Lone Pine Brewing plans to open bigger tasting room in downtown Portland
Lone Pine Brewing Expands Vision: New Downtown Portland Tasting Room Planned for Spring
The Anderson Street tasting room of Maine’s Lone Pine Brewing Company, which first opened its doors in 2016, has closed its doors temporarily after just a month of operations. The closure is part of a strategic shift announced by the brewery’s board, which plans to launch a larger, flagship tasting room in downtown Portland next spring.
Simon Thorpe, a board member representing both Lone Pine and Massachusetts‑based Lord Hobo Brewing Company, explained the move. “Anderson Street is small, and it’s not in an ideal location. We’re trying to establish a much bigger, better flagship location for Lone Pine in downtown Portland,” Thorpe said. He added that the company has been scouting potential sites in the city over the past six months, aiming to increase its footprint in Maine’s capital.
A Bigger, Bolder Space
The new tasting room is set to seat 250 people indoors and 100 outdoors, a dramatic expansion from the current Anderson Street venue, which accommodates about 24 inside and 70 outside. In addition to the increased capacity, the downtown location will feature a kitchen and a food menu—an offering that has been missing from Lone Pine’s existing sites.
“We want a space that can truly showcase what we’ve built and grow with the community,” Thorpe told reporters. “The new location will let us serve more guests, offer food, and create a gathering place that reflects the quality of our beer.”
The plan also includes a look at expanding the company’s production and tasting capabilities at its Gorham brewery, potentially adding a tasting room there as well. Thorpe noted that this could provide a regional hub for the brewery’s broader distribution network.
Looking Beyond Portland
While downtown Portland remains the primary focus, Thorpe said Lone Pine is also considering tasting rooms in Bangor and Lewiston. “We’re looking at ways to make our brand more accessible to more people,” he said. “Those cities represent growth opportunities for us.”
The expansion plans come even as the brewery’s former Old Orchard Beach location, which closed in late September, is slated to become a new brewing operation. “Someone looking from the outside might say, ‘They’re retrenching away from retail in Maine,’” Thorpe said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
The Old Orchard Beach site had been a seasonal operation that was difficult to staff and attract customers year round. The new brewery at that site will focus on production rather than retail, according to Thorpe.
A Legacy of Growth
Lone Pine Brewing Company has a history of rapid expansion. The brewery quadrupled its production in both 2017 and 2018, propelling it into the ranks of Maine’s top ten breweries. The company’s growth has been accompanied by a strategic partnership with Lord Hobo Brewing Company. The two breweries announced a merger in November 2024, and Thorpe, who sits on both companies’ boards, has been guiding the integration of resources and market strategy.
“Merger is a chance to combine our strengths—Lord Hobo’s brewing expertise and Lone Pine’s local brand presence,” Thorpe explained. “It’s not about cutting back; it’s about building a more resilient business.”
Next Steps
Lone Pine has not yet announced a concrete opening date for its downtown Portland tasting room. However, the company’s spokesperson indicated that the new facility should be ready for guests in spring 2027. Meanwhile, the temporary closure of Anderson Street will remain until the new location is operational.
For now, the company’s focus remains on delivering a higher‑quality experience to its loyal customers while expanding its footprint across Maine’s growing craft beer scene.
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