Assuming you are coming from NJ, take Route 138 off I-95 to Newport and make the slight detour to Tilted Barn. Must visit, great beer and space. Newport doesn’t have much in the way of worthwhile breweries, but Pour Judgement is an awesome beer bar. Also, Midtown Oyster Bar always has good local beer on tap and, if you like oysters, worth the visit. As for the Cape, Tree House had a spot in Sandwich. All that needs to be said.
Edited. A lot on the Cape will depend on your location: https://www.vacationcapecod.com/a-guide-to-cape-cods-breweries/
This. Whenever I googled how far the Treehouse location is from our AirBnB next month ... I immediately began looking info breweries farther out, but I'm not sure if places like Hog Island, Devil Purse measure up (or if that matters ... we're there for a getaway. Good beer is just a bonus).
TLDR; they don't measure up. Treehouse is obviously the crown jewel. Hog Island is decent (with a good pub), Devils Purse is better. To your point, all depends on how much you want to drive around the Cape. Pro move would be to load up on TH once you're over the bridge on your way down.
Given you've got to go over the Bourne or Sagamore Bridge wherever you are staying "On the Cape" that puts you 10-15 minutes from Treehouse regardless. We typically stay in Dennis Port and I always stop on the way in for beers for my week stay and then on the way out to stock up for home. The Sandwich location is a great spot so I would say this should be a must stop,
Visit Cleat and Anchor in Dennisport or Finn’s Craft Beer Tap House in Hyannis. Both have solid tap lists representing the best in New England. Stone Path Malt in Wareham has a taproom showcasing the beers that use their malts. They also sell cans of the same beers.
If you’re coming from NJ, hit Fox Farm in Salem, CT. For Newport, Rejects is decent. Coddington is a brewpub and one of the OG’s in RI. Beer is decent. Food is good - get the nachos. Portsmouth isn’t too far from Newport, so hit Ragged Island. Not sure if Norey’s in Newport is any good anymore. They used to have a good draft selection and I think they brew. Pour Judgment was my go to back when I worked in Newport (ca 2008 to 2015).
For Newport, I was at Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling last Thursday, beers were solid and the view from the rooftop deck is pretty good. We went and watched the sun set over the bay. I highly recommend it.
I would echo the following (all from above) Treehouse is very easy to get to, has extensive hours and coming in the offseason will make parking super easy if you want to stay for a pour or two on your way on Cape. Pizza is good there (better than most any pizza on the Cape). Had a lobster roll truck 3-4 days a week during summer, but not sure if continuing that in the fall. Looking quickly at their site, says lobster is "weekends". It was definitely more often than that (Th-Su, I think) in summer so maybe they are continuing with it just less days. I'm partial to Devil's Purse in Dennis. It's worth the visit for sure. Be prepared for small tap room with almost no tables or a tent outside with a bunch of picnic tables as long as weather is nice. This is absolutely not a NE IPA venue. All kinds of styles, usually done well but not knock your socks off. Very rarely, they will have a food truck (like once a week tops). Cleat and Anchor does indeed have a fantastic tap list (including occasional Hill Farmstead). I've never been a huge fan of the food but the bar is nice and outdoor space is nice as well. Fox Farm absolutely worth a visit on the way in (but definitely need to see if their hours work with your drive). Hog Island is meh for me. Not mentioned, but Naukabout does OK beer in my experience heavily specializing in NE IPAs (sounds like nowhere near where you will be though). It's out of the way when driving on Cape (especially given Treehouse is easier and better). If you happen to do a day trip to Falmouth, worth a stop.
People are being kind. Hog Island's beers are bad, like out of a 90s brewpub kit brewery bad. Devil's Purse is solid, but you can also find their kolsch on tap everywhere on the Cape. Their other beers are good, but the kolsch is their flagship and best one. And the Devil's Purse "taproom" is a small garage with a few stools/barrels and a patch of astroturf in the parking lot with chairs and picnic tables. If the weather is decent, Naukabout can be a good time, but check their hours. Skip Cape Cod Beer. It's just bad. Tree House is the only brewery on Cape I ever recommend. And if you're there on a weekday during the offseason, it's one of the best places to have a beer in New England. Right on the water and very laid back. Summer is insane and it's a hell hole to try to park there and deal with the crowd that shows up. But in the fall, it's totally flipped. Grab some pizza, case or two to go, and enjoy. If you venture to Chatham, check out Mom & Pop's for burgers and a quality tap list. Mac's in Chatham also rules in the fall with short lines, good oysters (sometimes with half-off oyster happy hours on weekdays from like 3-5 or 4-6pm), and a few good taps, including a house IPA made by Vanished Valley (I think) that is delicious.
I rarely agree with J, on account of him being an idiot, but a good call on Ragged Island. A very scenic farm brewery setup with a greenhouse in the taproom and on the way from Newport to the Cape.
Was def being kind. "brewpub kit brewery" hilarious! Cape Cod Beer....yes, terrible. Mom & Pops in Chatham def has a great small tap list. Would add Drifter's in Chatham as well.
I am back from my trip and went to four breweries: Bad Martha's in Falmouth, Treehouse in Sandwich, Taproot in Newport and Newport Craft Breweries & Distilleries. I have to say per previous comments that Treehouse was my favorite. Had good ones at all three.
A recap of the Cape trip. Tree House super easy. Unfortunately couldn't sit and stay (we could see google maps continue to get redder and redder). But in and out. Got some cold brew, which is harkening back to the old Modern Times days IYKYK. Ummm, oh the pumpkin stout was delightful. Lights On/Timberline were just okay, but we drank them. I really like the oak conditioned altbier. Super tasty and low ABV. As for Cape beer, we met up randomly with two friends who had the hazy from Hog Island and the Kolsch from Devil's Purse. The latter was much better. I will say this: really happy we brought the handle of Tito's for $30 at the NH liquor store rather than paying $40 for it down there. Ditto wine.
I don't anticipate going to a brewery during my trip to the Cape but will probably stop at Tree House on the way back. As far as when I am down/out there (on the Cape, not Tree House), is there anything I should be looking for on draft from Cape breweries?
