Boston

[Seanstoppable]

I recently had a chance to visit Boston and do a bit of drinking. A few places pop out at me as worth the trip:

1) Cambridge Brewing Company (http://www.cambrew.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

A brewpub with 4 'year round' taps, and twice that in 'seasonals'. Lots of belgian brews, lots of bigger brews. Everything I tasted was great.

Well, except for the food. My burger was basic and fairly underwhelming. I would probably try some appetizers night time and/or grab a bite elsewhere before heading over.

They have recently started bottling some of their bigger seasonals (for aging, I am sure), and they do growlers.

2) Mead Hall (http://themeadhall.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Also in Cambridge. Don't let the photo fool you. There is an entire other row of taps as well. If this place doesn't have the most number of taps I have seen, it certainly has the most I have seen outside of New York. 99% of it is craft. Also, as the name suggests, they have mead. 6 types when I was there.

This is basically Boston Beervana, as far as I can tell.

3) Harpoon Brewery (http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

A tour of the brewery is $5. This gets you the tour, 15-20 minute tasting, plus a free sampling glass to take home. There is at least 1 beer that is only available at the brewery (their mild), and there are plenty of bottles/swag/growlers to pick up.

It is probably the biggest brewery I have been to. Lots of 4000 gallon fermenters. Also, the building was part of the shipyards, and was apparently bomb proof in 1960. Should the apocalypse occur, this might be the place to head for a drink.

4) Samuel Adams Brewery (http://www.samueladams.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Free tour, with attitude! One of the more interesting tours, at least with the guy I had as a tour guide.

Tour of the brewery, 3 tastings and a souvenir glass for $0. Take the trolley to Doyle's if you are interested in food or to check out rarer Sam Adams seasonals, plus ordering a pint there gets you the Sam Adams pint glass for free.

[Blake]

PACKAGE STORE WORTH SUPPORTING

I am regularly in Boston and have become aquaintances with a few purchasers over the years. Last summer (2012) they all told me about a new place that had just opened up and encouraged me to stop in. So I did. Great little shop specializing in hard-to-get micro's and craft's. Having been to Boston many times and maintaining an awareness of the beer scene, I found this shop had stop craft and micro's that I had never seen before in Boston (and had only read about). In addition to the beer, they also have a specialized wine selection. My wife picked out a bottle and, I must say, it was extraordinary.

So, if in Boston, go to this candy store and talk with Michael Dupuy. Let him know you are a Brewnoser.

Streetcar • 488 Centre Street • Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 • (617) 522-6416 • streetcarwines.com

Just a quick note--there are several "Centre Streets" in Boston, so the best assist I can provide is that Streetcar is south of Huntington and not too far from the SPCA (or Humane Society). It is a corner store across from a school.

[Beerthief]

Is this the one across from Trader Joe's, next to Hops? Good spot, I bought a few there too. Publick House just up the road is excellent too. We were staying at the Holiday Inn right by there.