These Mass. breweries are now open for outdoor drinking

It's not. I believe they're another week or two away from opening.

 

I don't know why Vanished Valley in Ludlow didn't make the list but they are definitely open for outdoor drinking and dining. They just did a total overhaul and now have a full restaurant that opened (with restrictions) this past week. You can even order from your phone while you are seated so you don't have to talk to a server. Pretty smart. Their menu looks insane but I have yet to try their food.

 

Navigation in Lowell is not open yet, although I think their tent and outdoor area is set up. They're still doing to-go and have food trucks on site, but nothing in terms of actual on-site consumption yet.

Also, The Tap in Haverhill is open. Went the other day and it was great. Recommended.

 

Wachusett was great when I went during a slower time earlier in the week. Easy process and fast delivery of food and beers- I wonder how it is now that everyone knows it is open and it has been slamming busy for the few days. I went to Timberyard today- they had multiple seating areas in the sun and shade, I wish they had some music playing, but it was a nice place to have a beer as well.

 

Have you checked out Oakholm yet? It is only 10 minutes from Timberyard. I got to-go beers last week that were better than I expected. They opened for onsite consumption yesterday. Food truck and live music today. People seemed to have had a good time. I can't speak to the amount of shade though.

 

No I have not, but I will check them out the next time I pass through-thanks

 

A friend of mine went to Lord Hobo in Woburn on Saturday. Limited beer list (3 on draft, about 10 or so cans), no food yet. Everything priced @ $8 (+ tax) in plastic cups. Hard pass, LH used to at least offer decent on-site pricing.

 

So frustrating when brewers won't give you a little break for going straight to the source.

When you go to a taproom, you're doing the brewer the enormous favor of letting them collect the entire price of the pint, instead of letting distributors and bars/restaurants take a cut. The least they could do is knock a buck off of what you'd pay elsewhere.

 

I feel like it is becoming more and more common too. I am talking pre covid. Not a good trend.

 

I think it was a "soft" opening, whatever that is.

 

Soft like mucus membranes. Let that Coronavirus right in.

 

Made a quick visit this afternoon to the recently reopened RiverWalk taproom in Newburyport. Had the whole place practically to myself as a private beergarden.

They’ve made several improvements both indoor & on the patio, they are very serious about social distancing & compliance with rules (& strict use of masks indoors). During the lockdown they’ve installed some pizza ovens & want to really focus on it - didn’t try but looked good.

Also installed an indoor/outdoor stage to have some live music.

If anyone’s a little shy about going back out, I’d highly recommend a visit there. Impressed with how they reopened in what I consider a safe, responsible fashion.

 

How is Treehouse not offering on site pours yet for outside? Their setup is perfect for outside offerings.

 

It has to be this.
They certainly could check all the boxes for opening requirements if they wanted to.
It raises an interesting point though. Do they have a social obligation to stay closed beyond that of a typical Massachusetts brewery? If they follow all the state rules, it isn't really their fault if an outbreak is traced back to them.

 

Perhaps they could expand beyond doing on premises just two days a week? Thereby spreading the crowds out? Or just open for on premises on weekdays, thereby avoiding weekend crowds?

I've never been to Tree House. We were planning on stopping by when we're on vacation up there in August. We still might. Were the Saturday crowds so bad that outdoor social distancing would be impossible?

 

I don't know if I am reading this incorrectly but before covid they were open for pours every day of the week.

Not a bad idea but weekends are their money maker. Plus I am sure it would upset a lot of people.

Inside could be a bit chaotic for sure. If you took all those people and moved them outside it would definitely be tough to keep groups six feet apart. I think they would somehow have to limit capacity onsite.