Boston Marathon trip...must see beer shops/ breweries

Sunset Grill on Harvard Ave. in Allston......somewhere around 115 taps with a 13 day rotation pledge. Hung out at the bar on NYE 1996 and put back 22oz pours of Anchor Old Foghorn. Not sure you can do that anymore

 

You could always go to the Beer Summit festival at the Castle next to the Park Plaza hotel. http://beersummit.com - much of what is good in the area will be there in one room. Truth in advertising --> I organize it. Just being honest.

 

If you want a one stop shop to go to and buy bottles to bring home then I would suggest going to Craft Beer Cellars in Belmont and just ask them to give you all the local stuff. I"m sure that will include the following (in no particular order):

Jack's Abby Brewery
Maine Beer Company
Mystic Brewery
Notch Brewing
Blatant Brewery
Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
Baxter Brewing
Cambridge Brewing Company
Clown Shoes Beer
Wormtown Brewery
Haverhill Brewery
Mayflower Brewing Company
Backlash Beer Company
Slumbrew (Somerville Brewing Company)

Off the top of my head on a Sunday morning after St. Patrick's Day, this should get you going. I might have left out a couple by accident but I'm sure someone will add to the list and I assume there will be posts to remove some of these, put talk to the staff at CBS about your particular tastes and I'm sure they will steer you in the right direction.

 

Will you have a car, or will you be relying on public transportation? Where will you be staying?

Here's a mostly-complete list of what's distributed in MA but not in WA.

 

I second Craft Beer Cellars. Great people and an incredible selection.

Check out Cambridge Brewing Company (a ten minute walk from the Kendall Square T stop on the Red Line). Great food and awesome beer. They have growlers and a few select 22oz. bottles.

Harpoon Brewery is on the waterfront and worth a tour or tasting. It's right off of the Silver Line in the Marine Industrial Park.

I also recommend checking out the Publick House in Brookline. They have a great beer selection and fantastic menu.

Cheers and happy running!

 

If you are driving, it is hard to pass up Julio's in Westborough: http://www.juliosliquors.com/ It's about an hour west of Boston and has more than 1,000 different offerings. I do know they have Founders there. As mentioned before, Craft Beer Sellers is another excellent (and closer to downtown) choice.

 

Tell them Nugget Nectar Jay sent you.

 

Another vote for Craft Beer Cellar. Unlike the other beer stores in the area, they're not wasting any shelf space on the Big Two. Plus, they'll help you find the local stuff on the shelves, AND there's plenty of parking in the parking lot out back. In addition to Jomobono's list, make sure you get some of Blue Hills Brewing's stuff, especially the Black Hops and the Element.

Downtown Liquors in Somerville has a good selection as well if you find yourself in Davis Square.

Julio's is worth the drive, and it's a fairly simple place to get to, but it takes time. They've got lots of stuff.

As for bars, going to Kendall Square will allow you try Cambridge Brewing Company, Lord Hobo and the Meadhall, all located within walking distance of each other and the Red Line. Then head to Allston and hit the Sunset Grille and then Deep Ellum. If you're downtown around Newbury Street, go to the Other Side.