Depending on far out you can go: Sunset Grill & Tap in Allston Lord Hobo in Cambridge Boston Beerworks has a few locations. But over the past several years I've found their quality to be sliding downward. But it has been probably 2 years since I've gone
CBC and Lord Hobo in Cambridge, Deep Ellum and Sunset in Allston and Public House in Brookline. In Boston itself go to Bukowski's.
Cambridge Brewing Publick House in Brookline Lord Hobo in Cambridge Mystic Brewery in Chelsea Night Shift Brewing in Everett Harpoon Brewery in Boston and if you can get to Worcester... Armsby Abbey The Dive Bar
Depends - do you want to visit breweries or do you want to visit beer bars? Or do you want to visit both? Also - are you coming with a car or using public transportation? And do you know where you are staying (what area)? For example - if you were Cambrdge - then Lord Hobo, Bukowski's, Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC) and Mead Hall would all be fun Beer Bars and a Brewery. If You were in Somerville - then Redbones would be on your list. If you were out near Brookline - then its Publick House and Deep Ellum. Need for data points for finer recommendation.
Also to add you can hit up Night Shift,Idle Hands and Mystic Brewery for tastings which are in Everett and Chelsea.
i'd probably split between CBC area (exploring CBC, lord hobo, that pizza place, maybe mead hall, but primarily CBC), and deep ellum (tacos during the day with some beer, maybe finish with a beer at deep ellum, wander around other shit in the neighborhood, back to deep ellum for dinner and drinks). this is actually what i do when i go to boston, since my best friends live in allston and we're die hard CBC fans. but having explored other places (e.g. sunset), i'd always prefer this route. --- p.s. i'd check out the new mystic tap room too actually. in fact, this is another "this is exactly what i'll do on a future trip to boston."
Thanks everyone so much for the suggestions - I really appreciate it. I will be in Bean town Friday 8-Sunday 10 March. Wish me luck lol!
I posted this in another thread about the Kendall/Inman area in Cambridge (which is my favorite place to be). I live within a 15 minute walk of all of these places and have visited each numerous times (and some numerous times a week). It got enough "likes" so that I figure it might be helpful: 4) Bukowskis - The food is actually pretty good, but it's so greasy that it's somewhere I rarely eat. Their draft selectoin and prices are fair, but the service is horrible. I'm not a service snob by a long shot (all I ask is that my beer and water arrive in a reasonably timely manner), but I come from work wearing a collared shirt and I feel shunned. Opening the front in the summer is very nice, however. 3) Meadhall - I find the food to be mediocre at best, the beer prices are always high for the beers I want, and so I settle for a very good beer at a fine price. The upstairs is really cool and their events are great, but I never go there unless they're having an event now. 2) CBC - I love CBC. Their beer is incredible. Pretty much anything coming out of their unbelievably extensive barrel program is going to be at least pretty good and is often fantastic. They always have something out of a barrel, usually a wild ale, and always a cask on. Others object to the food, but I think it's better than Meadhall's. I rare get any entrees, usually the GF and I order the Quatro Formaggio pizza and one of the daily special pizzas and split them. Their beer prices are also very reasonable (especially for their standard offerings). The outdoor seating is a huge plus in the nice weather. Interlude - If you are looking for pizza and beer, Emma's is right across the street from CBC and two blocks from Lord Hobo. This is the best pizza in all of Cambridge/Boston for my money. 1) Lord Hobo - My favorite bar. First off, the tap list is 40 beers deep and always has a couple I've never heard of and a half dozen I want to try. Their takeovers are great, the selection is varied, and the service is awesome. The guys who run the place care about great beer, great food, and running a great bar. Their new chef has seriously stepped up the food, and their truffle fries are rivaled only by Saus. Living in Cambridge, I pretty much never go to Allston, but I will vouch for Deep Ellum. Sunset is fine, but too many beers to order an IPA. Their pulled pork nachos are pretty damn good late-night food.
Are there any good places out near Belmont? Definitely going to check out the ones you listed, thanks.
Personally, I'd skip Bukowski's in favor of Atwood's, which is near by. In my experience, the service is often terrible, and the prices much worse. The food is pretty solid, but nothing out of this world. It wouldn't be a bad place if they'd cut the attitude and prices a bit. Atwood's has a comparable beer list these days, better prices, better service and better food, in my opinion. They do have covers sometimes on the weekend, though, so check for that. My top priorities would begin with the CBC, then in no particular order: Lord Hobo, Publick House, Deep Ellum. Cambridge Common also has a pretty good beer list, with a good selection of locals, and very reasonable prices. I'll also second Stoddard's, if you're downtown. I finally visited them for the first time, and really dug the vibe, selection and reasonable prices. You could also easily visit the new Harpoon Beer Hall while you're down there. Enjoy your visit!
My handful experiences have been similar. The prices are maybe a buck higher than I'd expect, and way too many pours have a 3-finger head. Also, it's often deafeningly loud. Beer list is usually pretty good though if you're willing to put up with those drawbacks. Unless you're eating dinner in Inman Square, just stick with Lord Hobo/CBC if you're in Cambridge. If I had two days, I'd do the Publick House and Deep Ellum on one day and Lord Hobo/CBC on the other day. If you need more stuff to do, add a trip to Harpoon, or Night Shift/Idle Hands/Mystic if you have a car. Or swing by the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont and pick up some beer to drink in front of the TV.
Lord Hobo is amazing. With that said, I'd take Deep Ellum over it. Do yourself a favor and check out both!
