Maine's craft beer scene rivals any state in the country. From a beloved Augusta taproom right down the road to legendary names in Portland and Freeport — your next great pint is closer than you think.
Maine has quietly built one of the most exciting craft beer scenes in the country. The Belgrade Lakes region puts you within easy reach of both hyper-local taprooms and nationally recognized names. Start close and work your way down the coast.
Born on the Kennebec River in downtown Augusta, Cushnoc is the closest serious craft brewery to Echo Escape and the one most worth building a night around. The taproom on Water Street anchors a vibrant space that also includes a pizzeria and cantina. The beer program is serious — rotating IPAs, lagers, and seasonals — and the riverside setting makes it a destination in its own right.
Visit website ↗A classic English-style brewpub on Water Street in Hallowell, right on the Kennebec. The Liberal Cup brews a rotating lineup of house ales, lagers, and seasonals to go with a hearty pub menu. Few better places in central Maine to settle in for a slow afternoon pint and a proper meal.
Visit website ↗Oxbow's farmhouse brewery in Newcastle is one of the most distinctive beer destinations in all of New England. The original location on Jones Woods Road is a working farm producing some of the finest saisons and wild-fermented ales in the country. A beautiful drive from the lake through the Midcoast — make a day of it and pair it with a stop in Damariscotta.
Visit website ↗Maine Beer Company is one of the most respected craft breweries in the country — full stop. Their West Coast-influenced IPAs and pale ales (Lunch, Dinner, Pemaquid) have a devoted national following, and the tasting room in Freeport is worth every mile. The bottle shop opens at 10am; the tasting room at 11. Plan to stay a while — and pair it with a stop at L.L. Bean just down the road.
Visit website ↗Bissell Brothers changed what Maine beer could be. Their hazy New England IPAs set a national standard, and the taproom at 38 Resurgam Place in Portland is a destination experience — thoughtfully designed, great food, and an outdoor space that fills up fast on summer weekends. If you're making the Portland run, Bissell Brothers is the anchor stop.
Visit website ↗Allagash has been making world-class Belgian-inspired ales in Portland since 1995 — long before the craft beer boom reached Maine. Their White remains one of the best wheat ales brewed anywhere, and the tasting room at 50 Industrial Way offers a deep look at the full lineup including their legendary Coolship wild ales. A pillar of American craft brewing and a must if you're in Portland.
Visit website ↗Most Maine breweries sell cans and bottles to go — Cushnoc, Maine Beer Company, and Bissell Brothers all have excellent retail selections. A cooler in the car means you come home from a Portland or Freeport day trip with a great stash for the rest of the week. The lodge fridge has room.
Cushnoc in Augusta and The Liberal Cup in Hallowell are the obvious first stops — close enough for a casual weeknight out. Save Portland and Freeport for a full day trip: combine Bissell Brothers, Allagash, and Maine Beer Company with a walk through the Old Port and dinner on the water.
Maine's back roads are beautiful and rural — and that means no rideshares outside of Augusta and Portland. If you're planning a proper brewery day, designate a driver or keep your visit close to town. The drive home along the lake at dusk is worth doing clear-headed anyway.
The fridge is big, the porch is perfect for a cold can at sunset, and Cushnoc is twenty minutes down the road. Book your stay and drink well all week.