10 Historic & Active Maine Breweries That Helped Start the Craft Beer Boom

Maine is pretty darn synonymous with craft beer these days.

Whether it's the packed tasting rooms and pubs here in the state or the numerous brands distributed across the country, Maine's beer reputation is certainly something Mainers can be proud of.

How Important is Maine's Craft Beer Culture?

While Maine will always be a tourism powerhouse thanks to its natural beauty and incredible food scene, the craft beer industry has become the perfect complement to it all. There's nothing quite like spending a day hiking, skiing, or exploring the coast and then relaxing with a locally brewed beer at a great restaurant. That's about as Maine as it gets.

Kennebec River Brewing via Facebook

However, it wasn't always this mainstream or successful. Heck, it was difficult to find craft beer just 25 or 30 years ago. There was a time when the craft beer industry felt more like a group of outlaws brewing in garages than a thriving business sector, and honestly, that was a pretty entertaining era.

Every industry has to start somewhere, and Maine's craft beer scene is still relatively young—less than 40 years old. That's a blink of an eye compared to most other beverage industries. Like any successful movement, it needed pioneers willing to take risks and blaze a trail for those who would follow.

Allagash Brewing via Facebook

What are the Oldest Active Craft Breweries in Maine?

Fortunately, Maine had plenty of those pioneers, and many of them are still brewing beer today.

READ MORE: Portland, Maine’s Craft Beer Scene Is Booming—Here Are the Top Spots Right Now

While many of the young and hip breweries get national attention, these places were the ones that paved the way.

Here's a look at the 10 oldest craft breweries in Maine that are still currently active.