/lack there of situation.

I've never seen him in person wear a shirt. Ever.

 

[HevvyMetalHippie]

I've never seen him in person wear a shirt. Ever.

Holy **** what a show. mikeywtc Still no shirt.

 

[Timmush1]

I'll be in Portland Monday until Thursday early. I'm bringing up some beer to share with talk beer peeps. Just packed an " A night to end all Dawn's" coconut and other things to open up one night if anyone's interested

 

[mikeywtc]

Holy **** what a show. mikeywtc Still no shirt.

**** yeah! All is right again in the stoner metal universe....phew!

 

[gregkoko]

Just want to confirm something. Friend was in Portland this weekend and he said you have to use a brewery's branded growler like in MA?

 

[screwyouguys]

Just want to confirm something. Friend was in Portland this weekend and he said you have to use a brewery's branded growler like in MA?

As far has I know yes Nh also same way

 

[JBP]

Just want to confirm something. Friend was in Portland this weekend and he said you have to use a brewery's branded growler like in MA?

Yup. Stupid law.

 

[gregkoko]

As far has I know yes Nh also same way

Yup. Stupid law.

Thanks guys

 

[Iliketurtles]

So I'll be in Maine July 12th through 21st. I'll be in Georgetown near Reid State Park most of the time but traveling around a bit. I was up last summer and had a great time. Any newer locations I should check out besides whole foods portland?

I could bring some bottles up too if people are interested in a share.

Places I liked:
King's head
foundation
oxbow blending
marshall wharf

Places I didn't like:
Austin Street
novare res
ebenezers
gritty mcduffs

OK places:
Allagash
maine beer co
bissel - will check out new location
frontier
little tap house

I have never been to Nosh, duckfat, or slab.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tehzachatak]

Places I didn't like:
Austin Street

 

[gregkoko]

Big Austin Street fan from what I've had in the past. Looking forward to stopping by on Saturday!

 

[gregkoko]

Current plan for the weekend. Let me know if I should change anything.

Friday:
Arrive by 8ish hopefully. Check into hotel downtown. Dinner and bars. Hunt and Alpine, Novare, maybe that tiki bar. Not gonna get too nuts as Friday is looking to be a long ass day for us.

Saturday:
Breakfast somewhere, drive over to Bissell around 11 for cans? Is that too late? If so, I'd likely just pass. No desire to wait more than an hour. Drop cans off at the hotel and then uber out to Allagash, Austin Street, Foundation. Dinner at Opus Ten

Sunday:
Eventide, Oxbow tasting room, Rising Tide, sightseeing, dinner at Fore Street

 

[screwyouguys]

Current plan for the weekend. Let me know if I should change anything.

Friday:
Arrive by 8ish hopefully. Check into hotel downtown. Dinner and bars. Hunt and Alpine, Novare, maybe that tiki bar. Not gonna get too nuts as Friday is looking to be a long ass day for us.

Saturday:
Breakfast somewhere, drive over to Bissell around 11 for cans? Is that too late? If so, I'd likely just pass. No desire to wait more than an hour. Drop cans off at the hotel and then uber out to Allagash, Austin Street, Foundation. Dinner at Opus Ten

Sunday:
Eventide, Oxbow tasting room, Rising Tide, sightseeing, dinner at Fore Street

Hit Maine meadworks next door to oxbow

Def worth it 7bux u try everything they have
Small pours also so you don't get lite up

 

[janeinma]

Current plan for the weekend. Let me know if I should change anything.

Sunday:
Eventide, Oxbow tasting room, Rising Tide, sightseeing, dinner at Fore Street

At Oxbow don't miss the Barrel Aged Farmhouse Pale bottles new on he shelf, outstanding beer and you can bring in food from Tu Casa across the street. At Tu Casa, insider tip ask for the green hot sauce which I cant seem to ever have enough of.

 

[Brez071]

So I'll be in Maine July 12th through 21st. I'll be in Georgetown near Reid State Park most of the time but traveling around a bit. I was up last summer and had a great time. Any newer locations I should check out besides whole foods portland?

I could bring some bottles up too if people are interested in a share.

Places I liked:
King's head
foundation
oxbow blending
marshall wharf

Places I didn't like:
Austin Street
novare res
ebenezers
gritty mcduffs

OK places:
Allagash
maine beer co
bissel - will check out new location
frontier
little tap house

I have never been to Nosh, duckfat, or slab.

Thanks in advance.

Doit.gif x3

 

[Evan1212]

Does anyone know if the disposable kegs that oxbow sells use the regular tap connection?

 

[Brez071]

Does anyone know if the disposable kegs that oxbow sells use the regular tap connection?

My buddy got one last year for a party and I'm like 80% sure he was able to use my tap

 

[gregkoko]

Current plan for the weekend. Let me know if I should change anything.

Friday:
Arrive by 8ish hopefully. Check into hotel downtown. Dinner and bars. Hunt and Alpine, Novare, maybe that tiki bar. Not gonna get too nuts as Friday is looking to be a long ass day for us.

Saturday:
Breakfast somewhere, drive over to Bissell around 11 for cans? Is that too late? If so, I'd likely just pass. No desire to wait more than an hour. Drop cans off at the hotel and then uber out to Allagash, Austin Street, Foundation. Dinner at Opus Ten

Sunday:
Eventide, Oxbow tasting room, Rising Tide, sightseeing, dinner at Fore Street

Portland was a lot of fun but I definitely picked the wrong week to get sick. Congested on and off all weekend.

Friday night was Central Provisions and Rhum. Food at CP was good but overpriced compared to the rest of Portland. Crudo and Suckling Pig were great. Bone Marrow Toast a little disappointing. Went to Rhum after but I was pretty beat and could barely taste anything as the congestion was hitting me hard.

Saturday hit up Bissell around 11:20ish. Was through the line with cans and glasses in hand within an hour. Quite enjoyed Dangol. Perfect for a hot summer day. Reciprocal was excellent. Definitely the best I've had from BB. From there we hit Austin, Foundation, and Allagash. Austin was solid but nothing spectacular compared to some I've had in the past. Foundation was alright. Don't know why people get their panties in a twist over Epiphany (ok I do it's cause cans bro). Best beer on was a small batch lager. By the time we hit Allagash the beers were getting to my fiancé. Confluence was the 5th tap and much better than I remembered. Cerise had sold out earlier in the week. Dinner was at David's Opus Ten and I had really taken a turn for the worse. We left before we could finish the tasting menu as I was now fairly sick.

Sunday I get ready to take on the day. We hit Oxbow at open and after a few tasters I knew I was done with beer for the weekend. It just wasn't sitting well at all. We took a ferry over to Peaks Island and walked around for a bit but were soon on our way back to the main land. There was some crazy party at a bar by the ferry in PI. Speaking of which, I was surprised how brotastic Portland was. Lots of night clubs and dudes in Guinea Ts. Relaxed in the hotel for a bit and hit Hunt and Alpine. AMAZING. Thanks to whoever gave that recommendation. Dinner was then at Fore Street and was one of the best meals I've had this year. Smoked seafood platter, pork belly, lamb chops, and the bread was unreal. Went back to Hunt after for some more cocktails and now I'm finally back on my couch at home.

Looking forward to visiting again

 

[JBP]

Portland was a lot of fun but I definitely picked the wrong week to get sick. Congested on and off all weekend.

Friday night was Central Provisions and Rhum. Food at CP was good but overpriced compared to the rest of Portland. Crudo and Suckling Pig were great. Bone Marrow Toast a little disappointing. Went to Rhum after but I was pretty beat and could barely taste anything as the congestion was hitting me hard.

Saturday hit up Bissell around 11:20ish. Was through the line with cans and glasses in hand within an hour. Quite enjoyed Dangol. Perfect for a hot summer day. Reciprocal was excellent. Definitely the best I've had from BB. From there we hit Austin, Foundation, and Allagash. Austin was solid but nothing spectacular compared to some I've had in the past. Foundation was alright. Don't know why people get their panties in a twist over Epiphany (ok I do it's cause cans bro). Best beer on was a small batch lager. By the time we hit Allagash the beers were getting to my fiancé. Confluence was the 5th tap and much better than I remembered. Cerise had sold out earlier in the week. Dinner was at David's Opus Ten and I had really taken a turn for the worse. We left before we could finish the tasting menu as I was now fairly sick.

Sunday I get ready to take on the day. We hit Oxbow at open and after a few tasters I knew I was done with beer for the weekend. It just wasn't sitting well at all. We took a ferry over to Peaks Island and walked around for a bit but were soon on our way back to the main land. There was some crazy party at a bar by the ferry in PI. Speaking of which, I was surprised how brotastic Portland was. Lots of night clubs and dudes in Guinea Ts. Relaxed in the hotel for a bit and hit Hunt and Alpine. AMAZING. Thanks to whoever gave that recommendation. Dinner was then at Fore Street and was one of the best meals I've had this year. Smoked seafood platter, pork belly, lamb chops, and the bread was unreal. Went back to Hunt after for some more cocktails and now I'm finally back on my couch at home.

Looking forward to visiting again

That sucks man but glad you still had some highlight moments.

 

[Brez071]

Portland was a lot of fun but I definitely picked the wrong week to get sick. Congested on and off all weekend.

Friday night was Central Provisions and Rhum. Food at CP was good but overpriced compared to the rest of Portland. Crudo and Suckling Pig were great. Bone Marrow Toast a little disappointing. Went to Rhum after but I was pretty beat and could barely taste anything as the congestion was hitting me hard.

Saturday hit up Bissell around 11:20ish. Was through the line with cans and glasses in hand within an hour. Quite enjoyed Dangol. Perfect for a hot summer day. Reciprocal was excellent. Definitely the best I've had from BB. From there we hit Austin, Foundation, and Allagash. Austin was solid but nothing spectacular compared to some I've had in the past. Foundation was alright. Don't know why people get their panties in a twist over Epiphany (ok I do it's cause cans bro). Best beer on was a small batch lager. By the time we hit Allagash the beers were getting to my fiancé. Confluence was the 5th tap and much better than I remembered. Cerise had sold out earlier in the week. Dinner was at David's Opus Ten and I had really taken a turn for the worse. We left before we could finish the tasting menu as I was now fairly sick.

Sunday I get ready to take on the day. We hit Oxbow at open and after a few tasters I knew I was done with beer for the weekend. It just wasn't sitting well at all. We took a ferry over to Peaks Island and walked around for a bit but were soon on our way back to the main land. There was some crazy party at a bar by the ferry in PI. Speaking of which, I was surprised how brotastic Portland was. Lots of night clubs and dudes in Guinea Ts. Relaxed in the hotel for a bit and hit Hunt and Alpine. AMAZING. Thanks to whoever gave that recommendation. Dinner was then at Fore Street and was one of the best meals I've had this year. Smoked seafood platter, pork belly, lamb chops, and the bread was unreal. Went back to Hunt after for some more cocktails and now I'm finally back on my couch at home.

Looking forward to visiting again

Ah, reggae fest. Every Sunday during the summer... such a **** show haha

 

[swivelhips1]

Long shot here, but I need to get from Vermont to Portland on Thursday the 25th of August. I will be in the Stowe + Hill Farmstead area. If there is any chance someone is planning on heading from VT to ME, I would be happy to split gas and bring you some thank you bottles to avoid public transportation or going into Burlington and having to rent a car. Please and thanks!