By Iain Oldman
While the city of Boston is well known for its historical ties to the American Revolution, Boston has also long been the torchbearer for the American craft beer revolution. Boston’s large footprint in the American craft beer scene dates back to the 1980s, when Boston Beer Company (the parent brand of Samuel Adams) and Harpoon Brewery both began operations. The two Boston breweries went on to distribute nationwide and introduced many American households to craft beer for the first time.
These days, the contemporary Boston craft beer scene likewise has breweries pushing the boundaries of craft beer and gaining national attention. Boston is a must-stop destination for any tourist with an interest in craft beer, with excellent brew houses in all corners of the greater Boston area. To help visitors figure out where to stop on a Boston brewery tour, here is a list of the best breweries in Boston and its surrounding areas.
Jump to:
Best Brewery in Downtown Boston
Best Brewery for Sour Beers
Best Brewery for a Classic American Craft Beer
Best Brewery to Grab a Bite
Best Brewery for a Pilsner
Best Brewery in Dorchester
Best Brewery for a Hazy IPA
Best Distillery in the Boston Area
Best Brewery in Back Bay
Best Brewery in Somerville
Best Dog-Friendly Brewery
Best Brewery in Cambridge
Other Breweries and Craft Beer Bars in the Boston Area
Boston Breweries Map
1. Democracy Brewing Company
Best Brewery in Downtown Boston
Conveniently located just a block away from the historic Boston Common, Democracy Brewing Company has everything to offer for visitors in downtown Boston. The brewery’s tasting room features a full scratch kitchen and often holds live music events for guests. The craft brewery even expanded recently to include an outdoor beer garden. Enjoy a wide variety of dark, light and hoppy beers from the brewery.
35 Temple Place, Boston | www.democracybrewing.com
2.Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.
Best Brewery for Sour Beers
Visitors to Boston looking for a pint that will pucker their cheeks should make Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. a must-stop during their stay. Found in nearby Waltham, Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. keeps a diverse lineup of sour beers on tap, including Berliner Weisses, sour ales and sour IPAs. Mighty Squirrel keeps a reliable rotation of food trucks on-hand at all of its taprooms, so you can pair your sour beer with the perfect bite.
411 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham | www.mightysquirrel.com
3. Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
Best Brewery for a Classic American Craft Beer
No craft beer lover’s visit to Boston would be complete without a stop at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery. The brewery is located in Jamaica Plain, a historic spot in Boston’s beer making history. The Samuel Adams Boston Brewery offers brewery tours for guests to learn how the iconic Samuel Adams Boston Lager is made.
30 Germania St., Boston | www.samadamsbostonbrewery.com
4. Winter Hill Brewing Co.
Best Brewery to Grab a Bite
A neighborhood hang out spot within Somerville—and about a one mile walk off the Orange Line Assembly station—Winter Hill Brewing Co. is a great stop to fill up on beer and food. The brewery’s taproom features plenty of indoor and outdoor tables, providing lots of leg room to stretch out and enjoy food like fried chicken and barbecue on the weekend. Try one of Winter Hill Brewing Co.’s small batch beers while you’re there, such as the brewery’s extensive lineup of IPAs or its crisp kölsch.
328 Broadway, Somerville | www.winterhillbrewing.com
5. Aeronaut Cannery & Taproom
Best Brewery for a Pilsner
With two Boston-area taprooms, Aeronaut Cannery & Taproom is a convenient stop for craft beer enthusiasts. Aeronaut Cannery & Taproom keeps a long list of beers available on its taplists, but first time visitors need to try “Robot Crush”, the brewery’s award-winning American Pilsner.
199 Ashland St., Everett | www.aeronautbrewing.com
6. Dorchester Brewing Company
Best Brewery in Dorchester
Once its own city, Dorchester is a large and vibrant neighborhood located south of downtown Boston. Dorchester Brewing Company is found right in the heart of the neighborhood and offers a large and inviting space for all guests. The taproom features tons of fun games, including Skee-ball and pinball machines. Dorchester Brewing Company’s patio spaces further offer great views of the Boston skyline, making it a great place to soak up the sun in the spring and summer.
1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston| www.dorchesterbrewing.com
7. Bent Water Brewing Co.
Best Brewery for a Hazy IPA
This first brewery to open up shop in Lynn, Massachusetts, Bent Water Brewing Co. focuses on a scientific approach throughout its brewing process. As a result, the brewery has churned out some of the best New England IPAs to offer in the Boston area. Fans of the hazy IPA style can count on Bent Water Brewing Co. to feature a few New England IPAs on its tap wall at any time, while fans of less hop-forward beers will also have a few brews to sample.
180 Commercial St., Lynn | www.bentwaterbrewing.com
8. Short Path Distillery
Best Distillery in the Boston Area
Everett’s spirits maker Short Path Distillery makes a great stop for guests looking for alternatives to beer. The bar at Short Path Distillery serves house-made cocktails using its spirits made from locally-sourced and organic ingredients.
71 Kelvin St., Everett | www.shortpathdistillery.com
9. Night Shift Brewing
Best Brewery in Back Bay
Boston’s Night Shift Brewing has several tasting room locations throughout the Boston area, including an outdoor beer garden in the Back Bay neighborhood along the banks of Charles River. Night Shift Brewing is well known for its IPAs and sour beers, perfect for drinking on a sunny day, but the brewery’s series of limited release beers are worth your time, too. Some of Night Shift Brewing’s locations are open only on a seasonal basis, so remember to check its website for availability.
Multiple locations | www.nightshiftbrewing.com
10. Remnant Brewing
Best Brewery in Somerville
Found within Somerville’s Bow Market, Remnant Brewing makes beer showcasing the flavors of Massachusetts. Remnant Brewing uses malts and hops grown within the state for many of its beers. Visit Remnant Brewing to try one of their several IPAs or wild ales.
2 Bow Market Way, Somerville | www.remnantsomerville.com
11. Bearmoose Brewing Co.
Best Dog-Friendly Brewery
Bearmoose Brewing Co. in Everett has tons of dog friendly patio seating for customers to bring leashed dogs and enjoy the weather. The craft brewery prides itself on its frequently rotating series of taps, so the Bearmoose Brewing Co. will likely have a style of beer available for every palate.
1934 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett | www.bearmoosebrewing.com
12. Cambridge Brewing Company
Best Brewery in Cambridge
Open in Kendall Square since 1989, Cambridge Brewing Company is the oldest operating brew-pub in the Boston area. You’ll find many traditional styles on the tap wall at Cambridge Brewing Company, including tripels and barleywines, as well as craft beers made from historical recipes. Don’t skip any of Cambridge Brewing Company’s barrel aged beers, which range in style from farmhouse ales to flavorful Golden Ales.
1 Kendall Square, Cambridge | www.cambridgebrewingcompany.com
OTHER BREWERIES AND CRAFT BEER BARS IN THE BOSTON AREA
Bone Up Brewing Co.
Bukowski Tavern
Chelsea Station
Downeast Cider House
Harpoon Brewery
Lamplighter Brewing Co.
Notch Brewing
Trillium Brewing Company
Turtle Swamp Brewing
BOSTON BREWERIES MAP