WRITTEN BY JOANNA O’LEARY
It’s no secret Portland is one of the best food destinations in America, but here’s our plug for it also being a great place to indulge in a liquid lunch. We’re referring specifically to the city’s breweries and distilleries, many of which offer guided tastings, tours, specials, and tasty treats to soak up the booze. Ready to wet your whistle? Here are just a few stops all clustered within walking distance of each other in Portland’s hip East Bayside neighborhood to add to your itinerary.
THREE OF STRONG SPIRITS
35B Diamond St., Portland
Using water from Sebago Lake (plus yeast, molasses, and organic cane syrup, natch), Three of Strong Spirits produces distinctive aged rums like their “Brightwater” and “Merrymeeting” spiced varietals. The distillery is particularly popular among the canine-and-companion set, not only because the outdoor patio is dog-friendly but also given Three of Strong is possibly the only tasting room in the city to offer mocktails specially designed for your favorite mongrel. Located in a former warehouse in East Bayside, Three of Strong is adjacent to other local brewers and must-see culinary spots, making it convenient for those looking to hit multiple tours and/or happy hours in one afternoon.
RISING TIDE BREWING COMPANY
103 Fox St., Portland
Case in point, just a hop, skip, and jump away you’ll find Rising Tide Brewing Company, founded by business (and life) partners Heather and Nathan Sanborn. A warning to the indecisive: choosing from among their extensive selection of year-round, seasonal, and limited-release beers is a formidable, albeit pleasurable, task. Equally delightful is the opportunity to complement your tasting selection with some of their elevated comfort food (I recommend the calamari and the fried cod sandwich). Should you and the love of your life be as smitten with Rising Tide as you are with each other, the Brewery is also available to host weddings in addition to other gatherings (birthday parties, corporate events, family dinners).
BELLEFLOWER BREWING
66 Cove St., Portland
Amateur beer-makers who dream of opening their own shop may find inspiration at Belleflower Brewing. Co-owners Zach Page and Nick Bonadies began as homebrewers, then joined forces to assist in the launch of Trillium Brewing Company, before eventually breaking off to establish their own venture in the form of Belleflower. Their lively taproom in combination with a robust schedule of rotating food trucks and activities (pottery! yoga! Kölsch service!) has enabled the brewery to become one of the go-to socialization spots for a diverse crowd of beer enthusiasts.
