For more than a decade, Portland Explorer (formerly the Maine Brew Bus) has built its reputation on showing people a different side of Maine. This version of the state is rooted less in bucket-list tourism and more in curiosity, connection, and local discovery. Even by Portland standards, though, combining birding with brewery hopping might sound like a stretch at first.
“I wasn’t confident,” admits Portland Explorer owner Zach Poole about the company’s now wildly popular Birds on Tap tours. “My thing is that I always will say yes. I’m a yes guy. So I said, let’s give it a shot.”
The idea came from Derek Lovitch of Freeport Wild Bird Supply, a nationally respected birder who had been giving talks at breweries before imagining something more immersive: a tour that paired birdwatching with visits to Maine breweries. Twelve years later, what began as an experiment has become one of Portland Explorer’s most distinctive recurring experiences—and one that resonates surprisingly strongly with locals.
“We ended up with something like six sold-out tours,” Poole says of the early days. “People that enjoyed beer were like, ‘Oh, I’ve never birded before.’ On the other side, there were people who thought, ‘I like birding, but let’s go check out some breweries while we’re at it.’”
That crossover appeal is exactly what makes the tours feel so right for Portland, a city where craft beer culture and outdoor recreation are equally embedded into daily life. Birds on Tap offers a new lens through familiar territory: participants might spend the morning spotting migrating warblers before unwinding at a neighborhood brewery they’ve somehow never visited. “On all of our tours, you’ll learn something new about Portland or the area, even if you lived here your whole life, but these are definitely tailored more toward locals,” says Poole.
The tours remain intentionally intimate, capped at around 12 guests, which creates something that feels less like a traditional tour and more like a shared outing among curious friends. Lovitch handles the birding side, selecting locations based on seasonal migration patterns and habitat conditions, while Poole chooses nearby breweries that fit naturally into the route. Even for people who can’t tell a sparrow from a finch, the experience works.
“Derek is amazing,” Poole says. “When he is out there, he can hear a bird and know what it is and have you looking for it. He is excited about seeing the birds, so you get excited about seeing the birds.” Lovitch’s enthusiasm helps bridge the gap between serious birders and complete beginners. Some guests come for the breweries and discover a new appreciation for birding; others arrive with binoculars already in hand and leave with a new favorite beer.
Over the years, the tours themselves have evolved. Early itineraries involved long drives across southern Maine, but Poole noticed guests cared less about cramming in destinations and more about the overall experience. “We realized people wanted the activity," he says. “They didn’t need a long ride in the van with a guy talking to them.” Now, the focus stays closer to Portland, highlighting how much there is to explore within the region itself—from marshes and migration corridors to tucked-away breweries locals may drive past every day without stopping in.
That same spirit of rediscovery inspired Portland Explorer’s newest offering: Forts & Feathers. Launching this year, the tour combines coastal birding with Maine military history, bringing guests to sites like Fort Scammel on House Island, Peaks Island, and Fort Williams. The idea grew organically after previous outings to House Island revealed guests were just as fascinated by the setting itself as they were by the beer tastings initially included in the experience. “We realized there’s so much history of the fort, and then some incredible birds out there,” Poole says. “We didn’t even need the beer.”
For many Mainers, the access alone is a revelation. Portland Explorer is currently the only tour company permitted to bring guests to Fort Scammel on House Island, an often-overlooked landmark sitting just off Portland’s waterfront. “A lot of locals have never been on that island,” Poole says. “So that would probably be my pick for the most unique experience we offer.”
Portland Explorer also offers the Rarity Roundup, perhaps the most unpredictable of its three birding experiences. Offered just once each year, the tour operates almost entirely around real-time bird activity. “Derek decides where he thinks the birds are going to be, and we go there,” Poole says. “It’s kind of spur of the moment.” Depending on migration reports and sightings, the day could lead participants anywhere from Scarborough Marsh to Brunswick in pursuit of unusual species and once-in-a-lifetime sightings.
Birding, Poole explains, has a surprisingly passionate culture behind it—something he understands more than most. His mother worked as a bird guide, and although he originally saw himself more as “the beer guy,” the birding world has slowly become part of his own story too.
For Poole, the success of these tours ultimately comes down to perspective. Whether guests are spotting a migratory bird for the first time, stepping onto House Island after years of seeing it from shore, or discovering a brewery tucked into a neighborhood they thought they already knew, the experience encourages people to slow down and look closer. Portland Explorer’s birding tours offer something increasingly valuable: the chance to feel surprised by Maine again.
"On all of our tours, you’ll learn something new about Portland or the area, even if you lived here your whole life.”
Beyond its birding experiences, Portland Explorer has built a reputation for helping locals and visitors experience the city from a different perspective. The company offers everything from working waterfront tours and hidden history excursions to food-focused outings and sports experiences with the Sea Dogs and Mariners. Guests can step inside the Portland Fish Exchange, explore Fort Scammel on House Island, or discover new restaurants and breweries through guided tastings. The common thread is an immersive, small-group experience designed to reveal sides of Maine many locals haven’t explored yet.