Boston and Cape Cod

[Beaver]

We're heading out to Cape Cod (a week) and Boston (a couple days) this summer.

Any recommendations on places to hit while out there? Any good brewpubs and/or micros? I would assume there should be lots in Boston, any around the Cape?

Thanks in advance!

[Budman]

For Cape Cod:

Buzzards Bay Brewing http://www.buzzardsbrew.com

Offshore Ale Co is a good brewery restarant on Marthas vineyard http://www.offshoreale.com

And the British Beer Company in Hyannis is a really nice british pub right on the water that has a decent selection of regional micros on tap

[newportstorm]

Plenty of places in Boston. My top spots for a pint:

Anam Cara Publick House (Brookline) - awesome draft and tap list all overseen by a husband and wife team that really know/care about beer. Nice, "weathered" charm about the small place too. Red Sox on the retractable screen on game days.

Cambridge Brewing Co. - one of the first brewpubs to open in the US (post-prohibition). Been around over 15 years. Will is an inventive brewer. Standard lineup of beers is solid (and available in growlers) but the specials are kick-ass. Red God IPA, Benevolence and Wind Cried Mari (heather ale) come to mind.

Bukowski's (Boston) - kind of a roughneck local kinda place, but the beer list is solid. They have a newer, second location in Cambridge.

Watch City Brewing Co. (Waltham)- brewpub that serves us some big beers. Growlers, special bottle conditioned brews, etc.

Boston Beer Works (Fenway or North Station) - Fenway location gets crazy on Sox home days. North Station location is bigger with pool, etc. Solid lineup of brews.

Harpoon's tour is worth the time. Fill up a growler - possibly of whichever 100 Barrel Series beer is flowing. Altbier is the current.

As for Cape Cod:

Hyannis has a couple of beer spots:

Hyannisport (Hyport) Brewing - a brewpub that has undergone a change recently. All of the beers are brewed by a "separate", yet located on the property, brewery called simply Cape Cod Beer. The Sharktooth IPA is stellar, imo. Very hoppy - 100 IBU.

British Beer Co. - a chain of pubs that usually has a decent list. Locations in Hyannis, Falmouth and possibly Sandwich.

You can also take a ferry to either of the islands for fresh beer.
Nantucket has Cisco Brewers, who also make wine, Hurricane Rum and 888 Vodka. Grab the Farmhouse Ale if you see any 750s. Very tasty saison.

Martha's Vineyard has Offshore Ale Co. I've enjoyed the Amber and a couple of renditions of their Imperial Stout. Ask for the brewer - he's a nice guy who hangs on BA. He'll treat you right.

If you need any liquor store advice, give a yell. Enjoy the vaca in Massachusetts.

Cheers!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Budman
Buzzards Bay Brewing http://www.buzzardsbrew.com


Good call. Buzzards Bay is a little ways from the Cape (actually closer to me in RI) but is worth the drive. Nice farm brewery set-up. They make a tasty export lager, citrusy/fruity (orange?) summer beer and a nice winter porter. They also are owned by the people that make Westport Vineyards wine, which is just down the road. Also worth a stop for their Sparkling Imperial Sec.

Cheers!

[Beaver]

Wow! Thanks for the advice, guys!

While looking online I also saw John Harvard's Brewhouse. Any comments? Looks like it's more of a chain.

Now we'll get to see how many of these places my wife will let me drag her to. :)

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Beaver
Wow! Thanks for the advice, guys!

While looking online I also saw John Harvard's Brewhouse. Any comments? Looks like it's more of a chain.

I've heard good things about the John Harvard's in Harvard Square - Cambridge. They are a chain and I don't know too much about their other locations, though they also run Union Station Brewery here in Providence. Decent beer.

They had a Whiskey Barrel Imperial Stout last spring at the AOBF - effin' fantastic. I believe they sold it in to go bottles, too. Good luck with hitting up a few spots.

Cheers!

[threecb]

Between John Harvard's and Cambridge Brewing, I'd choose Cambridge. Of course, if it were me, I wouldn't choose, I'd do both! And I second Beer Works, either location in Boston.

[Beaver]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I had a great time. I got to sample Buzzard's Bay, Hyport brewing, Newport Storm, Long Trail, Magic Hat, Harpoon, Yuengling, and John Harvard's. I wish I could've had more! :)

[Beaver]

I also tried Hoegaarden for the first time and finally had Pilsner Urquell on tap. The PU was definitely much better than I remember from out of bottles. A very solid brew.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Beaver
Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I had a great time. I got to sample Buzzard's Bay, Hyport brewing, Newport Storm, Long Trail, Magic Hat, Harpoon, Yuengling, and John Harvard's. I wish I could've had more! :)

The Long Trail Ale used to be a favorite of mine. Have not had it in a while. I've been to John Harvards up there and we have one in DC too.