Weskeag oyster illustration
US East Coast Researched

Weskeag

Crassostrea virginica

A medium-sized Maine oyster from the Weskeag River estuary in South Thomaston. Ultra-briny with a distinctive savory, miso-like flavor and smoky kelp finish. Plump and meaty with complex character.

Brininess
Size Medium
Shell deep cupped

Flavor Profile

Brininess 4/5
Sweetness 3/5
Minerality 3/5
Creaminess 4/5

Primary Flavors

Finish

Smoky kelp with a mild sweet finish

Expert Notes

Weskeag oysters showcase the ultra-briny character of Maine waters with an unexpected complexity. Grown in stake bags along the Weskeag River to protect them from striped bass, these plump, meaty oysters deliver a pronounced briny punch followed by a distinctive savory, miso-like taste with notes of kelp and smoky dashi. The creamy to light brown meat is substantial and finishes with a clean, mild sweetness that balances the high salinity.

Origin & Characteristics

Species
Crassostrea virginica
Native to
USA
Grown in
Weskeag River Estuary, South Thomaston, Maine
Size
Medium (2.5-3.5 inches)
Shell Color
Gray-white
Meat Color
Creamy to light brown

Perfect Pairings

Best Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring

What Experts Say

Across 7 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:

Unique notes: dashi, parsnip, torpedo your taste buds

"Weskeags have that ultra-briny Maine flavor profile, with a little something unusual behind the salt–a savory miso soup kind of taste, all kelp and smoky dashi. The ones I had in October were a tad thin–not unusual for a Maine oyster in fall–but should be plumping up nicely from now through January."

ultra-brinysavorymisokelpsmoky

"Weskeags are 3½ inches and have the ultra-briny Maine flavor profile, with a little something unusual behind the salt- a savory miso soup kind of taste, all kelp and smoky dashi."

ultra-brinysavorymisokelpsmoky

"These shells are squeaky clean and petite! The meat has a blast of brine upfront and slaps you around with sweet cream and parsnip finish."

brinysweetcreamparsnip

"Grown in staked bags to protect them from the striped bass that inhabit the river (and can eat oysters up to two inches in size, shell and all), Weskeags have that ultra-briny Maine flavor profile, with a little something unusual behind the salt–a savory miso soup kind of taste, all kelp and smoky dashi."

ultra-brinysavorymisokelpsmoky

"These oysters are fully grown along the river bottom for 1-2 years and will torpedo your taste buds! These have unique, strong, beautifully shaped shells, and plump full meats with a similar sweet buttery finish."

sweetbutteryplumpstrong

"Finally! A place in Maine that offers quality and value! Did the oyster trail and these were by far the best tasting we've had not just in Maine but of..."

freshdelicious

About the Farm

Weskeag Oyster Company

Est. 2000

The farm was established in 2000 and was quite small in the early days until they built an upweller. Oysters are farmed on over seven acres of the beautiful Weskeag river estuary in South Thomaston, Maine.

Cultivation Method
bottom culture
Visit Farm Website →

History & Background

The Weskeag River farm was established in 2000 in South Thomaston, Maine. The area has a notable connection to George Kittredge, a submarine captain in WWII who made the spot famous when he lived there and developed a business after retiring from the navy.

The name 'Weskeag' originates from the Abenaki Native American term for 'tidal creek' or 'salt creek,' reflecting the indigenous heritage of the region.

Did You Know?

  • Oysters are grown in staked bags to protect them from striped bass that fill the river and can eat oysters up to two inches in size, shell and all
  • The farm spans over seven acres of the Weskeag river estuary
  • Oysters take 1-4 years to reach market size depending on growing method

Sources & References

This information was compiled from 7 sources.

  1. Weskeags - The Oyster Guide — oysterguide.com
  2. Live Oysters - Fortune Fish Co. — fortunefishco.net
  3. Weskeag Oysters from South Thomaston, Maine — islandcreekoysters.com
  4. About Us - Weskeag Oyster Farm — weskeagoystercompany.com
  5. Oysters - Weskeag — graffambroslobster.com
  6. Oysters - Elm Square Oyster Co. — elmsquareoysterco.com
  7. Where to get the best oysters in Midcoast Maine — kaystephenscontent.com