The Great Lost Bear

Portland, Maine

An old-school beer bar with the best of Maine’s beer scene on tap

WHAT IT IS:

The Great Lost Bear has been slinging beer since 1979, earning its reputation as a Portland institution and a haven for craft beer. Of the seventy-eight taps, most are pouring New England beers, and the highlights are from Maine’s great brewers—from classics such as a Gritty Mcduff’s Black Fly Stout or an Allagash Curieux to the latest hoppy offering from the buzzed-about Bissell Brothers Brewing. The food menu is equally extensive and delicious; paper ephemera and old photographs hang throughout the spacious bar and dining room; and there’s almost always a pint deal or special event going on any night of the week.

WHY IT’S GREAT:

A trip to the Bear feels like seeing an old good friend with whom you haven’t talked in years; you can pick up right where you left off without missing a beat, and first-timers and thirsty travelers will feel at home in no time. It’s entirely unpretentious, but they take their beer seriously, and with their extensive and constantly rotating selection, it’s the best spot in town to try a beer from a new brewery, make an unexpected discovery, or indulge in a hearty plate of nachos, a few rounds of Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale, and get pulled into conversation with the friendly, devoted locals. —Heather Vandenengel

Details Hours: 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Monday–saturday, Noon–11 p.m. Sunday Address: 540 Forest Ave., Portland, ME Web: greatlostbear.com