Hi everyone! I'm headed to Boston around the end of August and all I know so far is to head to Trillium. I've done the Google searches and lots of stuff pop up. There are lots of places, but what are some of the local favorites in terms of bottle shops and breweries? And I know Boston's a big place, so to reference, I'll be staying at Four Seasons off Park Plaza if that helps any. Thank you all in advance!
Trillium in Fort Point (seaport district) or Canton. Treehouse in Monson. Night Shift in Everett. if you're going to Trillium in the city, might as well hit Harpoon, it's very close to it and they have a great taproom with pretzels and stuff. you can skip Sam Adams. Aeronaut in Somerville. most are within a short drive or Uber of where you're staying. Treehouse and even something like Jack's Abby in Framingham, Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, or Trillium in Canton require a car to get to. Castle Island Brewery is near Trillium in Canton if you end up there. if you're feeling super adventurous rent a car and drive 2 hours up to Portland, Maine for some awesome beers. some of the beer bars i like going to in town are The Lower Depths, Lord Hobo, Meadhall, Sunset Bar and Grille and Publick House. pretty spread out so you can see some of the neighborhoods around town. Boston Beer Works has a couple locations in town but that's pretty standard stuff, nothing special.
Go to Fort Point Market for bottles, it's right next to Trillium. For breweries, I'd add Mystic and Cambridge Brewing Company to the list.
Take the T (red line) to South Station and walk to Trillium. While you're there hit up Row 34 for great food, especially the oysters, and draft selection. A bit pricey overall, just FYI. You could easily take a nice walk down to Harpoon from here too. Take the T (orange line) to Wellington and walk to Night Shift. Take the T (orange line) to State Street and walk to The Ginger Man. While you're in the area, you can walk to Saus, one of my favorite spots for a beer and some killer frites. You can also walk to The Merchant and Stoddard's too. I seriously really like Kinsale which you can walk to from State, too. The bar always has spots, good beer list, relatively inexpensive for both food and drink. Take the T (orange line) to Mass Ave. and walk to Five Horses. One of my favorite places in the area I have found for NE 'local' drinking. Tacos are the only food I have had but they're good. Take the T (red line) to Kendall/MIT and walk to Mead Hall, Cambridge Brewing and Lord Hobo. All have their own merits, and are worth it. Take the T (green line) to Kenmore and walk to Lower Depths (FYI, pretty sure they are cash-only). Have not visited on my current trip up here but went last year and remember this. They do have an ATM on-site. It's like the old New York saying, ask a New Yorker if it's 'walkable' and in combination with public transportation, everything is walkable. Buy yourself a $21.20 7-day Charlie Ticket and abuse the T. Killer public transportation up here. I know I am missing many, but this is why I come to this city multiple times a year.
Also just FYI - that is assuming you have direct access to all the different flavored lines. You may have to transfer, I did not look too much into your exact area of the city.
Very close to your hotel are a few decent spots: Jacob Wirth, Rattlesnake and Parish Cafe. A bit further away the options become better: Salty Pig, Coda, Picco, Stoddards, The Merchant, Gingerman. For bottle shops nearby I'd suggest Urban Grape, Gordons(across from Stoddards), and Boston Wine Exchange. These are all within walking distance of your hotel.
The Four Seasons is very centrally located. You're right next to a green line stop (Arlington) and also a short walk through the Common away from Park Street, which has a red line (and green line) stop. Lots of good suggestions above. Trillium + Fort Point Market combo is a no-brainer; I'd take an Uber back to your hotel from there though, especially if you are buying cases. It's going to be under 10 bucks and much easier than lugging a case+ of beer to south station. I'd add the south end to your list for food + beer. Very short walk from where you're staying. Picco on Tremont has my favorite pizza in the city, and a great beer program (http://www.piccorestaurant.com/beer.html). Coda and Salty Pig on Columbus/Dartmouth corner are both excellent and have great beer lists as well. While you're there, check out Urban Grape next door on Columbus for bottles. Enjoy the trip!
I'll add a self plug here... hop the orange line to Malden Center and walk a quick 3 minutes to our new tap room, Idle Hands Craft Ales. While in Malden, check out both Mystic Station and Hugh O'Neills... both great beer bars and a short walk from us and the Malden center T stop.
Besides Trillium, in the boston area, if I only have time to stop into two breweries, which would you suggest? I'm thinking Cambridge, because I will be in Harvard square one day, and maybe traveling up to Mystic.
Depends how wide of a net you're considering "Boston". If you have a car I think Jack's Abby should be on the list. If you're sticking to the T my vote would be CBC and Night Shift.
Yeah I was thinking more within public trans of Boston. Thanks for your suggestion. I can find Jack's Abby on draft at beer bars in Boston correct?
I agree with @dwmetsfan13, if you're sticking with the T then do Night Shift (my preference) and/or CBC. You can also walk to Lord Hobo from CBC, they have a few of their beers on-tap as well as plenty others.
Yeah you can find Jack's Abby on tap in Boston, but they usually have interesting things (BA Framinghammer variants, sours) that are only on tap at the brewery itself.
I'll second Night Shift and CBC as the two to hit in the Boston area. You could also add Idle Hands which is close to Night Shift if you're into Belgians.
