New England trip suggestions

I don't have any suggestions, but im wondering the same thing.

 

While I don't blame you for assuming that Rhode Island is worth skipping, I do strongly urge you to hit Track 84 in Warwick, RI. It is less than five minutes off of I-95 and it has an excellent draft list and unbeatable prices (in RI at least).

 

I would visit Jack's Abby in Framingham (30 min east of Boston). They have great beers that will change the way you think about lagers. I'd also hit up Smuttynose in NH and Allagash in ME.

 

Also, I've never been there, but Ebenezer's Restaurant and Pub in Lovell, ME (right near border of NH) has been consistently rated one of the best beer bars/pubs in the US.

 

If you're driving up the coast from NY to Maine (assuming on 95), you kinda have to go through RI (which takes what, 20 minutes? ). Definitely worth stopping there!

 

New England brewing in Woodbridge CT - get the Gandhi-Bot -Small shop amazing beer. Two Roads Brewery in Stratford CT. Amazing brewery and decent beers. Phil Markowski makes a killer Saison.

 

Gonna have to go to Craft Beer Cellar, in Belmont, MA. Awesome store! And if your going west at all in MA, Birkshire Brewing is a great brewery. It's right off the highway (91) in Deerfield. It's also where the corporate offices and store of Yankee Candle are. (if you have a wife or girlfriend traveling with you)

 

When is and how long is your road trip? If you come in April you can catch Manchester fishercat (AA Bluejays) and Portland Seadog (AA Red Sox) games cheap. They actually sell local beers at reasonable prices, best take if you ask me. Living close to Boston I would actually recommend going to Portland and working your way down. People are cooler, friendlier and everything is close by. Allagash is a great time, Maine Beer Co., Rising Tide, etc. for MA, Cisco Brewery in Nantucket is great, but that's a day trip in itself.

 

Stop in the Portsmouth Brewery brewpub in NH. Lots of breweries and brewpubs in Portland, ME. You have to go to Novare Res as well. There are a few good stores selling beer right in Portland. There's a great bottle place in Wells called Tullys. Federal Jacks in Kennebunkport is a fun place to eat.

 

I'd imagine he would be going through central CT then up 84 to the Mass Pike. No reason to go through RI.

 

You can hit two Harpoon breweries - the original in Boston, and the satellite one in a former Catamount brewery in Windsor VT.

 

I think you mean 30 minutes WEST of Boston.

 

MA (General area) Two best beer stores in MA are Colonial Liquors in Acton MA and Julios Liquors in Westborough MA. While you are in Acton also check out Acton Wine & Spirits. Ask for Tony and he will take care of you. Breweries would be Night Shift, Jack's Abbey, Mayflower, Berkshire Brewing Co, Wachusett, Cape Ann and the two big ones if you want...Harpoon and Sam Adams.

Boston area: Cambridge Brewing Co in Cambridge MA is a must stop. While you are in the town hit up Cambridge Common and Lord Hobo's. Back in Boston, The Sunset Grill is amazing, The Publick House is great and Atwoods. I know I may get some slack for this but hitting up Fenway for a tour then heading to Boston Beer Works is always fun.

CT: I would say hit up New England Brewing Co. Ask ShogoKawada for more info. about the state, stores and other breweries.

New Hampshire: Smuttynose, Portsmouth Brewing Co and Redhook. Outside of the coast there are some other great places. In Nashua there is Martha's Exchange and some great sub shops, cigar stores and home brew shops/beer stores. Middle NH I love the Woodstock Inn N.Woodstock NH. Great small town NH feel. Manchester also has a few nice places I cant think of off hand.

Maine: Well the Maine Beer Co, Allagash, Rising Tide, Sebego, Geary's and Portsmouth. Now all of these places are not amazing or they may be to some people. All of these places do represent Maine though. I like them all. Portland has two great places for beer: The Great Lost Bear and Mama's Crowbar. Check them out.

Have fun as well. Drive safe. Enjoy New England. I miss it every single day.

 

bar-wise, as far as boston area goes the cream of the crop tends to be (in no particular order): lord hobo, publick house, sunset tap and grill, deep ellum, and meadhall. (the only 2 of those actually in boston are sunset and deep ellum, 5 mins apart in the city's allston neighborhood). generally fantastic selections of not only local stuff but what we get distributed to us, which is considerable. oh, and cambridge brewing co - not to be missed.

also you should target the new england forum for this.

 

Wait a second, as some who grew up in Woodbridge, CT....holy shit, I never realized the much talked about New England Brewing Company and Gandhi-Bot is from there. Talk about a location that I never would have expected.

Where exactly in Woodbridge is it?

 

Mead hall is MUCH closer to "Boston" than Sunset is...

 

If your in Portland check out Novare Res, my favorite bar in portland, Great Lost Bear has lots of local beers including a good line of Allagash a great place for pub food. Check out both there websites for when you come as there may be a worthwhile event. Allagash has regular tours, but I would definitely stop by rising tide for a tasting. Also keep an eye for Oxbow and Marshall Wharf as they are making some killer stuff. For bottle shops Bier Cellar and Down east are good bottle shops and if you want more volume go to RSVP however they are sometimes weird about out of state IDs. BM if you have any questions I love talking about maine's beer.

 

Haha. Near west rock. Right off the exit on the parkway. Near amity liquor?

 

+1 for the Portsmouth Brewery in NH. Their beers are great and they serve awesome food.