Horseshoe Pub in Hudson, Mass.

[revans618]

I recently spent some time in the greater Boston area working and came across the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson, Mass. This has got to be one of the greatest beer bars I've ever been in. It had 75 beers on tap and not one was an American Macro. Unbelievable!! Heaven is the only was to describe my feelings on this place. And the food wasn't bad either.;)

Link to the website:

http://www.horseshoepub.com/beerlst.asp

[beersage]

I recently spent some time in the greater Boston area working and came across the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson, Mass. This has got to be one of the greatest beer bars I've ever been in. It had 75 beers on tap and not one was an American Macro. Unbelievable!! Heaven is the only was to describe my feelings on this place. And the food wasn't bad either.;)

Link to the website:

http://www.horseshoepub.com/beerlst.asp

Certainly looks like a great list for a beginning craft beer drinker seeking out new brews to sample. I wonder if they do tasters.

[revans618]

Certainly looks like a great list for a beginning craft beer drinker seeking out new brews to sample. I wonder if they do tasters.

They gave me a few when I asked to taste one I hadn't had before.

[newportstorm]

Nice place and worth a visit but that beer list is quite outdated. Several listed aren't even brewed any longer.

[chazwicke]

I'm headed to New England in late September. Probably be stopping through Boston at somepoint on my way to or from Maine. What are the current must stop places?

[newportstorm]

I'm headed to New England in late September. Probably be stopping through Boston at somepoint on my way to or from Maine. What are the current must stop places?

I honestly can't think of any place in Boston that outstanding that it's a "must see". Can't say that any of the brewpubs in Boston proper fit the bill. I have always like Cambridge Brewing, and if you time it right, they may have some very interesting beers on at the time - not that their standard ales are poor choices.

Beer bars? The Publick House is good, and being from DC, the prices probably wouldn't shock you. But the service, in my experience, ranges from tolerable to utterly deplorable. Good luck if you choose to go.

Redbones used to be a great place, but some recent changes have some local Bostonians grumbling about the beer selection, diversity and turnover they were used to. I doubt that will affect their events like the Northwest Fest, but I think that happens later in the fall.

Deep Ellum in Allston is new(er) spot you might check out.

Honestly though, nothing strictly beer-wise that would make me rush into Boston. If you're there anyway, try any/all of the above. Otherwise, western MA and/or north of Boston/Portsmouth, NH area offer some good options.

[chazwicke]

I'll either be travelling up or back through the western part of the state. I like to do a circuit and not traverse the same path if possible. I have been to several in Western Mass like Berkshire and Northampton. Any others out that way that are must stops?

[newportstorm]

I'll either be travelling up or back through the western part of the state. I like to do a circuit and not traverse the same path if possible. I have been to several in Western Mass like Berkshire and Northampton. Any others out that way that are must stops?

Pittsfield Brew Works in Pittsfield - haven't been personally, but have sampled some beers (very nice) and heard some good things.

The People's Pint in Greenfield - pretty down to earth place that can have QC issues with their bottled product but worth the stop. And if so, McNeill's in Brattleboro is just up Rte. 91. Pretty gritty, locals place that also can have QC issues with bottles, but the pints (draft and cask) I've had have always been solid and relatively cheap.

Northampton Brewery - I see you've been here. Gets a bad rap, imo, for not offering wacky, beefed up brews, but their Bitter and Porter have been solid over the years. Opa-Opa is an odd western/greek/steakhouse/brewery im Southampton that might be worth a look. Their Adonis Gold and Warthog Double IPA are very good beers.

Barrington Brewery - hunt around for recent reviews. I've not been/drank anything from them in years, but their Pale Ale (Hopland Pale Ale?) was one of the best I've ever had. Again, things may have changed, so......

Gardner Ale House - further east than most on this list - off Rte. 2 in Gardner. New(er) place that's been open just a couple years now. I still have a gift certificate I need to use there. Have enjoyed a few samples and heard nice things about the beer and food menu.

Some good beer bars, as well - Moan & Dove, The Dirty Truth, Sierra Grille, Ye Olde Forge, etc.

There's also a cidery that makes some nice stuff, if you're into other victuals:
http://www.westcountycider.com/

Enjoy!

[newportstorm]

Don't know what dates in Sept. you'll be passing through, but there are a few events going on you might check out.

Here's one sposored by Pittsfield Brew Works on the 27th:

BERKTOBERFEST is an Oktoberfest Celebration in Downtown Pittsfield!

Featuring regional Massachusetts Breweries such as: Pittsfield Brew Works, Barrington Brewery, Northampton Brewery, Berkshire Brewing Company, Nomad Brewing, Honest Town Brewery, and Paper City.

Local Restaurants will be serving up German style fare. Food vendors Pittsfield Brew Works, Underground Pub, Hot Harry's, Brix, plus more!

Located under the big tent in the McKay Street Parking Lot on the corner on Depot St and McKay Street behind Legacy Banks and adjacent to the Pittsfield Brew Works.

Music by der Otto Schultz Oompah Band.

Tickets: $15 includes tasting cup and 5 tasting tokens. $5 for under 21.

Fun, Games, and Good Beer!!

and

One from Mercury Brewing (Ipswich Ales, Stone Cat ales, etc.) on the 21st:

This year Mercury Brewing Company will be holding our annual Ipswich Ale Harvest Fest at scenic Green Meadows Farm in Hamilton!

Music by The Orville Giddings Band
Food by Ipswich Clambake

A wide selection of Ipswich Ales, Stone Cat Ales & Lagers, as well as Mercury Soda Pop & Bubbly Waters will be available. Special cask conditioned ales will also be available.

Green Meadows Farm is a certified organic farm raising vegetables, fruits and heritage breeds of livestock in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

I went to the Mercury one last year. It was held in the brewery parking lot. Not the best venue, but the beer was really, really tasty - Nearly all of their beers were flowing, including a Pumpkin Porter from Stone Cat that surprised me. Their Harvest Ale (dark IPA) on cask was superb. Will be interested to see how this new venue works for them. At least there should be grass to sit and lounge instead of concrete.

[chazwicke]

THANKS!!! I'll be travelling the 21st - 28th. Just taking a little vacation up to Maine. Both those events sound good. I could see doing the one on the 27th. If i get out of here on the 20th and can get up the road a fair ways, I might try that one. It'll be my wife and I. I'll have to see just what I can manage to squeeze in. Thanks for that info!

[MadDog88]

Boston/Salem Beer works is a decent brewpub chain. On your way through NH I would recommend a stop at either Portsmouth Brewery (brewpub) or a tour of the Smuttynose Brewery, just south of Portsmouth. There is also Redhook Brewery near Portsmouth. Another option is Harpoon Brewery in either Woodstock, VT or downtown Boston.

[chazwicke]

I've visted both the Fenway and Salem Beer Works on prior visits and I have been to Harpoons Vermont plant although it was still Catamount at the time. Portsmouth was one of the first New England Brewpubs that I ever visited years ago but I have not been to Smuttynose yet. Thanks for those suggestions.

[newportstorm]

Portsmouth was one of the first New England Brewpubs that I ever visited years ago but I have not been to Smuttynose yet. Thanks for those suggestions.

Portsmouth keeps a fairly accurate draft/cask list, too, in case you want to see what's what before getting into town.
http://www.portsmouthbrewery.blogspot.com/

I've never done the tour at Smutty (only Thurs/Fri afternoons currently), but always found the people there to be very nice (been once in person and emailed way too many times). They'll be moving locations in the future, too. They've outgrown their current location and will be constructing a brand new brewery just down the road in Hampton, NH and will convert an existing barn on the new property into a restaurant.

Redhook's Publick House is a decent stop, but aside from their Single Barb IPA and Treblehook BWine they had there last year, there is probably little reason to swing by. Nice place, decent food, Redhook beer (though much of it is sold cheaper at other locations in Portsmouth).

[I-dont]

Sunset bar and grill (boston) has a huge beer selection. I haven't been there in a while, but if you're in the area, a decent stop for variety.

[newportstorm]

Sunset bar and grill (boston) has a huge beer selection. I haven't been there in a while, but if you're in the area, a decent stop for variety.

Variety, yes. But draft line cleanliness, keg freshness and glassware quality have all been issues in the past. Too bad, as the Sunset group (is the Cantina still open?) could be very solid.