Bissell Brothers

What Bissell Brothers does

Bissell Brothers is a craft brewery founded in 2013 in Portland, Maine by Noah and Peter Bissell, operating from a single 38 Resurgam Place campus on Thompson's Point that combines brewery production, taproom, the Bissell Brothers Kitchen, and The Garden outdoor venue. The company produces an extensive portfolio of over 40 distinct beers — including flagship IPA The Substance Ale, the year-round Swish Double IPA, pilsners, lagers, stouts, barrel-aged releases, and collaboration beers — differentiated by a Maine-grown grain supply chain anchored by a deep partnership with Maine Malt House (Buck Farms), which provides proprietary Mapleton Gold malt and accounted for 25% of all Maine-grown brewing ingredients used statewide in 2024. Distribution is self-managed across Maine and routed through seven regional partners into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Greater Philadelphia, Virginia, and Washington D.C., with limited DTC out-of-state shipping via Tavour. The company monetizes through five streams: taproom DTC sales, wholesale distribution, online merch preorder, private events (weddings, corporate, buyouts), and Bissell Buds THC seltzer — the only product shipped directly from the brewery. Bissell Brothers serves craft beer enthusiasts as its primary segment, with secondary segments of families, event hosts, and wholesale buyers, and operates an active community programming calendar (trivia, run club, family nights, watch parties) as a core engagement layer.

Name

Bissell Brothers

Legal name

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company

Website

https://bissellbrothers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bissell Brothers is a Portland, Maine craft brewery producing a 40+ SKU portfolio of IPAs, lagers, stouts, and barrel-aged beers from a destination Thompson's Point taproom, distributing across Maine and seven other states while operating a kitchen, garden, private events business, and THC seltzer sub-brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Craft brewery operations
• Hop-forward IPAs
• Maine-grown grain sourcing
• Barrel-aged beer

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Taproom Sales: On-site draft and packaged beer sales, food sales from Bissell Brothers Kitchen, and merchandise at the taproom. Beverages and food available to go via preorder.
2. Wholesale / Distribution: Self-distribution across Maine to bars, restaurants, and bottle shops. Out-of-state distribution via regional partners to MA, RI, NY, NJ, Greater Philadelphia, VA, and D.C. Keg sales to retailers.
3. Online / E-commerce: Merch sales via Shopify storefront (shopbissellbrothers.myshopify.com) shipping anywhere in the USA. Limited beer shipped out-of-state via Tavour partner. Preorder for taproom pickup via Toast Tab.
4. Private Events & Weddings: Private event bookings including weddings, rehearsal dinners, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate functions, and full buyouts. Packages include tables, chairs, bar staff, catering, and A/V setup.
5. THC Seltzer (Bissell Buds): THC Seltzer product sold under Bissell Buds brand, shipped directly from the brewery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bissell Brothers is an independent craft brewery that manufactures and sells a portfolio of 40+ beers across IPAs, DIPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, barrel-aged, and seasonal styles, complemented by non-alcoholic Bissell Bubbles hop seltzer and Bissell Buds THC seltzer. The brewery also operates an on-site taproom, full-service Bissell Brothers Kitchen, outdoor Garden venue, private event hosting, and an e-commerce merchandise storefront.

Product overview

Bissell Brothers is a craft brewery founded in 2013 in Portland, Maine, offering a diverse portfolio of beers centered around IPAs, stouts, lagers, and seasonal specialties. The core products include flagship IPA The Substance Ale and iconic Double IPA Swish (which moved to year-round production in spring 2025), complemented by sub-products like Super Swish (Triple IPA) and Swish Silver (Pale Ale). The portfolio spans over 40 distinct beers including core year-round offerings (Memories Remain West Coast IPA, Umbra Oatmeal Stout, Bissell Black Nitro Dry Stout, Precept Pilsner, Lucent Helles), seasonal releases (Festbier, Weary World Rejoices holiday DIPA), barrel-aged and limited releases (Barrel-Aged New Old Stock, Angels With Filthy Souls), and collaboration beers with partners like Hearts Of Pine, Jackie O's, Tilted Barn, and Mentation Cannabis. The company also operates Bissell Brothers Kitchen (celebrating its five-year anniversary in 2025), The Garden outdoor venue, and the main Taproom at Thompson's Point. Direct-to-consumer services include preorder/takeout via Toast Tab, private events booking, and Bissell Buds THC seltzer (the only product shipped directly from the brewery).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Substance Ale Flagship IPA of Bissell Brothers, available daily at the taproom. Features Humulone-derived hop character as the company's signature year-round offering.
• Swish Double IPA Iconic Double IPA combining hand-selected aromatic hops (Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe) with Maine-grown grain including the proprietary Mapleton Gold malt and Maine Wheat. 8% ABV. Year-round production since spring 2025.
• Memories Remain West Coast IPA brewed with Maine-grown pilsner malt, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Strata hops, fermented with Southern California Ale Yeast. Pine and berry notes with bone-dry finish. 6.5% ABV.
• Umbra Oatmeal Stout brewed with roasted malt, UK crystal malt, and Maine oats. Pitch black with roast-y, robust, and sessionable character. 6.2% ABV.
• Revival Nitro Milk Stout brewed with Maine and UK specialty malts, lightly hopped, with milk sugar. Big roasty notes of milk chocolate tempered by nitrogen. 5.4% ABV.
• Oi! Nitro Pub Ale Nitro Pub Ale bringing classic English drinking experience with Maine Mapleton Gold, Maine Munich, and Maine Wheat. Pioneered nitrogen canning. Bronze Medal at Denver International Beer Competition. 4.5% ABV.
• Bissell Black Nitro Dry Stout brewed with Maine-grown malted and roasted barley, canned and kegged exclusively with nitrogen. Notes of chocolate, bread crust, and roast. 4.2% ABV.
• Bissell Bubbles Non-alcoholic hop seltzer water made with Sebago Lake Water, Mosaic and Citra hops, and CO2. 5% of can sales donated to Sebago Clean Waters.
• Precept German-style Pilsner brewed with 100% Maine pilsner malt, German Mittelfrüh and Saphir hops, horizontally lagered for over a month. Silver Medal at Denver International Beer Competition. 5.6% ABV.
• Lucent Helles Lager brewed entirely with Maine-grown grain, lightly balanced with noble hops, horizontally lagered for over a month. Delicate, nuanced, crisp, and endlessly quaffable. 4.9% ABV.
• Barrel-Aged New Old Stock Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter finished for thirteen months in a blend of bourbon and rye barrels. Gold Medal at 2025 US Open Beer Championship. 12.9% ABV.
• Bissell Buds THC Seltzer THC-infused seltzer product line sold under the Bissell Buds sub-brand. The only beer-adjacent product shipped directly from the brewery.
• Bissell Brothers Kitchen On-site full-service kitchen at the Portland brewery and taproom, open seven days a week, featuring seasonal flavors and house-made favorites with options for every kind of eater.
• Bissell Brothers Taproom Main taproom at 38 Resurgam Place, Portland, ME, serving all beers, food, and merchandise with reservation capabilities via OpenTable. Open daily 11am to 7pm or 9pm depending on day.
• The Garden at Bissell Brothers Outdoor garden space at Thompson's Point location available for private events, casual dining, and community gatherings.
• Bissell Brothers Private Events Private event hosting service for weddings, rehearsal dinners, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate functions, and farewell lunches. Packages include tables, chairs, bar staff, catering, and A/V setup.
• Preorder and Takeout Service Online preorder system via Toast Tab for same-day pickup of food, packaged beverages, and merchandise at the Portland taproom.
• Bissell Brothers Merchandise Store Online merchandise store selling Bissell Brothers branded apparel and accessories via Shopify, shipping anywhere in the USA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% of all Maine-grown ingredients used in brewing in Maine in 2024 (sourced 1,007,630 lbs of Maine grain from Maine Malt House)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hearts Of PinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBissell Brothers brews Hearts Of Pine Pale Ale in collaboration with Portland, Maine's first professional soccer club. The beer features an all-Maine malt lineup and a trio of pine-forward hops. Bissell Brothers hosts watch parties for Hearts Of Pine home games on their big screen, and the partnership includes a dedicated pale ale available at the taproom and for retail.
• Maine Malt House (Buck Farms)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term grain sourcing partnership with Maine Malt House at Buck Farms in Aroostook County. In 2024, Bissell Brothers sourced 1,007,630 lbs of malted grain (25% of all Maine-grown brewing ingredients statewide). Buck Farms spent two years developing Mapleton Gold, a Maine-grown replacement for Scottish Golden Promise, now the base malt for Swish. This is a foundational supply chain partnership enabling Bissell Brothers' Maine-ingredient positioning.
• Mentation CannabisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Mentation IPA w/ Terpenes, celebrating flavors and aromas of hops and cannabis through terpene pairing. Note: the beer does not contain cannabis, CBD, or THC.
• New BalanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Balance is a sponsor of the Bissell Brothers Run Club, providing gear rewards to runners who check in at 10, 20, and 50 runs, and get their name on a plaque in the taproom at 100 runs.
• Sebago Clean WatersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner5% of Bissell Bubbles (non-alcoholic hop water) can sales are donated to Sebago Clean Waters, an organization dedicated to protecting Sebago Lake water quality. Bissell Brothers uses Sebago Lake water (one of the cleanest drinking water supplies in the country) in Bissell Bubbles.
• TavourminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLimited selection of Bissell Brothers beers shipped to certain locations in the USA via Tavour, an online craft beer marketplace. This is the only direct-to-consumer beer shipping option from the brewery (excluding THC seltzer Bissell Buds).
• Craft CollectivecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.
• Craft Beer Guild NY / Union Beer Distributors / TJ Sheehan DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew York distribution partners: Craft Beer Guild NY (Hudson Valley), Union Beer Distributors (NYC), TJ Sheehan Distributors (Upstate NY).
• Remarkable LiquidscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for New Jersey market.
• 31st and WhartoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Greater Philadelphia market.
• Reverie DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Virginia and Washington D.C. markets.
• Maine Academy of Modern MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Summer Rise Pale Ale, brewed for Resurgam Music & Arts Festival. Bissell Brothers is a sponsor of this inclusive community-minded event on Thompson's Point.
• University of Southern Maine QC2 LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Collaboratory Pale Ale brewed with USM's Quality Control Collaboratory. $1 for every 4-pack sold is donated to the program, which provides analytical services (ABV testing and more) to craft beverage producers while creating educational opportunities for undergraduates.
• GusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on On The Ocean Pale Ale for Guster's annual On The Ocean music festival, held next door to the brewery on Thompson's Point.
• Jackie O'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Six Ways To Sunday Double IPA with Jackie O's, an Ohio-based craft brewery.
• Tilted Barn BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Cactus Double IPA, faithfully inspired by Tilted Barn's original recipe. A Bissell Brothers take on the beer, featuring tropical flavors and extremely soft mouthfeel.
• Friends of Baxter ParkminorOthersPreserve & Protect DIPA is a liquid tribute to Jensen Bissell's 30 years of work in Baxter State Park, with a portion of sales benefitting Friends of Baxter Park, an independent citizens group dedicated to preserving the wilderness character of the park.
• Maine Grain AllianceminorOthersAbundance Hefeweizen (You Earned It Series) was brewed by Taproom Associate David Fidrych to benefit the Maine Grain Alliance, an organization that inspires and empowers people building local grain economies by connecting communities and sharing grain traditions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. One of the largest U.S. craft breweries, nationally distributed with broad style portfolio and sustainability focus. Comparable as a broad incumbent in craft beer but operates at far greater scale and geography than Bissell Brothers.
• New Belgium Brewing Company: Large nationally distributed craft brewery (now part of Kirin/Lion) with strong flagship brands and sustainability positioning. Comparable on craft ethos and experiential taproom model but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geography.
• Stone Brewing: Large, established craft brewery (now part of Sapporo) with broad national distribution and a wide style portfolio including IPAs. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the broader craft beer space but not specialized in Bissell Brothers' Maine-grain, NEIPA-centric niche.

Direct peers

• Maine Beer Company: Freeport, Maine craft brewery known for hop-forward IPAs (Lunch, Dinner, Another One) with national cult following and taproom. Competes head-to-head with Bissell Brothers for Maine taproom visitors, wholesale accounts, and DIPA enthusiast customers.
• Foundation Brewing Company: Portland, Maine craft brewery focused on IPAs and DIPAs, operating a dedicated taproom. Directly comparable on style mix, Maine geography, taproom-led GTM, and target consumer of craft enthusiasts seeking hop-forward beers.
• Allagash Brewing Company: Portland, Maine craft brewery founded in 1995, widely considered the benchmark Maine craft producer. Operates a large brewery, taproom, and restaurant experience and distributes nationally, making it the closest local peer and competitor for Maine taproom traffic, distribution, and culinary-driven craft positioning.
• The Alchemist: Vermont craft brewery best known for Heady Topper, a flagship DIPA that helped define the NEIPA style. Highly relevant comparable on style leadership, cult DIPA brand status, destination brewery experience, and regional distribution model.
• Tree House Brewing Company: Massachusetts craft brewery famous for hazy/juicy IPAs with destination taprooms and limited distribution. Comparable as a hop-forward New England craft brand with destination experience model and intense consumer demand that frequently outstrips supply.
• Trillium Brewing Company: Boston, MA craft brewery with multiple taprooms, nationally distributed IPAs and farmhouse ales, and strong NEIPA positioning. Comparable on style portfolio, multi-state distribution, taproom-as-destination strategy, and craft enthusiast target customer.

Emerging players

• Lone Pine Brewing Company: Maine craft brewery (Portland origins) with taproom and growing regional distribution. Comparable as an emerging Maine peer competing for local taproom traffic and shelf space, though smaller in scale and brand recognition than Bissell Brothers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bissell-brothers
• Facebookfacebook.com/BissellBrothers
• Instagraminstagram.com/bissellbrothers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bissell-brothers-brewing-company-llc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bissell Brothers