Cheaper craft bars in Boston

Good thinking on heading to CBC. It's an easy enough walk from Kendall Square on the Red Line if you want to avoid a cab. I'd definitely recommend a stop at Lord Hobo as well, but for my money (literally here), I'd skip Meadhall and Bukowski's and visit Atwood's (killer patio, solid beer list with decent focus on locals), about a 5 minute walk from Lord Hobo, or hop back on the T and head to Cambridge Common, which is also very cheap and has a solid focus on local breweries. For a local focus, obviously the CBC is all house-brewed beer, much of it world-class, but I'd also mention Flatbread in Davis Square (also Red Line), which only has local beer on-tap at very low prices for the Boston area, and excellent pizza.

Finally, I'd strongly recommend a trip out to the Publick House in Brookline--really how bad is a 15-20 minute T ride (it's right across the street from the stop) to visit one of the finest bars in the city? Personally, it has the best vibe of some of the heavy hitter bars (including Lord Hobo & Deep Ellum, both of which I also love), very good food, and an excellent beer list with many reasonably priced drafts. I'd especially recommend a trip out there if they have Trillium on-tap. They're a new brewery in the Fort Point area of Boston, and I've been blown away by their beers so far. When I was at the Publick House last, I believe their (killer) Fort Point Pale Ale was pouring for $6--pretty good by Boston standards.

 

I thought $6 pints of fresh Flower Power at Deep Ellum I had a couple weeks ago was great deal given the area. They get out of hand on their lager pricing imo - but seems most local places do that carry good lager, but for ipa's I think they are usually about average of what you pay around town.

 

I love going places where beer is $3 a pint (16oz), but that ain't Boston (no happy hours or beer specials) nor is it really many places in the Northeast. The point of this thread is to avoid places that rip you off (charge you for a pint, but it's a thick-bottom 14oz or charge 1-3$ more than other bars for the same beer). Yeah, this happens and we walk out when we see the gouging in action, which is why you should go to bars where people love the beer.

 

flatbreads at saccos in davis square, somerville.

 

The Avenue is easily the best-priced beer bar in this area. Good stuff starts at $5 and there's plenty in the $5-$7 range that you will enjoy. I'm not sure why it doesn't get much word on this site, especially when people complain so much about Boston's beer prices.

Lord Hobo always seems to have one (sometimes two) $4 pint on their menu, but everything else is pricy.

 

Magoun's has them for some of their beers (Fuller's for example)

OP: Whatever you do, just don't go to Bukowski's. You can do better than that almost anywhere else.

 

I've seen PBR for $3 on draft at Porter Café in West Roxbury (which is too far away for the OP, but still considered Boston)! They are my favorite place in my section of town. But yeah, for your $3 PBR is about the best you'll do.

http://www.portercafe.com/#beer

 

If you're going to be around CBC/Kendall, Meadhall is worth a look. Some of the locals are very reasonably priced. $6 Framinghammer, $5 (I think, maybe $6) pours of Slumbrew. Asgard and Kinsale are the others I'd suggest if you're looking for value. $5.75 (IIRC) pours of Be Hoppy. Limited selection, however.

 

The pricing is pretty odd for some of the pours. But whatever, I just choose something else. There's enough on the menu. Every place around here prices shit oddly.

CBC's worth a visit (but not nearly my favorite). Sometimes they do have a dynamite beer on. And it is nice to chill outside on the patio. http://cambridgebrew.com/beer/seasonal for what's currently on.

 

What atmosphere?

 

Great call on Atwood's!

 

I've been disappointed by the decor changes at the CBC over the past few years (replacing the old lights, switching out the light wood tables for darker ones, and so on), but I still really dig the laid-back, beer hall atmosphere of the CBC, at least in the front room and especially at the bar. But the really great atmosphere at the CBC is on the patio, where I've been much happier with the recent changes (hops, retractable awning, etc). The CBC is about as unpretentious as brewpubs get, and I love it for that, and the relaxed community atmosphere there.

 

this is good advice, not too far from where you are at now - walking distance on a nice night. the two are across the alley from each other. they have good food as well. and both bars are interesting.

 

I'll add a +1 for a CBC and Hobo trip, and also agree that the hotel lobby bar is actually pretty decent if you dont feel like trekking. Salty Pig and Buk's for easiest walks.

 

I'll pretty much echo what the others have said. CBC is great! But if you do end up in Somerville/Davis square check out five horses tavern. Decent list with some inexpensive craft choices, but some of the beer prices can get pretty high. Food is awesome though!!!

 

What are the inexpensive craft choices at Five Horses? Last I checked they were the most expensive bar in Davis, neck in neck with Saloon and Foundry.

 

I heard the KBS was pretty cheap.

 

Don't get me wrong some of their prices are insane. I remember they had a bottle on their menu for $40. They are definitely following the wine markup for some of their craft selections. But they always carry a handful reasonably priced craft brews (for Boston). I was just promoting their food. Everyone already nailed the best places to go!

 

CBC + Lord Hobo is the best option in almost any scenario.
If you find yourself downtown then Kinsale is a good option. You can get 20oz pours of good local stuff for around $6.50. Very hard to be that in the Boston area.