The story of Boston’s craft breweries dates back centuries. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston has a rich beer history starting with the first taverns. Founded as early as the 1600s, these drinking dens served as hangouts for colonialists looking to get tipsy but also to talk politics during the American Revolution. Ale was also needed to stock the ships shuffling between Europe and the colonies – a demand that sparked Boston’s commercial brewing industry in the late 1600s and early 1700s.
Boston’s beer-loving tradition continues today, with local breweries popping up across the city. Brewery tours may be on hold, but you can still get a taste of Boston’s lively micro-brewing scene. Add these must-try craft breweries in Boston to your next ale trail adventure or order some brews online to try at home.
Trillium Brewing Company
Thirsty for a New England farmhouse brewery experience, husband-and-wife team JC and Esther Tetreault founded Trillium Brewing in 2013. What started with three staff members in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood has since grown to four locations in Massachusetts, a farm, a seasonal beer garden in downtown Boston and 300 employees.
Expect to find some cutting-edge pastry stouts on their beer menu at this popular Boston microbrewery. New England IPA, European-style lagers, wild ales, sours, wild saisons as well as brews that incorporate local ingredients. Visit one of the three Boston-based locations, including the Trillium Beer Garden at High Street and Atlantic Avenue or order “Trivillery” to your doorstep.
Night Shift Brewing
When in Boston, look for the owl symbol on the beer can – it’s bound to be a Night Shift brew.
Night Shift began with three friends homebrewing beer at night for fun, but became a serious venture in 2012 when the trio moved into a small Everett warehouse and launched the biz. It’s since risen to be one of Boston’s best local breweries, high in demand for their fruity sours, new European-styles, juicy hop bombs, milk stouts, small-batch limited releases and light lagers. In recent years, this Boston-based beer company has branched out into making wines, spirits, ciders, seltzers and non-alcohol beverages – including Night Shift coffee.
If visiting the waterfront Lovejoy Wharf brewpub isn’t an option, curbside pick-up and home delivery are available. Want to know more about their story? You can get the latest in beer news on their Night Owls podcast.
Lamplighter Brewing Company
If you’re meandering around lovely downtown Cambridge, drop by the Lamplighter Brewing Company near Kendall Square for a pint. A Cambridge staple, this beloved Boston-area brewery doubles as a café by day and lively taproom by night, attracting constant crowds for the impressive selection of homebrews.
The primary focus of this Boston brewery is on New England IPA, but you’ll also find porter aged in Bourbon barrels, milk stout, saisons, barrel-aged sours, wild ales, barleywine and funky experimental brews on the menu. If you can’t get to the taproom, there are virtual events and pick-up specials, such as baking classes, beer and donut pairing packs as well as a Trivia Tuesday.
Turtle Swamp Brewing
Here’s a history lesson you didn’t learn in school: In the early 1900s, Boston had the highest number of breweries per capita in the United States. Even more interesting, 24 of the 31 Boston breweries were located in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain – neighborhoods that had happening beer scenes because of the cheap land and abundant crystal-clear water. Sadly, this all changed with “Big Brew” moving into the city, ultimately putting most of these Boston local breweries out of business by 1964.
Inspired by these “lost breweries”, Nicholas Walther and John Lincecum founded the Turtle Swamp Brewing in 2017, resurrecting the tradition of neighborhood brewing to Jamaica Plain. Inside a former mechanic’s garage, you’ll find an array of New England IPA, sour ale, porter, wheat beer, Kolsch and more craft beers on tap. There’s also an outdoor, dog-friendly patio and food trucks nearby if your belly starts rumbling.
Winter Hill Brewing Company
“Brewed in Mass. but not mass brewed” is the motto of this beloved Somerville Boston craft brewery named after the Winter Hill neighborhood – once the stomping ground of the notorious Winter Hill Gang. This historic spot in Massachusetts is now one of the best Boston area breweries and more. Locals line up here to get into the café for their morning coffee and into the brewpub at night for a tipple or two. The specialties are IPA and cream ale, but there’s often a new brew to try in the taproom.
Dorchester Brewing Company
In 2016, this mammoth 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art contract brewery moved into Dorchester, bringing with it an assortment of fresh craft ales to Boston’s largest neighborhood. Inside, there’s a 10,000 square foot tasting room, a rooftop beer garden and M&Ms BBQ restaurant (one of Boston’s original food trucks). Try and buy a variety of IPA, cream ales, ciders, porters and other craft beers made by the brewery and their collaborators. Or, if you’re an aspiring home brewer, you can brew your own batch.
Disclaimer: If you decide to visit one of these Boston breweries, remember to check the brewery’s website to see if visitors are allowed at this time (or even that it’s open at all). You may also want to check local travel restrictions and regulations. Your best bet? Order some craft beer for curbside pick-up or even shop online and have it delivered to your home. Because nothing says cheer during a pandemic like an at-home DIY craft beer tasting!
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