Wait…Northern Outdoors Has a Brewery?

You came for the rafting. Or maybe the cabin stay. Or maybe someone just told you The Forks was worth the drive up Route 201. However you found us — welcome. And yes, we have a brewery onsite! The Kennebec River Brewery!

Right here in the main lodge at Northern Outdoors sits the Kennebec River Pub & Brewery — a full-service brewpub serving craft beer brewed on site, with a deck overlooking the Maine woods & Martin Pond, a hot tub, a pool, live music on weekends, and enough good beer and food to make want to stay all season.

We know. It’s a lot. Let us explain.

Where Is the Brewery Exactly?

Great question — and one we get more than you’d think.

The brewery itself lives in the basement of the main lodge. Two rooms, with windows looking into the brewing operation, where our head brewer Kevin produces every single beer we serve. Kevin is the one and only brewer at Kennebec River Brewery — every pint you drink passes through his hands.

If Kevin is around, he’s happy to give you a tour. You can also request one at the front desk and they will see if he’s available. If not, take a look through the windows at our set up. It’s worth it! There’s something about seeing the tanks up close that makes the next pint taste even better.

The Pub

Upstairs from the brewery is the Kennebec River Brew Pub in our main lodge — a full-service restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from 7am to 9pm (Closed in April & December). This is where you’ll find all eight of our beers on tap, plus a rotating alcoholic seltzer, tasting flights, cocktails, and a full menu.

It’s not a tasting room in the traditional sense — it’s a proper brewpub with timber beams, a bar, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. In the winter, pull up a seat on the couch next to the fire with a pint and let the Maine cold do its worst outside. You won’t mind a bit.

And for the kids — or honestly anyone — we’ve got a pool table and an arcade inside too. There’s always something going on.

The Deck, Hot Tub & Pool

Step outside and you’ve got a deck with views of the Maine woods, a hot tub (year round), and a pool — all open to any guest of the brewery, whether you’re staying at the resort or just stopping in for a beer. Pull up a chair, order a Magic Hole IPA, and decompress. You earned it.

Note: no beer at the pool — but the hot tub and deck are fair game. 🍺

The Beer

Kennebec River Brewery was founded in 1996 by co-owner and guide Jim Yearwood,  making it one of the earliest craft breweries in the state of Maine. The flagship Magic Hole IPA has been pouring since day one, and today we have eight beers on tap plus a rotating alcoholic seltzer with seasonal flavors.

All of our beer is brewed with Maine grain from Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls, the largest traditional floor malting facility in North America. When brewing day is done, our spent grains go straight to local farms for feed. Maine beer, Maine grain, Maine farms.

Take Some Home

Can’t get enough? We’ve got you covered.

• 4-pack cans to go — Magic Hole IPA, Big Mama Blueberry, Old Canada Road Pilsner, and seasonal Winter Sled Head Red
• Growlers & howlers filled fresh to go
• Can’t make it to The Forks? Pick up a 4-pack at Berry’s General Store in West Forks or Jimmy’s Market in Bingham
• Find us on tap locally at The Marshall Inn and The Hawk’s Nest
• In the winter find us served at The Birches Resort and Big Moose Ski Area

The Full Northern Outdoors Experience

Here’s the thing about Northern Outdoors — most people show up thinking it’s one thing and discover it’s five things.

Rafting outfitter. Brewpub. Cabin resort. Campground. ATV and snowmobile rentals & trailhead.

All of it in one place, deep in the western Maine woods in The Forks. In the summer you might raft the Kennebec river one day and ride ATV trails the next, then end up on the deck with a beer and live music on a Saturday night. In winter the same lodge serves the same beer and full service menu, transforming into a cozy fireside retreat — snowmobilers packing the bar after a long day on the trails, kids at the arcade, and the smell of something good coming out of the kitchen.

The hot tub and pool are open to brewery guests too — because why not? You’re in Maine. Slow down and stay awhile.

2026 Is a Big Year

This summer Northern Outdoors turns 50 and the Kennebec River Brewery turns 30. We’re celebrating all season long — including a limited 30th anniversary can release of Magic Hole IPA with a special label. And a special 50/30 brewer’s choice special on tap that our whole team helped brew. More on that in June!

Come check us out for a beer (or two)!  All rivers and trails lead to the brewery!

Open daily 7am–9pm. Rafting season May through October. Open Seasonally – follow on Facebook for updates hours.
Book your trip or reserve a cabin at northernoutdoors.com or call 207-663-4466.