Planning on heading up to MA sometime this summer to drink/haul some beers with the wife. We're coming up from the Philadelphia area, prob just gonna take one day or two off work and make it a 3-4 day weekend. We hit Tree House on the way back from Maine last summer so this time I'm thinking we'd do: Trillium then Night Shift then Tree House on the way back home. My question is when releases are for these breweries, what days would I want to line up so I could hit up releases for all three of these breweries? Also are there any bars in Boston (ideally with great food) I should also hit up for New England beers I can't drink anywhere else? ALSO I need to make this as painless as possible - the wife has a low tolerance for epic beer lines. As a gauge: She thought the Tree House line was okay, the Bissel Bros line was rough, and the Hill Farmstead line was her breaking point. And she absolutely refuses to stand in a Tired Hands line. Thanks in advance!
Well I think TH now tends to have longer lines than HF, so take that for what it's worth. I'd suggest routing by Armsby Abby on the way up or back down (assuming you come via I-84). It's a cool bar with HF on tap. I think Jacks Abby is possibly the best visit experience of the local breweries. Wormtown is solid too. Since Trillium Canton now has real sampling, I'd pick it over Fort Point every time. Lots of new breweries opening up like Medusa and Cold Harbor. I live in the burbs, so can't help much on in town bars. They've all changed since I lived in Boston proper.
I remember seeing that bar show up on my Untappd "nearby beers" when we were driving back home last time we were in New England, while passing Worcester. I kept saying to the wife, pull over! I see all these HF beers on tap at this place!" She just gave me the crazy face that "It's barely noon, chill." So between the two locations, you'd choose the Canton over the Fort Point? What's the difference?
What is the deal with the lack of taprooms in the area? Also planning a vacation to this area and so many of the breweries are to-go, growler and tasting only. Why the lack of taprooms, say, like Asheville or most other normal beer cities? lol
Crazy. old school puritanical MA alcohol laws still in effect for one. 3 tier distro for booze in this state. Local booze laws as well. Plenty of bars, brewpubs? Would highly recommend the Cambridge Brewing Co., way awesome brews.
Craft beer cellar carries both Trillium and Night shift. Call ahead for delivery schedule and availability.
That and some of the highest real estate prices in the country. There are 2 bedroom apartments renting for $4500/month across the street from Trillium. Kendall Square, where Cambridge Brewing is located, isn't much different. Its amazing/fortunate that they are still able to make it work in those neighborhoods. OP, you can fill your vehicle with great stuff from Trillium, Night Shift, Mystic, CBC, Jacks Abby with zero time spent waiting in line so I wouldn't bother with the TH line. Go to Row 34 next to Trillium for great seafood and beer. Check out Gingerman downtown for a great tap list. Those 2 places and Cambridge Brewing are a must.
I can only guess that it is a function of size/cost and permitting. Trillium had no room at its original location. Treehouse is on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Wormtown was the back of restaurant more or less. JA in an industrial building. But it is changing. Jack's Abby always had tasting and now has a first class taproom at the new location. Wormtown built a new brewery and taproom Trillium has tasting at the new brewery in Canton Night Shift has a nice tasting room, and I'm told Mystic does too Treehouse is building a new brewery. Other small places like Medusa, Cold Harbor, Bog Iron...all will sell you full pours on site. As someone else said, unless you have a hell of a lot of capital and stomach for risk, it would be nearly insane to open a huge brewery and taproom inside the Boston city limits. The cost would be prohibitive. So most places started smaller.
Not much too offer than what others have said. I went to Jacks Abbey in June and was impressed. I'm not a huge fan of them, but the space was great, good beers (Mole was fantastic!) and food. I've been to Night Shift and it is also a great space. Not too far is Aeronaut, which is a fun little brewery. Finally, Armsby Abbey is a great bar. Didn't have anything to eat there, although it did look good. I'd personally skip Tree House. A decent ride from Boston and long lines. On your way up, I'd check out what New England Brewing Co. has and when they are open.
