Help from NEasterners

Just did a Boston trip 2 weeks ago, think you have a few options aside from Trillium and TH. We went to Wormtown (Be hoppy is the main beer) which was pretty cool and is on the way back into town from TH, and Jacks Abby's on the way back as well so could do all 3 of those in one straight shot. Not the best beer but what I thought was a cool brewery to hang out at was Night Shift, and actually a really cool craft distillery around the corner if you're into rum/gin.

Not the biggest Harpoon fan in terms of their beer, but liked the venue and thought the tour was pretty cool.

Enjoy

 

It's Southern Mass. but I would recommend the Attleboro Yankee Spirits, it has the best beer selection of any Liqour Store around me (Rhode Island). Probably 700+ different bottles import and domestic. They also have a store in Sturbridge, but I have never gone there so I'm not sure if its on par with the Attleboro shop I visit.

Also look into Night Shift Brewery in Everett Mass. They are sold at the Yankee Spirits I mentioned, not sure if they sell direct from brewery. They probably do. I just had their Whirlpool Pale Ale earlier and it was very good.

 

Definitely night shift, theyve been canning more often it seems. Whirlpool is one of the better session beers available and the 87 is a great double ipa. They also have a few really nice porters

 

Julio's in Westboro might be the best store in the country.
Redstone in Stoneham is really really good too.

 

Harpoons spent grain pretzels are pretty delicious too

 

As a bottle shop option, when you go to Trillium, hit up Fort Point Market next door. They have a good selection. Trillium beer is only available at the brewery so grabbing bottles there is a must.

 

Other Boston area breweries: Mystic, Aeronaut, Somerville Brewing/ Slumbrew, Cambridge Brewing Co. Some newer ones that I can't attest to include Medusa, Bog Iron, and Castle Island.
If you go to Tree House, definitely stop through Worcester, visit Wormtown and have a meal at Armsby Abby, which (along with sister bar the Dive Bar) is the only place in MA where you can get Hill Farmstead. Then stop at Julios for bottles on the way back to Boston.

 

When u got to Trillium -- go next door to row34 for the best oyster/tap list combo in Boston. Stellar steller place. If you go treehouse -- agree w others who recommended hitting Worcester for the dive bar and Armsby Abby. Another great food stop in between Monson and Worcester (actually in Sturbridge center) is BTs smokehouse. Hands down the best real BBQ in NE. I know that's not saying much but trust me!!!

 

I agree with others, food and Hill Farmstead beers on tap at Armsby Abbey is a must when you go out to Tree House.

 

Mystic and Cambridge brewing are must stops.

 

if you're able to get to treehouse, go the other direction to portland at some point. lots of beer spots and good restaurants. mbc/bissell/allagash/foundation. duckfat, central provisions, novaire res. armsby is a must on the treehouse trip.

 

Some of these suggested trips are pretty far from Boston. Treehouse and Allagash are awesome, but require a pretty serious travel commitment. If you're up for that, go for it and you won't regret it.

If you don't have a car or don't have mileage to spare these are all T(subway) accessible;

Trillium
Harpoon
Row 34(next to Trillium)
Fort Point Market(also next to Trillium)
Cambridge Brewing Company
Lord Hobo
Kappy's Liquors Medford

We could also probably provide more neighborhood specific advice depending on where you are staying or working.

 

Agreed, but the way the OP stated "we will be going" to Tree House made me think she was aware of the distance, though I could be wrong.

 

Most of the big boys have been covered but when you see a 12 pack of Ipswich Route 101 IPA for $13.99 at the liquor store (and you will, because it's everywhere) grab it. It's not the kind of beer that people are going to trade across the country for or anything, but as an "everyday" sort of beer in terms of value for taste many people consider it the best local IPA option we have.

 

If you are hitting Treehouse of can easily combine that with Armsby Abbey, Wormtown and Julios. Be warned that if you want growlers you have to buy them from each individual Brewer. State law here.

Portland is worth a trip as well as you can easily go to Maine Beer Company first, then head back to Portland for the Allagash, Bissell Brothers, Foundation and Austin Street quad which are within 100 feet of each other and you could easily his Smuttynose, Tributary, Stoneface and a few others on the way back.

If you want Heady Topper a Vermont trip is in order and that might be worth another thread entirely

 

Agree on 101, great beer at a great pricr

 

If you are coming to Connecticut, I would obviously recommend New England Brewing in Woodbridge, OEC in Oxford, Beer'd in Stonington (you can also hit Grey Sail in RI which is about 10 minutes from Beer'd) and Steady Habit in Haddam. When you go to Tree House, you are only a few minutes from the CT border. It would be about an hour and half or so for you to get to NEBCO but well worth the drive.