With the Craft Beer Festival Fundraiser right around the corner, we are already laying out our game plan to (responsibly) taste as many beers and ciders as we are able to (responsibly, we said!). But there's a small problem – we're not terribly patient people, and that sweet summer weather that's been sweeping in has us craving a little... field work. So, we decided to combine our dual desires for warm weather and the delicious beers of lower New England, and whipped up a few road trip options for those who just can't wait until Craft Beer Fest in July. Have fun, and remember – bring a designated driver, and stay safe!
Tickets for the 2019 WGBH Craft Beer Festival Fundraiser are available here.
The Route 1 Shuffle
Stoneface Brewing Co.
We start our jaunt down Route 1 with
Stoneface Brewing in New Hampshire. While they're known for their IPA, Stoneface's taproom features a wide variety of brews. For those hot summer days we have coming up, try the Berliner Weisse With Raspberry, or the Barleywine they're currently featuring on draft. In addition, they also have a really solid food menu, making it the ideal choice to start your trip with a good lunch, or if you want to reverse the trip, to end it with a delicious supper.
436 Shattuck Way, Newington, NH,
stonefacebrewing.com
Ipswich Ale Brewer's Table
The first brewery you'll hit in Massachusetts is a short ride off of Route 1, tucked into the lovely little town of Ipswich.
Ipswich Ale Brewer's Table is the brewery's on-site restaurant and tap room, with 15 rotating taps for you to choose from. We recommend starting with their original, a medium bodied pale ale, before heading on to their more ambitious endeavors, like the Cranberry Beret, a sour ale fermented over cranberries, or the Jax Stout, an imperial stout aged with chocolate malt and whiskey-aged oak chips.
2 Brewery Pl., Ipswich, MA,
ipswitchalebrewery.com
True North Ale Company
True North Ale Company will be your second stop in Ipswich, just a stone's throw from Ipswich Ale Brewer's Table. While True North is similar to the other breweries on this trail with the breadth of variety they offer, they break away when it comes to what that variety includes. Rather than ingredient additions, or experimentation with process, they focus on perfecting as many different styles as possible, from a Mexican Cerveza to a Vienna Lager. And if you're hitting this spot right around meal time, keep an eye out for one of the rotating food trucks out front – from Ipswich Clam Bake to Fat Belly BBQ or Empanada Dada.
116 County Rd., Ipswich, MA,
truenorthales.com
Castle Island Brewing Co.
We're taking a long haul through Boston for our next stop – Norwood's own
Castle Island Brewing. While their usual IPAs and lager's are joined by a few summer beers, including a sour and a pils, their taproom features a rotating selection of funky drafts year round. Keep an eye out for brews like TWO, their nitro imperial stout, or Righteous Goals, a sour blonde fruited with guava. And like True North, be sure to check out their food truck schedule, to get yourself a little sustenance before getting back on the road.
31 Astor Ave., Norwood, MA, c
astleislandbeer.com
Isle Brewers Guild
Finishing up our craft beer tour of Route 1 is a visit to the
Isle Brewers Guild in Pawtucket. A craft beer cooperative, IBG showcases brews from Narragansett, Wash Ashore, and Willie's Superbrew – all of which you'll see at Craft Beer Festival Fundraiser. So pull up a chair and round out your afternoon with a classic 'Gansett, a fruity, hoppy Ale from Wash Ashore, or the slightly more exotic Sparkling Pomegranate & Acai or Lemon & Ginger from Willie's. Enjoy!
461 Main St., Pawtucket, RI,
islebrewers.com
Circling Central Mass
Flying Dreams Brewing
We're going to begin our tour of Central Mass at
Flying Dreams in Worcester. While the brewery may only be three years old, it is building on the decade of experience of its master brewer, Dave Richardson. Because of Richardson's firm beliefs in creativity and self-expression, Flying Dreams offers a wide range of tasty but fascinating brews, like a kettle-soured peach gose, a determinedly German double bock, and their tart Woo Tang IPA, available only at Worcester venues.
455B Park Ave., Worcester, MA,
flyingdreamsbrewing.com
Gardner Ale House
From Flying Dreams we head back to Richardson's old stomping grounds – the
Gardner Ale House. While the names are hilarious – like 'Dinosaurs! Rawr!' or 'ROFLcopter' – the beers are nothing to laugh at. From bright IPLs with Mosaic hops (the aforementioned Dino), to smoked Lagers (Up In Smoke), the Gardner Ale House has a brew for every palate. And accompanying their extensive drinks list is a hearty menu that will fill you up for the trip ahead.
74 Parker St., Gardner, MA,
gardnerale.com
Berkshire Brewing Company
It's a bit of a haul from Gardner to South Deerfield, but you couldn't ask for a prettier drive – or a better destination.
Berkshire Brewing Company has been around for a while, having just celebrated their 20th anniversary. This longevity shows in their lineup with a full spectrum of beer styles, as well as a few more experimental pieces – like Raspberry Barleywine and a coffee porter made with local roaster Dean's Beans. But if you're just looking for an uncomplicated beer, you can't go wrong with a crisp Golden Spike on a hot summer day.
12 Railroad St., South Deerfield, MA,
berkshire-brewing.com
Hitchcock Brewing Company
HBC stands out as a staunch farm-to-table brewery, using the best ingredients from the area to create their beers – pumpkin, blueberry, maple syrup and even their own homegrown hops, as possible. And while they've only been bottling officially for two years, head brewer Rich Pedersen was an at-home keg-jockey for 30 years before he decided to go full time. As luck should have it, his beers struck a chord with the craft market. Get off the beaten path with their Druid Juice (a red ale) or Maple Porter.
129 Christian Ln., Whately,
hitchcockbrewing.com
Altruist Brewing Company
The final brewery on our tour of central Mass is
Altruist, owned and operated by Bob and Nancy Bixby, with friend Chris Mancini. They serve up a variety of ales from their taproom in a historic mill in Sturbridge MA. Head on down to try one of their five IPAs (two double, one American), and what are rumored to be the best soft pretzels this side of the Atlantic. Keep an eye out for the occasional food truck on site, or if you're ready for dinner, head five minutes down the road to the phenomenal Sturbridge Seafood.
559 Main St., Sturbridge, MA,
altruistbrewing.com
The Greater Boston Beer Beat
Aeronaut Brewing Company
We're going to start the Boston Beer Beat in... Somerville? But
Aeronaut is worth the trip over the river, believe us. They really break the mold, from extensive hops experiments to the use of fruit, and even carrot juice in their brewing. Even their labels are unique; designed by local artist Raul Gonzalez, they range from sketchy cartoons to fully formed sci-fi landscapes. Head on over to try out the Carrot Maibock or celebrate with their fourth anniversary beer: 4 Years with Dr. Nandu. Get ready to get weird (in the best way possible)!
14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA,
aeronautbrewing.com
Bantam Cider Company
Tucked down a narrow street just outside of Union Square,
Bantam Cider Company is perhaps one of the most famous ciderhouses in the area. With eight rotating ciders on draft, you'll be sure to find something you like – even if you think you don't like cider. Start with one of their flagships – our favorite is the Buzzwig – before moving on to the limited releases, which always guarantee to be creative and tasty. And before you leave, be sure to get one of their ginger beers - you won't regret it.
40 Merriam St, Somerville, MA,
bantamcider.com
Cambridge Brewing Company
On the edge of an area known for tech,
Cambridge Brewing Company sits in a plaza known for its good food and comfy watering holes. But rather than choose sides, CBC instead unites them through its cozy restaurant and innovations in beer. While they're dedicated to finding the perfect pilsner or porter, they are also known for more exotic styles and creative ventures. Be sure to try out the citrusy Working Class Hero saison or the Banryu Ichi – a sake/beer hybrid.
1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA,
cambridgebrewingcompany.com
Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co.
Heading back over the river we hit up
Cheeky Monkey Brewing Company. Like neighboring Fenway Park, this brewery brings with it a prestigious history in brewmaster Brian Watson. After setting up award-winning breweries around the world, Watson landed in Boston – and has created some truly cool beers. We recommend Rebellious Monk, a dark stout with chocolate and coffee tones, or Down Undah, a pale ale that is both floral and savory.
3 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA,
cheekymonkeyboston.com
Prospect Ciderworks
Located at the intersection of Roxbury, Dorchester and the South End – an area swiftly erupting with distilleries and breweries –
Prospect Ciderworks might not yet be open to the public, but they are carried pretty widely, much to our delight. You can find a map of where they are carried and served
here. A favorite of ours is the Paradise, a multi-dimensional brew that starts sweet and finishes with a spicy orange – perfect for a hot summer day or a cozy winter night!
173B Norfolk Ave., Boston, MA,
prospectciderworks.com
Samuel Adams
We finish up at
Sam Adams, the big fish on the Boston brewery scene. With their ubiquitous lager and rotating seasonal brews, Sam Adams is the grand-daddy of the craft beer movement, opened in 1984 by Jim Koch. With a taproom down a cozy street in JP, they've not only got the old classics ready to pour, but a few of their limited release beers as well. We're dying to try out the Mole Milk Stout, the Raspberry Lemon Gose, and the Rose Brut IPA.
30 Germania St., Boston, MA,
samueladams.com
Saunter Up to Suburbia
Mystic Brewery
It's a short trip into the towns above Boston Proper, but a rich one. We start at
Mystic Brewery, a shop that's wealthy with beer history. While just on the cusp of their 10th anniversary, their techniques are decidedly more old-school, with practices that include the use of classic yeasts and experiments historical processes. This work has paid off – in 2013, Mystic was the first to win an Great American Beer Festival gold medal for a beer using native yeast. For the summer we recommend Everywhere Was Lizards, a fruity DIPA.
174 Williams St., Chelsea, MA,
mystic-brewery.com
Down the Road Beer Co.
Based in the heart of Everett,
Down the Road was opened in 2015 by Donovan Bailey. Their taproom boasts 15 rotating taps – and even more retro pinball machines! Add to that rotating food trucks, groovy merch and brewery tours, and you've got a pretty great weekend afternoon. Choose from one of their many lore-themed beers, but we say go for the owner's favorite: Razenmäher Kölsch.
199 Ashland St., Everett, MA,
downtheroadbrewery.com
Idle Hands Craft Ales
We end our mini-tour of the suburban north with
Idle Hands, a Belgian brewery in Malden. While they have only two years in Malden – and five in Everett before that – head brewer Chris Tkach has been on the scene much longer. Receiving his first home brew kit at the age of 21, he's been active in the brewing scene for over 15 years. Their taproom has 11 taps rotating his many creations, as well as flights, and Bavarian-style pretzels. Our choice? Their Proeme, a dry-hopped American Farmhouse Ale.
89 Commercial St., Malden, MA,
idlehandscraftales.com
