fbpx
Are you over 21?
Not Yet
Skip to main content
Trivia, Kegs for Causes, Holiday Events! Check out our public events calendar here!

Welcome to Rising Tide

Rising Tide Brewing Company is an independent, family-owned brewery that anchors Portland, Maine’s vibrant East Bayside neighborhood. We are guided by creative flavors, quality, consistency, community, and a love of all things outdoors. Rising Tide supports our farmers, using local ingredients in every beer.

The Journey So Far

2010–2012

Rising Tide was opened in 2010 by husband and wife team Nathan and Heather Sanborn.  Prior to opening the brewery, Nathan was a stay-at-home dad and freelance graphic designer and Heather was an attorney.  Known for his elaborate dinner parties and delicious home brews, Nathan realized his passion for beer.  In October 2010 Rising Tide found a home on One Industrial Way, a location with multiple other breweries. Speaking with other brewers, Nathan found the industry practiced a similar sentiment to the saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”  This ethos is what makes the craft beer industry so special and what guides Rising Tide Brewing Company.

2012-2015

By 2012, Rising Tide had proven itself and it was time to grow. Heather left her job as a lawyer to come on full-time at the brewery as the Director of Business Operations as the brewery relocated and expanded to our current home, 103 Fox Street. During this move, production grew from a one-man and one-barrel system to hiring our first employee and a 15-barrel brewhouse. When we first opened on Fox Street, tasting rooms were not allowed.  Heather worked tirelessly with the Maine Brewer's Guild to change that law and in October 2012, we were finally able to be open to the public.

2015–2020

Over the next 7 years, Rising Tide continued to grow, acquiring a warehouse and expanding the tasting room in 2015. In 2017, Heather was elected to the State House, first as a Representative and later as a Senator.  With continued growth in our tasting room, we added a private events program and dedicated space in 2018. In 2020, our team faced the pandemic with a safety-first mindset.  Through these efforts and drastic changes to our tasting room, we were able to provide a safe and enjoyable dining experience as well as safe and stable employment for our growing team.

2020–2023

As of 2021, we were brewing about 4,500 barrels of beer per year distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.  Our team has grown to almost 30 crew members, and we have opened our own kitchen, The Galley. Nathan is still our Director of Brewing Operations and Heather is still our Director of Business Operations. We hope you'll join us on the patio for cold craft beer and hot fresh food. 

OUR Beer First philosophy

Crafting high-quality, consistent beer is our first priority. These efforts begin with using only the highest quality brewing ingredients and are continued throughout our entire brewing process and after each release.

COMPANY-WIDE QUALITY CONTROL

Every member of our crew takes part in our comprehensive quality control program. From grain to glass, each step in the beer-making process is carefully reviewed to ensure that every beer we release is True to Brand (TTB).

The most important part of our quality program is sensory. Humans are capable of distinguishing between 100,000 different flavors. Every member of our crew is trained in-depth on our beers' TTB markers as well as off-flavors. Sensory doesn’t start at the beer! Sensory starts all the way at the beginning from smelling the hops to inspecting the grain and continues through the entire process.

Beer For Maine Adventures

We make beers to enjoy with family and friends while soaking up all the beautiful state of Maine has to offer. All of our clean fermented beers are packaged in aluminum cans, making them the perfect pack-in, pack-out beverage for your Maine adventure.

All of our beers are thoughtfully crafted and balanced to pair with a delicious meal.  We love pairing our Daymark pale ale with hand-shucked oysters, our Maine Island Trail Ale with a toasted lobster roll on a brioche bun, or Ishmael copper ale with juicy burgers and barbecue.

meet the Rising Tide Crew

From the production floor to the tar patio, our team is what makes our beers and the Rising Tide experience one to remember.

Image for crew member Alan Alternate image for crew member Alan

Alan

Tasting Room Lead
Image for crew member Alex Alternate image for crew member Alex

Alex

Production + Packaging Manager
Image for crew member Bennett Alternate image for crew member Bennett

Bennett

Warehouse and Production Ops
Image for crew member Brady Alternate image for crew member Brady

Brady

Head Brewer
Image for crew member Carly Alternate image for crew member Carly

Carly

Tasting Room Crew + Galley Cook
Image for crew member Carly Alternate image for crew member Carly

Carly

Tasting Room Crew + Event Lead
Image for crew member Dakota Alternate image for crew member Dakota

Dakota

Lead Pilot Brewer
Image for crew member Emily Alternate image for crew member Emily

Emily

Tasting Room + Event Lead
Image for crew member Haylee Alternate image for crew member Haylee

Haylee

event sales manager
Image for crew member Heather Alternate image for crew member Heather

Heather

Owner + Dir. of Business Operations
Image for crew member Julia Alternate image for crew member Julia

Julia

General Manager
Image for crew member Nathan Alternate image for crew member Nathan

Nathan

Owner + Dir. of Brewing Operations
Image for crew member Navit Alternate image for crew member Navit

Navit

Tasting Room Crew + Event Lead
Image for crew member Nick Alternate image for crew member Nick

Nick

Sales Rep
Image for crew member Rob Alternate image for crew member Rob

Rob

Director of Sales
Image for crew member Sarah Alternate image for crew member Sarah

Sarah

Bookkeeper
Image for crew member Rori Alternate image for crew member Rori

Rori

Event Crew
Image for crew member Sev Alternate image for crew member Sev

Sev

Event Crew
Image for crew member Will Alternate image for crew member Will

Will

brewer