11 Best Breweries in Boston, According to Local Experts

Harpoon Brewery

Harpoon Brewery has been a cornerstone of Boston’s beer scene since the mid-’80s. The brewery offers classic and innovative styles inspired by the European travels of its three founders, Dan Kenary, Rich Doyle, and George Ligeti. Although its seasonal and limited releases are excellent if you can snag them, you won’t be disappointed with its flagship Harpoon IPA, a classic IPA with citrusy notes and a malty backbone that’s refreshing any time of year and always on tap.

Trillium Brewing Company

Trillium Brewing Company, another longstanding gem, has honored Boston’s beer-loving community by producing an ever-changing list of artisanal beers for over a decade. It’s also deeply committed to supporting local agriculture, sourcing as much as possible from nearby farmers, plus seasonal produce from its farm in North Stonington, Connecticut. It’s a good idea to pick up whatever’s in season at the taproom, but you can’t go wrong with The Congress Street IPA, a signature beer with tropical fruit notes and a biscuity malt undertone.

Aeronaut Brewing Company

Aeronaut Brewing Company, based in Somerville, was born out of a shared passion for beer by a few graduate students in 2014. The brewery is a cultural hub that honors Boston’s art and music scene by showcasing local artists’ work on its cans and hosting regular showcases at its taprooms. When you visit, order A Year With Dr. Nandu IPA, a blend of citrus and floral hops brewed to celebrate the company’s first anniversary.

Bent Water Brewing Company

A few miles outside the city in Lynn, Bent Water Brewing Company stands out for its innovative use of the town’s soft water in its brewing process, which gives its beers a unique flavor profile. The brewery is committed to the environment, promising it takes “all of the byproducts and wastewater from the brewing process and returns it to its original source, just as pure as it started.” During your visit to Bent Water, try the Thunder Funk IPA, which has hints of pine and citrus.

Lamplighter Brewing Company

Yes, Lamplighter Brewing Company sells to a handful of liquor stores, but the best and easiest way to try its beers is to visit the two Cambridge taprooms. The brewers here really are the wizards at their craft they proclaim to be, creating potions like the citrus-forward Birds of a Feather New England IPA and limited barrel-aged releases. Hot tip: You can also visit the taproom in the morning, as it doubles as a coffee shop named Pepita. The menu features rotating cold brews, teas, and every espresso-based drink you can imagine.

Castle Island Brewing Company

South Boston’s Castle Island Brewing Company wants everyone to enjoy beer, so it only makes simple, approachable brews. Try The Keeper, a crisp American IPA with tropical fruit and pine notes you’ll be hard-pressed not to love. And, as a fun bonus, the company’s taproom in South Boston partnered with Bardo’s as its “in-house pizza partners-in-crust,” so you can try two local favorites in one visit. (Note: Its company headquarters and original taproom are in Norwood, MA.)

Connie Shaheen, the general manager of The Revolution Hotel, also recommends Castle Island. “You can sample a rotating selection of house-made brews. It’s only a 25-minute walk from the hotel, so you can travel safely and raise an extra pint or two,” she says. “When guests are looking for a local taproom, we are happy we can offer many more options than in years past,” she says.

Night Shift Brewing Company

Night Shift Brewing Company is another spot born out of a shared passion for beer by three college kids. Their hobby grew into a full-fledged business in 2012, quickly developing a dedicated following who loved their creativity. For something you won’t find anywhere else, go for a limited release.

Night Shift has several taprooms and two beer gardens across the city and the neighboring community of Everett. Laskarides shared that the brewery “has a bar and restaurant close to TD Garden called their Lovejoy location. It’s always a solid spot to get one of their classic beer styles and enjoy their pizza before a game or a show.”

Redemption Rock

Redemption Rock, located in Worcester outside the city, is about more than great beer. The certified B Corp ensures everything it does is done ethically and responsibly. Redemption Rock earned its B Corp status by hiring only within the local community whenever possible and contributing at least 1 percent of its annual revenue to local nonprofit organizations. It also donates all cash tips to local nonprofits. In the taproom, try the War Castle, its flagship IPA, which boasts notes of orange and pine with floral aromas and has just the right touch of sweetness.

Democracy Brewing

Democracy Brewing, founded by James Rasza, is a worker-owned brewery in the city center that exists to serve great beer and great beer only — and to ensure economic equality for all its employees. Every employee has a stake in the business, so its success benefits all. The company also supports social justice outside its walls by hosting community organizations and fundraisers. Sip something special like the Workers Pint American Pale Ale, a crisp brew with a slightly sweet malt flavor, in the taproom.

It’s a favorite destination of the concierge team at The Langham Boston, who shared with T+L, “We refer [guests] here due to its historical relevance to the city and easy access from the hotel, making it the perfect spot for great beer and a little bit of history with vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, and general cave-like ambiance aiming to echo the meeting places of yore that helped fuel the fight for democracy.” (Of course, you can always see what’s on tap at the hotel’s cocktail bar, The Fed, too, which hosts a rotating list of local and international beers.)

Vitamin Sea Brewing

Vitamin Sea Brewing may be one of the area’s newer breweries, but it’s quickly made a name for itself with exceptional New England-style IPAs. It’s also located in Weymouth, but it’s absolutely worth the trip. In 2019, the same year it opened, Vitamin Sea Brewing won Boston Magazine’s 2019 Malt Madness, making it an evident community favorite. Try the Ramble and Roam, a dry-hopped IPA.

Notch Brewing

“There are so many good breweries to choose from, but Notch is my favorite brewery in Boston,” Laskarides shared. “I’m a huge fan of Czech and German lagers, and their beers are always super refreshing, crisp, and flavorful.” Notch offers those tasty German lagers, plus something unique but increasingly popular: low- and no-alcohol beers like the tropical flavor-forward, non-alcoholic hazy IPA. The addition allows everyone to enjoy the taproom experience.

Chattermark Distillers

No, Chattermark doesn’t make beer, but we’d be remiss to keep them from our list of excellent places to drink in the city. The whiskey distillery makes everything from scratch and invites you to try its straight rye, straight bourbon, and coastal forest gin in its cocktail bar every day of the week. It even offers cocktail-making classes for those who want to bring a new skill home.

“The distillery scene is much smaller in Boston, which makes it an exciting time to invite people into our space to enjoy locally crafted whiskey,” Laskarides added. “It would be amazing to see the distilling community grow the way the brewing community has in Boston.”