BEST OF PORTLAND

Three of Strong opened in Portland’s lively East Bayside neighborhood in July of 2019. Founded by financial and investment manager Sam Pierce and beverage industry attorney David McConnell, their 6,200 square foot tasting room is also their distillation workshop. This allows them to showcase small-batch rums that are distilled with 100% organic cane syrup, pure Sebago Lake water, and yeast. Distiller Graham Hamblett was previously the master distiller at Dogfish Head Distilling Co. in Delaware. Find out the historical origin of their unique company name as you enjoy rum-based cocktails in Maine’s newest distillery.

After working in the retail side of beer for over a decade, Tom Madden decided that the time was right to break into producing his own beer. A long-time home brewer and Certified Cicerone, he reconnected with his longtime friend John Paul who had been working in the music industry in California. Together, they opened Lone Pine in March of 2016 in a former countertop production space in Portland’s East Bayside and quickly enjoyed tremendous success and popularity. In 2018, Lone Pine moved their brewery into the former Sebago Brewing brewing facility in Gorham which has increased their production volume by ten-fold. They have also opened a spacious new tasting room at the new site allowing them to also expand their barrel program.

Founded in 1994, Shipyard is one the largest breweries in the State of Maine. The legendary partnership of Fred Forsley and Alan Pugsley of Shipyard Brewing, is not one to look past. Starting in Kennebunk as Federal Jack’s Brew Pub, Shipyard made their way to Portland in 1994 after they grew out of their space only a year later. Even now, with new breweries opening up all over Portland, they continue to be a huge player in Portland’s craft beer industry today.