beer trail
With hundreds (maybe thousands) of miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails and just as many watering holes, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains has welcomed the national craft beer love affair with open arms. Maine is home to over 100 brewers; about a quarter of them are peppered across the communities of Western Maine. Add in the handful of cideries fermenting the heck out of our region’s heritage breed apples, and you have the perfect local brew to quaff during your stay.
You can also check out the Breweries Tour on our Adventure Guide App or do your homework and hit up the social feeds to find the newest suds in the region (just don’t keep them a secret).
A Little Maine History
Maine was made for beer from the beginning. In the 1830s Maine got branded America’s “drunkest state.” Around the same time, the New York Times labeled the United States the “world’s drunkest country.” So…that would make Maine…drunkest of the drunk? This unbridled consumption led to the passage of the “Maine Law” in 1851—enacting a total ban on alcohol—championed by Portland’s sober-mind Mayor, the “Napoleon of Temperance,” Neal Dow. Prohibition came and went. As did the cocktail culture of the ’50s, ’80s, and ’00s. Finally, the passage of a Maine 2012 law permitting the direct sale of beer by brewers to the public blew the keg wide open on Mainers lifelong love affair with suds.
A tip of the hat to the Portland Press Herald, the Brews Cruise blog, and writer Ellie Yahn for the facts used in this story.
Lewiston-Auburn Area
On the lakes
in the mountains
ways to adventure
Eat and Drink
Dining
There are great places to eat around every turn. You’ll find exactly what you’re craving; whether it’s iconic Maine lobster with drawn butter or an espresso coupled with a chocolate croissant
Arts and Culture
Museums
The cities and towns in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains, places of discovery, are home to an eclectic collection of art, cultural, science, and living history museums.
Eat and Drink
Beer Trail
With hundreds (maybe thousands) of miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails and just as many watering holes, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains has welcomed the national craft beer love affair with open arms.
arts and culture
performing arts
Discover a collection of performing arts events that take place throughout the year, from modern and avante-garde dance and equity theater to juggling in a converted barn.
Things to Do
Events
Maine’s Lakes and Mountains is filled with events year-round. Food festivals, concerts and dance, hot air balloons and tough mudders, are all here to delight and enthrall visitors.
Nature and Wildlife
birding
The forests, fields, and wetlands of Maine’s Lakes and Mountains are the ideal setting to experience the thrill of birdwatching. Many highly coveted species can be found in the area’s boreal forests, including woodpeckers and Bicknell’s Thrush.
Plan Your Trip
Maine’s Lakes and Mountains offers a variety of resources to help you plan your next visit, including an annual visitor’s guide, stand alone map, and the new Adventure Guide App.
Visitor's Guide
Our Free Visitor's Guide will help inspire your next adventure along our mountain trails, lakes, scenic byways, bustling towns and more.
Map of the Region
Companion to the Visitor Guide, our dual-sided planning map will help you find your way to adventure in every season throughout the region.
Adventure Guide App
The App will point the way to all kinds of adventures, experiences and destinations in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains with GPS location maps and alerts.
