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    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk

    3.9 (274 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    BATSON RIVER BREWING & DISTILLING - KENNEBUNK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk

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    Haddock tacos

    Our food was amazing. Service: everyone was sweet and welcoming and accommodating of our kids. One thing to note is they only have a couple tables that their high chair accommodates. Other than that, all of our food was super delicious. I would love to come back .

    Stephanie P.

    Based on the atmosphere, service, and cocktails, the Batson River Brewing and Distillery receives a 5 star rating. This was my second stop while staying in Kennebunkport. The patio is a perfect spot to enjoy some cocktails and food while taking in the sights. There is also music playing to add to the relaxing atmosphere! Definitely a solid place to unwind and relax with lots of food and drink options.

    Watermelon salad and Chowder
    Tavia G.

    This place is a staple! I know they have several locations, but I have actually only ever been to this one. The atmosphere is great, and if the weather is good, they have an awesome front patio. In the winter they transform this whole place into an insane mix between Santa's workshop and a cozy lodge. Now to the food and drink. The drinks are somewhat hit or miss for me, but they have a lot of great cocktails and beers, and they have good discounts during happy hour. The food is always good, though it is a little pricey for the portions. Overall this place is worth a visit. It is a staple we fall back on when we can't decide where yo go. I suggest coming by during happy hour so you get a good discount (I believe it's Mon-Fri 3-5)

    Julianne W.

    Lovely establishment. The views from any outdoor seat are phenomenal, and the indoor spaces are adorable and cozy. Food and drinks were superb, and shown is the burger, quinoa salad, and the old fashioned. The burger was done to perfection, with a lovely sauce on it that really elevated the flavor. The old fashioned was so fun, and very fall themed with a few pumpkin seeds in it too! Fries were to die for. Only lack was the service, as lovely as our server was, seemed to forget about us a bit. But it was also a very busy day!

    lucky girl and thyme cocktails
    Lydia S.

    This was my second trip here, last time in the summer which made sitting on the upper deck beautiful! Was excited to return and happy to be sat in the warmth. Such a great location and our waitress Marisa was a total angel. She gave us a heads up that their rewards program has some pretty sweet deals and it seems harmless imo. My friend and I were happy with our drinks and found the food to be just what we needed. The sweet potato chili was a standout and I was super impressed by the olives and za'atar hummus. I would recommend the She'll Yuzu (not pictured) over the clarified lucky charms and marshmallow cocktail I got because the latter was adventurous but too sweet for my taste, no fault of theirs. The yuzu was amazing and had the perfect fruity strawberry flavor. Will definitely be coming back this summer, and returning to the lovely art gallery next door and nearby shops!

    Truffle fries
    Grace S.

    Love this place! The vibes were amazing and loved being able to be outside, we had a great time playing some of the games, especially the scrabble board. Truffle fries were amazing and the hummus was pretty good too!

    Katie F.

    Such a great place to stop into during the holidays! I came for lunch the day before Christmas Eve, and there was no wait! With no reservations this was a surprise, so expect a bit longer of a wait. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has lights and decor on all floors, the space really made the experience! The food was good, nothing too exciting. You are really coming here for the atmosphere and decor, but would definitely recommend checking them out during any holiday!

    Melissa V.

    We stopped here on a whim while walking around Kennebunkport because it looked like a nice place to people watch while having a drink. Our drinks were good and we got a pretzel to snack on too which was good also. They have a really nice front porch with a balcony also to sit on. We sat on the second floor balcony and really enjoyed the beautiful day!

    Chicken ceasar
    Michelle O.

    We stopped here for a quick lunch on a Monday and they were pretty packed. I loved the soft pretzel, you could tell it was homemade. And the mustard and beer cheese were also delicious. The salads were alright but hit the spot. The chicken was moist and the cesar not overly dressed. The watermelon salad was refreshing. The duck fried cornbread was special. I would recommend ordering that. Overall friendly staff.

    Beth E.

    This place looked intriguing as we were walking through town. It wasn't crowded on a Monday afternoon and we got a seat looking out over the street. Our server brought our beers and we ordered the cheesesteak to share. My beer was great and the sandwich arrived hot and looking good. The bread was fresh, the beef was tender and the caramelized onions and cheese were yummy. It had a dipping sauce which was REALLY good. All in all, the perfect lunch on a perfect day.

    raspberry cream soda (mocktail/nonalcoholic drink)
    Jane G.

    Batson River in Kennebunk is THE holiday bar in Maine. Pros: - The space (and staff) are decked out decked out head-to-toe in holiday decor. Couldn't ask for a cuter themed space for Christmas. This aspect brought my review to 5 stars, hands down. - The drinks are delicious - It's in downtown Kennebunk, meaning it's right in the thick of things and not out-of-the-way - The upstairs has games (darts? more?) - Service is friendly and prompt Cons: - No reservations (understandably). Prepare for a wait, or plan on getting on their lengthy waitlist ASAP - They close at 8p.m. (most days? all days?) which seems a little early - The food is hit or miss and overpriced for what it is. The Poutine was massive, but the fries were cold and the cheese gelatinous (for $18); my Caesar salad was $12 and had maybe one drop of dressing. On the other hand, my friends loved the Lobster Mac, clam chowder, and Duck Fat cornbread. Don't let the cons scare you off; TLDR: Beautifully-decorated for the holidays, perfect to grab drinks in a cozy space, yet long waits and prices that don't match the quality of the food. Visit after mid-November and you'll have a wonderful time!

    Drinks
    Steven B.

    The fish shack was a cool experience. It was tight inside, but as should be expected. There are heaters inside for the colder months to make it very comfortable. Haddock tacos were great, but a little heavy on the remoulade and cojita cheese. Lobster roll was fantastic. Fries were mixed with some having freezer burn, so we picked out the good ones. The cosmo drink was only filled about two-thirds full. It was a team effort for service, so we were well attended to for the duration of our stay. Make sure you book the fish shack reservations in advance as they are rightfully popular.

    Fried haddock sandwich
    Leah H.

    Everything we got was delicious and we enjoyed our time here. For cocktails, we got the Mr. Brightside, Bee's Knees, and the Drops of Jupiter. For food, we split a Caesar salad, Lobster Mac n Cheese, and the Fried Haddock sandwich.

    Miracle on Western Ave (bourbon focused cocktail) with their craft beer flight in the background.

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    2 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Solid good, great spot with kids out front, most importantly great beers and ambiance

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    Excellent cocktails- wow! Friendly service. Various indoor and outdoor seating options. Great location.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk

    Do they have gluten free options?

    We had a severe GF-restricted person with us and she had no problem ordering dinner off their regular menu.

    Can you stop by just for a drink or do you need to get food too?

    You can stop by just for a drink! They are wonderful at both the Kennebunk and Portland locations!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Sebago Brewing Company - Aztec bowl

    Sebago Brewing Company

    3.0(137 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    We'll never go back. We walked in, and the hostess was busy…read moretaking an order on the phone. We were left standing there. At one point, she put the phone on hold, and walked back to the kitchen. Rule #1 of hospitality: Always service the people who are literally in front of you, and took the time on a cold night to drive and to patronize you and your establishment. Put phone callers on hold. We were then seated in a back corner booth with no view of the restaurant. When a waitress appeared, I asked the price of the Lobster BLT listed in the menu section of their website. "Oh, we don't have that anymore." I asked why it remained on their website. I got a dirty look. She went on to tell my party that they actually had NO lobster in house. In Maine. My partner ordered a Reuben sandwich. He opened it up and we found about 1 tsp of sauerkraut inside. The breading on my fish sandwich was overdone and beyond crispy. But the most infuriating moment was ordering a cup of hot tea. Hot water and a tea bag, nothing more. Since the waitress had disappeared, I had to physically get up and ask for a hot water refill. The waitress I did find didn't want to help, instead pointing in another direction, saying "She's over there." I tracked her down; our waitress was talking with another employee. I asked for some more hot water to refill the cup with the same teabag. She brought it. When paying the bill, I found l'd been charged $6.50 for 2 cups of tea. Wow. One teabag and one refill of hot water. $6.50! The food was not great, the service horrendous, and the charges ridiculous. We'll be heading back to Federal Jacks soon. I doubt we're ever returning to this poorly run restaurant.

    Sat down at the bar and it was pretty busy but the service was super slow. It took about 10-15 mins…read morefor them to even come over. Once they did come over super nice but still took a while to get drinks and our food order. I got the tuna bowl and it was good, the salads are also good here. Large bar and lots of tables. Food is decent.

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    Sebago Brewing Company
    Sebago Brewing Company - Pizza with chicken

    Pizza with chicken

    Sebago Brewing Company - Chicken ranch sandwich with tater tots

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    Chicken ranch sandwich with tater tots

    Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery Old Port Tasting Room and Shop - Exterior

    Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery Old Port Tasting Room and Shop

    4.0(60 reviews)
    23.5 miOld Port
    $$

    I recently visited Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery and had a very enjoyable experience. One of the…read morebiggest draws was their $1 tastings, yes, just one dollar for a taste of their ciders, wine and spirits, which is really fun and makes sampling without commitment super easy. The service was great, our server, Courtney, was exceptionally friendly, helpful in guiding us through the selection, and made the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable. I want to note, as a point of context, that in September the production facility of Sweetgrass's main operation in Union suffered a devastating fire. Despite that, the Portland tasting room remains open and functioning, which is a testament to their resilience. On the tasting side the variety was solid, and the $1 price point made it easy to try a bunch of things. The ambiance is cozy and inviting. If I were to pick one improvement, I'd say the tasting pours felt a bit light compared to some other spots I've been to....not a complaint, just an observation given the price point and expectations. In all, Sweetgrass is a strong pick if you're looking for a laid-back, local winery/distillery stop in Portland with friendly staff (shoutout to Courtney) and wallet-friendly tastings.

    Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery is a farm winery and distillery that opened in Union, Maine in 2005…read more It was founded by husband and wife Keith & Constance Bodine. Keith has been in the alcohol business since 1992, and he earned his MS degree in Food Science and Enology. Constance has been called the heart, soul and brains behind the business. She spends most of her time in the fields, gardens and barns that produce the various ingredients used for making their wine and spirits. Sweetgrass is Maine's first farm winery & distillery; using over 70,000 pounds of Maine-grown fruit and grain each year. The distilled spirits are hand crafted in old world tradition with a copper alembic, still capturing the full flavors of their gin, rum, and traditional apple brandy. A secondary tasting room and retail shop opened on historic Fore Street in the Old Port section of Portland in February 2014. In September 2025, a debilitating fire destroyed the Union facility. The Old Port location remains open, but the future of the Union location remains uncertain. My extended family and I visited Sweetgrass's Portland location this past summer while we were vacationing in Maine. While exploring Old Port, we walked past their window and I said, "Hey, this looks like a cool place!" We went inside and signed up for a tasting. For just $10, customers can choose any five wines, ciders or spirits to taste. The five that I chose included "Maine Hard Imperial Cider" (Dry Cider), "Blueberry Smash" (Semi-Sweet Dessert Wine), "Back River Gin", "Cranberry Gin", and "Apple Brandy". The latter was easily my favorite of the tasting, but unfortunately they had no more bottles for purchase. I plan on ordering some online in the future. I am so happy that I discovered the Old Port tasting room by chance. I felt really bad when I learned later on that the Union location burned down. I'm happy to hear that no one was hurt and I hope that they are able to rebuild.

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    Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery Old Port Tasting Room and Shop
    Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery Old Port Tasting Room and Shop - Tasting session

    Tasting session

    Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery Old Port Tasting Room and Shop - Interior

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    Interior

    Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company

    Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company

    3.7(81 reviews)
    10.7 mi
    $$

    Funky Bow Brewery is definitely one of the most unique breweries I've ever visited! We stumbled…read moreupon it while driving around the area and decided to stop in for a drink. Important to note: they allow dogs. And while we LOVE dogs (we couldn't resist petting the ones running around), I can see how this policy might not be for everyone. The dogs roam freely and off-leash in a large indoor/tented area, which can feel a bit chaotic. A couple of things I wasn't thrilled about: the brewery is cash-only, and there's a $3 cover fee. For what? I have no idea -- there was no live music or anything like that during the hour we spent there. As for the drinks, the beer was... fine. I had the IPA, and while I didn't love it, I'd probably drink it again. The highlight was the pizza. It was phenomenal and made up for some of the other lows.

    This place was certainly a vibe. Went on a Sunday afternoon. They dont take card but there was an…read moreATM on premise to save my day. The kid working the front was SUPER nice, and the beers were good but I'm not sure if they were their beers or guest taps- the labeling isn't great. The pizza was good but not life changing. The real vibe is the fact that this is like a kindergarten gone wrong. The amount of wilding screaming kids was too much for me and look, I LOVE dogs, I brought my own but having someone else's off leash (dogs have to be off leash) and off leash kid begging for pizza while I'm trying to drink a beer in the sun was a little much. I'd go back, but it was too much of a sensory overload to be any fun and the beers were forgettable.

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    Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company - Dog

    Dog

    Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company
    Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company - I go back for the pizza alone!

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    I go back for the pizza alone!

    Barreled Souls Brewing Company - Tabletop shuffle board tables and indoor seating nooks surrounded by rare bottles.

    Barreled Souls Brewing Company

    4.6(79 reviews)
    11.6 mi
    $

    Barreled Souls Brewing is a craft brewery that opened in Saco, Maine in July 2014. It was founded…read moreby childhood friends Chris Schofield and Matthew Mills. The two met in elementary school and have been friends ever since. After turning 21, Schofield received a homebrewing kit from his father and started homebrewing. In 2003, he got a job working as the assistant brewer at Federal Jack's brewpub in Kennebunkport. Later, Schofield was hired as the lead brewing consultant for the design and development of the Railroad Seafood Station Restaurant and Brewpub. Meanwhile, Mills worked in the hospitality industry and managed a number of bars and restaurants. He developed a reputation for pairing food, wine, and beer selections with his customers' tastes, interests, and budgets. Mills even opened his own high-end retail wine company. Finally the two friends decided to collaborate and open their own brewery. They opened their modest brewery in the basement of a law office. Unlike other breweries, 100% of Barreled Souls' beer undergoes primary fermentation in oak barrels as opposed to stainless steel tanks. This fermentation system is based off of the Burton Union system, which was a method of fermenting beer developed in England in the 1800's. Although they have a relatively small operation, Barreled Souls has earned a reputation for producing some of the best beers in Maine. I visited Barreled Souls with my older son this summer while my I was spending the week in Maine with my family. Barreled Souls had been on my brewery bucket list for a while. I was surprised to see what a small operation they were, but that was fine with me as I usually prefer smaller breweries. I initially ordered a taster flight which featured "Purple Rain" (Fruited Sour), "No Clean Cups" (Double IPA), "The Mind Flayer" (Imperial Stout), and "Knob Creek Extended BA Nebula" (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Barleywine). Every single beer that I sampled was fantastic! The brewery also has their own food truck dubbed "Barreled Souls Burger". I enjoyed their delicious "Bold Brunch" (quarter pound patty topped w/ hash browns, bacon, cheddar cheese & a fried egg) while my son enjoyed the "Tachos" (loaded cheesy tots topped w/ taco beef, jalapeños, onions, black olives, served w/ sour cream & salsa). I was so impressed with the beer that I ordered a second flight that featured "Speakeasy Red Sangria" (Red Wine Barrel-Aged Gose), "The Pineapple Upside Down" (Triple New England IPA), "Vecna" (Imperial Fruited Sour), and "Banana Bread at Work Dude" (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Barleywine; collab w/ Abomination Brewing). I was equally impressed with these beers, and I love all of the "Stranger Things" references in the beer names. Before leaving, I purchased a bottle of "Strawberry Jam Stay Puft" (Imperial Stout) to take home. I had an excellent experience at Barreled Souls and I highly recommend them to all serious craft beer aficionados!

    When you arrive parking is free just go ahead and go around back of the building. That's the…read moreentrance to Barreled Souls, the front is a law firm. Plenty of space inside and outside the weather today was perfect nice and cool. You can order flights here if you like to try every beer on the digital board. Just write down your number on sheets of paper on a barrel near the bar. Plenty of to go beer too !

    Photos
    Barreled Souls Brewing Company - Flights

    Flights

    Barreled Souls Brewing Company - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Barreled Souls Brewing Company - Beer for everyone!

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    Beer for everyone!

    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk - breweries - Updated May 2026

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