Black Bear Brewery
We are a local, family owned and operated brewery, taproom and coffee roastery. We are Orono’s original brewery EST 2004. We brew on a 10bbl brewhouse in the heart of downtown Orono, known to locals as the Tough End. We brew a variety of beers and styles and serve a tasty Bistro menu to accompany them. Our beers are only served on tap at our location to ensure freshness and the best possible pint! We also serve wine, hard cider, and a variety of canned coctails and selters.
Our love of coffee and the lack of freshly roasted local options led us to install a 10 kilo coffee roaster to share with our local community. We source and roast wonderful green coffee from around the world.
We’re proud to hold the 14th small brewery license in Maine and are dedicated to quality.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
