Distillery tours
Distillery Tours in Maine
Plan a distillery tour in Maine: 8 distilleries to visit, with tastings and experiences you can book directly. Expect Craft Spirits, Gin, Rum and more. Highlights include Liquid Riot Bottling Company, Maine Craft Distilling, Hardshore Distilling.
8distilleries
About distillery tours in Maine
Maine's distilling scene punches well above the state's population, with around twenty craft producers strung from York up to Bangor and inland to the lakes. What ties them together is an obsession with local raw materials: Maine-grown potatoes and grains, wild blueberries, maple syrup and even sea kelp all find their way into the still. The result is a trail that rewards curiosity, moving from polished Portland tasting rooms to farm distilleries set on working acreage. Portland's Old Port is the obvious starting point, home to Liquid Riot Bottling Company, which brews beer and distils spirits under one roof, and to Hardshore Distilling, known for its gin and barrel-aged work. Beyond the city you will find Maine Craft Distilling and New England Distilling carrying the grain-to-glass torch, Split Rock Distilling leaning into organic spirits, and Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery folding fruit into the mix. Smaller operators such as Three of Strong Spirits and Wiggly Bridge round out a tour that can be paced over a long weekend, pairing tastings with lobster shacks, coastal drives and the kind of unhurried hospitality the state is known for.
Following the Maine trail
There is no single fixed route, which is part of the appeal, but a logical loop begins in Portland and fans outward along the coast and into the countryside. Start in the Old Port, where Liquid Riot Bottling Company and Hardshore Distilling sit within easy walking distance of one another, then make time for New England Distilling and Maine Craft Distilling, both flying the flag for whiskey, rum and gin made from scratch. Heading north and east, Three of Strong Spirits focuses on Maine rum, while Split Rock Distilling brings an organic, certified-clean philosophy to the table. Inland and along the midcoast, Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery and Wiggly Bridge offer a more rural, farm-to-flask experience. The Maine Distillers Guild publishes a downloadable member map, which is the most reliable way to plot current opening hours and seasonal tasting schedules before you set off.
Where to stay & eat nearby
Portland makes the natural base, with a dense restaurant scene that has earned the city a national reputation, plus plenty of boutique hotels and harbourside inns within walking distance of the Old Port distilleries. A distillery day pairs beautifully with the city's seafood, from raw bars to lobster rolls, and many tasting rooms are happy to point you toward a favourite nearby kitchen. If your route takes you up the coast toward the midcoast and Down East, smaller harbour towns offer B&Bs and seasonal cottages, often a short drive from farm distilleries such as Sweetgrass Farm. Booking ahead in summer and during foliage season is wise, as Maine fills quickly once the weather turns.
Getting there & around
Portland International Jetport is the main gateway, and the compact Old Port means the city's distilleries can be tackled on foot. Beyond Portland, however, a car is essential; Maine's producers are spread across a long coastline and into rural inland areas, and public transport is limited. Distances can be deceptive, so build in driving time and plan a designated driver or a tour operator if you intend to taste at several stops in a day. Coastal Route 1 links many of the seaside towns and makes a scenic spine for a multi-day trip.
Frequently asked
- How many craft distilleries are there in Maine?
- Maine has roughly twenty craft distilleries spread from York to Bangor, including well-known names such as Maine Craft Distilling, New England Distilling, Hardshore Distilling and Liquid Riot Bottling Company. The Maine Distillers Guild maintains a member map that is the best source for an up-to-date count.
- Where should I start a Maine distillery trip?
- Portland's Old Port is the ideal starting point, with Liquid Riot Bottling Company and Hardshore Distilling within walking distance and several others a short drive away. From there you can fan out along the coast and inland.
- What spirits is Maine known for?
- Maine distillers make whiskey, gin, rum, vodka and more, often built on local ingredients such as Maine potatoes, grains, maple syrup and wild blueberries. Three of Strong Spirits focuses on rum, while Split Rock Distilling is known for organic spirits.
- Do I need a car to visit Maine's distilleries?
- Within Portland's Old Port you can walk between tasting rooms, but a car is essential for reaching producers like Sweetgrass Farm, Wiggly Bridge and other rural distilleries, as public transport is limited.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Summer and autumn foliage season are the most popular, when coastal towns are lively and most tasting rooms keep full hours. These periods are also the busiest, so booking accommodation and tours in advance is recommended.
- Can I do tastings and tours at most Maine distilleries?
- Many Maine distilleries offer tasting rooms and some run guided tours, but schedules vary seasonally. Check each distillery's hours, and consider the Maine Distillers Guild map to plan your route before you go.