I'll be going to Boston in March for Extreme Beer Fest and was just wondering what the best bars are in the Boston area are. (Selection, etc.) Cheers
Hey SebD, If you search through the NE form there are many threads in the past: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/29281223/?q=boston&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=13 You'll want to hit up Row 34 which is very close to Trillium Brewing, Harpoon Brewery is right down the street as well.
A helpful local compiled this thread for just such occasions: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-boston-summer-13-edition.99268/ (I'll also note that I quite like Deep Ellum in the Allston neighborhood.)
Love ordering a full pint of beer after drinking all those small samples at EBF ...even though I rarely make it past half a pint before I spill it or just get sick of beer. ;-) I would suggest pre-gaming vs. post-gaming the fest. Lulz.
I wouldn't suggest either...unless you're talking about hours before or after the fest. Like the afternoon session Saturday, maybe something for or after dinner, and for the evening, maybe something for lunch. Give your poor liver a break, right? Depending on travel schedule, there's time for something Sunday morning as well...or Friday night. PIcking up stuff to take home at Trillium, Harpoon or whatever is a different story, of course.
Is pre- or post-gaming really necessary? I mean, is there a shortage of good, strong beer at EBF? Does anyone ever leave there too sober? (obviously, no. )
Hence the lulz. Although having a full pint of something not so high in abv along with some water before getting to the fest isn't a bad idea. You don't want to be sucking down 10%+ abv samples just because you are thirsty/excited to drink beer.
Also worth paying attention to see what bars may have special taps around EBF. Not uncommon for breweries to send some special release stuff to the bars since they're already sending beer to Mass., a market many of them don't usually distribute to. My own personal view, Deep Ellum, Lord Hobo, and Cambridge Brewing are my favorite spots. Deep Ellum is annoying to get to if you don't know the MBTA well. Row 34 has an awesome tap list, but I'm not sure how the bar scene is since it's a nice restaurant as well and could be overwhelmed post-fest given proximity to the seaport. Sunset and Publick House are institutions and worth a stop, but can be packed on weekends, particularly beer fest weekends. Also, avoid Meadhall unless you like paying a 50% premium for beers that are available at other bars around the city.
Two years ago we went to CBC for dinner after EBF session B. Myself and two other beer geeks couldn't even finish a pitcher of Tall Tale Pale Ale. Just so much beer that day.
