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We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
Good brewpubs & pubs in Boston?
Good brewpubs & pubs in Boston?
I may be going to Boston later this year and was wondering if anyone found any nice places there. I've been there last year but never got a chance to try any places other than the phony Cheers bar located in the tourist trap market area. I'm primarily interested in places that have a good variety on tap and in bottles. ie: Not just Irish taps.
lister
My one visit to Boston was quite a few years ago, and I wasn't as serious about tracking down good beer places as I am now. But I did visit & enjoy the Fenway Park location of Beer Works.
- Wheatsheaf
- Posts: 411
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:00 pm
- Location: Midtown
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The Moan and Dove is about two hours away from Boston (in Amherst, in the middle of nowhere, next to a gas station), but I've heard that the trek out there would be more than worth it. They recently held the US launch of Dieu du Ciel's Péché Mortel.
For more places in Boston, check out the following list:
http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=46
For more places in Boston, check out the following list:
http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=46
It's been a few years since I've been to Boston, but there are some great bars there. Definitely check out the Sunset Grill (in the RB list) which has something like 120 taps. And there's a sister pub right next door which has lots too. And if I recall correctly the Sunset serves in yard glasses which is cool. Be warned that not everything is fresh with that many taps.
Also worth checking out is Harvard Square in Cambridge which is a fun place generally and has a bunch of pubs, one that I can remember is John Harvard's brewhouse.
Also worth checking out is Harvard Square in Cambridge which is a fun place generally and has a bunch of pubs, one that I can remember is John Harvard's brewhouse.
I've been to both Sunset Bar and Grill and Anam Cara and I think these are a must try if you are in the area. I personally liked Anam Cara better because of the large number of belgian and west coast IPAs on tap. They both have websites. Anam Cara website lists their tap selection and the bottles they carry as well.
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- Beer Superstar
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- inertiaboy
- Bar Fly
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We went to these places when we visited Boston a couple of years ago, in order of preference:
1) John Harvard's Brewpub at Harvard Square: had an excellent lunch and tried the sampler of about 9 beers. friendly staff. would definitely return next time I'm in Boston. if you are into squash or tennis, check out Charlie Johnson's Tennis and Squash store around the corner. for a picture of the 9 beers, the pulled pork sandwich and the monte cristo, check out this goofy picture (nice posture!) http://www.inertiaboy.com/pictures/Bost ... up3677.jpg
2) Cambridge Brewing Company: closer to MIT than Harvard; about 6-8 beers, good food. a bit out of the way and a little tricky to find. nice patio. http://www.inertiaboy.com/pictures/Bost ... up3744.jpg
3) Boston Beer Works downtown brewpub location: about 10 different beers; pretty good but not outstanding.
We wanted to get out to the Sunset Grill but it was too much a trek given the time we had.
For a good beer store downtown, we've had good luck with Bauer Wines http://www.bauerwines.com/. My sister dropped in to get me some things for my birthday and the owner threw in a couple of glasses as his part of the present. Now that's service!
1) John Harvard's Brewpub at Harvard Square: had an excellent lunch and tried the sampler of about 9 beers. friendly staff. would definitely return next time I'm in Boston. if you are into squash or tennis, check out Charlie Johnson's Tennis and Squash store around the corner. for a picture of the 9 beers, the pulled pork sandwich and the monte cristo, check out this goofy picture (nice posture!) http://www.inertiaboy.com/pictures/Bost ... up3677.jpg
2) Cambridge Brewing Company: closer to MIT than Harvard; about 6-8 beers, good food. a bit out of the way and a little tricky to find. nice patio. http://www.inertiaboy.com/pictures/Bost ... up3744.jpg
3) Boston Beer Works downtown brewpub location: about 10 different beers; pretty good but not outstanding.
We wanted to get out to the Sunset Grill but it was too much a trek given the time we had.
For a good beer store downtown, we've had good luck with Bauer Wines http://www.bauerwines.com/. My sister dropped in to get me some things for my birthday and the owner threw in a couple of glasses as his part of the present. Now that's service!
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Ditto on The Moan and Dove. While it is a bit of a trek out to Amherst it's definitely worth it. If you're driving from Toronto, Amherst is pretty much on the way to Boston. I have been to the Moan and Dove on a few occasions and while very small, the atmosphere is awesome and the selection is very plentiful. Last time I was there they hosted the crack of the first keg of Odyssey from Allagash. With friendly staff and great beer you can't go wrong. Amherst is also a very old beautiful New England town worthy of a visit. You can go to Emily Dickinson's house!
Heh, I'm posting from Boston as I've got a few minutes right now to kill. (Joys of work conferences w/ free 'net access)
I tried "Rock Bottom Brewery" yesterday. Here's the link from ratebeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlac ... aceID=1860
Not a bad place, but has the standard commericial polished feel to it (think Jack Astor's style), nice patio that's good for lunch if it's sunny. Had their Weisbeer (limited time special), and it was surprisingly good. Food was good quality (and large quantity - "half sandwich and salad" is equiv to a normal sandwich and half salad) as well.
I'd say this is a good lunch style spot if you're in Boston (downtown) on business.
Now to find other places that aren't 200 miles away by cab.
I tried "Rock Bottom Brewery" yesterday. Here's the link from ratebeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlac ... aceID=1860
Not a bad place, but has the standard commericial polished feel to it (think Jack Astor's style), nice patio that's good for lunch if it's sunny. Had their Weisbeer (limited time special), and it was surprisingly good. Food was good quality (and large quantity - "half sandwich and salad" is equiv to a normal sandwich and half salad) as well.
I'd say this is a good lunch style spot if you're in Boston (downtown) on business.
Now to find other places that aren't 200 miles away by cab.
- inertiaboy
- Bar Fly
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If you are in the area near Rock Bottom, it isn't too difficult to get to John Harvard's in Cambridge. Just walk to the northeast corner of Boston Common to get to the Park Street station and then take the red line 4 stops to Harvard station. Alternately, you can take the green line from Arlington or Boylston and change at Park Street for the red line. The subway map is here: http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_subway.aspNow to find other places that aren't 200 miles away by cab.
Once you get out at Harvard station, ask where Dunster street is (it's perpendicular to the main drag) or memorize this map. The pub is about a block south of the main street and down some stairs.
I’m heading to Boston for a Red Sox vs Yankees game next Saturday. Now I’m going with a bunch of people who could care less about good beer, or beer in general. I’m sure I can swing a dinner at Beer Works if it’s not to far from Fenway. My biggest interest would be to find a liquor store in the area where I can pick up some great American micros to bring back.
I’m having a beer tasting tonight of all my beer I picked up last week in Michigan. A friend's wife was in Pennsylvania recently and brought him some local stuff. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’m having a beer tasting tonight of all my beer I picked up last week in Michigan. A friend's wife was in Pennsylvania recently and brought him some local stuff. I’ll let you know how it goes.