5 Must Try Portland IPAs — Laurel & Iron

If you haven’t heard, Portland, Maine is a big foodie town. In fact, Portland won BA’s Restaurant City of the Year in 2018. That title was well deserved. We are a town of food lovers. We will stand in line for hours on a Saturday morning to get a morning bun at Standard Baking Co. We spend our nights feasting on the deck at Portland Lobster Co. We will wait in the cold just to warm up with a bowl of ramen at Pai Men Miyake.

5 Must Try IPAs in Portland, Maine | Laurel and Iron

But if you really want to get to the heart of Portland, you have try to our beer. With 17 and counting microbreweries in Portland proper, beer has become as much a part of the city’s culture as the food. Whether you are fan of standard American lagers, Belgium-style wheat beers, or farmhouse saisons, Portland has a beer for you. Even if you don’t think you like beer, I bet Portland has a beer for you.

Lone Pine Brewing Company | 5 Must Try Portland IPAs | Laurel and Iron

But let’s face it, you can get fancy with your wild-fermented brews and nitro-infused pours, there is something about an IPA that really just says…beer.

If you’re in Portland, these are the IPAs must try.

Bissell Brothers Brewing | 5 Must Try Portland IPAs | Laurel and Iron

If we’re gonna talk Portland beers, we have to talk Bissell Brothers. It’s the elephant in the room - the brewery that really brought nationwide attention to the Portland beer scene. Their cloudy, trend-setting beers can be credited with making Portland a contender for the beer capital of the US. For me, it made this list, to be completely honest, because I can walk to their tasting room from my house and that’s the kind of convenience I treasure in my life. If you happen to hit it up, you have to try their flagship beer, The Substance Ale. It’s a hit for a reason.

Austen Street Breweries | 5 Must Try Porltand IPAs | Laurel and Iron

Austin Street Brewery, with two locations in Portland, is another must see on your self-guided Portland beer tour. Their Rally Session IPA, brewed with Maine grown rye and malt, finished with Moasic hops, is the perfect summer beer. Like the Bissell ale, it is murky and dank but with a brigher, lighter finish. Stop in to Austin Street’s Fox Street tasting room and stay awhile.

Lone Pine | 5 Must Try Portland IPAs | Laurel and Iron

Lone Pine is one of my favorite, all-around breweries in Portland. I have yet to try a Lone Pine beer I didn’t like. Their Brightside IPA is bright indeed. Less murky, more citrusy. Perfect for a day on the boat or a backyard BBQ. Stop by their tasting room and get a whole flight, because you really can’t go wrong! And grab some merch because their logo is super cute.

Rising Tide Brewing Company | 5 Must Try Portland IPAs | Laurel and Iron

I have to admit that Rising Tide and I had a slow start. I’m not a huge fan of their flagship copper ale, Ishmael. It’s just not my thing. For a long time, I wrote them off. Until I met the Maine Island Trail Association session IPA. This is another one of all-time favorite Maine beers. Citrusy with a bit of pine. Plus the proceeds benefit the Maine Island Trail Association which cares for our precious shores. Doing good while you drink beer? I’m into it.

Foundation Brewing Company | 5 Must Try Portland IPAs | Laurel and Iron

In a city full of hipster beers, Foundation is probably the most hipster brewery of them all. But I forgive them because they make great, approachable beers. Epiphany, their self-proclaimed Maine-style IPA, is a crowd favorite and for good reason. Pine-y but it a good way. Citrusy. Bright. An all-around fantastic brew that can be found on tap just about anywhere in Portland.

What are your favorite beers? Tell me all about it in the comments below!