Reviews of Novare Res Bier Cafe. (Restaurant) in Portland (Maine).

Novare Res Bier Cafe

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381 Comments

Restaurant

Restaurant

Canal Bank Building, 4 Canal Plaza #1, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Description

Information of Novare Res Bier Cafe, Restaurant in Portland (Maine)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

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Open hours of Novare Res Bier Cafe

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Reviews of Novare Res Bier Cafe

Jeremy Yowell

Such a cool spot to grab a beer and some snacks. The beer list was massive, and of course our drinks came out quickly and ice cold. The real highlight for this spot though is the atmosphere and vibes. Whether it's the nice outdoor area or cozy interior, everyone was having a great time and the atmosphere was relaxing.

Brianna B

We love this beer garden! We have sat inside in the cool months and outside in the warm months. Always a fabulous beer selection and everyone seems to love the food! We usually go here before or after a meal but will make sure to try the grub at some point. Such a nice little break from the busy Portland streets 🙂

Veronica Botts

People were raving about this place so we had to go. The server took a long while to acknowledge us instead acknowledging people who sat after us, but once he found us he made sure to check on us often. The food was delicious! Very well done and beautifully presented. I wasn't all over the beer list like others were but there were enough choices to encourage a second round.

Buddy Gripple

Nothing short of perfection. Server was outstanding and he was the only one tending to a nicely packed house. The beer was unbelievable. If you want to taste things you never will have the opportunity to elsewhere, come here. I am knowledgeable about beer and was suprised about the aroma and appearance of a particularly obscure beer and aforementioned server took interest, and confirmed my beliefs that is was off and replaced it with another beer. We both agreed that each of us have only sent back 3 beers in our life. Hilarious. Charcuterie offerings were awesome. Nothing stale. Pretzel and mustard was so good. So glad I got to enjoy Novare Res with dear friends and can't wait to come back.

Timothea Pham

Literally one of the best grilled cheeses I’ve ever had - the crab Rangoon grilled cheese! I came here while on a short visit with my boyfriend and we got an assortment of beers and this. Definitely one of the most memorable things we ate on our trip!

Kalam0n

Absolutely loved this place! The beer garden is the perfect spot to try some new brews and I hear the tree in the middle has some pretty amazing blooms in the spring. The inside was also a nice escape from the heat outside. On a Tuesday night this is a cool family-friendly spot.

Jelena Djokic

Came here for a dinner. I have mixed feelings. The staff is very friendly, and attentive. The selection of beers is great - you can find all sorts of unusual, delicious beers coming from German or Belgian local artsy breweries. However, the food was really not great. We had something they call Mixte plate, which is basically a bunch of raw salami and cheap cheese with two toothpicks. Even though it was an appetizer, it came together with the rest of the food. I had a wrap with chicken and rice, only half way good, and my husband had a sandwich which he didn't care for much. As a side, you get store bought potato chips, which were the most delicious food on the table. The vibe is such that I could see myself getting afterwork beers here with colleagues, or going there early in the night if I was going out. It's a casual place. It has a lot of bar seating. So I would go back definitely, only not for food. I gotta mention the waffle we had for dessert - that was actually good!

Nicole Manuel

We unfortunately didn't try the food, but heard ot was great. The beer list was outstanding! Had several great beers! It was a cool place with a fun environment! We will definitely be back! A chill beer garden to enjoy with friends!

Deborah Lee

A little challenging to find from the main street, the instructions were clearly laid out on the website. We had to walk around to the alleyway and found Novare Res easily. The Biergarten is large and covered while the inside portion is cozy and reminiscent of a European pub. It truly is a bier cafe with an extensive selection of beers and a small section for food. Food was delicious, beer was flowing, nice people, and good ambience!

Ryan Panchisin

What a little gem Novare Res turned out to be. Tucked away off the street, this imported beer palace has all the makings of a place I'd frequent. Top-notch beer selection, many of which are Belgian. I went with the tried and true La Fin du Monde out of Québec because in all my travels I had never seen this exquisite offering available in draft. My group's server, Lacey, was genuine, weird (in the best way possible), and threw out a stellar dad joke when we closed out our tabs. I will most certainly return next time I'm in the area.

Andrew McKown

Really great atmosphere with a great beer selection! The pretzel and deviled eggs were amazing as well.

Peter Schrankel

Fantastic beer bar and bier garten, hidden in the middle of Portland. Beer menu was outstanding, full of current brews and backed by a ton of classics. Waitstaff were beer-knowledgeable and engaging. Already looking forward to next time.

George

Experienced tenders, nice bar food, TONS of exotic drinks! They may have the best beer selection in Portland, and they can tell you about each one. A hidden gem in the old port IMO, you will not leave disappointed!

Dave Valko

A true beer garden in Portland. We stopped for a couple on an unusually warm weekend in November. Great atmosphere and beers. While we didn't order food, what we saw coming out looked amazing.

Matt Papai

Beer list was interesting. Some great, some strangely appearing on the same list, all unfortunately expensive. The service wasn't good, but we came in an hour before closing. Food is too expensive for what it is.

Jay Allen

Good alcohol selection, with lots of european options. Seems to have a lot homemade sausage options, very tasty. Great service and good covid precautions. Cannot recommend this place enough.

Gemma Taylor

show up if you enjoy the best craft beer has to offer! their cellar is insane. the food also delicious, but seriously. the beer selection can be overwhelming. a must must must stop if you like that rare stuff!

Benjamin Moses

Holy cow. What a bottle program they’ve got here. Bottles you cannot find anywhere else in Maine, let alone New England. Super well educated and friendly staff. Gotta love the room with the fireplace in it off to the left. I’m a big sour guy, and had some of the best I’ve had here. Super reasonable on the price side too! What an all around great spot. Highly recommend pushing your comfort zone here under guidance of the staff.

Samantha Gorski

Great beer selection! Coming up from Connecticut, it was great to get to have such a wide variety of local beers to try. The food menu was both interesting and a bit limited, depending on what you’re looking for while having a couple of beers. The pretzel we had was delicious!

Dan Spencer

Cool beer spot. We grabbed a really quick beer before getting dinner. The server was awesome and provided great advice and multiple tastes. We were inside and the outdoor space looked cool. Love the beer selection.

Devon Langbein

Awesome beer selection with fair prices. Love the atmosphere here. A must-stop when in Portland.

Trevor G

Great little bottle bar, they have a really nice selection and personable staff

Anne Wright

I kinda don’t want anyone to know about this place and also everyone to know about this place. If I could give them 10 stars I would. Fantastic staff, great beer selection, the cheese was incredible, and the ambience was perfect. What a fantastic experience. Hostesses and wait staff deserve a bonus. They were lovely.

Heidi Nottonson

Fantastic variety. I love the beer decriptions on the menu. Summertime here at the outdoor seating is fun. Being inside has a good vibe, too.

Kate Castonguay

This has evolved in such a wonderful way since my first visit in 2009. The outdoor space is inviting. The beer list is wonderful. The food is an excellent mix as well. If you order Bud Light don't go here, leave this Oasis to those who actually love beer.

tia conover

Cool and funky beer garden hidden between buildings. Very European vibeZ with edm dance music. Large beer selection on the menu from places all over the world. Outdoor seating area pretty spacious and eclectic. Would definitely recommend as a different place to grab a good beer.

Mg 0

Laudable selection of craft beers with an array of Maine breweries and elsewhere. The space is cosy, comfortable, welcoming (and a bit loud, because of the sound system). Helpful, down-to-earth staff know their brews and take pleasure in helping customers to find something that they like. There are draught/draft and bottle/can choices. The food is solid.

Zeus Roche-Lilliott

After a tour of local amazing spots. My wife and I finally made our way to this beer hall. Needing a small break we were greeted by a large room with wonderful smells and a unbelievably clean classic beer hall. Wish we had more room to taste food. Pretzel and cookie were perfect with our beers. Excited to come back and taste drink more.

Martin Leroux

If you're a beer geek, you probably know about this place already. If not, and you're curious, don't hesitate to come here. Long communal seating, didn't try the food this time around but it smelled and looked good, and prices were reasonable. The beer can set you back a pretty penny but it's all quality stuff. December 2018 edit: this place still rules the roost for craft beer. I met one of the owners, super nice guy. It was hard to keep focus on the beers from the local scene - there was a lot of tempting Belgians - but everything I was recommended was great.

See Jee

Best taplist in the city, hands down. No contest. Food is on part with the taplist. A must stop for any beer lover/foodie. In th3 photo is a mead from Superstition

Rob Widdick

This is such a great place. Excellent craft beer for the beer nerd, great food for everyone, overall great vibe and staff. Wish I could visit more often!

Gerald Morin

A generous variety of beers and outdoor space is funky-cool. Service is good.

Dan Burkovskiy

Great drink and food selection. Nice patio with games and picnic tables. Good for groups.

Joe Gabler

Cool space and amazing beer selection. Great service as well! The better the weather the better the experience as the patio offers a unique experience of Portland.

Roya Shahabi

A wonderful beer bar. Great outdoor space. Extremely knowledgeable staff which is appreciated being the menu is very elaborate. Super dark and cozy inside. What a great way to start or even end a night out in Portland.

Christopher Regets

Really liked this place.. they have a decent local selection, and a bit more extensive rare collection. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

Chad Chaffee

Great European style pub. Amazing draft selection. I could have sat there all day.

Robert Ross

A little gem hidden in a back alley, great beer hall atmosphere crossed with a dive bar. Excellent beer selection and some very tasty menu items in particular the crab Rangoon grilled cheese was really good! Great service, definitely would return.

Francis Ayombil

Large outdoor seating area on the balcony and also inside seating. Lots of drinks 🍺 and food options. I sat inside but the outdoor space was popping on a Saturday night. Cheers 🍻 …

Jeremiah Mosteller

Novare Res is a literally hidden gem. You can easily miss their place if you are not paying attention but you will regret it. Tucked away in an alley off the main shopping area it is unique place to grab a drink or a bite to eat. It's vibe is like a mix between a European pub and an underground speakeasy. Their draft and bottle list is well worth the visit alone but don't come after a meal because their food is worth exploring too. I had the habanero oysters in a tin and they were a pleasant surprise. Lastly, the service is as amazing. I'll surely be back again next time I am in Portland.

Emily R Majusiak

Amazingly extensive beer list- I only wish they served smaller tasting sizes so that I could have explored more. Great selection of bar food as well, and very friendly, attentive staff. Beer hall atmosphere was very fun and welcoming.

Molly Bryant Roberts

great service! taking this pandemic very seriously. check in at the host stand indoors, bit outside seating available. we snagged a seat near the firepit. greatly enjoyed two of their boozy cocoas and lovely atmosphere.

Arshilla Sarkar

Kind of a fine dining restaurant. Nice staff, yummiest food! They have a great variety of drinks and are not much expensive too. Wonderful ambience. Loved our evening there.

bBozo Kuki

Great place with amazing beers. Reminded me those European bars that hide between buildings. Wonderful atmosphere.

Benjamin Miesel

Great selection of local and regional beers, several different Nitro selections on tap as well. While they also had an impressive looking food menu, I did not get any food so I cannot comment on that. Lively atmosphere without the deafening roar that can accompany most pubs.

Joe Nastri

Great beer bar with an especially high quality draft list, focused on European beers (Belgian / German primarily). Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Nice space as well, semi dimli-lit. Happy to come back

Alec Stachowiak

Debatably the best beer selection the whole city! They also didn't have food last time I came years ago, and their new snacks were delicious and reasonably priced!

Yihsin Chen

This place was big and ordered by the counter style instead of waiting to be waited which I prefer. Their soft pretzel was so good that we ordered two of them.

Jason Serotta

What a wonderful place! That waffle for dessert is a must! Amazing beer list.

George Dalglish

Great service, great drinks, great vibes. The atmosphere is wonderful and naturally shaded. Out of the way from the hustle and bustle of downtown Portland. And you get get some of the douche-baggery that can be found at do many other local breweries.

Sugar Plum

Super friendly staff, chill atmosphere with a ton of interesting craft beers on tap. The location is so fantastic because it's just a step away from the normal tourist foot traffic. Please don't go here though because I don't want it to get too crowded. ... jokes!! I'm kidding! Definitely check it ou. I bet it's better than you'd expect. Remember to enter through the alley (which I think is very cool). Treat yourself to something different. It's not weird, just has bold personality and a unique vibe; perfect amount of divey while remaining quirky and clean. There's nothing to critique, really. I'd move in if I could. Please support these beautiful local businesses and keep them alive. Especially the cool ones like this spot. (Just don't take my seat... haha!)

Kristy Higginbotham

Cool beer place! We had a couple of appetizers and several nice beers. It is exactly what it says - a bier place. Simple but good.

Brad Dahms

One of the best beer selections in the northeast. Add a cool outdoor patio, picnic tables, and amazing staff to that = 10/10.

Josiah Dykstra

So many beers! Nice spirit list (no mixers or cocktails). Quiet spot off the busy roads.

Oliver Dueck

Always a must-visit when I'm in Portland. HUGE selection of beer both on tap and in cans/bottles and delicious snacks too. The patio is great too.

David Maguire

Typical brewery or beer garden feel (no frills). Good beer selection.

Ryland Garnett

The best beer drinking spot in Portland also has great food, tons of space to bring even your largest group, and a great atmosphere.

Ibrahim Anz

A hidden gem in Portland, they serve locally drafted beers and imported ones , the imported ones are one of the top picked beers in the world , loved the taste and experience.

Joseph Heslin

This place is a worthy visit. Great and interesting beers, a secretive feeling and location. The common table was friendly and the staff knowledgeable. Felt like more than just a great beer stop... It was an experience

Benjamin Moore

My favorite bar in Portland, HANDS DOWN. Best Belgian beer selection with a bible-size bottle list that will blow you away. The staff here have a ton of knowledge to help you select the right beer for you.

Jeanne Westervelt

Really cute and authentic European style Beer garden/cafe. Admittedly, I am not much of a beer drinker, but they have wine also which I appreciate. My husband is a beer drinker, and wow, they have a massive selection, particularly of beers you won't find routinely in the US. They also have a nice selection of food consistent with a casual Beer Garden. Everything was very fresh and tasty. Cheese/charcuterie selection was really nice and the sausage plate that my husband ordered was really delicious and authentic. I am a firm believer in deciding on something and doing it well to stand out and they have done this. It was like apres ski in St Anton!

Jesse Graves

Just there to enjoy some beers. This place is absolutely outstanding. It's easily in the top 5 beer bars I've been to.

Ryan Croteau

Great bar, huge attention to the quality of product they serve and an unpretentious atmosphere. I would venture a guess that the people leaving negative reviews and mentioning the staff are likely the ones who have the attitude problem. Can't beat the deck in the summer/spring/fall, or hanging inside the warm, dark bar during the bad weather.

C Angell

Excellent food, great lively atmosphere and wonderful staff.

Elliot A

Stopped in for an appetizer and a drink before dinner. You have to try the deviled eggs and a whiskey or beer. Had a great selection of beer to choose from!

Dean Prindle

Nice people, great beer selection. Enjoyed the outdoor seating

Brianne Casson

Chill spot, friendly staff, great beer selection

Lauren Bateman

Came back twice. Great selection of beers and any place that plays a Paula Abdul album followed by Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation holds a special place in my heart. A+ service. Definitely come by and check them out if you're in Portland and love beer. 😎 …

JWE

Awsome place. Friendly staff & really good beverages!

Karli Clark

I love it here every time I go. The staff is always super friendly and fun (:

VJ

Unique bier garden...definitely recommend to visit this cafe if u r in town.

Diane Robinson

Amazing selection of beer, cool taproom!

Nathan Confer

Amazing selection of great beers! This was my first time here and I will definitely be coming back.

Andrew Marden

One of the coolest little places I've ever been to. A fantastic beer selection, a great staff and an overall great time. I've made multiple trips up from 1.5 hours away just to enjoy their large and adventurous beer selection. Definitely a must visit for beer enthusiasts!

Julie C

Awesome beer selection, nice ambiance.

Nat Watkins

Not just a food but a journey between mind and stomach. Your souls gets incorporated into it and you feel like you’re blossoming into life. The garnish was delightful on the crab rangoon. - The Putney Students

Alex LeGore

Novare is the place to go for beer lovers! They always have a ton of beers on tap, including very unique ones from Maine and Europe. Cool atmosphere as well with lots of beer decorations.

Paulo

Location was fuller than most others nearby when I went which appears to show that locals have a preference for it. Had a good variety of drinks and a band.

Kent Simmons

We live locally and are privileged to visit Novare often. This is far and away our favorite beer bar in Maine (and we have a LOT of beer bars). Their expansive, ever changing and well-curated draft and bottle lists shift with the seasons, and it is not unusual to see the entire tap list change from one week to the next. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and engaging. Like all local bars and restaurants, the pandemic year has been extraordinarily challenging for Novare. We have been impressed with their adaptability and resilience during this time, particularly in their concern for the epic staff and for the health and safety of customers. Their space is now more fun than ever, with the muraled backdrop of the massive bier garden patio enhanced by more colors and a huge new shade roof.

Doug Zaleski

With something for everyone, don't catch yourself skipping this place if you have beer on the brain in Portland. Breweries are good, but with the best variety in Portland, Novare Res remains top tier.

Khadijah Malone

Was highly recommended by multiple people and told it was the best place for a beer on the eastern seaboard. However when my group looked at the menu, we completely ditched the beer in favor of the Aztec hot chocolate with tequila as it was night time and there was a breeze as we sat outside. Hands down best hot chocolate I’ve had in my life!! Don’t waste your time with the lucky charms hot chocolate, get the Aztec/Mexican hot chocolate.

Jennifer Klein

The deck is great and has a wide variety of beers. A must in Portland. Trust me. Go down the alley.

Darrah Foster

So many beer-tasting options! You can get draft or bottles from all over! My husband loved this place!

Travis McKee

Great craft beer spot downtown with a great selection.

Brandy French

Absolutely amazing spot! Great vibe, beer, and food!

Brian Caruso

Belgian beer mecca. Minus 1 star for the long black-haired woman who complained about being there and tended to her friends more than paying patrons.

Vlad Z

Fantastic beer selection and a few good ciders. Friendly staff and very cozy, in a 200 year old bank building

Brenda Valdivia

Great chill beer place... try everything... ask for suggestions if you feel a bit beer intimidated. Love this place; definitely coming back

Peter Proach

They are doing a great job at keeping people safe and happy while serving some of the most interesting beers around!!!

Robin Holden

Always one of my favorite places to go in Portland, the draft and bottle lists are the best in Maine(and better than NH) and the staff is also great. It's a great place to enjoy a beer, whatever your tastes are they have something great for you to enjoy!

Pablo Rubio

This is a cool beer bar with a very eclectic selection of beer and mead. The seating outside is an extremely pleasant place to have a nice sour in the fall. Just thinking about it brings me euphoric memories. I have not tried their food, but others in my party have on several occasions and they were satisfied. Their pricing is very fair.

Patrick Pilvines

Always an amazing time! They gave such a while variety of beers that it's almost impossible to find a favorite. Really love the laid back atmosphere and outdoor deck for seating as well.

Albert “Al” Reese

Very enjoyable experience, nice selection of beers. Appetizers were spot on for beer enthusiasts we sampled the sausages and kraut, large pretzels with spicy mustard and a must are the deviled eggs 🥚 …

Reagan Vadell

This place was amazing. Huge selection of beer with very knowledgeable bartenders who helped us pick out a few very tasty brews. Fun crowd as well. So happy we stumbled upon this hidden gem. It was too cold to sit outside but the seating area looked very nice.

Daniel Heubel

This spot is legendary for every cicerone-wannabe! It doesn't disappoint. The bar tenders know the beer list in and out and can speak about it intelligently. Good vibes too...solid setting.

Andrew Paradis

Very nicely curated craft beer list! We sat out in the patio area, music playing but low enough that we could still have normal volume conversations. Got a thunderstorm, and the staff ran out with extra awnings... and a squeegee to clear off the wet seating! The service overall was excellent - attentive despite being busy, great beer recommendations, and a decent sense of humor about the rain.

Mary P

Huge selection of beers on tap which my boyfriend loved. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Lots of vegan options!! I had vegan crab cakes which were delicious. Beer garden was lovely and had corn hole which is a big plus for me. Would definitely recommend.

Sally Heinze

Wonderfully hidden beer garden with plenty of outdoor seating. Extensive beer selection and the food is very good!

Michelle Beck

Nice atmosphere, low key bar with a fantastic beer selection. Only downside is the food offerings are limited, would give a 4.5 because of that.

Becca

Very cute beer bar with a nice outdoor beer garden

Brooke Simpson

Be sure to sit inside to get the full experience. Such a cool atmosphere. This is a beer lover’s paradise. Amazing selection of Belgian beers. Be sure to get the mixta plate as it pairs perfectly with beer.

Jeff Bates

Great local spot. Huge selection of beers- had a delicious Oatmeal Stout from Airline Brewing Company in Ellsworth, which I certainly would never have known existed but will definitely try again. They also have a great deck with good service in the summer.

Justin Casey

This bar might be a little hard to find, but it is beyond worth your efforts. Whether sitting indoors or out, the atmosphere is a cool fresh crispness, mixed with the comfort of your regular local bar. The bartender we had was knowledgable, friendly, and informative. And the beer selection was extensive. I usually go for something on tap, and even that list was unique. The place was very clean. I didn't have any food there.

Michael Folsom-Kovarik

Quite a selection of interesting beers that you may not normally find. If you don't know where to start, the employees are super knowledgeable and love helping you pick a drink and learn something new.

Richard Lewis

Awesome beer bar in Portland. people from all over the board in the craft breweries flock to this joint. You can easily see any brewery from the half dozen or so there are in the area hanging out here after work hours. Will definitely go back and the prices are great

Heather Peterson

Took us some time to find this hidden gem, but it was well worth it! Treehouse vibes, good beer/drink selection, yummy snacks. We loved it so much we went twice in the one weekend we were there! Friendly staff was an added bonus!

Keith Colbert

Great selection of beers, but the real highlight is the cherry tree in the middle of the deck. Went while it was in full blossom. Made for such a beautiful atmosphere to sit and enjoy a drink

CurbsideUnderwood

This has to be one of the best beer cafes I've been to anywhere in the country! Not only do they have an excellent selection of really great beers, the staff here are totally cool people!!! And not to mention the Epic food! And I love the quaint atmosphere! If you visit Portland, you have to go here!!! Year after year, they only get better!!! I still have my shirt from an awesome night of good times there 8 years ago, this place rocks!! ☺️☺️☺️

Matthew Hendrickson

This place is really cool. It's a little bit off the path but worth looking for. The beer garden is nice and the bar inside is also very nice. They have an insane beer list. Definitely a place you want to devote some time to if you're a beer lover. We didn't get food, but the menu looked good also. The staff was all very friendly.

Tomas Jimenez

A hidden gem, a lovely beer garden great selections of beers ,good service

Tom Sullivan

Very large beer selection, lots on tap and seemingly hundreds of bottles offered. Nice patio scene outside.

Casey Finch

This is one of my favorite spots in Portland. Tucked away in an alley about a block from the Old Port, this place has a large outdoor beer garden as well as a sizable inside bar. They focus on offering a large selection of great beer from around the world. They have a large rotating selection on tap and also offer numerous varieties in bottles. Very laid back atmosphere with bartenders that love and know beer. This is a must stop if you are in Portland.

griffin gribbel

Novare Res Bier Cafe is my favorite bar in Portland. They have an incredible selection of beers on tap and by the bottle. Their Beer menu is impressively long and extensive. They have a very nice outdoor seating area and their food is even better than you'd expect. I highly recommend this place to anyone in Portland.

Dustin Hickey

Absolutely awesome beer bar. Great selection of local beers and beers from around the country and world. Lots of draughts and even more bottles. Really cool space inside and a great outdoor area for when the weather is nice. Definitely a must-see for any beer lovers in the area.

Ryan Rutledge

A great spot with lots of room and choices for beer. It's a great place if you're looking to meet up with a larger group of friends, or if you just feel like blending in with a larger crowd. It is also one of the few bars in Portland that has a selection of gluten free beers.

Jenny Camerini

This place is a super cool bar. It reminds of a pub from Harry Potter. It makes you feel like you are in a hidden place. The beer selection is unbelievable, there is literally a novel of beers snd ciders to choose from. The food was very good, although I'm pretty sure my tomato soup was just marinara sauce. It was tasty but not regular tomato soup.

Annie Oh

I always stop by this place whenever I visit Maine. It's kind of tucked away which I like and they have a cool underground feel. I also love their beer selection! It's a nice variety that would fit any beer lover's palette. Food is good as well.

Maddie Conway O'Reilly

Great ambiance and great beer list. It was nice to stop here for a rest and a drink while exploring the area. The service was friendly and attentive. You can sit inside or outside. It is down a little alley but easy to find by their clapboard sign. I would definitely return to try more of their offerings!

Adam

Great place. Amazing beer selection. Took some time to find. But worth it. Rather slow evening, but the service was underwhelming. We ended up having to bring out bill inside to pay after waiting 20 minutes from the time we received the bill. But overall a highly recommended place. We will definitely be back

E

Absolutely worth checking out if you're around Portland and like craft beer. Hole in the wall type of place, definitely catering to a young crowd. Inside looks like an old train tunnel or something like that. Rainy Sunday night and it was packed to the brim with people. Very friendly and helpful staff, great selection of beers, just a little short on space and seating.

Darlin' Corey Studios

My favorite Belgian beer bar around. Great tapas and food and a legendary chalice mug club. Many many beers on tap and an amazing bottle selection from all over the world but focusing mailnly on Belgium and France.

Jay Tarvin

Excellent beer bar. 33 taps, shared between Maine breweries and other regional and international makers. Plus a carefully curated list of 400 bottles. Focus is on truly independent breweries; our server shared how Lagunitas and Ballast Point had be "de-listed" after their acquisitions. Good food options as well, including local/regional cheeses. Great location and vibe with indoor and outdoor seating.

Joseph DeMartin

Enormous beer selection. Nice outdoor setting. Friendly wait staff. The bar is tucked away a little off of the main street but worth finding.

joanna parada

I've been to this place everytime I've been to Maine. So at least twice. The service was always excellent, the beer selection was always spectacular, the food (specifically the pretzel) was delicious. This was pre-Covid. I came to visit my friend with my husband and was excited to introduce him to this place. The service was horrible. The beer selection was slim. The pretzel was a disgrace! It was just some bread they heated up somewhere and added a lot of salt. I was extremely disappointed and embarrassed to have recommended this place. I'm giving it three stars because I know it can be better than this. If it was my first time then yes it'll be a one star.

Aaron Daniels

The perfect Ratskeller. Amazing deep, deep tap list not even mentioning the bottles and cans. The staff are super-quirky and awesome. The cuisine is very good and complements the beer exceptionally well. I want to give this place a fake awful review so that the people who go are the ones who really know what a perfect place this is. Summertime has an outdoor beer garden. Winter is something out of an urban fantasy novel.

Stephen Yoshida

The beer here was amazing. The food was dank. Also, the merch was fresh. Such a good spot, would recommend.

Heather Spinale

Hands down the best bar in Portland. If you are looking for the best beers that Portland has to offer then look no further!!! The staff at Novare are incredibly knowledgeable and very friendly. There is no other place I'd rather spend my time drinking at. 10 out of 10!!!!

Morgan

I try to save 5 stars for the perfect place. This place is a 5 because of the atmosphere, the amount of beers from around the world and of course the service. Outdoor seating available. Located in an ally in a basement, hard to find but worth it. We only had bar food. No complaints.

E Delfico

Delicious and huge variety of global AND local beers, super knowlegeable staff, tucked away between buildings but with a true German Beirgarten feel. Relaxing, cute, charming atmosphere. Def worth finding the answer to "where the hell is this place?"

donjaime23

Portland's original craft & rare beer hall. They served sour ales long before sour ales were cool. Even today, with many of their rarer beers no longer in stock, the beer list is staggering. I remember years ago when the place first opened, and it was regularly empty. You could easily order & finish all the beers you could drink. These days, the place is all but guaranteed to be shoulder-shoulder packed, and you'll be lucky if you can manage to order 3 during your whole stay. (That is, unless things have changed since I last visited!) Nonetheless, if you're in Portland, and you're out for a good beer, Novare Res is a mandatory stop.

Trevor Cabrera

One of my favorite date bars if I had a date.

Phillip Rivera

Great local scene and bear list. Even my sour beer loving wife had a good time (they have lambic beers if that's your thing). Good appetizers and is kid friendly in that my 2 yr old made just as much noise as all the patrons. :) We will be coming back.

Colby Cronin

Best beer cafe in Maine easily, if not New England. Menus is detailed and accessable, selection is beyond amazing, and prices are what you'd expect for a city. I always come here when out for the night, and I work at a brewery in town.

T B (Terry)

A little hard to find, but worth it. It's around back and underneath the office building at Canal Plaza. Walk down the sidewalk at the rear east side of the building - the entrance is on the left. It looks like they have a beer garden in warm weather. This is a great spot for outdoor enjoyment. The inside is pretty cool too - laid back, rustic. The beer selection is excellent; a whole section is dedicated to Maine beers, and I love that. I sampled 2 different pilsners from 2 different Maine brewers (you can barely get anything but an IPA most places these days - 2 Maine pilsners? Awesome.) It's a little hipster for an old man like me, but everybody's helpful and friendly. I will be back. UPDATE: I went again last month, and, sadly, the pilsners I loved previously were not available. The beer menu was heavy with sours. Too bad.

Greg LeGore

Enjoy Portland's widest and deepest beer selection. If you can't find it here, it may not be locally available. The special events, focusing upon specific breweries or beer types, are an especially fun way to learn about and taste new beers, and types of beers. For unusual beers such as lambics, recommend getting a taste or the smallest set possible so that you can confirm that you enjoy it

Zachary Goater

Get with it, Dog!! This is the most excellent selection of brews in the city. Great patio in the summer and a seemingly never-ending list of brews. Always busy on the weekends, this is a great place for a rare draught during the week. Best part? It's in the middle of the Old Port so it's close to everything.

Rachael Ross

Great atmosphere. Plenty of beer options. Can be tricky to find since in an alley but otherwise a hidden gem if you like craft beer. The bartenders are all attentive and very helpful when selecting an beer.

Brandon Schwartz

What an awesome beer cafe with a diverse array of options! Our server was quick to ask us for orders and bring us our beers; her recommendations were on point, and everyone in my party enjoyed what they got. Thank you!

Joe Reed

Beer menu is out of this world. So much draft and bottled/specialty beers on the menu! The location is sweet and makes you feel like you have some sort of secret. The staff was also a great find. Highly recommended!

Steven Nielson

Cool atmosphere for a beer bar, almost like a castle dungeon. I didn't have a chance to try the food, but the beer selection is very nice. It seems like a bit of a locals bar, and had a pretty poor selection of IPA's, but it had Belgians and sours for days.

Andrew Davis

Truly a beer nerd's paradise, with 20+ taps dispensing amazing exotic beer. The tap list changes weekly, so there's always something new to try. On top of that, they have an overwhelming selection of bottled beer, and special casks, including some exceptionally rare items. They serve some food, but mostly smaller plates that pair well with beer, in case you get a little peckish.

Winnie Green

Awesome selection! I'm sad I didn't get there early enough to secure a spot in near the fireplace.

Will Akin

Great atmosphere and an insane collection of different beers. Can be crowded at times, in warmer weather there’s an outdoor courtyard with benches and one of those games where you toss beanbags at holes (?). They also have a challenging contest where you win a personalized stein that remains in the bar and you can order drinks in - the undertaking is something like having to finish either all of their beers or just a staggering list of certain beers.

Ed Manley

Superb selection of local, national and international beers. Friendly, knowledgeable service.

Miles Heise

Best beer selection I've found so far in the city. There are places with more taps but not with more variety of actually different, interesting, well-curated beers. Staff was friendly and knowledgable, with no beer snobbery at all.

Christopher Seavey

Hands down, the best place for beer in Portland. The staff are awesome and helpful when you need to decide on a beer. The prices are understandable given how many impossible to get beers they have. Anyone who thinks they are overpriced obvious has no idea what they are ordering or paying for. The clients are friendly and warm.

Rob Wichowski

Most unique beer menu I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot, great bartenders, highly recommended

Katie Lauver

I had been to Novare Res many times, but only for drinks. We happen to visit just around lunch and decided to grab a bite. I got the breakfast sandwich and the chips and french onion dip. Both were great!

Katie Menter

The beer selection here is unbeatable! With plenty of seating inside and outside this is a great spot to bring your friends for a night out and great brews. The facility is very clean and the staff were very pleasant!

Paulette Rouleau

Absolutely awesome beer choices. Our favorite place in Portland. Also, they often have chips and onion dip, or pretzels and mustard on their appetizer menu. Well worth seeking out.

Corey Bradford

Loved the cellar-like atmosphere and global beer decor. It has a Belgian/European pub feel for sure. The beer list, both draught and bottle, is excellent. The range of unique and rare bottles is impressive and you're sure to find something you've not had previously.

David Wright

Had a huge selection of beers on draft and my favorite part was the list of 10+ local Maine beers on draft! Outdoor space was perfect for Covid and there was a great system to ensure social distancing even with the servers. 10/10 in every aspect!

s. a. spinks

Excellent beer served in a pleasantly warm underground beerhall atmosphere, & if I recall correctly there are no TVs, which is lovely. If you enjoy the finest beers both foreign & domestic, don't pass up Novare Res. It gets crowded & loud on weekend nights, so if you are averse to that, plan accordingly.

Sarah Killingbeck

Huge beer selection. Long tables make it a great place for groups. There's a back room with couches that is cozy. Outside there is a large deck with plenty of seating, long tables and bar stool seats. The deck is a cool place to hang out.

Matthew Roers

A great vibe with local pride and comradery. The staff loves their place. The customers are regulars mixed with tourists who have read the articles. I'm in Portland for a few days and read an article, had to go. It was perfect. I could describe more but will let you figure it out for yourself. There are "must go here" places in Portland and this is the one you have to go to.

Ian Olson

Great beer selection, specializing in Lambic beers. Cool location and nice outdoor seating options.

Chaitra McCarty

Well we had looked online at the menu and it seemed like they had a great beer selection and a great menu. Unfortunately when we went there the menu that was online was TOTALLY different from the actual menu. Unfortunately the great beer selected did not match up to the food and we were forced to find anther restaurant. Which was disappointing, they claimed they lost their website passcode. While the atmosphere was chill and those going to strictly drink at not mind it was a big deal for myself and my husband who does not drink.

Joe Coppola

One of my favorite bars in Portland. Cool cantina style room. Very large beer selection including some rare aged beers. Food list is small but everything on the menu is delicious.#ForTheWatch

Matty B

Friendly knowledgeable bartenders, cool vibe and amazing tap list. Will definitely be back.

Jason Babineau

feels like a bit of a dive-bar, but i want to stress that in a good way. very cozy, unpretentious and welcoming. very impressive bottle list, super-duper friendly staff and a great offering of taps both local and imported.

Travis Douglas

If you love Belgian beer, this place won't disappoint! Staff is super friendly and attenative. Been several times while visiting Portland...

David Witzel

Not the easiest place to find in the middle of Portland, but you'll know you're close by the hum of conversation. Just a beast of a beer list both tap and bottle/can any given night, usually a ton of imports including way more classic Belgian beer than any one bar has a right to, prone to tap takeover events, and filled to overflowing both inside and in the back yard with a constant stream of craft beer nerds (good!) who can clog up the smooth customer flow. Prices are what you would expect to pay for beer that they alone might have a keg of in Maine, let alone Portland. Bartenders are working like mad, and it definitely seems to help to know what you want and order with a minimum of fuss. While there's a lot of seating around the bar (at least in the nice weather when everyone is outside) you will never be alone with everyone ordering over your back. What else can they do, really? I make it here every time I'm in Portland, for good reason.

Joe Xavier-DePina

Best beer bar in Portland! It's not even a competition!

Sammy Mills

If you enjoy good beer - go here. Great beer selection. Great atmosphere (it’s nice that it’s tucked away). Staff is pleasant as well. Definitely a favorite!

Ana Lucia Otarola

Always a fun, nice place to go with an amazing beer selection and super friendly staff

Rory McDougal

Best Beer bar in Maine, with the biggest selection of bottled beer in the State. Cavernous inside with lots of space for big parties. A huge outside deck where you can play cornhole. Knowledgeable staff that is often taken out of the country to learn more about all the different beer they keep in stock.

Dan Silverman

Very nice outdoor beer garden with a great selection.

Stephen Ebersole

Unparalled beer selection, however the dining experiance has very little in the the way of variety. This would be a great place to hit before or after a good meal elsewhere. A bit of hipster environment but still inviting none the less.

Will Lynch

One of the best beer selections around and really cozy and great indoors. The area outside is between a bunch of buildings so not really the ideal outdoor drink place. Don't go here if you're looking for cheap drinks

Kimberly Cochran

I love that this place is not pretentious and is so accommodating to vegetarians! This impossible burger was SOOOOO good!

Benjamin Bayes

One of the best beer bars in New England. The long draft list is always a diverse list of styles, almost always an outstanding example, a highly unique example, or both. The bottle list is a short novel and great for regulars, but as an out of state visitor I stick with the value/freshness/variety of the draft lines. The food is also a cut above typical pub fare. Bonus points for having an "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" promotion on labor day weekend.

Matthew Bachelder

One of my favorite spots in Portland. They have a beer garden. The draft selection is second to none.

Maxwell Murdoch Snelling

A touch pretentious - as the best beer bars often are - knowledgeable staff and deep bottle selection and draft list provide a lovely night for any beer lover. Not bad for reasonably sized groups either.

Jeanmarie Mitchell

Excellent selection of local and exotic beers. We loved the laid back atmosphere and wonderful conversations with our waitress. Great place for snacks and a night cap.

Taylor Nelson

Fantastic beer selection both on tap and in bottles. Featuring tilted barn on tap currently. Awesome outdoor space with Cornhole. Knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Gavin H

Has a variety of food in different categories. Outside they are very spacious with their seating.

N J

Beyond expectations. The knowledge of the staff is so deep as to be questionable; how can a person know so much about so many beers? The answer - an unparallelled appreciation for beer and it's producers. If you are looking to taste some of the most carefully crafted beers, presented in way that makes the evening feel like an experience rather than just another night out, and without a hint pretentiousness (despite the pretentiousness of this review), this is the place to go.

Milla Silla

Wow. Just wow. Never has any other place given me so many cashews, and for completely free. I really couldn’t believe they would even have that many cashews in stock. Sense I have a tree nut allergy they even administered the epiPen for me so I could continue eating my nuts. Perfect place if you want cashews. 10/10

Connor Capizzano

Great variety of beers from across the region and country. Yet, prices for a pint can be quite steep. Provides both indoor and outdoor seating. Staff were always helpful and respectful.

Luz Palmieri

Very nice place and experience!! First time we visit Maine. The waiter (so sorry that I do not have his name, thu he was tall, blond hair), was extremely courteous, knowledgeable, professional!! He made our night!! Vast variety of beers!! We highly recommend this place!! 👍🏼

Seth Mantie

Novare Res is, in many ways, two separate experiences. There is the indoor bar and beer hall area which is used primarily in the cold months, and the outdoor "bier cafe" in the summer. Both are exquisite in their own ways and for their own reasons, but are entirely unique experiences to one another. The indoor section is rather small, and setup sort of as a traditional beer hall-style with a 'hipster' flair, with long tables and benches, low ceilings, and features board games and jenga. The inside is not large at all, but can fit many people, and the bar is setup in a way where it is easy to get attention from the bartenders and several bartenders can easily work a shift. There's a very cozy, community feel in there. Everyone is treated with a ton of respect by the bartenders and you can tell that each and every one of them has a genuine love of pouring good beers and wanting people to enjoy them. The outside is not so much of a community atmosphere, but a lovely outdoor paradise in the middle of the Old Port, slightly off the beaten path. There are tables, shade, and plenty of greenery to make this place seem like its own secret garden with delicious beers. Both experiences are very comfortable, but unique in their own ways. Regarding the beers, the selection is divine. There is a great diversity of style to suit all tastes, but no diversity of quality. Only the best is served. Novare Res prides itself in finding quality beers from all over the world, and may be one of the only places inside America where the Düsseldorf Altbier style is readily served and staff can speak about it at length. This is one of the few bars outside Cologne that will serve a proper Kölsch beer in a true kölsch glass, which provides an experience unparalleled elsewhere. These folks know how to make beer more than just beer, and ensure it is a wildly enjoyable experience.

Friendsy Farm

Excellent beer selection, great place to grab drinks and appetizers. Love sitting outside in the beer garden, social atmosphere with family style picnic tables. Such a cool, relaxing place.

Anthony Perez

Great selection of beers, great outdoor ambiance

Anthony Stohlberg

Had to type this into Google 8 different times before I got the correct spelling.

Frank Byron

This is the best craft beer place in Portland. When you need a multi-page menu to list all the be types that says something. Outstanding choices and quality. Food pretty good as well

Wayne Polley

Always a great beer selection. They have great cheese and meat plates for snacking which are only $4.50 a plate. The bar staff is well informed about all of the beers. Love this place

Brian Carlisle

Ridiculousky incredible tap list and cellar selection. The vibe in Old Port is fantastically laid back, and the atmosphere inside is a beer lovers paradise.

Joseph Small

A completely amazing beer selection, delicious eats - an authentic old school Maine tavern. The setting in the old port city, outdoor areas and exceptionally gracious staff make this a required visit for any beer aficionado.

Jes Roberts

Cute place hidden away in a little corner. Oxbow did a tap take over which was cool because we love craft beer but we had talked about going for a long time so when we finally got the chance it was packed to the brim. We picked a good day but the wrong day to go and be able to thouroughly enjoy it. Will have to come back sometime!

Jackie Berry

Kaitlyn, our server at this bar treated us like family. We had the best time here! The people are friendly and cool and the service is beyond excellent!!! Many carft beer choices to choose ftom. Met the best folks here hope to make them lifelong friends!!!

Joseph Castrodale

Friendly/knowledgeable staff, fantastic selection, and a great location. Spent a couple hours talking beer with the bar tenders - very enjoyable time. Will 100% be going back next time I’m in town!

Arjun C

What really makes this place is the environment, the selection and the seating which promotes interaction. The pretentious qualities that could be found here were desirable and fitting.

Kelly Murray

Fantastic beer selection!! We had a couple appetizers that were delicious. The atmosphere was great - we sat outside in the beer garden, and it felt like we were in Germany!

Chris Davison

One of the best Belgian beer bars in the country. Extensive beer list (both draft and bottles from the cellar). I believe they host Cantillon Zwanze each year. Must hit when in Portland.

Michael Moses

Great, large space indoor and outside. Not a at all busy when we visited at midnight, but I can see it getting full earlier. Bug selection of beers, lots of Belgiums. Great find!

Mark LoGiurato

Great atmosphere with good food and a variety of good beer.

Belinda Ray

Such a lovely spot for a summer brew. Went with husband and friend post movie at the Nickelodeon: three different palletes, something on draught for us all, served in excellent vessels. And just enough room on the deck for us to enjoy our drinks outdoors.

Matt Grill

First, this place is enormous. There's a lounge area with leather couches and TVs, a large area with picnic tables near the bar, and a deck. Second, they have a massive beer selection. Finally, it's set back from the street, so it's fairly well shielded from the tourists, which gives it a pretty good crowd. Though that was a while ago, so who knows.

Laura Van Duivendyk Daniels

If you haven't been to Novare, you've not had a real beer. Staff, menu, drinks, atmosphere, the whole shebang has had consistently awesome quality year, after year, after year, after year...etc. Shaheen (owner) continues to do an excellent job!

John Vo

We went here twice during our weekend tour of Portland Maine. It's a simple setup: lots of draft beers and a comfortable menu of meats and cheeses and other small plates. We will be back!

michael sheppard

Wow. Amazing selection of beer on tap. Great food, as well.

Ben Corn (Pierce)

Great beer selection, food, and friendly staff! Cool interior with great outdoor seating. 10/10

Stephen Deary

We absolutely love this place. Nick was very patient with us and recommended fantastic drinks. We were able to hang out and just enjoy the atmosphere. We will be back as soon as we can. Thank you!

Shelane

Incredibly layered selection on tap and in reserve. Best stop of our brewery exploration in Portland. Kickass staff, most knowledgeable in the area for rare brews.

Ryan Ungs

I'd probably give this a 3.5 for my overall experience. I came for Zwanze Day (specifically for this event, from out of state) and it was poorly executed, IMO. Pros: Amazing beer list Competent bartenders who know which type of glass to serve which beers in, how to operate a corkscrew, put lambic in lambic baskets, etc. Nice patio, cozy 'cellar' type of feel. Cons: Patio servers and some staff had no idea what they were doing and were totally overwhelmed and clueless. Multiple times the patio server would forget beers or have to ask guests which beer they ordered when delivering. He stated he only works there occasionally so kind of poor planning to throw him to the wolves on a day when the place is packed to capacity with beer nerds. No clear line or spot at the bar to order. People were pushing up to the bar in between other guests, bartenders were taking order from whoever. Some bartenders would tell you they were out of a certain beer while another bartender would pour you one. Just kind of unorganized and sloppy. One or two people were vastly over served - I witnessed one lady passed out / sleeping on a patio table. My biggest gripe though, was the way the Zwanze event was handled in regards to special tappings. I had heard great things about Novare Res and traveled cross country to attend the event. They didn't even tap some of the kegs they advertised and others were tapped randomly so you couldn't plan on trying them. I spent a total of 5 or 6 hours there between noon and 8pm and was only able to try two of the special taps out of the 5 or 6 they were supposed to serve. I walked around the pier / touristy area with my wife and missed one. And missed another when we left for dinner (Duckfat down the street is awesome) Another one that was advertised never ended up being served, which was a real disappointment. The bartender said only the owner was allowed to tap it and he left for the night around 8pm to go to a beer event elsewhere. I'm sure the place is better when not so crowded, but overall I was generally disappointed that I chose to do Zwanze at Novare as opposed to Trillium or Armsby Abbey which were on our short list. Even my friends from the midwest who went to the Elkader, Iowa event reported that they got to try all of the taps and the bar sold bottles both on-site and to-go. Could have saved myself hundreds of dollars and had a better experience locally.

Tanya Adams

Lots of small bites to eat, service was nice, patio was cool on a hot day.

Alanna J

Such a great spot. Huge variety of beers. Awesome patio. Definitely go here if you travel to Portland.

Felicity Brewer

They have an amazing selection of beer on draught and in bottles. Definitely a must-see for anyone who likes beer. The meat and cheese plate was disappointing but the hummus was good

Daniel “TheOldNorthWind” Jones

Delicious selection of appetizers and a huge variety of beer and wine 👌

J Ad

Greatest beer bar in the US. Mixed of local and euro beers. Good prices on whiskey and wine too.

Frank Mikolajczak

Great selection and a must do if you are looking for good beer. Some rare selections and unique to the region. Prices are not bad for people from other metropolitan areas either.

William Speed

Novare Res stands apart from most Old Port bars in that it's tavern-like atmosphere encourages conversations with strangers as though you were old friends, rather than loud dance music you can hardly hear over. It's a mellow experience compared to the surrounding dive bars, but one that I prefer. Not to mention the enormous beer menu that will be the envy of any beer connesuir, and the knowledgeable staff that can guide you to the brew of your desire.

Daniel Aho

If your into international beer this is the place that you can socially drink it. Favorite local beer readily available. The depth of the beer menu is most rare, but you didn't hear that from me.

Matthew McGrath

What a great, hidden treasure in the middle of Portland's hustle and bustle! Amazing beer list, reads more like an encyclopedia of taste!! A must find and visit while in town.

Joe Krisanda

Service was a little slow, but it was busy so its understandable. Great selection of Belgian brews. I wish I had more time to hang out and explore the menu.

Peyton Curran

Local favorite for sure. Their beer selection is one of the best in town. This bar is a bit off the grid, but with help from anyone of the locals walking around, you can easily find your way.

Ethan Carter

Beer, great. Service, okay. Would have been 5 stars if James(?) in the overalls wasn’t so incredibly rude from the minute we walked in.

Chester Merrick

Great beer selection, but the prices are pretty crazy, considering that most beers don't even come in a full 16oz pour. Great atmosphere!

Kaweh Dias

Extremely knowledgeable staff, well crafted beer list, beautiful patio

Craig Briscoe

Great beer selection, great service and really cool atmosphere. Food looked great but we just had lunch so did not get anything to eat. Would definitely stop here again.

Captain Balderdash

Best beer bar in the country, hands down! If you are a beer fiend, you NEED to go out of your way to find this place!

Quinn McLean

Coming from Jersey! So this is tough one. But Anthony's was great!! He is a great person and love the staff.

Rocco Talarico

Tons of great local beers on tap. Mellow, casual atmosphere. Extra points to the bartender who brought unsolicited pâté after having seen my foie gras tattoo!

Illyssa Demarino

I really enjoyed this place, their beer selection is on point and they even have 120 min. Which is a specialty double IPA. The bartenders are attentive and I would definitely be back.

Brendan O'Meagher

Fantastic beer selection. Great staff. A little crowded on weekends. But it's Portland Old Port now so expect it

Michael Roche

Great selection of beers in cool, tucked away location. The inside was nice, but the real star was a fantastic outdoor patio. Definitely worth the trip.

Rachel Poth

Go for the 20 page beer menu, stay for the atmosphere. This is an awesome place to take people who don't know what beer they want to drink. They have something for everyone.

Jack Porter

Whenever a bar uses the word "Bier" and refers to themselves as a "Cafe," you're already pretty confident what you're getting yourself into. Great atmosphere, similar to a european bunker-style underground bar. I am fairly confident they have more "biers" on their menu than there are words in the english dictionary, and I don't believe you could pay those bartenders enough for the memorization they do of all of them. If you are ready to spend $9 for a beer, you might as well go to Novare where you can try a 10 Year Scotch Barrel Infused Southeast Belgian Cream Oatmeal Triple IPA Stout Wheat Ale... or any other complex beer from another continent that the bartender can talk your ear off about.

C

Very chill bar in the heart of Portland that I will definitely get back to the next time I'm in town.The Chalice room must be seen and is an awesome idea. The beer selection was excellent and well picked by the staff.

Chelsea Chancellor

Great local and unique beer selection and cheese and charcuterie's menu, basically everything i want ans need in a very cool setting. If you like beer it is a must to visit!

Burt Macklin

This place has a depth of beers unrivaled by anything in the area. Staff is incredibly knowledgeable about their craft. Great place to try new beers, or find beers not widely available.

Mario Lozano

Cool Spot. . . Crab Rangoon Grilled Cheese!

Adam D

The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We found beers here that we couldn't find in California. Top rated too. Will definitely try to come back again!

Joel Manglass

Prices are ridiculous but the selection is great.

Matt Huber

Best beer selection in the state, maybe New England. Hill Farmstead, Side Project, and Suarez took over almost the entire taplist of like 50 tap handles when I was here most recently.

ILikeToSleep

Great Restaurant! Food is high quality and there is a nice beer selection. The one problem I had is that there aren't many options for kids.

Katie Hatch

Great selection of local, national and international beer. Interesting food options, not just typical pub fare. Large outdoor patio perfect for summer.

Marcia Hall

Amazing beer bar. Great atmosphere, awesome selection of beers, knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Nick Girard

Amazingly long beer list and a great vibe. Food was also very tasty. If you love craft beer this is the spot!

Dane Iovino

Incredible beer menu. Chat it up with the bartender, you can get some unique suggestions you wouldn't have otherwise looked at. Never fails to amaze.

Chris Hamer

The best beer bar around. Huge selection and great staff. A hidden gem in the heart of Old Port. A must-stop location.

Daniel Murphy

Great place to try some European beers on tap! Ample seating outside during covid19 and friendly staff as well.

Sam Nissenfeld

The largest selection of beers you will ever see in a bar, restaurant or brewery. Great food. Outdoor seating. Not much more you can ask for

Tom Armistead

More beer than you can shake a stick at. The bartenders are very knowledgeable when it comes to beer, friendly and a lot of help in picking the right drink for the current occasion(s).

Ishah Fowler

A must-visit in Portland. Lots of beer, nice brick interior, and a helpful staff. I always order whatever special Mead they have on tap. Delicious!

Dan Wolfe

Incredible beer selection and friendly bartenders, despite being crazy crowded on a Friday night. Outdoor seating opens up more room for people in accommodating weather.

A Hoyt

If you like beer, you need to visit Novare Res. The beer list is extensive, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the staff is friendly and attentive.

W Ogden

If you like beer you need to go here. Unfathomable selection and variety of unique and excellent beers from local and away. Huge outside patio space with games.

Johanna Jackson

Off the beaten path brewpub. Super tasty!

Dinesh Gundu

Nice setting.. bar in a cellar. Did not feel welcome and one of the bartenders was little rude. Rest of the staff were good. They have a nice selection and outdoor seating to enjoy as well.

Ian Steele

Excellent craft beer list including local and unique aged bottles. Good food. Outdoor deck perfect for summer.

Bryan Jones

Amazing selection of beer, a must experience.

Joshua Snyder

Truly amazing selection of beers in bottles and on tap, with frequent tap takeovers by great craft breweries. Kind of a dank cellar feel thoigh, and the food is a bit pricy for what it is.

Courtney Trusty

Takes a while to get a beer, but the staff will take their time with you answering questions and making suggestions. Worth the wait and price! Great outdoor area too!

Mark Williams

Great beer selection, awesome food, friendly staff, and the back room has a nice fire. Really great spot to lose an afternoon!

Matthew Welch

Best selection of beer in Portland. Fun to hang out on the outside patio on a warm summer day. You will not be disappointed, a must visit!

Jon

Awesome beer selection, great old building. The outdoor seating is lovely in the summer, and there's usually tons of people here.

Ryan Kotler

Amazing selection of beer on tap from a variety of local, US-based, and foreign craft breweries. Similar in quality and quantity to Blind Tiger in NYC.

Harun Laleli

Great atmosphere, incredible beer selection and very friendly service!

kevin mcdonnell

Fun spot. Great beer selection. Love the vibe both inside and outside.

Ebb tide Rush

If you're here for beer this is the place. I live beer, and this is my heaven. Great snacks too. Huge deck is a lot of fun in the warmer weather.

Karol Olszynski (kolz)

The best biergarten in Portland. Also the best selection of beers intown ( only rivaled by Kings Head Pub, and The Great Lost Bear, and Mash tun )

Robert Fecher

Beer selection is awesome, patio is amazing. Perfect for an afternoon of drinking on vacation. A little difficult to find, but totally worth it.

Andrew Baker

A pretty enjoyable place. I've only been a couple of times, it's never been too crowded. Good beer selection as would be expected.

Tim Myers

Great beer bar in Portland Maine. A little tricky to find. Great service, reasonable prices. Lots of local beer to taste.

Scott Florack

Hard to find, but great atmosphere and tapas. Will definitely be going back.

Eva T

Cool beer garden, semi hidden,very pleasant with a variety of seating. Good service too.

Amber Paterson

Great atmosphere and selection of beer. This place gets extremely crowded though, be warned!

Kate Kosior

Amazing draft selections. Always a must go to when we travel to Maine. Love the tap takeovers they have too!

Daniel Stoltz

The atmosphere is great and the beer selection is amazing!

Patrick Harvie

Best beer hall in America. Seriously, Google it! Fantastic selection. The food options could be better, but there are fantastic restaurants all around.

Jeff Conner

Amazing beers. One of top beer spots in the US, not to be missed. If you're picky about quality food, don't eat here.

Dana Charles

Of all the great places to sit and enjoy a beer in Portland Novare Res is hands down my favorite. They also have some really great pours of whiskey.

Jennifer Davies

Beautiful setting. SO many beers to choose from. As someone with celiacs to have a choice of GF beers and ciders was great. Pleasant service.

Isabella Swyst

excellent beer selection, great service, nice patio--and they even shipped my sunglasses to me when i visited from out of town!

Brad Klein

Cute beer hall / garden next nestled cozily in downtown. Lovely outdoor + indoor areas. Feels like you're in medieval times. Great drafts!

Alex Top

Great selection of beer, the best appetizers in my opinion is the chips and dip! Must visit!

Diana Rattray

Huge selection of beer and great food to go with it. It's an excellent place to get together with friends and family.

Katie Gauthier

Neat place and yummy crab rangoon grilled cheese!!!

fernando babilonia

My favorite bar on my yearly Portland trip. Love the beer selection and they have board games. Nothing like good beer while playing apples to apples.

Tamra-Jo Marcoux

Great selection of beer (also mead, cider and wine). The outdoor seating is also great, with corn hole and a nice atmosphere.

Nick Kamenos

Great for gambling (LCR), bathroom was accessible and clean, whiskey barrel tables were legit, what’s behind the gate in the back room? Beers were fuego, all around legit place

Kurt Wivagg

This place is a wonderful find in downtown Portland. There is a significant selection of great beer from Europe and a solid selection of local taps.

David Setzermann

Amazing Beer selection! Great Bar Staff with excellent knowledge of what they are serving.

Gregory

One of my favorite places in Portland. The beer list is top notch. The music is always spot on. Staff is always helpful.

Patrick Stephens

This is an amazing spot to get great beer and tasty food. Makes for an awesome lunch spot, and the servers are very knowledgeable about beer.

Rebecca Henrie

We loved finding this gem! Decadent and diverse draft decisions deserve delicate deliberation.

Travis Groat

Amazing beer selection. Staff is very knowledgeable.

Steve Bradt

Just stopped for beers, but seems like a cool place. A bit subterranean in vibe. Great beer selection

Brandon Millwood

My favorite bar, great selection and atmosphere. A little intimidating for those who don't think beer qualifies as a hobby.

Paul Dixon

Monster sized beer selection served up in a basement. If they do food beyond popcorn I don't know, but they have menus (yes, plural) of beer!

Alexander Najman

Just go sit outside and have some of the best damned beers you'll find from some of the friendliest staff around. Highly recommend.

Sarah McClain

So many beers to choose from and food tasted delicious. Great atmosphere and nice for summer nights where you want to chat with friends outside.

Aditya Kammardi Sathyanarayan

Nice place, they have good separation between tables so if your worried about covid the separation helps. Excellent food and friendly staff.

Pietro Monteleano

Great beer selection, good food. Eceltic decor. Cool place for eats before going to shows in Portland.

Mike Stack

Great selection, knowledgeable staff. One of the finest beer bars in New England.

Ethan Palm

Incredible beer selection and always changing. Knowledgeable staff and a great outdoor space for the warmer months.

Alvaro Antoni-Perez

+ Nice outdoor space. + Good selection of beers and appetizers. + Friendly staff. + Baby changing station.

Jonathan Marino

The beer on tap is incredible, almost as good as the crab rangoon grilled cheese. The bottle list, well, you just have to see it.

Quentin Auvray (golbarg)

Good spot for a beer after a day in town. The list is nice and the staff can give good recommendations. Go for the terrace in the summer!

Josh Howe

The best beer list that I have seen at any bar in the area. If you are a beer enthusiast, do your self a favor in stop in!

Michael Johnson

I love you Novare! You are my Boston Stoddards. Seriously amazing craft beer selection. Difficult to find the first time, but you'll never forget your way back.

Finn

Love going here but I feel a bit stuck? Also I do understand they're the best spot in town for some killer beer.

Matt Lodise

Fantastic beer bar. Great line up of taps and bottles. Laid back atmosphere and good service.

Johnathan Emery

A great beer selection and the good is pretty good. Never had any problems with service here, would recommend.

Nick Labbe

Awesome pub, beer garden. More beer on tap than you can possibly sample. Tucked away location that's easily not found.

T C

Pleasant staff. Huge beer selection. Decent food. Seating indoors and out. In town for beer? Start here.

Josh Dunlap

On my trip to Portland my most memorable food item was this Crab Rangoon Grilled Cheese sandwich. It was insane. Highly recommend.

Travis LeDoyt

Great beer selection. Located down a secluded alley. Plenty of outdoor seating.

Jaclyn Weiler

Large selection of amazing beer on tap from all over the world

Greg Diehl

Still required masks for fully vaccinated people even though all other places in the area relaxed their policies.

Cort Gariepy

If I was more of a beer guy, I may have given this place 5 stars. We wandered in looking for a bite to eat, which they do have, but this place is really all about the beer.

Kim Pho

Stopped by on a little Portland pub crawl. The place is very spacious with a large selection of local craft beers and yummy food if you need to eat!

Flannel Woodworking

Amazing beer selection and a great staff! Recommending to everyone in the Portland area or headed to Portland!

chase corpus

Appetizers are good, and beers from away are great. Their beer I had was a little watery

Jeffrey Clum

This place is a hidden gem. Great beer selection and a nice variety of apps. Outside seating.

Adam Jensen

Fantastic beer selection! Only had drinks and an app, but enjoyed the whole experience.

Nathaniel Abbott

Spectacular beer selection with delightful small plates. The perfect place to start or end an evening in Portland

Samuel Crocker

The best place to get the best beer in the world. Perfect for a warm summer evening and cozy in the cavernous inside when the weather means you don't want to go outside.

Alexander Dreher

Some of the best beers I've ever had on tap. A truely unique tap list that will always blow you away.

Sam Masterman

Great spot to get out off the street. One of the best selections of beer in Maine. You can sit outside

Heather Gallup

Wonderful experience - cute hidden away bar and awesome vibes. Great selection as well.

Ian Moore

Great selection of local and wider craft beers. Nice cellar atmosphere, helpful bar staff

Kat Kretschmer

Great beer selection, great patio, great service/beer & menu knowledge. Definitely recommend.

Zachary Simmons

Come here for a stunning variety of beers. If you go in not liking beer, you'll come out with something that you do like style wise.

Kristopher Hauck

I had a few really good beers, and everyone was friendly. I'll absolutely be back.

Mike Pacheco

You have to come here for how relaxed the environment is and the variety and uniqueness of their beer menu.

Rob Smart

Hard to find a better beer selection in Portland. Plus the staff is knowledgeable enough to help you navigate it. Cheers!

Brenden Smith

Definitely the hole in the wall all of the craft beer lovers need to visit. Very knowledgeable staff and very good selection

Brian Lévay

Huge selection of beers, but the staffs knowledge of beer is even more impressive. Check out the patio when the weather allows.

Michelle D'Andrea Maloney

We were so impressed with the beer selection! Awesome outdoor space, great vibes.

Matthew Hall

The best beer (from rare limited batch vintages to their very own brewed) and the coolest location/atmosphere in the Old Port.

Katherine Pillai

Fantastic beer selection, great casual vibe, and friendly staff make this a perfect spot for catching up with friends.

Shaun O'Brien

If you like beer then this is the place for you. Plus given its location, it feels like you might find your way to Diagon Alley if you tap the bricks in the right order.

Tucker Bradford

Great beer selection. Service was acceptable but not fantastic. Not very warm to cash customers.

Alexander Blackstone

Great beer selection. Gets crowded but servers stayed on top of things!

Seth Price

Great spot with a selection of beer so diverse anyone will be able to find a brew they'll enjoy.

Juanote Maize

Excellent selection of foreign beers on tap plus vegan options.

F. Guerin Cart

The hard to find place to go for beer! Great staff! Amazing selection.

Mark Rioux

Amazing atmosphere, the best selection of bottles and a great selection of taps both local and international

Samantha Herriot

Great atmosphere and lots of good beers to try!

Chris Piscopo

The tiniest bit slow on service, but super good beer selection and high quality food. Worth every cent for sure!

Scott Walsh

Beer lovers beware, you won't want to leave! Great food also.

Matt C

Best beer bar in Maine. Hands down. Huge selection. Knowledgeable staff. Must go.

John Hofheins

Excellent beer selection that always has new and interesting choices with a large patio.

Joe Vieira

Awesome, great section of beer, great staff. This place gets busy! But it's super fun.

David Carr

One of the top beer bars in New England. Bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and will help you find the right beer for you.

Matt Renninger

Great atmosphere and tap list. Friendly helpful bartenders. Crab Rangoon Mac a d cheese is great.

Scott Rizzo

Great beer selection. The food is phenomenal as well.

Fred Safford

If you like beer this place is great. They have alot of stuff no place else has.

Mat Jones

Great selection of beer and friendly staff/atmosphere

Kevin Cudahy

Great beer selection and outdoor game setup. Fun place to kill an hour or three.

Billy B

The low alcohol coffee beer is amazing. Not sure if porter or stout but I do know its heaven.

Mark Haake

Good overall experience. Friendly staff. The Hefeweizen was delicious

Jordan R

Amazing cocktails, huge beer selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff!

Katherine Harmon

A great beer bar - a little pricey, but a nice selection of rare brews.

Hannah H

4 words: Crab Rangood Grilled Cheese

Lucas Durrett

Excellent beer selections and great space and atmosphere

Blake Reeves

Great beer selection and good atmosphere to catch up with friends!!

Mikko Dahl

Great beer menu and the sandwiches are excellent! The atmosphere is quite a treat as well.

Ian Ferrara

Great beer menu with a very knowledgeable staff. Will visit again when I am in the area.

Brian Beauvais

Just an unbelievable beer list. If you're a beer nut you probably already know this is the spot to visit in Portland.

Paul Hatch III

Best place to get the Best Beer...great place to hang with friends. Everytime we come up we make new friends.

Bill Rockwood

Nice beer selection, nice atmosphere, nice space. Reasonable prices. Loved it!

David Starnes

pretty cool place to kick back, a little hard to find. Went around the block once or twice using maps, aha!! it's tucked into a courtyard type setting

Emily K

Amazing selection of beer with friendly staff and a cool atmosphere

John Miko

Probably the finest beer selection I have witnessed thanks to a very good friend. Cool spot hidden away.

Octobers World

Hidden beer garden worth finding. Beer selection was great & light bites tasty too

Kelsey Lennon

Great atmosphere, beer and food!

Mike

Huge selection of beer from all over the world. Solid snacks too.

Scott Hamilton

Broad selection of beer and friendly staff. Food was slow to arrive but tasty. I plan to return.

Gerardo Castro

The place is nice but I drank a Trillium beer what had a good taste but I got a terrible headache that last more than 6 hours 😜 …

Frankie Dioguardi

Tremendous beer selection and a biergarten-style layout. Friendly staff, worth the check-in.

Wx Man

Great beer selection and good eats!

Julia S

Really cute outdoor seating, great staff, awesome beers

Ben Taylor

Best beer selection around, great ambience, staff seemed pretty knowledgeable as well

Rebekah Sirois

Great beer, really good food, friendly service. Love it here.

Matthew McLean

Really cool beer garden. We were there for a tap takeover from jolly pumpkin. Out door seating looked nice

Melissa Wallis

Amazing place for good vegan snacks and the best, most rare, on-tap selections that I have ever been to.

Anthony Spinale

Best bar in Portland, staff is friendly and incredibly knowledgeable and beer selection is unmatched!

Kacie “Kae” Fredrickson

I had their new strawberry beer and it was incredible

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