Suggestions For A Boston-Brewed Craft Beercation
Read: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Boston's Craft Beer Revolution
Sightseeing: Brewery Tours
It only makes sense to start at the source. Boston has long been home to two notable breweries: Harpoon and Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company). Back in the mid 1980's, the two opened up shop in the state that hadn't had a commercial brewery in more than 25 years. Sam & Harpoon are easily accessible by MBTA.
Boston's commercial brewery scene has mostly remained untouched, with about the lone exception being Trillium Brewing in the Fort Point neighborhood. But just across the river, and accessible by MBTA or cab, the Idle Hands and Nightshift breweries are right next to each other in Everett, and the Mystic Brewery is only a little over a mile away. Looking at the tasting room hours, Wednesday-Friday evenings, and Saturdays are the best times to go if you're aiming to hit all three in one visit.
If you don't mind ponying up some cash, there are a couple of local brewery hopping tours that will take you to all of these spots and then some.
Eating & Drinking: Brewpubs and Beer Bars
Unless you have a designated driver, many Massachusetts breweries are outside of safe stumbling distance from Boston. Fortunately, there are plenty of local bars in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline that pack their fridges and keg rooms with a huge variety of local craft beer.
Hot spots with behemoth beer menus include Lord Hobo, Sunset Tap, The Lower Depths and Bukowski.
Read: Boston's Best Bars For Local Brews
And aside from the assortment of beer bars, there are also three brewpubs in the area that were among the first handful in the nation; Cambridge Brewing Company, Boston Beer Works and John Harvard's Brew House.
Souvenirs: Craft Beer Stores
Let's face it. If you're visiting, you're not going to have time to try every single local beer.
Read: 36 Made-In-Mass. Summer Beers
Heck, even if you're from here, most people don't have the time to spend every waking moment inside a local bar trying all the amazing brews whipped up within the borders of this fine commonwealth.
Read: Best Craft Beer Shops In Boston
Fortunately, there are some great craft beer stores that sell provisions that you can take home.
Read: 7 Great Local Beers
The shelves are stocked with the sweet nectar of brews from Pretty Things, Slumbrew, Jack's Abby, Clown Shoes, and the dozens of other breweries in the area. Whatever you do, don't go home empty-handed.
