Local Food and Brew Experiences

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Breweries
Farms and Orchards
Markets and More

Breweries

Bigelow Brewing Company

Housed in a remodeled horse barn, Bigelow is a small family-owned startup offering brews with flavors as unique as their names, which include Lying Bastard and Dementia Dog. Friday nights feature live music and wood-fired pizza—stop by, and you won’t be disappointed.

473 Bigelow Hill Rd., Skowhegan
207-399-6262
FMI:
Bigelow Brewing Company

bigelow

Oak Pond Brewing Company

Opened in 1996 as the first brewery in Skowhegan in 115 years, Oak Pond Brewing Company (OPB) is family owned and operated. Housed in a converted chicken barn, OPB produces old-world-style aged lagers as well as ales using only the purest ingredients. Six beers are always on tap including special seasonal brews. Visit the brewery to sample current offerings, take a tour, or pick up some fresh beer or brewery swag.

101 Oak Pond Rd., Skowhegan
207-474-3233
FMI: Oak Pond Brewing Company

Farms and Orchards

Blue Ribbon Farm

Farming since 1976, Bob and Mary Burr have raised a nationally recognized flock of sheep, run a small dairy, harvested hay, and grown vegetables in high-tunnel greenhouses. Today Blue Ribbon Farm specializes in delicious fresh pasta and vegetables and offers an on-site farm-to-table restaurant with a broad view of the foothills and mountains.

1334 Beech Hill Rd. or 122 Corson Rd., Mercer
207-587-4068
FMI:
Blue Ribbon Farm

Cayford Orchards

Named one of the best orchards in New England in 2016, 2017, and 2018, Cayford Orchards is a sixth-generation family farm with 1,200 trees on 18 acres. Featuring 75 different varieties, Cayford specializes in heirloom apples but also grows an array of other fruit including berries, peaches, and pears. Enjoy a day at the orchard picking your own—and don’t forget to grab a jug of delicious cider while you're there. For more info, read this article.

99 Hilton Hill Rd., Skowhegan
207-474-5200
FMI:
Cayford Orchards

North Star Orchards

Surrounded by woodland, North Star Orchards includes 35 acres of apple trees, a cider mill, and a farm store. Go on a crisp fall day and pick your own bounty of apples or purchase a bag from the store.

97 Orchard Rd., Madison
207-696-5109
FMI: North Star Orchards

Sandy River Apples

Nestled along the banks of the Sandy River, this quaint orchard produces an astounding 40 different varieties of apples. Pick up a bag or pick your own while enjoying the charm of this small orchard—you might even spy the orchard's resident cat, Felix, sunning himself while you're there.

240 West Sandy River Rd., Mercer
207-587-2563
FMI: Sandy River Apples

Sites Farm

Situated on 250 beautiful acres of rolling hills, open berry fields, and pastures, Sites Farm offers pick-your-own strawberries and highbush blueberries during the summer. They also have pre-picked berries for purchase.

98 Joaquin Rd., Athens
207-654-2063
FMI:
Sites Farm

Smith’s U-Pick Blueberries

Make some memories picking—and eating!—juicy blueberries at this nearby farm.

162 Ward Hill Rd., Norridgewock
207-431-2056
FMI:
Smith’s Blueberries

Tessier Farm

Begun in 1999, Tessier Farm specializes in poultry and rabbit, raising heritage-breed chickens, broilers, muscovey ducks, turkeys, and rabbits, plus some beef and pork. All of the farm animals are kid-friendly and raised naturally. The farm store features meats, dairy products, jams, fresh roasted coffees, tea, honey, and maple syrup.

337 Malbons Mill Rd., Skowhegan
207-474-6380 or tessiers@tessiersfarm.com
FMI:
Tessier Farm

Trees to Please

This 26-acre farm offers a nursery, 10 working bee hives, Christmas trees (including cut-your-own, cut-for-you, live potted, and pre-cut), and a gift shop selling wreaths, garlands, outdoor evergreen baskets, kissing balls, fresh greenery, maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies, and other foods produced from on-site and other local harvest.

111 Smithfield Rd., Norridgewock
207-522-0545
FMI:
Trees to Please

trees-to-please-lighted

Markets and More

The Bankery

Walk into this circa-1864 former bank, and you'll find a charming artisan bakery and custom cake shop where everything is made from scratch with high-quality ingredients, including oats, cornmeal, and flours from Maine Grains (see below). Don't miss the hand-crafted desserts, from European delights like eclairs and cannolis to crowd-pleasing cookies, cupcakes, and confections. Or try one of the mouth-watering daily soups, a savory flatbread, or delicious quiche. While you make up your mind, take in the character of the original bank—vaults have been repurposed into walk-in refrigeration spaces, and the bakery is replete with antique bank memorabilia. For more info, read this article.

87 Water St., Skowhegan
207-474-BAKE (2253)
FMI:
The Bankery

Crooked Face Creamery

Find handmade artisan cheeses including herbed ricotta, smoked ricotta, and Gouda-style. Located in the Somerset Grist Mill along with Maine Grains and the Miller's Table restaurant.

42 Court St., Skowhegan
207-858-5096
FMI:
Crooked Face Creamery

Madison Farmers’ Market

This new and growing market is managed by its members as a grassroots, nonprofit organization. Featuring a new playground, the park where the market is held May through October is a great place for families to come together, while historic Somerset Abbey provides a warm and beautiful setting during November and December. Stop by for fresh vegetables and fruits, locally produced meats, baked goods, raw honey and beeswax products, and more.

May-October: Main Street Park, 189 Main St., Madison
November-December: Somerset Abbey, 98 Main St., Madison
207-858-5909
FMI: Madison Farmers' Market or
Facebook

Maine Grains

Located in a former county jail, Maine Grains is reviving local organic grain production by providing a gathering and operating space for farmers and entrepreneurs. The company manufactures locally grown, non-GMO grains using a traditional stone-milling process and is a notable supplier for Maine's craft-brew industry. Check out their dry goods store for Maine-made goods including organic flours and oats, kitchen tools, baking books, herbal teas, maple sugar, and more. Interested in a tour? Check here to see if one is coming up.

42 Court St., Skowhegan
207-474-8001
FMI:
Maine Grains

Maine Maple Products

The Larivière family has been making maple syrup in Maine since the early 1900s and purchased Maine Maple Products in 1993, expanding their maple enterprise. They now produce maple syrup from a grove of 80,000 trees and offer a variety of products including award-winning pure maple syrup, maple candy, maple cream, granulated maple sugar, maple mustard, maple seasonings, honey, jams and jellies, and a variety of gift packages.

449 Lakewood Rd., Madison
800-310-3803
FMI:
Maine Maple Products

Meridians

Located in the historic, beautifully renovated Gerald Hotel building in nearby Fairfield, Meridians offers a diverse selection of high-quality wine, craft beer, and specialty foods, including numerous local products. They also host several wine and beer tastings each month.

151 Main St., Fairfield
207-238-0254
FMI:
Meridians or Facebook

Skowhegan Farmers’ Market

This year-round market is renowned as one of the best in the state. Spend a relaxing Saturday perusing the offerings—including seasonal fruits and vegetables, naturally raised meats, fresh fish, milk, eggs, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, maple syrup, honey, soap, seedlings, and cut flowers. We dare you to leave empty-handed!

May-October: Somerset Grist Mill lot, 42 Court St., Skowhegan
November-April: Boynton's Greenhouse, 144 Madison Ave., Skowhegan
207-474-6380
FMI:
Skowhegan Farmers’ Market or Facebook

Smith Brothers Maple

Smith Brothers provides high-quality pure Maine maple products. Stop by for some locally made maple candies, a jug of syrup, and other delicious treats!

52 Rowe Rd., Skowhegan
207-474-3491
FMI:
Smith Brothers Maple