Portland tastes better after a brewery bus ride. This tour is a handy way to sample Portland-area craft alcohol with small-group access at multiple stops, while a guide ties the tastings to what’s happening in Maine right now. I also like that you’re not stuck driving or parking your way between neighborhoods.

My one heads-up is that it’s not beer-only. You’ll get beer and spirits tastings, and the order and specific venues can shift, so if you only want hop-forward beer, read the details and go in with flexibility.

Still, if you want a guided route through spots like East Bayside and the Old Port, with transportation handled and a friendly group size (max 12), this is an easy “yes” for a fun craft-focused evening.

Key things I’d focus on before you book

• Max 12 people means you’re not lost in a crowd, and you actually get time for questions.
• Two brewery-style stops plus a meadery is the sweet spot if you want variety without turning it into a full bar crawl.
• Exclusive access at each venue saves time and adds a more behind-the-scenes feel.
• Tastings are built in (beer & spirits, plus a light snack and bottled water), so you’re not scrambling for food.
• Stop locations rotate around East Bayside and the Old Port, which keeps the night feeling like a real neighborhood tour.
• Portland Beer Hub is the finish line, right by 320 Fore St, with an included admission component.

How the 2.5 to 3.5 hour bus format actually plays out

The tour is listed at about 2 hours 30 minutes but also described as roughly 3.5 hours depending on how the schedule flows on the day. Either way, it’s designed as a paced evening: ride, taste, ride, taste.

You’ll meet at Portland Beer Hub, 320 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101. From there, the bus does the heavy lifting—so you can focus on sampling and listening instead of finding parking.

The group cap is 12 travelers max, and you’ve got a guided tour plus bus transportation included. That combo matters in Portland, because moving between neighborhoods is where tours either feel smooth—or feel like you’re spending half your time sprinting.

East Bayside and Old Port: what “exclusive access” means for tastings

Your first two stops are both around 45 minutes each, and they’re built around exclusive access to a craft beverage producer in the East Bayside area and then the Old Port area. The exact venues can change, but the tour description gives you a clear sense of the flavor of places you might visit.

Possible producers listed for these stops include: Three of Strong Spirits, Blue Lobster Winery, Shipyard Brewing Co., Lone Pine Brewing, Orange Bike Brewing, and Freedom’s Edge Cider. So yes, this can tilt toward beer, cider, wine, or spirits depending on what’s available that day.

Here’s why this is a plus: with tasting included, you’re getting more than a casual sip. You’re getting time to compare styles, ask how things are made, and learn how producers build loyal local followings.

The drawback is simple: if you show up expecting only beer flights at every stop, the alcohol mix may not match your personal preference. One person’s ideal “all craft beer” afternoon can turn into a broader alcohol tasting for the group that day.

The craft beer-and-mead angle: where Maine really shows off

The tour’s overall concept is a tasting route that includes two breweries and a meadery. One part of the plan is a flight on tap at Maine Beer Company, which is a smart way to compare multiple brews quickly without needing to commit to a full pour.

Then you’re set up for a tasting at Rising Tide Brewing Co. in the East Bayside neighborhood. After that comes the mead piece: Maine Mead Works and its dry brews.

That last part is what makes this tour stand out. Mead is still one of those categories that many visitors only hear about in passing. Here, you get a guided moment to taste it alongside beer, so you can actually notice the differences in sweetness, texture, and overall profile instead of treating mead like a mystery.

One important note: the tour also says stops may change due to events and staff availability. So use the mead and Maine Beer Company details as a guide to the type of experience, not a guarantee of exact pours in the exact same order.

Portland Beer Hub: the end stop that keeps the focus on beer

The third stop is at Portland Beer Hub, listed as the home of Maine Brews Cruise and an epicenter for beer in Portland. This is where the night wraps up, and it’s the one stop where you’re told admission is included.

Practically, this is a good design. By the time you reach the final stop, you’ve already had a structured tastings schedule, so the end feels like a focused finish instead of an awkward scramble to find something drink-related.

It’s also conveniently located. The meeting point and this stop are both tied to 320 Fore St, which helps the tour keep things straightforward for everyone.

If you like continuing the conversation after you’ve tasted, this is likely the moment where you can ask for recommendations based on what you liked earlier.

What’s included for $102, and why the price makes sense

The price is $102 for an experience lasting roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on timing. For craft drink tours, you’re paying for a few things at once: transportation, a guide, and multiple tasting moments.

What’s included:

• Beer & spirits tastings
• Light snack
• Bottled water
• Bus transportation
• Guided tour
• Exclusive access
• Admission ticket included at the final stop

What’s not included:

• Gratuities for the driver/guide (optional)

This value angle is real. Buying tastings one venue at a time can cost more than you’d think, and you still have to handle getting there. Here, the bus and the guided pacing reduce friction, and the snack and water help you keep your energy steady between tastings.

Also, you’re capped at 12. That’s not just a comfort thing—it affects how often the guide can slow down for questions instead of rushing to hit the schedule.

Guides and the Portland context you’ll actually remember

The tour is guided, and multiple guides are mentioned with a similar theme: they connect the drinks to Portland and to how brewing, distilling, and related scenes grow over time.

Names that have been associated with leading this kind of experience include Spencer, Jim, Pete, and Phil. On a good day, that kind of local framing changes the tastings from random sips into a story you can retell.

I like this approach because you’re learning what to look for. You start to notice why a brewery might chase a certain hop profile, how a producer’s lineup reflects customer taste, and how the local scene fits into the bigger picture of Maine craft alcohol.

Tip: if you find one style you love—like a specific IPA profile or a dry mead—ask what pairs best with it. Even small answers like that can make your next visit to a bottle shop feel smarter.

Practical tips so the tour feels fun, not rushed

• Bring a photo ID. You must be 21+, and ID is required.
• Plan around the idea of beer and spirits. The format can include more than beer every stop, so you’ll enjoy it most if you’re open-minded.
• Eat beforehand, but don’t skip the tour snack. The tour includes a light snack and bottled water, plus chips have been noted as part of the comfort items.
• Wear layers. You’re on a bus and in and out of venues, and Portland weather can swing.

And one more thing: the tour notes that stops can change without notice. That’s normal for alcohol venues, especially when staff and events affect availability. The good news is the tour is built around a consistent idea—multiple tastings, guided context, and neighborhood routing—so the experience doesn’t collapse if a venue changes.

Who this tour fits best

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want a guided, alcohol-focused night without planning the route yourself
• Like tasting different craft categories (beer plus other producers, plus mead)
• Prefer a small group experience over a big bus crowd
• Appreciate local history and production stories as part of the fun

It’s less ideal if:

• You’re strictly beer-only and would feel disappointed by spirits or non-beer stops
• You need a totally fixed set of exact venues, since the tour states stops may change

Should you book Portland’s Best Craft Beverages Bus Tour OLD?

If you want a straightforward way to sample Portland’s craft scene with transport handled, a small group, and tastings built into the schedule, I’d book it. The structure makes it low-stress, and the beer-mead combo is a smart way to widen your palate without turning it into a chaotic night.

I’d hesitate only if you’re very selective about what alcohol you’ll drink. In that case, you might still enjoy it, but go in expecting a mix—beer and spirits tastings are part of the plan, and the exact stops can vary.

FAQ

How long is Portland’s Best Craft Beverages Bus Tour Old?

The tour duration is listed around 2 hours 30 minutes and it’s also described as a 3.5-hour craft alcohol tour. Expect timing to vary based on the day’s stop flow.

Where does the tour start?

The start and meeting point is Portland Beer Hub, 320 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101.

How many stops are included?

You’ll visit three stops: an East Bayside stop, an Old Port stop, and a final stop at Portland Beer Hub.

What kinds of drinks are included?

The tour includes beer and spirits tastings, plus a tasting focused on mead at a meadery as part of the tour’s overall concept.

Are there snacks and water included?

Yes. The tour includes a light snack and bottled water.

Is this tour 21+?

Yes. The minimum age is 21, and you need a photo ID.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers, keeping it small-group.

Are gratuities included in the price?

No. Gratuities for the driver/guide are optional.

Can the tour change venues?

Yes. The tour notes that stops may change without notice due to events and staff availability.

What if the tour is canceled because of minimum travelers?

If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Is there a cancellation window?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.