Maine Just Misses #1 for Most Breweries Per Capita in the U.S.

If you’ve ever cracked open a cold one in Northern New England, you already know—we don’t mess around when it comes to beer. And now it’s official: Maine ranks #2 in the nation for most breweries per capita in 2024. That’s 14.3 breweries for every 100,000 people, according to the Brewers Association. So basically, there’s more beer than people… and honestly, we’re fine with that.

Taking the gold medal? The Brewers Association says that award goes to Vermont, with 15.4 breweries per 100,000 humans. Congratulations to our flannel-wrapped neighbors to the west. Go celebrate with a double dry-hopped, barrel-aged, small-batch saison, or whatever the heck you guys are brewing these days.

So what’s fueling this beer-soaked paradise we live in? Simple: Mainers (and Vermonters) love supporting local—especially when it involves drinking. Whether it’s a waterfront taproom in Portland or a ski lodge-turned-brewery in the Vermont woods, these spots aren’t just selling beer—they’re slinging community and creativity.

Our breweries are the real deal. We’re talking wild ales aged in barrels, hazy IPAs that taste like citrusy clouds, and endless seasonal one-offs that beer enthusiasts get amped up for every year. These brewers aren’t afraid to get weird, and we love them for it.

All of this said, I think our closer New Hampshire deserve some recognition as well—hanging out at #8, and proving that all of Northern New England is officially a craft beer lover’s dream.

So raise a pint (or three) to living in a region where the beer flows like water, and the water tastes like hops.