Heading to MA next weekend for my girls' travel soccer games. Staying in Milford Friday and Saturday night. Game on Saturday in Taunton, game on Sunday in Lancaster. Any bars, restaurants, bottle shops worth hitting up in this general area?
You'll be about 20 minutes from Julio's http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1348/?view=ratings Prezo is supposed to be a pretty good bar/restaurant http://prezogrille.com/about/our-bar/ I have to admit, I live 10 minutes from there and have never gone in These guys will be about 20 minutes from you down 109 http://www.noonhillgrill.com/ dozen+ good beers on tap, but they don't have a beer menu on line Depending on when you get in on Friday, you could even get to Jack's Abby for growlers and bottles. On Saturday you'll probably be at the soccer game during their hours. You'll also be pretty close to the British Beer Company in Franklin, MA
Prezo for sure. They are a sister restaraunt to Peppercorns were Wormtown brews out of. Prezo food is also solid typical family style pub and grub with a very good at times craft beer tap list. Also Flynn's in Mansfield is half way between Milford and Taunton off 495. Pretty sure taunton is a waste land. But the 99's in Raynham as well as Stonforge can have some pleasant surprises in the tap list and food is decent.
I live in Dighton (next town south of Taunton) and I will independently confirm that the Taunton/Raynham area is not exactly a mecca for craft beer and decent dining... Debuca's and Muckey's are pretty good bottle shops, but Debuca's can be hit or miss and their staff knowledge is spotty at best. Muckey's - the beer guy is really good and the focus pretty well because it's a small shop with limited shelf space. Can find some real gems from time to time. Mansfield - Dubs's Liquors is supposed to be good - too far for me to go regularly so I can't verify personally. Oh...I just remembered one. Buddy's Pizza Pub on Rt. 28 (West Grove Street) at the Middleboro rotary is about five miles out of Taunton. Really good pub fare and a pretty decent tap list. Goodfellow's Brewing Co. is a local brewer often on tap there and they make good beers (objectively speaking, not homerism). http://www.buddyspizzapub.com/drinks.html OP - good luck to ya. I remember well my days of AAU basketball, softball, and baseball travel teams... Stuff half the team in the Suburban and head out - some great memories!
Julio's isn't far, but much closer, Hickey's liquors has a good selection at the junction of Rt 16 and Fortune Blvd. (runs along I-495) right in Milford. Prezo as has been mentioned has good food and good taps, usually at least one from Wormtown due to the ownership. British Beer Company in Franklin is close and right off of 495 at the Rt 140 exit. Nice place, always some good taps. Eaglebrook Saloon is fun (like an actual western saloon) and they have decent brews of their own, plus taps. But it is in the middle of nowhere. Hope you have a GPS. Not far from Taunton is the Bog Iron brewery. Cool little place, good stuff. CBS Scene at Patriot Place supposedly has improved their taps. But the Pats will be home Sunday, so it would be a Saturday only thing. I think Patriot Place would be a fun place to bring the family Saturday. I actually like Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill despite the weak tap selection (they are however, always very clean and the beers are cold).
Pro tip for Lancaster, try to park in the Toyota parking lot if your games are on the front fields. It was $10 last year and well worth it as the main lot can be a cluster, getting in and out. Vin Bin in Hopkinton is right off the highway and probably worth a stop they have a decent beer selection, not your typical BMC. They have beer tastings on Fridays I believe.
It's not a huge beer place, but if you're in the mood for Mexican food, hit The Alamo on 109. Best food I've had anywhere outside Mexico itself. For beer, I'd recommend Julio's on the way in (presuming you're taking the Mass Pike, versus 5 all the way up. If you are taking 95, Yankee Spirits in Attleboro is a good second choice. Any local brews you would care to haul back. I lived in Milford for a while, but I've been gone for almost 10 years now. don't know what has gone on there lately as far as the beer scene.
If you're on your way back from Lancaster to Milford, you will likely be going Rt. 2 to 495 south. If so, you could swing into Hudson (5-10 min off 495) and eat at the Rail Trail. Very respectable taplist and better than average food and brick oven pizza. Also, have the Horseshoe Pub on the next block. They have 81 taps, nothing crazy, but always decent. Food is marginal (glorified 99) but atmosphere is great for a family.
Assuming you are taking 495 for the Milford-Taunton trip Bog Iron is easy to get to. Exit 10 is Route 123 in Norton, head west on 123 and it's just a few miles into the center of town where they're located. Saturday hours are 10 to 5 and their Twitter feed said today they'll have Middle Child IIPA pouring tomorrow, which I really enjoyed. You can get samples, flights and pints in addition to bottle fills. May be somewhat crowded depending on what time you're there. And definitely hit Julio's if at all possible.
Eaglebrook is definitely good, good food (love the pizza) and decent (not amazing) taplist, a little far from Milford though. I'd second (third?) prezo too, a little pricey but have never been dissapointed in the food or beer there.
Worcester isnt really "near by" but it's only about 40 min away. Paired with stops at Jack's Abby and Julio's, the Armsby Abbey is always a worthy destination and completes a pretty good afternoon.
Bog Iron Middle Child is their best beer. Pretty sure it was a mistake beer too. I thought I heard they were making Stung and it was an oops. Better than both Stinger and Stung IMO.
