Great Lost Bear
The Great Lost Bear has become a Portland institution since opening in 1979. The "Bear" is located about two miles from Portland's touristy Old Port but well worth the journey across town to the Mysterious Woodford's Area. The Great Lost Bear features an enormous eclectic menu with something for everyone: from hearty, spicy junk food to a large vegetarian selection, from steaks, salads and All American Burgers to award winning, wicked gooey desserts... all served in an entertaining atmosphere.
The Bear has a Craft Beer Showcase every Thursday from 5 - 9 PM with reduced prices, fabulous prizes and a bar full of local brewers and beer lovers. Annual Showcase highlights include the MAINE BREW PUB CUP (Liquid Riot 2017 cup holder) The INDUSTRIAL PARK CHALLENGE (BATTERY STEELE 2018 winner) both held in January! THE WHEEL OF DESTINY happens throughout the year, a spin of our wheel of fortune determines which beer is on special....get on our mailing list!!! Of course we have an Octobearfest at the end of September, GRITTY McDUFF'S HALLOWEEN ALE PARTY in October and the year ends with the TWELVE BEERS OF CHRISTMAS in December...... During the Showcase, all Pints are $2.99 unless it is very strong or rare in which case you will get a great deal in a 13.5 ounce glass all between 5 and 9 PM PLUS there are lot's and lot's of Brewery and Great Lost Bear Prize Giveaways every week.
David Geary brought the microbrew revolution to Maine in 1986 and the Great Lost Bear started adding more and more taps as new breweries opened throughout the Northeast. First expanding from eight beer taps to twenty four, then thirty six, the Bear now features EIGHTY taps with at least FIFTY Maine Craft Beers represented including Five Taps in "Allagash Alley" that will permanently be dedicated to unusual brews from the Allagash Brewing Company. FOUR Cask Conditioned Hand Pumps are usually dispensing local favorites like Geary's Hampshire Special Ale, Shipyard's Old Thumper, Allagash Barrel Aged Beer or Sheepscot's Boothbay Special Bitter. The GLB also has a rotating array of Belgian and Extreme Beer selections. The Great Lost Bear has been named one of the Top Ten Beer Bars in the United States by Celebrator Beer News, Barleycorn, Beer Advocate and The Malt Advocate. CHEERS Magazine named the Great Lost Bear the Best Beer Bar in the U.S.A. for 2008 in their annual Benchmark Awards Issue. All About Beer Magazine said, "This is our idea of a Perfect Bar" as well as naming the Bear one of 125 Places to Have a Beer before you die. Draft Magazine has the Bear in the Top 100 Beer Bars 2011, 2012, 2013.2014 Gourmet magazine said "One of the greatest bars on earth....the truly great GREAT LOST BEAR"