Boston Recommendations

There are quite a few threads about this with lots of info that you should check out (below), but I'd say the number one must-visit place is Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC). It's a short walk from Kendall Square on the Red Line, so it should be easy to get to from the Financial District. It's easily one of the best brewpubs in New England, and with the heat we'll be seeing this weekend, their patio is nearly impossible to beat. You can also easily walk to Lord Hobo, which has a (probably) unrivaled taplist in the city, and to Atwood's, which also has an excellent patio, and a very solid list featuring lots of locals.

Some of the threads to check out are here, here and here. If you search the New England forum for something like "Boston" "CBC", you'll be sure to find plenty more.

 

Good thing about Boston is most places are a walk or T ride away. Rec's besides the Kendall Square area (off red line) like CBC, Lord Hobo and Meadhall. The Publick House in Brookline off green line c-line, Sunset off Green b-line inallston/Brighton.

 

I am not from Boston, but living 45 minutes south and having been there countless times I'd like to say:

Don't miss Lord Hobo. That place is great!

 

Allston/Brighton
Within a 3-5 walk from each other.

Sunset Tape and Grille - Very good pub food, 112 drafts.
http://www.allstonsfinest.com/menus/sunsetgrill_beer_menu.pdf

Deep Ellum - One of my favorite beer bars always hoppy goodness, as well as many belgain beers
http://www.allstonsfinest.com/menus/sunsetgrill_beer_menu.pdf

Cambridge: All walking distance to each other.

Lord Hobo - Top 5 Boston beer bar. Love place, decent food too. Draft list dominated by Belgians and hops. Ussually something there that no one else has.
http://lordhobo.com/?page_id=188

Cambridge Brewing Co. - One of the best U.S brewpubs. Voted best US Brewpub 2012. Tons of great beers, food is decent, very nice outside patio area. Many of their beer names reference phish songs. “Weekapaug Gruit”
http://cambridgebrewing.com/beer/seasonal/

Mead Hall - Newer beer bar - 100+ taps. Always tons of local and interesting beers.
http://cambridgebrewing.com/beer/seasonal/

 

While Red Sox tickets are still the most expensive in baseball, they are cheaper this year than any time in the last 10 years or so. Keep an eye on Stubhub or talk to scalpers before a game. You may find a deal thats too good to pass up. But Bleacher Bar is a good spot to get a peak into the game. There are a few good beer bars around Fenway: Lower Depths, Citizen, Boston Beer Works, Yard House.

Keep in mind that Fenway is also about halfway between your hotel and 3 of the 5 best beer bars(Publick House in Brookline and Deep Ellum and Sunset Grill in Allston) so you could combine those trips after/before Fenway.

But your #1 goal should be getting to Cambridge Brewing Company, followed by Lord Hobo.

 

For steak, there's a Ruth Chris in Downtown Boston that's an easy walk from the Financial District. Smith & Wollensky is also within walking distance, but I've never been there so can't make any recommendation.

If you want to bring some beers home check out the Boston Wine Exchange on Devonshire St. Don't let the name fool you. They have a great beer selection. Charles St. Liquors, near the Charles St. stop on the red line, also has a great selection of beers.

Enjoy your visit!

 

For a steakhouse, I'm a fan of Abe & Louie's on Boylston. If you want an ultra-high-end steak house, you could hit Harpoon and then walk 2 minutes to Del Fresco's in the Seaport District.

 

Does CBC have guest taps or just their own brews?

 

I think they have done events with guest taps, but by and large its their stuff.

 

Yeah, except for events like the Pumpkin Fest around Halloween, it's all house-brewed beer. There's still usually a good variety, with the 4 standard beers, plus usually 6-8 rotating, seasonal and one-off beers. Plenty of excellent stuff to keep you busy, and when you want a guest tap, Lord Hobo is less than a 5 minute walk away.

 

Well thats my plan when I'm in town next weekend. Gonna mow through the taps at CBC then head to the Hobo for some more.

 

I will gladly be the 5th or 6th person to say go to Lord Hobo.

 

This is a good plan.

 

Excellent plan. While I'd recommend as many full beers as you can muster at CBC, they also offer 4oz (I think) samples of just about any beer for $2 each. I don't think this is mentioned on the menu anywhere, so just wanted to give you a heads up.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info. Pretty stoked on heading out there.

I'm gonna be in the Boston/Cambridge area for a couple days and can bring out some FFF brews if anyone is interested on trades or just to buy at cost

 

I feel that it is my duty to mentioned Deep Ellum's brunch. Meet and love the wonder that is Skillet Fries: Fries, sausage gravy, pepper jack, bacon, scallion and a fried egg.

I ordered something else once, my wife got the SF, I insisted we stay another two hours so I could eat my order, and then put in an order for SF of my own.

 

Yeah Brick Red was a local draft-only beer put out by Sam Adams a few years back along with a charitable effort. Became pretty popular and has stuck around at a lot of places.

Next time you should hit Sunset Grill/Deep Ellum in Allston and check out a different bit of the city.