Cape Ann Brewing Company

Cape Ann Brewing CompanyCape Ann Brewing Company
Cape Ann Brewing CompanyCape Ann Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

11 Rogers Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930
United States

// CLOSED //

The permanent closure of the Cape Ann Brewing Company was announced on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.72
Beers:
45
Ratings:
2,085
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.16
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
48
pDev:
8.41%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mynie:
Photo of mynie
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Adorable little joint, located right on the Cape. The taproom is long and woody, with broad communal tables, booths, and a bar. TVs played softly, the crowd was made up almost entirely of friendly locals, and the staff were quite friendly.

Seriously, a very nice atmosphere. 100% laid back and without the smallest hint of pretentiousness. Sometimes I like the bustling antiseptic feel of your hipper and more brightly lit joints, but more often than not I'd prefer to simply sit back and drink.

The beer is old school east coast craft, with a strong focus on balance and English influences peaking through. I would have guessed the place opened up in the mid 90's, but it's actually only about 10 years old. Huh. Anyhow, there's nothing bad about not being excessively hop-forward, not offering anything barrel aged, and not crapping out an array of middling sours, but this lack of newness might turn off some of the more scene-conscious beersmen.

There's about 10 offerings, with a beer for every mood so long as you're not in the mood for something XTreme.

Food was standard pub fare. Having lived in New England less than 6 months, I'm still getting used to the wondrousness of having fresh seafood available all the time, so I don't quite know how their clams stack up against those of your average pub. So... it was good, is all I can say. I might have been more impressed than I should have been.
Jan 20, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.09 by TrojanRB from Texas

Dec 15, 2019
Photo of DanielFusco
Rated by DanielFusco from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 3 | food: 3
IPA is the best of three, though there were eight there. Beer and Bites Melrose.
Apr 07, 2019
 
Rated: 3.89 by Rideguy64 from New Hampshire

Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.8 by JohnofUpton from Massachusetts

Jul 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.45 by TheHawk99 from Massachusetts

Nov 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.96 by HurryItsJacob from Massachusetts

Jun 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.05 by sbuchert from Massachusetts

Feb 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by 2ellas from New Hampshire

Sep 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.7 by MilaMila from Massachusetts

May 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.41 by Oidmoe from Austria

Apr 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by scxcrunner from Massachusetts

Oct 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.03 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania

May 22, 2015
Photo of WoostaBia
Rated by WoostaBia from Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +14.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Great experience: live music, great food and beer selection in a beautiful rustic setting.
May 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Feb 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by vonnerbeer from Massachusetts

Nov 17, 2014
Photo of PortLargo
Reviewed by PortLargo from Florida

4/5  rDev -3.8%
Convenient location in Gloucester with ample parking. Bartenders seem to be very knowledgeable. Pub-grub is a little better than average. Beer selection is pretty decent by any standards. Some brews are only average, but a few real winners (Dead Eye DIPA). Also, they had a cask IPA at room temp during my visit. About the only negative is they serve many of their brews in a shaker glass. They offer tours during the day and if you ask politely they will work with your schedule.
Sep 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Tarps68 from Massachusetts

Aug 24, 2014
Photo of Bierman9
Reviewed by Bierman9 from New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
My Ladies and I swung by here today for lunch, after a not-so-successful whale watch.

The Pub was easily found on the waterfront, a short walk from our whale watch boat. Gorgeous day that it was (and is!), we scored seats outside on the patio, under the canopy. Inside, past the hostess station, was a long bar running to the rear along the left. Many picnic tables were set about, of the big, solid, polished variety. Place had lots of light, solid wood, and it was fairly bright. A very convivial setting. The patio had more big-ass picnic tables, almost all in the shade. The view out over the harbor is superb! On tap were about 10 biers, from barleywine to amber, koelsch to pilsner, milk stout to DIPA. The two I quaffed (DIPA and barleywine) were very solid.

Our server, and the whole staff, were exceedingly friendly and accomodating, from the basics of getting our food and drinks, to taking some pictures and chatting about the area. Food was solid pub food (had 2 steak subs, a burger, and chicken tenders, plus nachos). Tasty, though a tad pricy, but consider the setting. All in all, a very pleasant experience! Zum Wohl!

4.33/5 rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.20 | service: 4.30 | selection: 4.40 | food: 4.15 | $$$

272
Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by abandini from Massachusetts

Jun 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by jarrodddd from Massachusetts

Jun 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by NJBeer265 from New Jersey

Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by alexx93 from Rhode Island

May 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by ericatomten from Colorado

Apr 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by pinodorazio from Massachusetts

Apr 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by coombski from Maine

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bakerbill from Massachusetts

Mar 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by jwps214 from Massachusetts

Mar 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by jstilwell from Massachusetts

Jan 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by JA_Douglas from Virginia

Dec 20, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Bilco from Pennsylvania

Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by VictorFranco from District of Columbia

Nov 22, 2013
Photo of Resuin
Reviewed by Resuin from Massachusetts

4.04/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I ate here on a Saturday evening with my family. There was over an hour wait for outdoor seating on the patio (overlooking the boats and water) but we just had some beers at the bar (I drank their chili stout - pretty solid). There were like 10-15 beers on tap - solid selection.

I had the burger which was tasty and the french fries were good. Other people at my table got lobster roll, fish and chips and the steak bomb - everyone enjoyed their food.

After we were seated, we ordered a bottle of their barrel-aged saison, which we were told was aged in merlot and cabernet barrels for 18 months and then bottle conditioned for 6 months. It was $20 but worth it - really, really tasty and unique.

The tables in the restaurant are picnic tables - the indoor ones are very long, and I'm guessing you'd have to share with other people. The outdoor ones were great for 4 people (which we had) and it was a terrific atmosphere.

There were lots of games inside - board games, darts, table shuffleboard, foosball. Definitely a fun place with good beer.
Jul 29, 2013
Photo of Abilow33
Reviewed by Abilow33 from New York

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I tried two beers at their establishment. The first beer was their chilli stout and the second was the Navigator. The chilli stout was awesome and the navigator was very good. The chilli stout was the color of coke and had a great smell and taste. I was wondering what a beer with "hot sauce" was going to be like and I was surprised at how the flavors really worked together. We sat out on the deck and watched the ships come in and out of the ocean and joked about the show Wicked Tuna. Service was fantastic. Food was out fast and hot and the waitress always showed up at the right time. I hope to go back and try other beers (pumpkin coffee stout).
Jul 23, 2013
Photo of SABERG
Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Went for the first time with my sweetheart.
The beer list was full of their offerings. Started with Cask home grown pale ale, quite good.
Octoberfest was also quite good.
Shared mussels, steamed in pale ale and garlic witha hint of mustard. Had fish and chips, both items were excellent.
Service was solid as food was put up by the kitchen any staff member delivered it hot and promptly!
Atmosphere was family friendly, big tables to share, my wife noticed that with 2 football games on, each was using subtitles, while music filled the house. Nice touch.

A trip here is worth the drive, value to price was very good.
Seek this out
Oct 08, 2012
Photo of ACD
Reviewed by ACD from Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This is what a Brew Pub/Restaurant should be like! I have been several times and will continue to make the 25 mile trip to scenic Gloucester, many many more time!

Great beer with great selections for each season! They really take pride in creating and selecting different styles of beer. Not just the same old same old types. You can tell a lot of time research and effort goes into each of their selections!

The bartenders and servers could not be more friendly and helpful!

The food choices are perfect compliments to the beers!

Combine that with being right on Gloucester Harbor, this is a must visit for anyone who like beer- food and the sea! It is a great time any time of the season
Sep 19, 2012
Photo of bkbythesea
Reviewed by bkbythesea from Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
the beer is excellent....many choices...take home growlers are a plus...haven't tried the food yet..but hear its tasty...only ding would be when they have bands in there they should tone it down a bit...its far too loud....maybe have the amps on a lower setting...sucks to have to scream in each others ear to hear each other....the atmosphere otherwise is all brewery...i have to make it a point to go down some day when they are batching something together...cool to not only enjoy the product but watch the process as well.
Jan 12, 2012
Photo of mingo1968
Reviewed by mingo1968 from Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Was in the area and stopped in the beer was fresh and the service was good. The view on the back deck is very nice looking into the warf. If i lived here this would be one of my watering holes so if your in the area stop in. Oh you can smell them brewing the beer. The place was clean and staff friendly. Our server was very nice and knew about the beers she even gave a few samples out. It wasn't that crowded when i was there. But i would imagin if the place was crowded seating would be tough out on the deck. The deck is very big but not alot of tables. Really i cant wait to get back in there when im back in the area. Wish i could get their brew down here in philly.
Sep 05, 2011
Photo of GratefulBeerGuy
Reviewed by GratefulBeerGuy from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
We had a great exploring the ocean and beach of Stage fort Park in the historic fishing town of Gloucester, MA. Home of the Perfect storm, the area is loaded with fishing and Revolutionary war history. not to mention the official spot of the Massachusetts bay colony circa 1623.

Haning outside on the open deck right at the mouth of the harbour is a perfect way to end the day. The famous "Crowns nest" and Ice making building are all within eye-shot. Two large fishing vessles nearly hit eachother as i sipped my honey Pilsner. After, i tried the rather extreme fisherman's Tea which is a Barleywine with a mix of three traditional tea's, all of which eneded up in the Boston Harbour on that famous day. The Beers were pretty good and service as well.
Jul 30, 2011
Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester, MA
Brewery rating: 3.72 out of 5 with 2085 ratings