"Other" MA Breweries

Just because BAs don't buy these beers does not mean they don't sell. Hard to believe, but only a small percentage of craft beer drinkers wait in line each week for their beers. Most go to the package store and pick something readily available off the shelf.

 

Mystic mainly, also Medusa. I don't want hype at these places though. I like no lines, no noise, unlocked bathrooms, and the lack of beer cans tossed from car windows.

 

I've tried a few Riverwalk beers. They're fine, but I won't seek them out.

Brewmaster Jack has some excellent beers, but has also had a few inconsistencies along the way. I thought their Hop Essence series was a blast. They do seem to be consistently under the radar (while recognizing that you can only say that so many times and have it still be true).

Lots of other great breweries in MA suffer from the problem of not being available on the shelves. BLD 8, Bog Iron, Medusa, etc.

 

Cold Harbor. It's only been open since September, but they are turning out some amazing beers. They have some amazing IPAs that are the likes of Treehouse and Trillium. They are also coming out with some great English beers and a nice stout. The guys there are also great, always around, friendly, and nice to share a pint with. I highly suggest checking them out if you haven't yet.

 

OP, this thread might be relevant to your interests: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/enjoyable-beers-local-to-you.383334/

 

Enlightenment blows me away every time. The quality and price for some funky shelf saisons is pretty awesome. The brewery is done but plenty of bottles on shelves right under your noses.

 

Second for Brewmaster Jack. They are good beers. Wish there were less bombers and more 4 packs. Also, in Western Mass Brick and Feather out of Turners Falls is relatively new and makes some nice hazy hoppy beers. Had them when I am out. Haven't been to the brewery yet, mainly because I don't want more growlers at my house. But they are one to keep an eye on.

 

Unless a brewery wants to focus on IPA's and/or BA Stouts, they aren't likely to get a lot of love - which is a shame because there's a huge bench of great bench of breweries that make other great products.

I'll echo Medusa: who else is regularly producing a local, excellent English Mild? Or a cream ale? C'mon!

Merrimack's Maple Cream porter? Damn, here's my keys, make it a double. Or maybe I have to drive...well, Notch puts out a great Cerne Pivo ("black lager" is such a boring name) AND they are opening an Ale Hall in Salem this year!

Slumbrew regularly makes solid offerings but has really crappy growler rules. Cambridge Brewing is great on the tap but - I find - loses something out of the bottle. CBC makes the best pumpkin beer in New England in the fall. There, I said it.

I love me some Lefty's if I ever get out past Worcester county (assuming i didn't stop at the Gardner Ale House.) Or Canterbury AleWorks if I wander up to Concord, NH...

I'm still hunting for a brown ale that beats Hill Farmstead, though.

Support your local brewery.

 

Berkshire Brewing Company has one of the best quality to price ratios in the area. Love the Coffeehouse Porter and the RIS.

And a +1 for Slumbrew, especially now that they are putting Flagraiser IPA and Porter Sq Porter in 16oz cans. Attics and Eaves might be my favorite Slumbrew beer, though.

 

I'm a fan of Riverwalk. Uncle Bob's Bitter is excellent as is Flannel Trousers. That Winter Porter, though. Damn that's good. Super nice people, too.

Merrimack Valley is a little slow. Riverwalk, I like; NBPT I'm not huge on. I live three miles from The Tap, but rarely go there, which is a bummer. Everything else is a little drive.

I did like Building 8's IPA. Cape Cod makes a good summer ale, but I'm pretty limited on their stuff because it's only available down there and I'm only down there in the summer time.

 

This latest batch of Buddha's Juice from Wormtorn blew my mind. I feel like they're always solid across the board.

 

At a few of my local liquor stores Notch is the best selling local beer. All their beer is 4.5% ABV or lower, isn't super hoppy, or aged in bourbon barrels. So they may not get the recognition they deserve on Beeradvocate, but people sure as heck are buying 12 packs of Notch Pils, Left of the Dial, and now Cerne Pivo.

 

I really enjoyed Riverwalk's Rustic Pils, though I love that style in general so it's pretty subjective. I called them last weekend and they said it would be coming out again later this spring I believe. Here's hoping they put it in casks in the future and serve like a Zwickl.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28744/165711/

 

I enjoyed Bog Iron when I went. No line, in and out in 5 minutes.

 

Certainly a trendy thing to say, but I'd love that Rustic Pils in cans.

 

Castle Island in Norwood is producing some great stuff right now

 

Im a big fan of Notch and their special hoppy draft releases cater to the crowds seeking a juicy IPA; even better that it's sessionable. But it seems like way too often I buy something that is dripping with diacetyl. Great beer I just wish the quality control was better.

 

I'll definitely echo the sentiments for Mystic. Such a great brewery for non-IPA drinkers and even put out some solid IPAs/DIPAs recently.
Lefty's has been a go-to for me (I'm out in the 91 corridor), as well as Brewmaster Jack and Glass Bottom (they were dormant for a few months but are back in distribution). BLDG8 is doing some awesome things right out of the gate.
Just visited Riverwalk recently and really loved the Uncle Bob's ESB and most of their lineup over Newburyport Brewing, which is just down the street from them.
I always feel like people sleep on Clown Shoes, too, but their BA program is just phenomenal.

 

breakfast exorcism is a personal favorite from them.