Do your favorite summer pleasures involve beaches, boats, or boots on a trail? Indulge your outdoor passions on one of these brew-centric vacations while discovering some of Maine’s local breweries.

Beach-lovers

The southern coast is for you, with miles of wave-lapped sand between York and Kennebunkport. At York, two separate beaches, Short Sands and Long Sands, offer the choice of calm or more aggressive waves. Surfers favor the longer beach, and you can rent gear and take lessons at Liquid Dreams Surf Shop (www.liquiddreamssurf.com) opposite the beach.

A few flip-flop steps from Short Sands, York Beach Beer Company (www.yorkbeachbeer.co) is known for its lineup of lagers, the newest and lightest of which is Boon Island Lite Lager. On tap in summer are fruity favorites, such as Long Weekend Pale Ale (hoppier and brewed with pineapple) and Dancing Madly Backwards IPA with notes of peach and tropical fruit.

Farther up the coast in Ogunquit, kayakers in the Ogunquit River can find refreshments at Brickyard Hollow (www.brickyardhollow.com) near the put-in behind Footbridge Beach. The 12 taps change monthly but usually include a range of ales, IPAs, browns, lagers, and stouts. The flagship New England IPA is full-bodied with a citrus-forward flavor and a finish of light hoppy pine. To kayak the Ogunquit River or explore the beautiful bird-filled marshes of the Wells Estuary, rent kayaks or SUPs from World Within Sea Kayaking (www.worldwithin.com).

More golden beaches line the coast around Kennebunkport, where two breweries are just across the Kennebunk River from busy Dock Square. Batson River Brewing (www.batsonriver.com), with its long bar, cozy decor, and full menus, is the tasting room for their brews. Foremost are the core beers: German-style Loon Call Pilsner, the light-bodied citrusy Cryoscape Cold IPA, Easternmost New England Style IPA, and the dark Acadian Skies Schwarzbier.

Photo courtesy Federal Jack’s Brewpub

Overlooking the Kennebunk River, Kennebunkport Brewing Company produces classic English-style ales, seven barrels at a time, in the brewery below Federal Jack’s Brewpub (www.federaljacks.com). In this popular restaurant, patrons enjoy riverfront views and KBC ales brewed on-site daily.

For a break from Kennebunk’s abundant beaches, cross the river to board a First Chance Whale Watch (www.firstchancewhalewatch.com) cruise to see humpback, finback, and minke whales — or maybe even the endangered right whale.

Boat Lovers

For sailing adventures with a brewery handy, head to Midcoast Maine. Six of Maine’s famous Windjammers (www.mainewindjammerfleet.com/fleet) sail from a homeport in Rockland. Standing on the long breakwater, you may see the billowing sails of the schooners Grace Bailey, Ladona, Heritage, or others as they set sail or return from weekly cruises. Each July, the entire fleet gathers here for a grand parade.

Handy to the Windjammer docks, Rock Harbor Brewing Co. (www.rockharborbrewing.com) on Main Street is a casual brew pub with a full menu. The flagship beer, Copper House, is an English-style bitter, medium-bodied with roasted malt notes and earthy flavors of caramel and chocolate.

Hop on the ferry from the landing on Main Street to find another brewery on the island of Vinalhaven. Beginning with the idea that every town should have its own brewery, Vinalhaven Community Brewery (www.vhbrewingcompany.com) opened in July of 2023. It is small, with three of its own beers on tap in the tasting room; on some nights, food is provided by Black Sheep Deli or other island chefs. Vinalhaven’s flagship brew is Foggy Viking, an American-style IPA with citrus notes; Midnight Swim is an American Porter.

While on Vinalhaven, hike the trails for the sea views, or take your binoculars to Huber Preserve to spot birds. Rent a bike in Rockland from Maine Sports Outfitters (www.mainesport.com) to see even more of the island.

To sail among the islands of Penobscot Bay, head a few miles north to Camden, where the harbor is filled with sailing craft. Spend an entire day sailing onboard the traditional 86-foot wooden schooner Appledore II (www.appledore2.com), the largest in the day-sail fleet. The smaller Schooner Surprise (www.schoonersurprise.com) takes passengers on two-hour sails from Camden Harbor. Tour the harbor and coast on your own in a kayak rented from Maine Sport Outfitters (www.mainesport.com) on Main Street, maybe paddling around Burnt Island for views of its photogenic lighthouse.

Trail Lovers

Western Maine’s mountains and the unspoiled forests and lakes that surround them are a year-round playground for outdoor sports.

Sunday River (www.sundayriver.com) is much more than a ski resort. Hikers can skip the uphill trudge by taking the Chondola to the summit of North Peak and following Evergreen Ridge Trail back to the base. Sunday River Outfitters offer guided hikes through the wooded hillsides overlooking the resort and kayak tours of Round Pond in Greenwood.

More ambitious hikers relish the demanding six-mile trail to Table Rock and Baldpate Mountain in Grafton Notch State Park, which offers views of the Mahoosuc Range. Stop at True North Adventurewear (www.truenorthadventureware.com) for backpacks, outdoor clothing and gear for hiking or camping.

Quench the inevitable thirst from all these adventures at two breweries on Sunday River Road. Closest to the mountain, Steam Mill Brewing (www.steammillbrew.com) makes small-batch craft beers with local ingredients such as Maine malt and local hops. The signature Whitecap Blueberry is a crisp wheat ale with blueberry notes, and the chef uses it in smoked pulled pork with Whitecap Blueberry barbecue sauce.

Sunday River Brewing Company (www.sundayriverbrewingcompany.com) is a microbrewery in the heart of its brewpub restaurant. Signature brews include Sunday River Alt, a full-flavored traditional altbier made with German hops, caramel, and chocolate malts. Beware of the Viper Neipa, an American IPA brewed with six different hop varieties for a smooth finish that belies the kick of its 7.4% alcohol content.

You can taste the beers–try all eight with their Sample Board–in a lively pub atmosphere, with a full menu of adult and kids’ favorites. The vibe is après-ski, even in the summer, and there’s a game room with a pool table.

Breweries and summer outdoor activities are a natural mix, and almost anywhere you travel in Maine, you’ll find plenty of both. Plan your own brew-cation with the handy interactive map offered by the Maine Brewers Guild (www.mainebrewersguild.org). Prost!

Story by Bobbie Randolph. Bobbie is a New England travel and food writer who has been cooking on a campfire since she was six and camped with her parents. Bean-hole beans, blueberry pies in a Dutch oven buried under the coals, clambakes on the beach – she’s done it all and loved every bite. Her favorite campgrounds are at Camden Hills and Cobscook Bay State Parks.