Few breweries have shaped a style the way Bissell Brothers shaped the New England IPA. From their Portland home, they helped define the hazy, hop-saturated wave with The Substance Ale and a slate of expressive IPAs that taught drinkers to chase aroma, softness, and balance over brute bitterness. This spotlight breaks down what makes Bissell Brothers special, which beers to try first, how to build a smart tasting flight, and how to plan a visit that pairs pints with Portland’s local flavor.
- Address: 38 Resurgam Pl, Portland, ME 04102
- Website: https://www.bissellbrothers.com/
What You’ll Learn
- How Bissell Brothers helped define New England IPA with The Substance Ale
- Why their hazy, hop-saturated approach set industry standards
- What to drink first: core IPAs, seasonals, and taproom-only gems
- Taproom vibe, food options, and local Portland add-ons
- Practical planning: best times, to-go beer, freshness tips, and flights
Why Bissell Brothers Matters in the Craft Beer Scene
When the NEIPA style began building momentum, Bissell Brothers leaned into the attributes that now define it: saturated hop aroma, haze from protein-rich grains and biotransformation, low perceived bitterness, and a plush mouthfeel that still finishes clean. The brewery’s early and consistent execution became a blueprint for hop-focused producers across New England and beyond.
What that leadership looks like:
- Aroma-first focus: Heavy late and dry-hop additions deliver waves of citrus, stone fruit, and tropical character while keeping bitterness smooth and supportive.
- Texture with intention: Oats and wheat create a soft, pillowy mouthfeel; careful water chemistry emphasizes roundness while avoiding flabbiness.
- Fermentation discipline: Yeast selection and temperature control coax juicy esters and enhance hop oils through biotransformation—without drifting into solvent or phenolic off-notes.
- Freshness culture: Cold-chain care, clear dating, and release cadence keep volatile hop compounds vivid. Fans line up because aroma is best when it’s freshest.
Impact in numbers and practice:
- NEIPA has grown into one of the most popular craft styles in the U.S., with double-digit shares on many tap lists. Breweries that manage oxygen, yeast, and cold-chain well—like Bissell—set the bar for what the style should taste like.
- Social metrics and release-day demand (often measured in lines that form hours before opening) reflect a consistent following, a sign of trust in both quality and variety.
The Beer: Start with The Substance, Explore the Haze
The Substance Ale: A Modern Classic
The Substance Ale put Bissell Brothers on the map. While recipes evolve, the beer’s signature is stable: a fragrant, hazy pour with saturated notes of citrus peel, mango, pineapple, and light pine on a soft, pale malt base.
What to notice:
- Nose: tangerine, grapefruit zest, ripe tropicals, and a resinous edge for structure
- Palate: silky body from oats and wheat; hop oil saturation without stickiness
- Finish: low perceived bitterness with a tidy, refreshing exit
Pairing ideas:
- Smash burger with sharp cheddar (hop oils cut fat; citrus lifts char)
- Fish tacos with lime crema (zest echoes lime; carbonation resets the palate)
- Pepperoni pizza or spicy wings (resin and citrus balance oil and heat)
Why it works: The Substance balances lush aroma with control. It’s juicy, not sugary; soft, not flat; expressive, not abrasive.
Hazy IPAs and Rotations: Depth Without Fatigue
Beyond The Substance, expect an evolving lineup of single-hop spotlights, double IPAs, and seasonal hazies. Across the board, you’ll taste a shared DNA:
- Heavy late and dry-hopping for fruit-forward aromatics
- Lean, pale grists that keep sweetness in check
- Water chemistry tuned for roundness without dulling structure
- Attenuation that guides a clean, repeatable finish
Smart matches:
- Charcuterie or an Italian sub (citrus-pine notes love salt and cured meats)
- Grilled chicken salad with herb and lemon dressing
- Chorizo tacos or jerk wings when you want heat and hop interplay
Clean Calibrators: Lagers and Pilsners
Every hop run benefits from a reset. Watch for crisp lagers or kölsch-style offerings that pour bright, with sturdy foam and a snappy finish. They’re perfect palate cleansers between big aromatic beers.
Pair with:
- Pretzel with mustard, fried chicken sandwich, or fish and chips
- Caesar salad or shrimp cocktail
Sours and Specialty Releases
Periodic fruited or tart offerings bring bright acidity and fresh fruit character. The house approach keeps sweetness restrained so fruit reads natural and refreshing.
Pair with:
- Ceviche or goat cheese salad
- Lemon tart or cheesecake
How They Brew: The Hazy Playbook Done Right
- Yeast and biotransformation: Fruit-forward English-leaning strains are managed to enhance hop oils during active fermentation. This unlocks juicy esters while avoiding hot alcohol or medicinal notes.
- Late hop strategy: Whirlpool and multiple dry-hop phases maximize aroma density with smoother bitterness.
- Grist composition: Oats and wheat provide haze and plush texture; pale base malts keep color light and flavors clean.
- Water profile: Chloride-forward ratios support mouthfeel, while enough sulfate preserves snap.
- Oxygen control and cold-chain: Strict O2 management from tank to can protects aroma. Cold storage keeps hop compounds from degrading.
Result: Hop-saturated beers that smell like freshly cut fruit, feel soft on the palate, and still finish with clarity.
Build a Smart Flight
Order clean to bold so your palate catches the details:
1) Pilsner or Kölsch-style (calibrate clarity, foam, and finish)
2) The Substance Ale (flagship hop expression; note aroma layers and finish)
3) Single-Hop or Rotating Hazy IPA (contrast hop variety and bitterness)
4) Double IPA (compare density, sweetness control, and attenuation)
5) Fruited Sour or Specialty (contrast with acidity or dessert-leaning depth)
Flight tips:
- Sip water and add a small lager taster between aromatic pours to reset your palate.
- If two hazies share a base but change hops, taste side-by-side to feel the impact of variety and timing.
Taproom Atmosphere: Industrial Energy, Portland Warmth
The Portland taproom at 38 Resurgam Place sits in a neighborhood that blends production grit with Maine hospitality. Expect stainless eye-candy, bold design cues, and a board that brings locals, travelers, and hop-chasers together.
What it feels like:
- Vibe: Lively but conversational—release days buzz; afternoons are ideal for flights and staff chats
- Seating: Bar rails for solo tasters, communal tables for groups, and seasonal outdoor space when the weather cooperates
- Service: Fast and pairing-savvy; staff translate “juicy but not sweet,” “citrusy and dry,” or “low bitterness, big aroma” into the right pour
Events and drops:
- Limited cans and special kegs move quickly—follow the brewery’s channels for release windows. Weekends can see lines; arrive early if a can drop is on your radar.
Family and dog notes:
- Policies may vary by area and season—check the website for current guidance on minors and pets.
Food: Pairing-Ready Plates and Local Partners
Hazy IPAs love salt, char, herbs, citrus, and heat. Depending on the day, you’ll find in-house options or rotating partner pop-ups designed to meet the beer halfway.
Great matches:
- Lager or Kölsch-style + pretzel with mustard or fried chicken sandwich: Carbonation and snap cleanse salt and fry oil.
- The Substance Ale + fish tacos or lemony salads: Citrus hops mirror dressing; dry finish keeps bites bright.
- Rotating Hazy IPA + pepperoni pizza or Italian sub: Grapefruit-pine bite meets fat and char.
- Double IPA + blue cheese burger or BBQ brisket: Hop intensity stands up to big flavors.
- Fruited Sour + ceviche or goat cheese salad: Acidity refreshes; fruit notes tie into citrus and herbs.
Pro tip: Salt amplifies bitterness. If your plate leans salty, choose a lager, pale ale, or fruited sour before your most bitter option.
Local Flavor: Make It a Portland Beer Day
Portland blends a renowned food scene with coastal scenery—a perfect backdrop for a hazy IPA session.
Ideas to round out your visit:
- Oyster and IPA loop: Start with a raw bar nearby; chase brine and lemon with a pint of The Substance.
- Promenade stroll: Walk the Eastern Promenade before or after your flight—pack cans for later and keep them cold.
- Brewery row: Pair Bissell Brothers with nearby breweries for a mini-crawl—designate a driver or plan rideshare.
Insider tips:
- Weekends fill fast—especially on release days. Aim for weekday afternoons for focused tasting and staff time.
- Bring an insulated bag; Maine summers can warm quickly, and cold-chain care preserves hop aroma and carbonation.
Practical Planning
- Address: 38 Resurgam Pl, Portland, ME 04102
- Website: https://www.bissellbrothers.com/
- Best times: Weekday afternoons for relaxed flights; early evenings and weekends for energy; release days for the full buzz
- Tours: Availability varies—check the website for any special events or behind-the-scenes offerings
- To-go beer: Expect core hazies and rotating releases in the cooler; purchase limits can apply on drop days
- Keep it cold: Hop aroma is volatile—store cans cold and drink fresh for peak flavor
- Merch: Label-art apparel, glassware tuned to hazies, and limited-release designs
Why Bissell Brothers Still Leads in Hazy IPA
- Consistency with character: The beers are expressive but disciplined—lush aromatics, soft mouthfeel, and clean finishes.
- Technique at scale: Yeast management, hop timing, and oxygen control protect the very compounds that make hazies special.
- Culture of freshness: Release cadence, cold-chain, and clear dating train drinkers to expect peak aroma.
- Style influence: The Substance Ale remains a touchstone for NEIPA fans and a teaching tool for brewers dialing in biotransformation and texture.
Evidence in the glass:
- Dense but not cloying aroma, pillowy body without flab, and finishes that keep you reaching for another sip. That’s the difference between a hyped hazy and a benchmark.
Sample Sessions
One-Hour “Crisp-to-Haze” Sprint
- Start: Pilsner or Kölsch-style (10–12 oz)
- Middle: The Substance Ale (flagship; note aroma layers and texture)
- Close: Rotating Hazy IPA or Double IPA
- To-go: Mixed 4-pack—one crisp, The Substance, and two rotating hazies
Easy Evening with Pairings (90–120 Minutes)
- Begin: Lager + pretzel or Caesar salad
- Move: The Substance + fish tacos or lemony chicken
- Add: Hazy IPA + pepperoni pizza or jerk wings
- Finish: Fruited Sour + cheesecake or goat cheese salad
Conclusion: Plan Your Visit to Bissell Brothers Brewing
Set your route to 38 Resurgam Place and check bissellbrothers.com for hours, releases, and events. Start with a crisp calibrator, then make The Substance your baseline for Bissell’s hop voice. Move into a rotating hazy or a double to feel the house style at full tilt, and pair your pours with something charred, salty, or citrusy. Keep to-go cans cold and drink them fresh to catch the hops at their peak. If you want to understand why New England IPA became a national obsession—and how the best versions stay balanced and bright—Bissell Brothers is your must-stop in Portland.
