Hello from Massachusetts!

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself' started by beerwitch98, Aug 28, 2025.

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  1. beerwitch98

    beerwitch98 Initiate (185) Aug 28, 2025 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Hi! I'm working on the Massachusetts Brewery Passport Challenge 2025 and made this account to keep track of beers I try along my journey. I like something from every style of beer but I'm pretty new to beer tasting and looking forward to learning more as I go. I'd also welcome any brewery recommendations in the New England area that others might have!
     
    #1 beerwitch98, Aug 28, 2025
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  2. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Welcome to the site. As for NE focused beers, check out the following thread and forum both dedicated to New England beer and brewing.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...ngland-beer-are-you-drinking-now-2025.679456/

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/forums/us-new-england.10/

    Just click on the “Watch” button, towards the top right of each page.

    And feel free and comfortable jumping right into the various conversations. Add some beer reviews and even new beers to the database.

    If you like the website, but not the advertisements so much, consider $12 for a “Society” membership and say ba-bye to them.
     
    #2 SLeffler27, Aug 29, 2025
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  3. beerwitch98

    beerwitch98 Initiate (185) Aug 28, 2025 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Thanks for the warm welcome! I will check out and follow that thread and forum. I've noticed some beers I've tried haven't been added to the database yet, I will give it a shot!
     
    #3 beerwitch98, Aug 29, 2025
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  4. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Greetings from Metrowest Mass!
    Obviously we in the Bay State are pretty blessed with how many breweries we have around here. Ranging from the big guys like Sam Adams and Harpoon to the little 1 and 2 barrel guys (and girls, of course!) in sheds in out of the way areas.
    As far as recomendations, well, whereabouts are you in the state, and what breweries have you visited so far, and are on the list? Are you open to traveling around the state and New England - there's plenty more world-class beer slingers just a couple hours away in the other states too.
     
    #4 JrGtr, Aug 29, 2025
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  5. beerwitch98

    beerwitch98 Initiate (185) Aug 28, 2025 Massachusetts
    Trader

    We sure are! I'm in Dorchester, fortunately very close to Dorchester Brewing Co. and Sam Adams JP. I've also been recommended Drawdown Brewing in the same area, but I haven't been there yet. I am definitely open to traveling! Here's what's on the list and where I've gone already:

    Boston Area
    Harpoon Brewery - Visited
    Castle Island South Boston - Visited
    Lord Hobo Boston - Visited
    Remnant Brewing - Visited
    Winter Hill Brewing Company
    Lamplighter Brewing Company - Visited
    Aeronaut Brewing Company
    Sam Adams Brewing Company - Visited
    Night Shift Brewing Company - Visited

    Not Quite Worcester West
    Amory's Tomb Brewing Company - Visited
    Medusa Brewing Company - Visited
    Clover Road Brewing Company - Visited
    Lost Shoe Brewing Company
    Flying Dreams Brewing Company
    Tackle Box Brewery
    Jack's Abby Craft Lagers - Visited
    Sterling Street Brewery - Visited

    Northern MA
    Epigram Brewing Company
    Modest Roots Brewing Co
    Navigation Brewing Company - Visited
    Hopothecary Ales - Visited

    Just Above The City
    Idle Hands Craft Ales - Visited
    Faces Brewing Company - Visited
    Lord Hobo Woburn - Visited
    Hannah's Brewing Company - Visited

    North Shore
    Couch Dog Brewing Co - Visited
    Coastal Mass Brewing - Visited
    Bent Water Brewing
    Twisted Fate Brewing - Visited


    I'm set to visit most of these in the next few weeks with friends or family. Hopefully now that I've read some of the info on how to do beer tasting I can leave more detailed reviews for what I try at the remaining breweries on this list.

    I did find it a bit disappointing that there is nothing on the passport south of Boston, as that would be much easier for me to get to. I've been to Break Rock and Widowmaker on the South Shore but that's about it.

    As for other states, I've been a couple places while traveling but not much outside of MA yet. I'd love to get out to New England Brewing Company sometime, they make what is currently my #1 favorite beer. (Fuzzy Baby Ducks!) Definitely a lot of stuff worth checking out.
     
    #5 beerwitch98, Aug 29, 2025
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  6. TheIPAHunter

    TheIPAHunter Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,026) Aug 12, 2007 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This will be the time you remember most in your beer journey. I wish I could go back. I'm jealous. Cheers!
     
    #6 TheIPAHunter, Aug 29, 2025
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  7. beerwitch98

    beerwitch98 Initiate (185) Aug 28, 2025 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I will keep your words in mind and try to savor it while it lasts. Cheers!
     
    #7 beerwitch98, Aug 29, 2025
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  8. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Welcome to BA, @beerwitch98. You've found the best place to learn about beer, and we're glad that you're here.

    I like that you said above that you'll try to add beers to the database. This site is user-supported, so adding beers and places is going to help all of us.

    Explore the site to discover all of the features. Spending time in the forums is a great way to learn a lot about beer, so jump in and enjoy.

    If your learning process includes buying beers and drinking at home the best advice I can give you is to go to good beer stores that allow you to buy singles in mixed 6-packs. Use the Places feature to search the area where you live for stores. One caution - many stores try to get rid of old beers in the singles section, and hoppy beers lose freshness quickly. Check them for dates on the bottle/can. A Best-by date is helpful only if it's in the past, and if the date is passed, that's an old IPA. A packaged-on date is best because you know how old that beer is. I don't buy 6-packs of IPAs if they are more than 4 months old. Dates aren't so important for non-hoppy beers, but age can ruin the taste in light-flavored beers such as American Adjunct Lagers. You'll get it soon if you're paying attention.

    Enjoy the site!
     
    #8 PapaGoose03, Aug 29, 2025
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  9. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/43481/

    That’s the link to Trillium, which made a big splash a few years back. Sadly I have yet to try anything from them. Ahh, the blessings of a long life may yet resolve this laps of imbibing pleasure.
     
    #9 SLeffler27, Aug 29, 2025
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  10. beerwitch98

    beerwitch98 Initiate (185) Aug 28, 2025 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Thanks for the advice! I've already had the chance to add a couple beers I've tried at breweries around Massachusetts. I used to live by a great beer store where I would frequently get a mix 6, that's what originally got me curious about craft beer, At the time I didn't know anything about beer styles or production, but it was a great intro to what the beer world has to offer! Sadly that place closed and I moved away so I will definitely have to check out the places feature and see if there is somewhere similar where I live now. I will also have to look out for dates, my experience with IPAs I've bought from stores has been somewhat hit and miss so it's possible I've picked up some past-date ones on occasion
     
    #10 beerwitch98, Sep 3, 2025
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  11. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    ...the Places directory is a good place to see what other BAs may have discovered around your new area...and if you find a good store, pub, restaurant, brewery, etc., feel free to add it...
     
    #11 beergoot, Sep 3, 2025
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  12. Bavarican

    Bavarican Pooh-Bah (1,815) Apr 27, 2025 Germany
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Welcome from the other side of the pond.

    [​IMG]
     
    #12 Bavarican, Sep 28, 2025
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