December 3, 2009
Ehhhh...I like Gritty’s beers, but that’s all they serve here. 5 on tap I think. Food is standard and stale. Service is pretty good. Worth stoping in after work for a pint.

October 20, 2009
In the heart of the lively party of Portland. Very nice interior with plenty of bricks and wood. This one has a nice warm inviting neighbourhood pub feeling to it. Customers seem to be mostly the younger student crowd. Not really a beer-geek place (that’s Novare Res) this place is more like a cool watering hole. Annoying “hip” music but at reasonable level. Impressive mug club over the bar, this place sure has a lot of regular customers. Food is a limited choice of sandwiches, burgers + a few simple dishes. All $10 or less. Can do the job for a quick snack but this is a real pub, not a restaurant pub. When I was there they had 6 taps + 2 casks. I had one pint of their 21 IPA and is was decent. Don’t expect great beers from Gritty but also don’t judge Gritty by the bottles you buy at the store, these are contracted by Shipyard and are made using Shipyard ingredients (ringwood yeast, etc.) and are quite different from what you’ll get served at the pub. Overall, worth a one-pint visit, maybe two. Can be very enjoyable if you are a group of early 20-something in search of a watering hole.

September 7, 2009
Wandering around Portland, I first stop off at the Gritty McDuff’s retail store--a small place with brew paraphernalia, six-packs and growlers. Behind this in an alley way is the brew pub. I had a chance to enjoy a cask conditioned Best Bitter--the key difference to the bottled version was the yeast flavor and warmer temperature. My family and I sat on the front deck at a picnic table. The potato chips appetizer was very good. Two of our sandwiches were pretty standard stuff. The Fish burrito was spicy but dry. The server was pleasant and stunningly efficient, but hardly personable. Overall, a standard pub with above average beer.

July 20, 2009
This was the very first American brewpub I visited, over 11 years ago. They carded me then, which is understandable because I was barely 21. They still carded me in 2009...Maine alcohol laws are truly making people stupid. Anyway, this bar has quite the neighborhood feel to it, lots of young and local patrons hanging out in the evening, drinking clean pints from the taps and casks being brewed here. Nothing very exciting beer-wise, but it’s still better than all macros I know. The wall (and ceiling) of mugs is pretty cool and the brick walls and arches are a nice touch as well. If I were living in Portland, I’d probably come by once or twice a month, but with the truly wonderful Novare Res a few blocks away, this visiting Canadian will not come back to Gritty’s very often.

April 4, 2009
came across this when i was installing the security system. great food and smells invelop the bar are. good beer selection and friendly people. check it out

March 21, 2009
Nice pub in downtown Portland with a good atmosphere. Good selection of ales by the microbrewery. Food was standard pub grub. Worth a visit for a few ales.

February 13, 2009
great pub atmosphere, friendly bartenders and wait-staff. Craft beers at there best.

January 11, 2009
Went in here for a late lunch and beer.The place itself was older and rustic and we sat at a table with a bench-a little tough to get in to.Server was nice and friendly-but a little slow.Got the ESB and Stout-both were pretty good,not great,but good enough.Food was decent as well,the chowder was real tastey.Most definetly worth stopping by while visitng Portland.

September 1, 2008
A little place with a nice local vibe. The beers they pour are rather mild, but would make for a great session anytime. The staff was friendly, and the locals were really enjoying their stay as well. It’s also in a really beautiful old city, which helps with the overall experience.

July 3, 2008 [ Updated September 5, 2008 ]
An obvious place to go should you have the good fortune to find yourself in Portland, ME. There’s a nice friendly atmosphere in the place, although I wouldn’t say I felt completely at home the first time I went in there, second time around I sat at the bar and the barman was very talkative and friendly. The Gritty beers are definitely worth trying, although some are better than others they’re all worth a try. The Long Winter ESB was my personal favourite. The prices are reasonable in Gritty’s for both food and drink, the food menu was a good quality standard fare, as I remember (I’d had a few when I ate in there).