I managed to hit 12 breweries on a recent trip to Boston/Maine/New Hampshire. In order of preference:
1. Oxbow, Newcastle ME..."rustic farmhouse ales" perfectly describes the setting and beers. Just an awesome experience to drive to "cowshit corner"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO-f7YjhzaE and drink some beer here.
2. Cambridge Brewing Company, Cambridge, MA: Lovely outdoor setting; both food and beer were outstanding.
3. Allagash, Portland, ME: Excellent beer, excellent free tour with free samples. Says it all.
4. Trillium, Boston MA: Excellent beer, free samples. Says it all.
5. Maine Beer Company, Freeport, ME: Fresh Lunch is the real deal. Sad I missed out on Dinner. Brewery and tasting room look like a factory outlet store, but who cares.
6. Night Shift, Everett, MA: Bit of a hike when limited to public transport, but their Berliner Weisse and Gose made it worth the trek.
7. Bissell Brothers, Portland, ME: Got to sample their much hyped Substance IPA...their last keg they had brewed kicked as the guy was pouring my beer...
8. Foundation, some very good farmhouse ales...
9. Smuttynose, Hampton, NH: Decent beer, free samples, but you were required to take the lame tour to get free samples.
10. Harpoon, Boston MA: Awesome pretzels that paired amazingly well with Harpoon Dark (their dunkel)
11. Infiniti, Portland, ME: Good food, decent sour.
12. Austin Street, Portland ME: interesting brett session ipa.