Visiting Boston...

Hit up Cambridge brewing company in Kendall Square

 

Staying at the Convention Center, you're going to be really close to Harpoon. I've worked about a mile from the place for 15 years and still haven't been, but I hear they have a nice new beer hall there.

For bottle shops within easy walking distance a new place opened up nearby - "The Bee's Knees" - it's kind of a high end, smallish food market. They have a small but decent selection of bombers. If you will have a car and some spare time take a 20 minute drive north to Redstone Liquors in Stoneham - great beer selection and good guys. (If you happen to be driving down you'll go right past it - it's right off routes 95 and 93.) I'm sure that there are closer shops, but to me Redstone is my go-to.

A few other local South Boston places are mentioned here: http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-seller-in-south-boston.81934/

A new brewery, Trillium, just opened up in the area and they are getting good reviews for their flagship Saison. It's practically in the shadow of the convention center.

For local only stuff. Jack's Abby is a must - everything they make is solid and they make some of the best lagers I've ever had (get a hold of their new IPL, "The ABCs". Also check out Pretty Things - especially Jack D'Or. Both of those are currently available at The Bee's Knees. Idle Hands makes some solid Belgians as well.

Enjoy the trip!

 

Not sure what "reasonable" distance is, but here are a few spots with MBTA transpo info:

Bars:
- Meadhall: Redline to Kendall square, one block walk
- Lord Hobo: Redline to Kendall, 10-15 min walk
- Deep Ellum: Greenline to Kenmore, Transfer to 57 bus
- Sunset Grill: Greenline to Kenmore, Transfer to 57 bus
Of those, I like Lord Hobo and Deep Ellum.

Shops:
- Blanchard's or Marty's, go to this if you're visiting Deep Ellum or Sunset Grill
- Supreme Liquor: Redline to Central, They are OK but they do allow breaking a sixpack
- Urban Grape on Columbus: Small, but decent selection.

I know the tap list to Lord Hobo and Deep Ellum are kept fairly updated on their website. you can google it.
If you catch Lord Hobo at the right time, they may have Heady Topper.

Enjoy.

 

always see people suggest Marty's. i assume you're all talking about the one in Brighton? if so, i really don't get why you're suggesting it. went in this weekend for the first time. painfully unfresh beer. stacks and stacks of Sculpin dated best by 2.28 (but rejoice, it was on sale for $8!! can you detect the sarcasm?). At least one case dated best by 4.20 - woooo, only 110 days old. Freshest Hoponius Union they had was 7 weeks old. Lots and lots of JA Leisure Time and Mom and Pop's Pumpkin - from last year. at least those were discounted to 2 bucks a bottle. BA Framinghammer was like 9 bucks. Fridge space dedicated to macros and crappy 6 packs. I mean, come on - at least throw some reasonably fresh Hoponius in there for me.

No thank you.

 

check out boston wine exchange in downtown. buy jacks abby beers as they are all excellent

 

Nightshift makes some interesting stuff. I just got two bottle a winter and Habanero Ale. Both have hand written batch and ABV values. I guess each batch can vary in percentage. They take notes on website

 

and don;t forget Publick House - green line C train to Washington Street.

 

Boston Wine Exchange on Devonshire St is the best bottle shop downtown. Jack's Abby, Mystic, and Pretty Things would be my beer suggestions.

If you decide to go to Cambridge Brewing, on your way back get off at Charles St. and check out Charles St. Liquors. They have a really good selection too and some imports that Boston Wine Exchange doesn't carry.

 

Had Mystic's Oatmeal Stout last week. Outstanding. Barely knew it was Mystic different shaped bottle

 

Unfortunately the BCC is literally out on an island separated from the rest of the city, but it's very close to Harpoon (10 min walk) and you should absolutely go there. They now offer tours on the hour from 12-6 during the week which includes a tasting (unfortunately they discontinued their free weekday tastings ). I haven't checked out the new beer hall, but I've heard good things.

It might also be worthwhile to check out Atlantic Beer Garden and Whiskey Priest (5 min walk). You won't find any incredible beer at either but they have a killer patios and roof decks that look out over the water. Just don't go on a weekend night...douchebag central. Legal Harborside also has a nice roof deck (but no incredible beer).

Your best bar options are probably Meadhall, Cambridge Brewing Co., and Lord Hobo. Walk to South Station, catch the red line to Alewife and get off at Kendall/MIT. Each of those places is a short walk from there. Sunset Grill & Tap is worth going to if you have the time, but it's a fucking haul on the T, especially from where you're coming from.

Best bottle shop option is probably Boston Wine Exchange (~15 min walk from BCC). Of course, there are better bottle shop options outside the city if you have a car, but I'm suspecting you won't have one.

Of course you can take a cab to all of these places as well, just don't think about getting in one from 3:30-7:00.

 

If you're not feeling the walk to South Station you can always catch the Silver Line.