Bay State Brews: 5 Massachusetts Breweries To Visit

Three cheers for craft beer! Right up there with Vermont, the Massachusetts craft beer scene has exploded in the past few years with well over one hundred breweries calling the state home. Wander across any part of the Bay State, and you’re bound to stumble across a hidden brewing gem. Can’t decide where to begin your Massachusetts craft beer excursion? Ranging from classic lagers to experimental sours, these five Massachusetts breweries may just be the place to start.

5 Massachusetts Breweries To Whet Your Palette

Fort Hill Brewery

On the foot of Mount Tom lies a farmhouse brewery with a mission. Fort Hill Brewery, located in Easthampton, meticulously crafts lagers and ales in the traditional German-style. This is where their Easthampton location comes into play — the little city won a gold medal for best tasting water in the 16th annual Great American Water Taste Test. Per German purity law, water is one of only four main ingredients that go into Fort Hill’s beer, so it’s no wonder that they set up shop in a place with the tastiest water in the land. We can verify that the beer lives up to the water's standard. Quench your thirst with one of their refreshing German pours as you settle into a rocking chair on their front porch.

Tree House Brewery

Got a penchant for the rare? Tree House, an artisan brewery, may pour some of the highest rated brews in the country (its “Good Morning” stout currently tops Beer Advocate’s list), but be prepared to work for them. Only open Wednesday through Saturday, their tap room fills quickly with thirsty customers clamoring for a taste of their golden nectar. Luckily, any wait is always rewarded with growler fills and warm conversations with their staff.

Trillium Brewing Company

Their name may derive from a three-petaled flower, but, trust us, these brews are anything but delicate. Pour a glass of the Trillium Brewing staple, Fort Point Pale Ale, and take a sniff — this light-bodied beer packs a punch in the aromatic department, delivering pungent citrus notes that take the beer’s taste to the next level. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what this Boston-based brewery has to offer; their selection ranges from the funky wild ales to classic farmhouse ales and everything in between.

Jack’s Abby

Beer geeks welcome! Started by an industrious trio of brothers, Jack’s Abby in Framingham is the second Massachusetts brewery on our list with a liking for lagers. Where Fort Hill Brewery keeps it classic, these brewers embrace experimentation with quirky pours like their sour barrel project and their bitter IPLs (that’s India Pale Lagers). Head back to the days of yore with a visit to their expansive beer hall and raise your glass to Massachusetts breweries and craft beer.

Berkshire Brewing Company

Founded in 1994 with the vision of being Western Massachusetts's premiere brewery, Berkshire Brewing Company continues to celebrate the culinary heritage of the region with unfiltered and unpasteurized ales and lagers. From their classic Steel Rail Pale Ale to their Russian Imperial Stout, these craft beers each promise a clean, fresh, and delicious drinking experience. With a 22 oz. beer tucked away in your car, you’re ready to head into the hill towns for a quiet hike and a drink with a view.

Once you've whet your palette with these Massachusetts breweries, tour tap rooms across the state, and explore our favorite places to stay. Don’t see your favorite Massachusetts breweries on our list? Let your voice be heard on our Facebook or Twitter page.

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