Walking and Rolling With New Tours In Maine This Season
The change of seasons toward colder weather means that we have had to say goodbye to our biking and boating options until next May. But there is good news! Our Walk, Talk, and Taste tours continue to be offered daily, and we have new bus-based tours that have now hit the road every weekend. Introducing Beerunch and Drinks About Town which are now offered alongside The Casco Fiasco and Local Pour Tour!
With nearly a decade under our belt offering craft alcohol tours in Portland, we generally know the guest patterns pretty well. There are many more visitors coming to our destination during the warmer months of June through October.
But…Portland remains desirable to visit year-round. Unlike other seaside communities in Maine, Portland does not close up shop for the winter. Our hotels, restaurants, and bars stay open every month of the year.
Of course, so do all of our breweries, wineries, and distilleries. And people still come to Portland to eat and drink every single month!
We have always made it a point to keep our operations going with a limited schedule that is offered every November through May of the following year. Focused around the weekends, our various public tours are available for booking every Thursday through Sunday.
To prepare for what we call the “Winter/Spring season,” this year we added another bus from our fleet back on the road and created two new tour itineraries that are each offered multiple days each week.
And for those who have arrived dressed for the conditions, our Old Port Walk, Talk, and Taste walking tours continue to be available every day.
Here is a summary of our public tour options that are available for booking from now through May of 2022:
Tours on Foot
Old Port Walk, Talk, and Taste
Sunday through Thursday from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30 am-2:30 pm and 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
Over 1,200 guests have taken this tour since we resumed offering it this past March. Those thirsty guests have walked a total of 1,809 miles in search of great beers…and the honest truth about Portland’s complicated history with alcohol production and consumption.
This leisurely walking tour allows guests to visit and learn about notable Portland landmarks including numerous former brewery sites, the U.S. Custom House, the Workingmen’s Club, Mariners’ Church, the Seamen’s Club, and the working waterfront that was essential for importing many goods and the exporting of alcohol during times of prohibition.
As part of this historical journey, we stop at three of these four legendary Portland breweries for included samples: Shipyard Brewing, Sebago Brewing, Gritty McDuff’s, and Liquid Riot.
Book the Old Port walking tour online now!
Tours by Bus
Beerunch
Every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Start your day with great Portland beers. If you feel it’s never too early to start drinking great local beer, then the Beerunch tour is designed for you!
This weekend bus-based tour starts early at 10:00 am for a very good reason. We visit three different well-known breweries either before they open to the public or just after the doors are unlocked for the day.
Learn what has made Bissell Brothers, Goodfire Brewing Co., and Belleflower Brewing so successful in their own ways.
You will learn amazing stories about each company as you enjoy their popular beers.
Book the Beerunch tour online now!
The Casco Fiasco
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30 am -2:15 pm
See what some of Casco Bay’s best brewers are up to on our flagship tour.
The Casco Fiasco tour has been our most popular tour since we started operations in 2012. This bus-based itinerary visits three amazing breweries located west of Portland and features a full lunch.
Starting at the very impressive Sebago Brewing Company brewery in Gorham, we sip on their offerings and enjoy their pizzas and sandwiches. Next, we swing on over to Lone Pine Brewing Company to visit this award-winning spot in the former Sebago facility.
Finally, we check-in at Mast Landing Brewing Company in Westbrook to hear about their incredible growth in just a few short years.
Book the Casco Fiasco tour online now!
Drinks About Town
Every Saturday and Sunday 1:30 pm-5:00 pm
Spend the afternoon exploring many different types of craft alcohol in Portland.
This tour is a look at many different craft alcohol products that are being made here in the city of Portland.
Our new Drinks About Town tour allows you to explore local craft beer, spirits, hard seltzers and ciders, and more!
Our stops include Foundation Brewing Company, Three of Strong Spirits, and the brand new Après spot who are all producing incredible (and varied) craft alcohol treats.
Book the Drinks About Town tour online now!
Local Pour Tour
Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 2:45 pm-6:00 pm
Portland is known for beer, and this tour is planned to show you three great local breweries that are located just south of the city.
Our Local Pour Tour has been so popular with our thirsty guests over the past few months that it continues to roll on an earlier schedule right through May of 2022.
We start at Nonesuch River Brewing Company in Scarborough to learn about making beer while standing amongst the vessels and tanks. We then head over to South Portland’s Island Dog Brewing to taste a variety of different beers made by their creative brewer/owner. Finally, we stay in town to check out Fore River Brewing Company to learn about their delicious lagers and ales.
Come with us as we explore what lies beneath the surface on the Local Pour Tour!
Book the Local Pour Tour tour online now!
Don Littlefield is the General Manager of Maine Brews Cruise and also directs the National Operations of Brews Cruise, Inc. He enjoyed an apple brownie and a lot of Sebago Lake water while preparing this post. Twitter: @BeerinME