Summer Session 2019: Maine Brewers' Guild Beer Festival

***UPDATE: 7/27/19 6:45AM: We will offer a limited quantity of tickets for sale at the door. VIP for afternoon session are sold out, and few remain for evening. General Admission tickets likely to be available for both sessions. Cash or check preferred, credit card accepted.***

The Maine Brewers' Guild Summer Session is the biggest brewfest in Maine and your best chance to try Maine's best beers.

All profits from fest support the Maine Brewers' Guild - the nonprofit association for Maine's craft beer industry.

Must be 21+ to enter.

All tickets include unlimited beer samples from all breweries, souvenir taster glass, and live music. Food is available for purchase from a variety of food trucks.

Beer Information is now available for download (link)

VIP tickets include:

+ dedicated VIP entrance

+ designated VIP parking, closest to the venue entrance

+ VIP beers: our brewers are hand-picking some special beers to be poured only to VIPs in the hospitality tent

+ VIP outdoor area, including lawn chairs with ocean views (limited qty available)

Designated Driver tickets include:

+ souvenir taster glass

+ light snacks, seltzers

GA Ticket | $49

VIP Ticket | $65

DD Ticket | $25

Afternoon Session: Noon - 3:00PM

This session is perfect for people who love afternoon lounging and getting started on early beer tastings, leaving room for dinner plans. Bring your sunglasses and hat!

Live music: Atlantic Clarion Steel Band

Sunset Session: 5:00PM - 8:00PM

This session is perfect for sunset lovers. Stick around after the event to enjoy the sunset at 8:09pm. The views will not disappoint.

DJ Set by: Spencer Albee

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Chh-chh-chh-chh-change ---s!

Maine's biggest and best beer festival is getting even better this year. If you've joined us in the past, you know we're committed to putting on the best beer festival experience in the USA and we want you to know we've made some changes to continue to offer the best possible experience for our attendees:

• We're at a new venue on the oceanfront - surrounded by islands, ocean, and beaches - amidst an old fort and next to a lighthouse. You're basically inside a postcard.

• We will have two sessions instead of one long session. Your ticket is linked to the session you want to attend and can't be changed or swapped for the other - so please plan accordingly.

• VIP's will enter at the same time as GA ticketholders. Instead of earlier entry, VIPs will have their own hospitality tent and perks within the fest.

• We're focused on showcasing Maine brewers at our signature summer festival. With over 130 breweries now operating in Maine, and our beer known 'round the world, Summer Session will have about 75 Maine breweries in attendance from all over the state. With breweries in all sixteen counties, there are bound to be a few that you haven't tried yet, and here's your chance without taking a 600 mile road trip. The new venue at Fort Preble only has capacity for about 75 breweries, but our brewery members love being able to invite their friend breweries from out of state. So that feature of Summer Session will be part of our Fall/Winter festival to be announced soon!

• Parking is free! We heard your feedback and found a new venue with free parking - just note you may have to walk a bit to get to the fest site - but it will be worth it. If you'd like to catch a ride, a taxi or lyft ride from Old Port Portland shouldn't be expensvie - it's just across the bay from downtown.

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Where do I park?

View parking map here

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FINAL LIST OF PARTICIPATING BREWERIES:

• 2 Feet Brewing
• Airline Brewing Company
• Allagash Brewing Company
• Atlantic Brewing Company
• Austin Street Brewery
• Banded Brewing Co.
• Bangor Beer Company
• Barreled Souls
• Bath Brewing Company
• Batson River Brewing
• Battery Steele
• Baxter Brewing Co
• Bigelow Brewing Company
• Bissell Brothers
• Black Bear Brewing
• Black Pug Brewing
• Blaze brewing company
• Boothbay Craft Brewery
• Brewery Extrava
• Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co.
• Bunker Brewing Co
• Corner Point Brewing
• Cushnoc Brewing Co
• Definitive Brewing
• First Mile Brewing Co.
• Flight Deck Brewing
• Fluvial Brewing
• Fogtown Brewing Company
• Fore River Brewing Company
• Foulmouthed Brewing
• Foundation Brewing Company
• Funky Bow Brewery
• Geaghan Bros. Brewing Co.
• Geary Brewing Company
• Grateful Grain Brewing Company
• Gritty McDuff's
• Hidden Cove Brewing Co.
• Island Dog Brewing
• Kennebec River Brewery
• Kennebunkport Brewing Company/Federal Jack's Brewpub
• Lake St. George Brewing Co.
• Lone Pine Brewing Company
• Lost Valley Brewing co.
• Maine Beer Company
• Marsh Island Brewing, LLC
• Mason's Brewing Company
• Mast Landing Brewing Company
• Moderation Brewing
• Nonesuch River Brewing
• Nuts & Bolts Brewing
• Oak Pond Brewery
• Orono Brewing Company
• Oxbow Brewing Companuy
• Peak Organic Brewing Co.
• Rising Tide Brewing Co
• Saco River Brewing
• Sea Dog Brewing Company
• Sebago Brewing Co.
• Sheepscot Valley Brewing
• Shipyard brewing
• Side By Each Brewing Co.
• Some Brewing Company
• Stars & Stripes Brewing
• The Pour Farm
• The Run of the Mill
• Tributary Brewing Co.
• Tumbledown Brewing
• Urban Farm Fermentory / Gruit Brewing
• Waterville Brewing Company
• Woodland Farms Brewery
• XOTA Brewing Company
• yes brewing
• Norway Brewing Company
• Root Wild Kombucha
• NU Brewery

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VIP BREWERIES:

• Airline Brewing Company
• Allagash Brewing Company
• Atlantic Brewing Company
• Banded Brewing Co.
• Bangor Beer Company
• Bath Brewing Company
• Bunker Brewing Company
• Cushnoc Brewing Co.
• Fogtown Brewing Company
• Fore River Brewing Co
• Foulmouthed Brewing
• Foundation Brewing Company
• Funky Bow Brewery
• Geary Brewing Company
• Gritty McDuff's
• Kennebunkport Brewing Company/Federal Jack’s Brewpub
• Maine Beer Company
• Mason's Brewing Co
• Mast Landing Brewing Co.
• NU Brewery
• Orono Brewing Company
• Oxbow Brewing Company
• Rising Tide Brewing Company
• Sebago Brewing Co.
• shipyard brewing
• Tributary Brewing Co.
• Tumbledown Brewing
• Urban Farm Fermentory / Gruit Brewing

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUMMER SESSION SPONSORS:

Wristband Sponsor: Acadia Insurance

WaterMonster Sponsors:

Integrated Tax Consultants

Maine Malt House - Buck Farms

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SUMMER SESSION VENDORS:

Blue Ox Malt House
Brew Bus Tours
Live ME
Mainely Craft Coaster
Northeast Charters
Sea Bags
Tuck Life
Zajac LLC

FOOD VENDORS:

3 Leaf Food
BP Shuck Shack
Falafel Mafia
High Roller
Mainely Meatballs
Melt Maine
Mr Tuna
PB & Me Foodtruck
Pinky D's Poutine
Portland Pie
Salt Box Cafe
Smokin Phils Belly Bustin

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ACCOMMODATIONS:

The hotels in the Old Port and around South Portland Maine Mall area...etc. are all about the closest options available. As it's summer season in Maine - we encourage you to book your accommodations as early as possible to get the best pricing.

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TRANSPORTATION + PARKING:

There is free and limited parking around SMCC's campus. We will provide more info on parking to ticket purchasers as the event gets closer.

We encourage you to take public transportation wherever possible.

Taxi Options:

Uber – via app
Lyft - via app
207 Taxi - (207) 774-2255
Green Cab - (207) 879-2424

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FAQ's:

Q: Will this event be held rain or shine?

A: Yes. This event is rain or shine, and all beer will be poured under a tent. We reserve the right to end the event early or cancel in cases of extreme weather or any weather deemed a public safety hazard by city officials or the venue. We will not be able to offer refunds in case of inclement weather or emergency evacuation.

Q: Can I bring my dog/ cat/ pet rabbit?

A: No, we are not able to allow pets into the event, service animals only.

Q: Can I bring my toddler/ baby in a stroller/ baby swaddled in a golden fleece diaper?

A: If you are carrying/ strollering your baby, that is OK. Otherwise, no, this is a strictly 21+ event, and we will not allow access to anyone under 21. (Seriously.)

Q: Can I bring bags, lawn chairs, umbrellas, or my own food?

A: You may bring bags--they will be searched upon entry. Only hand-held umbrellas are allowed (no canopies), and you may bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your own food.

Q: I bought an extra ticket for my friend, but now they can't come. Can I get a refund?

A: No, We do a lot to plan the amount of beer/ concessions/ port-a-johns/ budget for the event based on attendee numbers, so all ticket sales are final.

Q: I am going with a friend who has a Designated Driver ticket and I have a VIP pass. Will they be able to use their DD ticket to enter at the same time as me?

A: Yes. DD ticketholders, who are not allowed to consume any alcohol, can enter the VIP line.

Q: Will you be serving any wine or cider or gluten-free options at the event?

A: At present, we only plan to pour beer, and do not have any gluten-free options.

Q: Will brewers be selling their beer at this event? Can I get my growler filled?

A: No, brewers will not be selling their beer at this event, and growlers may not be filled at the event.

Q: I am a homebrewer. Can I pour my beer at this event?

A: No, only federally licensed breweries are able to pour their beer at this event.

Q: Can I get my Maine Beer Trail signed by breweries at the event?

A: No, the Maine Beer Trail program requires a visit to the brewery location itself.