It’s no secret that Bostonians love their beer. It’s in the city’s history. Even the Pilgrims anchored in Plymouth for the ship’s crew to have enough beer on the way back to England (or so the story goes).
Today, Beantown is blessed with a horde of local breweries, big and small. Whether you want coffee stouts or fruity ales, mouth-puckering saisons or a refreshing hard cider, Boston brewers bring the flavor, the hops, the malt and the bar snacks - because you can't down a flight of beer without getting some munchies.
If you're looking for the best beer experiences in town, you've come to the right place. Below, we’ve compiled our favorites and Boston's finest in one convenient list. Next time you want to head to a local brewery, you'll know where to head (pun intended).
See also: 7 New Boston Restaurants That Remind Us Why We Miss Dining Out
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401 Park Drive; 50 Thomson Place / Website
When JC and Esther Tetreault founded Trillium, the friends envisioned a New England farmhouse brewery—and customers can sense that inspiration in the vibrant brew selection at the company’s Fort Point and Fenway locations. Start the night with a charcuterie plate or a tasty burger before indulging in dessert stouts infused with cocoa, coffee, vanilla and pecan pie. When sunny days are in, you can enjoy a fresh beer at Trillium’s seasonal beer garden on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Bonus: You can sip your drink knowing the company works to minimize its environmental footprint, using sustainably-farmed ingredients for its menu whenever possible.
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60 State St. / Website
What better way to celebrate the end of a long workday than in a lively downtown taproom? Just steps away from Faneuil Hall, Sam Adams' tap room includes an outdoor rooftop deck with stunning views of the Samuel Adams statue. You might think you know these beers from the grocery story, but it's a different story at the tap. Come Wednesdays to try a selection of four beers paired with four artisanal cheeses.
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190 No. Beacon St., Brighton / Website
Missing your college nights out? Head over to Brato in the spirited Brighton-Allston area. The industrial pub serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch as well as a fermentation-focused concept, which pairs innovative beers with delicious meat and sandwiches. Brato also experiments with local brewhouses, including Bone Up Brewing, Night Shift, Cambridge Brewing Co. and Idle Hands Craft Ales.
See also: 10 Best Coffee Shops in Boston
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35 Temple Place / Website
Want to support a brewery with a forward-thinking business model? Get to Democracy Brewing ASAP. The downtown brewpub was founded by economic justice organizer James Razsa and veteran local brewer Jason Tagggart. The company starts employees at $15 an hour, gives each the opportunity to buy an ownership share after their first year, and the responsibility of holding the board of directors accountable for the brewpub’s success. Some of our favorites include the Consummate Rioter IPA, the Worker’s Pint American blonde ale, the 5.5 percent Suffragette ale, or the full-flavored oatmeal stout, aka the 1919 strike stout. Enjoy the flavors while admiring the incredible mural of Lady Liberty raising a mug of beer, painted by Boston artist Mark Grundig.
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306 Northern Ave. / Website
You probably know the Seaport District for its impressive skyscrapers and unique coffee shops, but have you tried the neighborhood’s breweries? If not, start with Harpoon. The German-style beer hall offers draft beer—Harpoon, UFO, and Clown Shoes Beer—as well as house-fermented City Roots hard cider and seltzer. If you’re craving an accompaniment to your pint, go for the salted pretzels made with Harpoon beer and sprinkled with malted barley straight from the brewhouse stores.
Photography by: Bloomberg
