Duckfat - Our own tiny slice of Belgium here in Portland. Located on Middle St., Duckfat has some artery clogging items on their menu that are absolutely amazing. We're talking duck confit, poutine (fries with cheese and gravy) and of course their famous Belgian fries (yes they are cooked in duck fat) that you can order up with an assortment of special dips including truffle ketchup as well as curry mayo. Compliment your food with a glass of Allagash or Chimay.
Binga's Wingas - Want to wash down your ridiculously hot hot wings with a big glass of Geary's Pale Ale? Go to Binga's on Congress. With a ton of different wing options from plain to Chernobyl, as well as a pretty respectable tap selection, Binga's is a great place for comfort food and drink. Check out the beer specials online and go when the good stuff is cheap!
Bull Feeney's - Did you know that John "Bull" Feeney and John Ford (the man who directed "The Quiet Man" and "How Green is my Valley") are one in the same? Our famed Irish pub on Fore St. is a great place to get an imperial (20 oz.) pint of Guinness among quite a few local offerings as well.
Brian Boru - Look for the red building on Center St. with the huge Guinness toucan mural on the side and that is Brian Boru's. Named for the famed Irish king, Boru's is a great little pub with a vibrant atmosphere especially when they've got live Irish music on Sundays. Slainte!
Sebago Brewing Company - Two words, "Single Batch". Sebago has really done a great job brewing up some beers that stray far from their usual suspects. If only they'd brew the Full Throttle Double IPA again! Right now they've got a bourbon barrel-aged barleywine that is excellent.
Rosie's - Esquire magazine recently nominated Rosie's as one of the "Best Bars in America". Located on the cobblestone part of Fore St., Rosie's is one of the most comfortable places in town to have a pint. A great place to play some darts and grab a bite to eat. Try the Hooker Blonde or the Hooker Brown, both are house beers brewed especially for Rosie's by Gritty's down the street.
Gritty's - Maine's Original Brewpub brews up its own beers in a tiny brewery located downstairs. Right on Fore St. it can't be missed. Brewer Ben Low has been brewing up some specialty brews lately, check out the Smoked Bruin (a brown ale brewed with smoked malt).
Three Dollar Dewey's - Dewey's has been in the Old Port for almost 30 years. Its was opened by beer lover and later beer author, Alan Eames (known as the "Indiana Jones of Beer" due to his anthropological interests in ancient beers and brewing). Alan sadly passed away last year but his legacy lives on. Dewey's has close to 40 taps and a great atmosphere for having some pints with some friends. When you go, be sure to read the sign about the origin of the bar's name.
Novare Res Bier Cafe - Portland's newest spot for great beer. Novare Res, which takes its name from the Latin for "to start a revolution", is located where Black Tie Bistro used to be (off Exchange St.). A very inviting European-style drinking establishment, Novare Res has 25 taps, a beer engine serving cask beer and over 225 bottles. You simply can not have a bad beer here even if you tried. Drink all the beers on offer and earn a chalice to call your own...
Great Lost Bear - The GLB was once called The Grizzly Bear. Due to a name dispute with a far away pizza chain, the Great Lost Bear was born. The GLB has more Maine brewed beers on tap than any other place in the state. They've also added some beer engines pouring cask beers, are up to 6 Belgians on tap and are also getting some pretty hard to find kegs (I see that they'll be tapping a keg of Hitachino from Japan soon). Combine their great beer selection with their Thursday night "Showcases" and their "Buck off Belgians" nights and you really can't ask for a better place to grab a great beer. The Great Lost Bear is constantly named among the best places to have a beer in the US!
