- Erika Johnson
Boston Brewery Travel Guide 2020
It’s summer in Boston which means soaking up all the sun we can before our iconic New England fall sets in. Summer is looking a little different this year due to Covid-19 but one industry that adapted well is Boston’s Brewery scene - who quickly switched to Beer-To-Go, online ordering, curbside pickup and for some, even delivery when taprooms were forced to close. Then when they were allowed to open for outdoor seating, they expanded or even created their own outdoor space compliant with State regulations and safety protocols. Here are all the breweries in Boston proper to visit and their current operating capacities
Nightshift Brewing - Lovejoy Wharf
1 Lovejoy Wharf #101
Boston, MA 02114
Located right near TD Garden with incredible views of the Zakim Bridge, this patio is a must-visit in Boston. To-Go Beer available as well as patio service with a 2 Hour Limit. Reservations are strongly encouraged although walk-ups are sometimes available.
Hours: Thursday – Friday 2-9pm, Saturday 12-9pm, and Sunday 12-8pm. *NightShift also has a location in Everett*
Website: nightshiftbrewing.com
Instagram: @nightshiftbrewing
Closest MBTA Stop: North Station
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: They’re an experimental brewery so I always ask for the most unique beer on tap, the pomegranate saison was my favorite the last time I was there!
Sam Adams - Faneuil Hall Taproom
60 State St
Boston, MA 02109
This taproom is the newest addition to the Faneuil Hall area with an incredible roofdeck and offering the classic Sam Adams beers you’ve come to love and along with Truly hard seltzer and some more experimental brews. This week, Sam Adams made the difficult decision to close for onsite consumption after too many visitors from out-of-state hotspots were frequenting the roofdeck. They are offering beer to-go but contactless, place all orders online and then while wearing a mask, proceed to the To-Go Station by the main entrance and present your ID. *Sam Adams’ flagship brewery, located in Jamaica Plain, is closed until further notice*
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 12-6pm
Website: samueladams.com
Instagram: @samadamsbostontaproom
Closest MBTA Stop: Government Center
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Love Conquers Ale 4-pack to-go
Democracy Brewing
35 Temple Place
Boston, MA 02111
Democracy Brewing is a worker owned brewery and pub located in the heart of Downtown Crossing. [Fittingly] They just reopened on the 4th of July for dine in, take out, or beer delivery.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12-8pm
Website: democracybrewing.com
Instagram: @democracybrewingboston
Closest MBTA Stop: Downtown Crossing
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Worker’s Pint
Harpoon
306 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
Harpoon received their Brewing Permit (#001 in Massachusetts!) in 1986 and has been a Boston staple ever since! Located in the eastern end of the Seaport, you can enjoy a beer, hard cider of hard seltzer inside the Beer Hall or outside at their new Outdoors @ Harpoon, an outdoor drinking and dining space in front of the Brewery.
Hours: for both the Harpoon Beer Hall and Outdoors @ Harpoon: Mon -Tues 3PM – 7PM (Beer Hall NOT open Mon - Tues), Wed 3PM – 8PM, Th 3PM - 10PM, Fri - Sat 12PM – 10PM, Sun 11AM – 8PM
Website: harpoonbrewery.com
Instagram: @HarpoonBrewery
Closest MBTA Stop: Silver Line: Northern Ave @ Harbor St
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Wannamango (& a pretzel - they’re amazing!)
Trillium - Fort Point
50 Thomson Pl
Boston, MA
Trillium has quickly become one of the most well known Massachusetts Breweries and their Fort Point location is just steps away from their original brewing space. They are currently offering beer-to go, outdoor seating on their expanded patio and roofdeck and delivery (keep an eye on their instagram - @trilliumbrewing for updated maps and schedules). For on-site drinking - Reservations are required can be made online, day-of, starting at 9 AM.
Hours: Wednesday, for contactless pick up and Thursday - Sunday, 11 AM - 9 PM for contactless pick up and on-site, outdoor draft and snacks
Website: trilliumbrewing.com/locations/fort-point
Instagram:@trilliumfortpt
Closest MBTA Stop: Courthouse or South Station
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Double Dry Hopped Fort Point IPA
Trillium - Fenway
Landmark Center, 401 Park Dr
Boston, MA
Trillium Fenway is their newest location with a sprawling lawn and located near some great restaurants. They are currently offering beer-to go, outdoor seating and delivery (keep an eye on their instagram - @trilliumbrewing for updated maps and schedules). For on-site drinking - Reservations are required can be made online, day-of, starting at 9 AM.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM and Friday - Saturday 11 AM - 9 PM for contactless pick up and on-site, outdoor draft and snacks
Website: trilliumbrewing.com/locations/fenway
Instagram: @trilliumfenway
Closest MBTA Stop: Fenway
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Daily Serving Berliner Weisse
Hopsters – Fort Point
51 Sleeper St
Boston, MA
Hopsters is a hidden gem in the Fort Point district of Boston that offers not only a brewpub experience but also the opportunity to brew your own beer! Hopsters recently opened back up for dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup and delivery (via GrubHub and UberEats). *Hopsters also has a location in Newton*
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday 4pm-11pm, Saturday 11:00AM - 11pm, Sunday 11am-9pm
Website: hopstersbrew.com/
Instagram: @hopstersbrew
Closest MBTA Stop: Courthouse or South Station
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Juicy Fruit New England IPA
Dorchester Brewing
1250 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA
Recently renovated Dorchester Brewing offers an outdoor patio and roofdeck as well as some delicious BBQ onsite from M&M BBQ. They are currently open for onsite consumption (reservations or walk-ins welcome) as well as beer-to- go!
Hours:Sunday & Monday 11:30am-9:00pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-11:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30am-12:30am
Website: dorchesterbrewing.com/
Instagram: @dorchesterbrewing
Closest MBTA Stop: Newmarket or Upham’s Corner
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Clapp’s Cream Ale
Turtle Swamp
3377 Washington St.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Turtle Swamp had the cutest outdoor patio before it became the “norm”! Located Jamaica Plain, they offer outdoor seating and beer to-go. *Turtle Swamp also has a beer garden in Roslindale*
Hours: Monday – Friday 2-10pm and Saturday – Sunday 12-10pm
Website: turtleswampbrewing.com
Instagram:@turtleswampbrewing
Closest MBTA Stop: Green St
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Orange Line IPA
Distraction Brewing Company
2 Belgrade Ave.
Roslindale, MA
Distraction is a newer brewery in Boston located in downtown Roslindale in an iconic flatiron building. They offer beer to-go as well as a patio on Birch Street.
Hours: Tues: 5-8pm (curbside only), Wed: 5-8pm (curbside only), Thurs: 5-10pm (patio + pickup), Fri: 5-11pm (patio + pickup), Sat: 12-8pm (patio + pickup), Sun: 2-8pm (patio + pickup)
Website : distractionbrewingco.com/welcome
Instagram: @distractionbeer
Closest MBTA Stop: Roslindale Village
What @BostonBeerGirl_EJ would order: Vanilla Parkway Porter
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Erika Johnson
Erika Johnson is a local craft beer lover who chronicles what she's drinking on Instagram. Her love of craft beer stemmed from drinking Narragansett when she went to college in Rhode Island and exploring the newly booming brewery scene in Massachusetts post-grad.
You can follow along on Erika's craft beer adventures on Instagram - www.instagram.com/BostonBeerGirl_EJ