ISO: Exceptional breweries that opened in 2016

Exhibit 'A' in Framingham (MA) has only been open since late August, but is already making some fantastic beers. Veteran brewer Matthew Steinberg seems to have found a permanent home and is already developing a loyal customer base in his taproom with tasty offerings including a Kolsch and an IPA. Can't wait to see how they progress.

 

A new brewery in Weymouth (MA) that is doing some innovative things is Barrel House Z. Headed by Harpoon's original brewer, Russ Heissner, they have no flagships, and are exclusively brewing barrel-aged beers, of which, no 2 will ever be exactly alike. Along with Heissner, there are several other collaborative and partner brewers involved. BHZ also has a great taproom and is located in an area of the state that has desperately needed a craft brewery. Truly an innovative and unique place.

 

Lamplighter Brewing in Cambridge (MA) is finally up and running after some delay, but so far the wait has been worth it. Their first six beers have been really interesting and super tasty. They've already brewed an impressive variety of styles and done them all well. Right now they're only selling beer to go, but when the taproom opens it will be an awesome neighborhood brewery to hang out in.

 

Another vote for Foam.

I visited 3 new breweries in MD in 2016. All are great venues to visit. All 3 however make pedestrian beers IMO (and expensive as well).

 

Exhibit A in Framingham, Mass is exceptional. Matthew Steinberg is doing (another) great job.

 

I have to post about Beer Lab HI again. I can't say enough, how they are really changing the beer scene here. They aren't afraid to experiment with local ingredients and beer styles that aren't seen here much.

The first example is Rebel Scum. It's their Tart Saison, brewed with local pineapples and li hing powder. It's savory, salty, sweet, and tart on the back end. A fun beer done extremely well.


Next is their Nimbus IPA, obviously a juicy/hazy NE Style IPA that isn't seen around here much. Again, a solid beer that represents the NE style very well.


While Maui and Kona Brewing are more well known, these guys are pumping out better beers, in my opinion. That's saying a lot, especially since they just opened in March.

 

This. Some of their beers have been so good, they just make you want to cry. Or laugh out loud. They've got a barrel aging program going, and it's really tough to be patient, waiting to see how that's going to work out.

 

You won't be surprised to hear me nominate Cloudburst Brewing.

 

Second this! Finally made it there and was very impressed. A new player in the AZ Craft beer arena that's turning out some great beer, food, and atmosphere!

 

I'll third this. I went in as a skeptic, but these guys are putting out an unbelievable product. That lager is like nothing I've had over here in the US and it reminds me of the country table lagers you'd only find in central Europe.

 

Bierkeller Columbia has thoroughly impressed me. They're doing all German styles--mostly Franconian lagers--and pop-up biergartens around Columbia, SC. They really understand malt and lagering, putting them in a very small group of American breweries that do those two things exceptionally well.

http://bierkellercolumbia.com/

 

Woodland Farm Brewery in Marcy, New York. (Their logo says they were founded in 2015, but I believe they didn't actually open their doors until January 2016.) They're the first small brewery in the area, and they've exceeded my expectations both in terms of the variety of beers they've produced as well as their overall quality. They've probably done about 30 distinct recipes so far, across a wide range of styles, and the vast majority have been excellent... everything from a Berliner and a Gose to juicy New England style IPAs to Saisons to barrel aged beers to a wild yeast beer that they just put in barrels. They have a constantly changing selection, so there's always something new to try, and they've created an inviting atmosphere in the taproom that has made it my favorite place to have a beer. Overall I can't say enough good things about them.

 

Scofflaw Brewing in Atlanta GA.

 

Narrow Gauge in Florissant, MO
Arkane Aleworks in Largo, FL
Southern Grist in Nashville, TN

 

Great Notion
Foam
Scofflaw
Bearded Iris

 

Curious which you are talking about? I've been to a few new MD breweries this year as well without being terribly impressed. IMO Black Flag was a cut above both Manor Hill (not new in 2016) and Waredaca.

 

I went to Greyline in Grand Rapids last year. Was that opened in '15 or '16?