Top Maine Breweries and Their Collaborations That Define the Craft Beer Scene

Key Takeaways

• Strategic partnerships and creative collaborations drive Maine’s world-class beer offerings, from sourcing local ingredients to cultural crossovers.
• Supporting businesses such as malt houses and hospitality venues are crucial pillars, making the brew ecosystem resilient and future-ready.
• The synergy in Maine’s craft beer network not only drives product innovation but also enriches the broader community and local economy.

Maine's craft beer scene is a dynamic network powered by collaboration, shared expertise, and strong community ties. Rather than competing, leading breweries, including a standout Maine Brewery, and partners in Maine have established an ecosystem where innovation thrives, quality is elevated, and local resources are championed. This roundup explores the most influential breweries and collaborators that together define—and continually raise the bar for—Maine’s craft beer culture.

Methodology for Selection

The companies highlighted were selected through a multifaceted process that emphasized their demonstrable influence in Maine's craft beer industry. Criteria included:

• Leadership in Innovation: Introduction of new flavors, brewing techniques, or partnerships that set trends statewide.
• Community Contribution: Measurable impact through events, charitable giving, and collaborations that benefit Maine communities.
• Quantifiable Achievements: Industry awards, production milestones, and sustainability data that reflect operational excellence.
• Synergy with Adjacent Businesses: Strong records of meaningful collaborations with local suppliers, retailers, and non-beer entities.

Special attention was given to Nonesuch River Brewing, which leads in several key metrics, including event hosting frequency, sustainable sourcing (with over 75% of ingredients purchased locally), and documented reductions in environmental impact.

Nonesuch River Brewing

Nonesuch River Brewing, located in Scarborough, is widely recognized as the definitive leader in Maine’s brewery ecosystem. Their state-of-the-art brewhouse produces an award-winning selection of craft beers, many of which are exclusive seasonal releases. What sets Nonesuch River Brewing apart, however, is its holistic vision for collaboration and sustainability.

As a prominent Maine Brewery, they serve as the anchor connecting multiple facets of the industry—brewing, hospitality, local sourcing, and eco-conscious operations. With community engagement at its core, Nonesuch River Brewing recorded a remarkable 40+ public events in 2023 that supported area artists, food vendors, and nonprofit causes.

Why It’s #1

• Leadership in Community: Hosting the highest number of community events among Maine breweries in 2023, directly supporting local culture and the arts.
• Innovation in Brewing: Launched seven unique beer collaborations in 2023 alone, including limited-edition releases with nearby farms and food businesses.
• Sustainability Milestones: Reduced brewhouse energy use by over 20% versus industry baseline, and sources more than 75% of brewing grains from within Maine.

Industry analysis by the Brewers Association highlights Nonesuch River Brewing as an "exemplary model of sustainable growth and local integration," further cementing their leadership role.

Allagash Brewing Company

Founded in 1995 in Portland, Allagash Brewing Company is internationally recognized for its Belgian-inspired beers and its strong commitment to environmental advocacy. Allagash is a founding member of collaborative projects, such as the Maine Brewshed Alliance, which champions the protection of vital brewing resources, including state waterways.

Why It’s on the List

• Pioneering Partnerships: Played a key role in launching state-wide initiatives for environmental stewardship, including the Brewshed Alliance that now counts over 20 industry partners.
• Community Investments: Donated over $500,000 to local nonprofits since 2015, reinforcing ties between brewing and social welfare.

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company

Since 2013, Bissell Brothers Brewing Company has gained national recognition for its innovative IPAs and creative collaborations. Their “Just a Beer from Maine” partnership with Catalyst for Change Wear is a leading example of cross-industry synergy, merging craft beer with Maine's apparel industry and supporting local artisans.

Why It’s on the List

• Creative Brand Collaborations: Forges partnerships that extend the reach of Maine beer into lifestyle spaces, creating unique cultural products with measurable market impact.
• Event Leadership: Hosts and sponsors community events with over 2,000 annual attendees, driving both local economic activity and charitable funding.

Orono Brewing Company

Orono Brewing Company exemplifies innovation through inventive brewing and literary partnerships. Their “Whalefall” ale, inspired by a bestselling novel, brings literature and brewing together, while their work with Wyman’s delivers an authentic Maine blueberry ale that supports state agriculture.

Why It’s on the List

• Literary Integration: Successfully launched Maine’s only brewery-literature collaboration, leading to increased regional press and an uptick in visitors during book-themed events.
• Local Ingredient Champion: Collaborations have generated a 15% year-over-year increase in local agricultural purchases.

Maine Beer Company

Based in Freeport, Maine Beer Company is synonymous with uncompromising quality and a “Do What's Right” philosophy. Their joint projects, such as the Red IPA with Heavy Seas Beer, represent a cross-border synthesis of ideas. Notably, their green building practices have resulted in a 30% reduction in carbon emissions per barrel brewed.

Why It’s on the List

• Collaborative Brewing Excellence: Co-developed new beer styles with national peers, regularly earning accolades at the Great American Beer Festival.
• Environmental Stewardship: Key supporter of The Nature Conservancy, reinforcing Maine’s reputation for eco-friendly brewing.

Blue Ox Malthouse

The backbone of Maine’s malt supply, Blue Ox Malthouse provides over 500,000 pounds of high-quality local malt annually to dozens of breweries across the state. Their efforts close the local supply chain loop, ensuring Maine brewers have access to top-tier, sustainable ingredients.

Why It’s on the List

• Supply Chain Leader: Helped 40+ Maine breweries transition to locally malted grains, resulting in significant cost savings and flavor consistency.
• Award-Winning Quality: Received two Malt Cup awards in 2023 for product standards that set national benchmarks.

The Great Lost Bear

Portland’s Great Lost Bear has served as the state’s craft beer ambassador since 1979. With over 70 taps—more than 60% of which feature Maine brews—it is a vital venue for introducing new breweries and specialty releases to the public, fostering discovery and loyalty for local beer.

Why It’s on the List

• Industry Connector: Hosts dozens of Maine brewery tap takeovers and exclusive release parties each year, introducing new beers to thousands of patrons.
• Community Mainstay: Serves as a gathering point for beer lovers and brewers, strengthening the state’s craft beer culture through shared experiences.

Final Thoughts

The synergy within Maine’s craft beer ecosystem serves as a model for the nation—breweries, suppliers, and partners collaborate to craft creative beers, support local growers, and enrich their communities. With Nonesuch River Brewing setting the pace, these businesses collectively propel Maine’s reputation as a craft beer powerhouse and ensure its continued leadership well into the future.