Boston

Well here it is Otto’s low down on the best bars, cafe, and brew pubs to get you lips around a craft beer in Boston. Boston, MA, (also known as “Beantown”) is a very convenient city with the vast majority of its historic sites well within walking distance of each other. The city was first incorporated in 1822 and has a reputation of being one of the most interesting and historic cities in the US.

There are a great many museums and tours available to get your fill of historic Boston, check out the Beantown Trolley,  which makes 20 stops, and you can hop on and hop off, giving you the opportunity to spend more time and get an up-close look at the sights of most interest to you.

So let’s start with the Brewery tasting rooms and the Brew Pubs of this very amazing city;

{updated Feb 2022}

Trillium Brewing Co. - Fort Point Restaurant & Brewery, 50 Thomson Pl

Located just a 3-min walk from the Boston Children's Museum, also near to Row 34 and City Tap House. It's a huge place over two floor space in what seems like an old converted warehouse. Beautiful exposed brick with a very modern feel. The food is phenomenal, New England farmhouse inspired food created by Chef Michael Morway, highly recommend planning a full meal here. They have 35 brews on tap, with a bottle/can shop downstairs. Definitely more interesting than the Fenway location. The staff are well versed in the beers and happy to pour tastes. Note: This brewery currently operates six facilities throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Trillium Brewing Co. - Fenway, Landmark Center, 401 Park Dr.

Located very close to the Red Sox stadium Fenway Park. A simple quite small building with plenty of room on the patio. Inside to the rear they have a nano brewing plant. Serving around 8 beers on tap and around 20 cans and bottles for take away. Of course prices are quite high. Only thing I disliked is that they are serving their great beers only out of plastic cups! The staff are very friendly. It's a very popular place, so would definitely recommend booking a table. Food is available from the Time Out Market.

Trillium Brewing Co. - Greenway Garden, Atlantic Ave & High St

A seasonal beer garden featuring craft ales, wine and food trucks, plus outdoor seating.

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - 30 Germania Street, Jamaica Plain, Boston

This was our first brewery tour ever in the USA way back in 2000! (And its free) After which we visited Doyle’s Tavern (see below) If you really love good beer, go to the trouble of taking the one hour Sam Adams brewery tour. Boston Beer Company contract brews most of its products, but this small brewery serves as an interested experimental facility where new products are brewed and evaluated.  The tour will allow you see the lovely oak barrels where the high-gravity Utopias beer is stored, and you will be invited to taste some experimental beers in the tasting room.  The Boston Beer Company and its founder, Jim Koch, have done so much for craft beer in the USA.  Their devotion to quality brewing methods and ingredients really shows during the brewery tour.

Turtle Swamp Brewing, 3377 Washington Street

The brewery is still a work in progress, but hey have 3 different areas where you can drink: a good sized patio during nice weather, tables in the brewery itself, and a side room where the toiles are which is the newest addition. They have 14 taps serving great tasting beers that lean towards the British styles. If you are in Jamaica Plain for Sam Adams Brewery its definitely worth a stop. The Green Street subway station for the Orange Line is a few blocks away. Otto Says; This local brewer offers growlers for takeaway and glasses for sipping on a spacious patio, with a cosy friendly atmosphere.

Rock Bottom Boston– 115 Stuart Street, Boston

Located in the Theatre District a few blocks off The Common. Typical Brewpub chain serving house beers and upscale pub food and American fare in a lively environs. Clean and corporate. I think their beers tend to be average to good, although that is dependent on the brew master and how much freedom- interest he/she has? The menu is fairly standard from franchise to franchise. They have eight house beers with 2 cask offerings. Rock Bottom brew pubs are always worth a visit as you never know what you will find on draught?

Endurance Brewing Company - 72 Joy Street, Boston

Endurance Brewing Company was founded by 4 guys back in 2004. The flagship ale is Artic Pale Ale, a crisp, golden Pale Ale named in honour of the Legendary 1914 Endurance Expedition to Antarctica.  It is a medium bodied offering with cascade hops, subtle malt palate and a hint of citrus.  Note, I do not know if they do tours or not?

Night Shift Brewing - Lovejoy Wharf, 1 Lovejoy Wharf #101

Located to the north end very close to the Boston Garden, right on the water. It’s an open space built on modernist principles with lots of exposed ductwork and bright colors. They have a prominent oval bar area with TVs tuned to the big game as well as a separate dining area and a fairly decent size pilot brewing setup. They have around 30 different beers on tap so there’s plenty of choice.

Democracy Brewing, 35 Temple Pl

A very nice set up in a kind of industrial vault. The brew kit is on the lower floor to the left, there is a long bar and dark wooden floor. They have around 8 beers on tap. Beer quality is ok. Otto Says; Flights and pints of house made beers, plus casual bites, in a vaulted room with a cosy historic vibe.

Cheeky Monkey Brewing Company, 3 Lansdowne Street

Located behind historic Fenway Park on Lansdowne Street. With an on-site brewery delivering freshly brewed craft beers, cross-cultured street food creations, billiards, table tennis and shuffleboard, it has something for everyone. Otto says; This energetic brewpub offers its own beers and guest beers, plus a funky globally-inspired menu, with a great atmosphere, and friendly attentive bar staff.

Beer Works - Fenway - 61 Brookline Avenue.

The vibe reminded me just a bit of the Capitol Hill location of Elysian in Seattle, with its big, open, industrial space. I was happy that there were actually relatively few TVs and the brew house was featured prominently.  Pretty similar to the Canal Street branch I guess. Although some of the beers are the same - beware of the same beer with different names depending on which location it’s at - quite a few will be different so it is worth visiting both. Note that there are invariably beers available at all the Brew Works locations that are not listed on the website. Beware it is packed when there’s a Red Sox game on. The place is definitely worth a stop.I was working at a sausage stand in the Summer of 2014 directly across the street from the Beerworks location and the place was always packed.  I spent quite a bit of time on my breaks in here, enjoying their fine and ever-changing selection of brews during the baseball season, served by friendly, young, and knowledgeable local staff who always provide good service (which can be an issue at many restaurants in the area during games).  Usually, the place is relatively empty on non-game days or during the “offseason” from October-March, but a visit during a Red Sox game is a must-do. The “Patriot” Pilsner is definitely a standout from this brewpub corporation and got 3rd in the 2013 GIBC awards.  Other must-haves include the incredibly balanced and substantial Imperial Pilsner, and cask collections.  Regular offerings like “Pineapple Saison” and others are always available, although I found that balance seems to be somewhat of an issue with these less popular releases.  There are definitely some gems in here however, and the price point can’t be beat.  Other popular offerings like the Haymarket Hefeweizen, Back Bay Blonde, Dunkelweizens, and the ever popular Blueberry and Watermelon summer ales.   

Note: Beer Works have a “bar” at Logan Airport in Terminal C,  It’s like an oasis in the desert. Every airport should have one.

Otto's Top Tip: *Tickets for Fenway games are far cheaper towards the 2nd or 3rd inning, and staying at Boston Beer Works for the first inning or so is definitely recommended, as lines to get into the ballpark regularly fill the entire street.  Also, a 22oz Hefeweizen or the like at Beer Works is about  the same as a 12 oz plastic cup of urine inside the ballpark, so fill up before going inside.  Also: don’t worry about buying good seats, or seats together at Fenway.  Several amazing seats will be vacant for all weekday games, and most weekend games, so just go into the park and wait until the 3rd inning to grab some amazing seats.

Also worth seeking out for a decent brew or two are the following bar's;

Row 34, 383 Congress St

A stylish brick and wood restaurant that serves an extensive oyster menu plus fish entrees and craft beers. A huge display of oysters on ice greet you as walk in. The decor is very smart and modern. The beers are displayed above the bar which is a cool touch. Otto Says; Great ambiance, with a modern industrial bar restaurant.

The Tip Tap Room, 138 Cambridge St

An upscale pub that serves beer, wild game and inventive brunch dishes in an open, modern space. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The beer list is outstanding, though not cheap. Definitely worth a visit.

Yard House - Boston (Fenway), 126 Brookline Ave

A high end sports bar chain with a huge menu of New American fare and an extensive list of draft beers. Located next to Red Sox stadium and not far from Trillium. Despite it being a sports bar with the usual television screens, it's actually quite cosy as the tables at the front are candlelit and there are some nice murals. There’s a large bar with a stainless steel back and lots of taps, and a cafeteria style kitchen down one side.

The Ginger Man - Boston, 148 State Street

A two-floor public house serving about 200 beer varieties plus classy, classic comfort eats. Like the Manhattan location, this place is quite an elegant bar. Worth a stop, but be prepared for a spendy visit.

The Salty Pig, 130 Dartmouth St

A pork-focused bistro offering American comfort food, charcuterie and craft beers in loft like surroundings.  A great draft list with lots of local offerings and a few top notch US micros. The food is amazing. The salty pig pizza is just incredible. Reasonably priced and actually a steal compared with other places in the area. An absolute must if you are in the area.

R.I.P.

Backlash Beer Company, 152 Hampden St.

This place was an absolute winner. The taproom was clean and contemporary with an industrial feel and cool artwork. 

Hopsters - Boston, 51 Sleeper St.

Was a great little spot, good beers and a cool vibe.

The Lower Depths - 476 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston

16 taps. Mostly American drafts. Lots of bottles. Good Service. Small patio. $1 hot dogs - Awesome!!!

DOYLE'S - 3484 Washington St., Jamaica Plain

Doyle's has as much history and personality as any pub in Boston.  Established in 1882, Doyle's has been visited by JFK (Sr. and Jr.) and a multitude of other notable Boston natives.  The antique phone booths found throughout the pub are remarkable, and you could spend hours just looking at the old wall photos and newspaper clippings. You'll be able to partake of old-style pub meals here along with about 30 draft beers (Harpoon, Sam Adams, Smuttynose, etc.) and some notable bottles like Chimay. Ask for a sample of a draft beer before you order a pint, as sometimes a beer can go a bit stale here!  Doyle's only accepts cash money. The pub is only a 20 minute walk or a five minute drive from the Samuel Adams brewery in Jamaica Plain. Doyle's closed at midnight on October 26, 2019. 

Rattlesnake Bar & Grill - 384 Boylston St.

Great bottled beer list of 60+ and about 8 local taps, worth a look in if you are a true beer geek.

Cheers; - The Replica - Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market.

The Cheers bar at Faneuil Hall in Boston has closed permanently after 20 years in business; the owner said that the Corona Virus Pandemic 😷 and a lack of help from the landlord played into the decision.