Located alongside the Penobscot River in Brewer, Maine, the Mason’s Brewing Company restaurant is the one-stop shop for brewed beers as well as a dense variety of menu options. There’s no better time to try a taste of Mason’s, which has plans to expand the restaurant with a new location in Machias.
Mason’s Brewing Company held a soft opening for its first location in May 2016 by owners Chris and Barbara Morley. The restaurant was originally conceived by Chris Morley, who had dreamed of opening a pub alongside the Penobscot River. The restaurant’s name comes from sailor and colonist John Mason, most known as the founder of New Hampshire, who had also helped mapp the early waterway locations of Maine during the early 1600s. Guests who choose to dine outside at Mason’s will be treated to a view of one of Maine’s most iconic rivers.
As a brewing company, Mason’s prioritizes craft beers with a formula crafted from worldwide experience. Whether on draft or in a can, there are plenty of great options. While the beer selections include cider, cream ales and stout, the IPAs are what Mason’s Brewing Company is best known for. The company prides itself on utilizing the latest technologies to mash, ferment and ultimately craft its beers and brew its own ciders for the best possible consumption.
Jake Bridges, general manager of the Mason’s Brewing Company, has been on board with Mason’s Brewing Company since its inception. According to Bridges, one of the main appeals of Mason’s is to a variety of drinkers as well as guests of any age group. Non-alcoholic drinks such as mocktails, green tea and soda are also served to guests who prefer the option.
“We’re trying not to be just a one-trick pony, so we try to offer a little bit of everything for everybody, including kids,” says Bridges.
For those interested in dining out, Mason’s provides a wide selection of meals ranging from full-blown pizza pies to burgers and handheld sandwiches, which are served with a side of signature hand-cut fries. Some of the popular dishes include The Fat Mack double patty burger and the aptly named “Best Damn Pepperoni Pizza,” which sources its pizza dough from Dabesta Pizza straight from Bangor. The menu item, “Fear the Fungus,” is a cheeseburger topped with truffle mayo and mushrooms from Moorit Hill Farms in Gray, Maine. The selection is quite diverse and showcases the highest quality ingredients from local Maine outlets.
Mason’s also holds a social hour event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, where guests can enjoy Mason’s draft pours, wine and exclusive dishes. Events such as these further cement the pub as a great spot for community.
The Mason’s Brewing Company official website also allows people to order food and beer for pick up. Whether it be full meals or a four-pack of New England IPA, the taste of Mason’s can be enjoyed in the comfort of your home.
Having established itself as a riverside pub, Mason’s plans the next step to expand further down east. The company is currently working on opening a brand new location along the banks of the Androscoggin River in Machias, Maine, scheduled to open in early 2024. The Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant, a staple restaurant within the Machias community, sold the new property to the Mason’s Brewing Company. Mason’s plans to not only carry on the legacy of the previous establishment, but also to expand the company’s reach for coastal Mainers.
“We’ve been looking at a couple of different locations, and this was just a good opportunity. There are not a whole lot of restaurants down there, but there’s still a good amount of summer people and tourism, and we felt that the area and the people themselves are great, and we were really hoping to just bring a little of what we do Down East,” says Bridges.
Mason’s is one of Brewer’s best experiences for both kids and adults to dine out, as well as adults to try the memorable taste of finely crafted beer. The plans to expand to Machias will allow other parts of Maine a taste of Mason’s experience.
Mason’s Brewing Company is open from 11 a.m. to 9-10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 9:30-10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
