Hey NE BAs, My wife and I are heading to Boston in September, and I just started looking around for good places to check out. Was thinking of checking out Harpoon, is that a worthy stop? Any other cool breweries or pubs we could see? We are only in Boston for a couple of nights, we won't have a car, and will be staying in what looks like the South End/Roxbury neighborhood. But I'd definitely like to spend one day sight seeing with 2 or 3 cool beer spots mixed in. One night we are going to a Sox game. Any suggestions are welcomed, I've only been to Boston once, that was 12 years ago, and I hardly got to see do much of anything. (it was a long layover on the way to Ireland) Thanks and cheers!
The Harpoon tour is nice but I prefer the Sam Adams tour. Definitely hit up CBC those guys make some amazing beers.
what exactly do you prefer about the sam adams tour? is it the 1oz samples in plastic cups vs harpoon's 5oz samples in actual glasses? or is it the toy brewery vs a real brewery? sarcasm intended...harpoon is hands down the better tour, and now that they are brewing a number of limited release beers on their pilot system, it's clearly the better brewery tour. not to mention, it's much closer to other boston attractions.
Lord Hobos - restaurant Sunset Grille - restaurant Deep Ellum - restaurant Harpoon - Brewery Cambridge Brewing Company - Brewpub and while you're out around town, look for Clown Shoes, Backlash, Sixpoint, Maine Beer Co. - great NE/local beers to give a try you can prob find around town at craft beer destinations
I would offer to help but I'm not sure what the standings will look like in fantasy baseball by that point.
I don't know, when I went I felt the Sam tour was more informative, at least with the actual brewing part. I agree that Harpoon's tasting is a lot better though (and they make some really good limited release stuff). And you get to keep the tasting glasses! I also agree that the location is really good, there's some good food places nearby.
Thanks for all the tips! Harpoon sounds good,and it looks like it'll be pretty easy for us to get to. The Cambridge suggestion sounds great as well, I'll check out the public transportation for that place too. @joepais, I'd LOVE to rent a car and cruise up to Portsmouth, not sure my wife would go for it though. But, we would both be ticking a state we've never been to. Hmmmmm...
Not sure where you're staying in the South End, but Picco is a good choice in that neighborhood. 17 taps I think, all craft offerings, and good pizza. For pre or post Sox game there is the Lower Depths in Kenmore Square, right near the T station. I second some of the other suggestions here as well: CBC, Lord Hobo and Deep Ellum are my favorites in town. CBC and Lord Hobo (as well as Meadhall) are all within walking distance of each other. Sunset has the biggest selection in town, but I'm not as big a fan of the atmosphere - it's within walking distance of Deep Ellum, though, so you could hit up both if you make it to Allston.
If you have 3 days, I think you could definitely bang up to Portsmouth for an afternoon and have it be worthwhile. It's only a roughly 75 minute drive without traffic. If it helps your sales pitch, there's also awesome outlet shopping in Kittery Maine across the bridge from Portsmouth. Otherwise, the best beer spots in Boston/Cambridge have been mentioned.
