In 2011, a rewrite of Maine state law allowed the brewers of Maine’s nascent craft beer scene to operate tasting rooms very much like bars, with unlimited pours of up to a pint. It’s led to a craft-beer explosion in the Pine Tree State, and no region outside of Portland has benefited from the proliferation of tap rooms as much as the southern coast.

A few of the standouts include Kittery’s Tributary Brewing Co. (tel. 207/703-0093), founded by venerable master brewer Tod Mott. The former post office full of picnic tables takes on a party vibe on the weekends—try the Mott the Lesser Russian Imperial Stout, a legendary brew among beer geeks, based on a recipe Mott cooked up in a previous gig. The tap room at York’s SoMe Brewing Company (tel. 207/351-8162) has a sports bar feel, with a flat-screen usually tuned in to some New England team. The best pours at Hidden Cove Brewing Company (tel. 207/646-0228) in Wells are the crisp, super quaffable, lower-alcohol brews like Castoff Session IPA and the Summer Ale with lemon peel and honey. Aging barrels line a no-frills tap room that feels like a basement rec room you hung out in as a teenager.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.