JUNE:
Best of the North Festival (Bangor Waterfront) - 6/16
This year, the Greater Bangor CVB took the three events they usually hold over the course of a weekend and combined them all into one giant celebration. Wing Fest, Tap into Summer and Wine on the Waterfront are all now known as the Best of the North Festival. Tickets and more information available at www.bestofthenorthfest.com.
Great Falls Brewfest (Simard-Payne Memorial Park, Lewiston) – 6/23
Lewiston-Auburn’s best fest is in its fifth year and looks to impress yet again! 50-plus breweries are set to bring over 150 beers to Lewiston for this year’s event. Food trucks, live music and games galore set the stage for an excellent day of enjoying local craft beer! Check it all out at www.greatfallsbrewfest.com.
JULY:
Wells Brew Fest (Wells Harbor Community Park) – 7/14
This is the first year for the Wells Brew Fest and it looks to be off to a great start, with 27 breweries/cidermakers/mead makers on board so far. The location couldn’t be more perfect, set along beautiful Wells Harbor. For more info, www.wellsbrewfest.com.
Rails, Tails & Ales (Boothbay Railway Village) – 7/21
Brewfests are always cool, but when you pair it with a Railway museum and an outdoor antique car show, you definitely have something special on your hands. Rails, Tails and Ales is the Midcoasts best brewfest, and with the added attractions is a heck of a great deal. More info at railwayvillage.org/event/rails-tails-ales-the-midcoast-craft-beer-festival/.
Summer Session 2018 (Thompson’s Point, Portland) – 7/28
This is the big one! The Maine Brewer’s Guild Summer Session is the brew fest to go to if you are only going to go to one. Just about every single beer producer in the State will be on hand, as well as some invited guests ‘from away.’ Thompson’s Point provides a perfect location for this festival that includes over 100 breweries, a giant ring of food trucks around the venue and wide-open spaces to enjoy games and sunshine while you sip your samples. More info at summersession2018.eventbrite.com.
AUGUST:
Craft Brew Races (Payson Park, Portland) – 8/18
Ever think to yourself as you cross the finish line of a 5k, “What I need right now is a brew fest.”? If so, this is the PERFECT festival for you! Craft Brew Races combines a 5k race with a brew fest right at the finish line! No fear, if you are allergic to running like me, you can just buy a ticket for the festival and skip the run. Either way, this fest is always a ton of fun and the setting is something to behold, right on the Back Bay in Portland. More info at https://craftbrewraces.com/portland/.
Sanford On Tap (Goodall Park, Sanford) – 8/18
Sanford, Maine is getting its very own brew fest! The closest City to Gneiss, this one is near and dear to our hearts. Still early in the planning, organizers are hoping to have at least 10 breweries exhibiting and are looking to keep the ticket price affordable to encourage a good turnout for year one. More info at: https://sanfordspringvalechamberofcommerce.wildapricot.org/event-2797182.
SEPTEMBER:
Skowhegan Craft Brew Fest (Downtown Skowhegan) – 9/1
This festival is being talked about as one of the best kept secrets around! Set in downtown Skowhegan on Labor Day weekend, the Skowhegan Craft Brew Fest is a great way to say goodbye to summer and celebrate in style. More info at www.skowhegancraftbrewfest.com.
Oktoberfest Portland (Thompson’s Point, Portland) – 9/7-8
So here is a new one for everyone! Oktoberfest Portland is being held for the first time this year but looks to be 2 days filled with Local beer, German-style food and tons of Oktoberfest fun! Details are still emerging, so keep an eye on www.oktoberfestportlandmaine.com/.
Maine Lakes Brewfest (Point Sebago, Casco) – 9/29
Set on picturesque Sebago Lake, the Maine Lakes Brew Fest is one of the longest running festivals in Maine, and with food reason! I’ve personally poured at this one multiple times and it is always filled with the happiest, friendliest and thirstiest folks around! More information at www.mainelakesbrewfest.com.
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So, thats my list. If I missed anything, let me know! send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I’ll add anything I missed in an upcoming edition. Happy Festivaling!
