~ Jon James
In 2025, Black Bear Brewery in Orono announced it was closing after 20 years. In its wake, Orono Brewing is setting itself up to become one the country’s larger brewers.
My first encounter with brand was seeing this “gazetteer-like” can at a Damon’s Beverage store in Augusta. I had to have a pack, if just for the can. The ale inside is crisp and hoppy.
That company, Orono Brewing, is planning for its next chapter after more than a decade of steady growth.
The Orono Planning Board recently approved rezoning several nearby lots from residential to commercial, clearing the way for future expansion around the brewery’s Main Street location.
Rather than building a new brewery, the owners hope to grow in phases by adding a larger walk-in cooler, more fermenters and additional storage. They say the gradual approach will allow the company to keep up with demand without taking on unnecessary risk.
The brewery produced more than 10,000 barrels of beer last year and expects to brew about 13,000 this year. Owners say reaching 15,000 barrels would put Orono Brewing among the nation’s 150 largest breweries.
Despite its success, the company says it has no plans to expand beyond its current location or rapidly grow into new markets, instead focusing on steady, sustainable growth in Maine.
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