Brewing Dreams: Discovering The Essence Of Massachusetts In Its Small Breweries
In the heart of New England, where history intertwines with innovation and tradition dances with experimentation, Massachusetts stands as a melting pot of culture, flavor, and, increasingly, exceptional craft beer. Beyond the iconic skyline of Boston and the colonial charm of its historic towns, the Bay State hosts a vibrant community of small breweries, each telling a unique story through its meticulously crafted brews. Join us on a journey through the diverse landscapes of Massachusetts as we unveil the hidden gems that define the state’s craft beer culture – a culture that is as rich and varied as the people who call this place home.
1. Tree House Brewing Company: Where Hops Meet Harmony
Our expedition begins in Charlton, home to one of Massachusetts’ most renowned small breweries – Tree House Brewing Company. Tucked away in a serene countryside setting, Tree House has become a pilgrimage site for beer enthusiasts seeking the perfect harmony of hops and flavor. What started as a small operation in a barn has evolved into a craft beer phenomenon, with lines forming regularly as patrons eagerly await the release of the brewery’s latest creations.
Tree House’s commitment to freshness and quality is evident in its lineup of hop-forward ales, including the iconic Julius IPA and Green, a double IPA that has garnered a cult-like following. The brewery’s dedication to the art of brewing extends to its welcoming taproom, where visitors are invited to savor the aroma of freshly brewed beer and witness firsthand the passion that goes into every pint.
2. Trillium Brewing Company: A Symphony of Flavors in Boston
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Heading into the heart of Boston, we discover Trillium Brewing Company, a beacon of innovation in the city’s bustling craft beer scene. What began as a small family-operated brewery in Fort Point has blossomed into a multifaceted brewing powerhouse, offering a symphony of flavors that captivates the palate.
Trillium’s commitment to quality and experimentation is evident in its diverse range of beers, from hop-forward IPAs to barrel-aged stouts. The brewery’s dedication to using locally sourced ingredients and collaborating with local businesses adds a distinct Bostonian flair to each sip. With a commitment to sustainability and a chic urban beer garden, Trillium invites patrons to experience craft beer in the heart of the city.
3. Night Shift Brewing: A Kaleidoscope of Flavors in Everett
Our journey takes us to Everett, home to Night Shift Brewing, a brewery that embraces the kaleidoscope of flavors within the craft beer spectrum. Night Shift’s commitment to creativity and a willingness to push boundaries have made it a staple in Massachusetts’ craft beer landscape.
Known for its diverse lineup of beers, including innovative IPAs, sours, and decadent stouts, Night Shift Brewing offers something for every palate. The brewery’s spacious taproom, adorned with vibrant murals and a lively atmosphere, invites patrons to explore the ever-changing world of craft beer. Night Shift Brewing stands as a testament to the joy of experimentation and the endless possibilities that lie within a pint of beer.
4. Wormtown Brewery: Crafting Community in Worcester
Our final destination takes us to Worcester, where Wormtown Brewery has been crafting a sense of community through its exceptional beers. Named after the city’s nickname, Wormtown embodies the spirit of Worcester with a commitment to local partnerships and a dedication to quality.
Wormtown’s flagship beer, Be Hoppy IPA (I love this.), has become a Massachusetts favorite, celebrated for its balance of hoppy goodness and drinkability. The brewery’s welcoming taproom serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection. With a focus on sustainability and community engagement, Wormtown Brewery exemplifies the role that small breweries play in shaping the cultural fabric of their surroundings.
Massachusetts’ small breweries, scattered across urban landscapes and rural retreats, form a mosaic of flavors and experiences that mirror the state’s dynamic personality. From the hoppy haven of Tree House Brewing Company to the urban innovation of Trillium Brewing Company, each brewery weaves a unique narrative into the rich tapestry of Massachusetts’ craft beer culture. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or a casual sipper, the small breweries of Massachusetts beckon, ready to share their stories one pint at a time. Cheers to the vibrant spirit of brewing in the Bay State!
Massachusetts Craft Breweries: A Tapestry of Flavor, History, and Innovation
Massachusetts, often referred to as the Bay State, is not only steeped in history but also bubbling with a vibrant craft beer culture. The state’s craft breweries have become a beacon for beer enthusiasts, offering a rich tapestry of flavors, a commitment to innovation, and a fusion of old-world charm with contemporary brewing techniques. In this exploration, we delve into the compelling reasons why one should embark on a journey through the diverse and thriving landscape of Massachusetts craft breweries.
Historical Roots and Revolutionary Brews: Massachusetts, with its deep historical roots, provides a unique backdrop for craft breweries. Many breweries are housed in historic buildings that date back to the colonial era, adding an extra layer of character to the beer-tasting experience. This blend of history and brewing innovation is a testament to Massachusetts’ role in shaping the nation and its continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of craft beer.
Innovative Craftsmanship: Massachusetts craft breweries are celebrated for their commitment to innovation. From experimental brewing techniques to unique flavor profiles, the state’s brewers are unafraid to push the envelope. This commitment to pushing boundaries has placed Massachusetts at the forefront of the craft beer movement, attracting both local and international acclaim for its inventive and diverse offerings.
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Culinary Excellence and Food Pairings: The craft beer scene in Massachusetts goes hand-in-hand with a burgeoning culinary landscape. Many breweries collaborate with local chefs or host food trucks to provide patrons with gourmet food pairings that complement their brews. This emphasis on culinary excellence elevates the overall experience, transforming a simple visit to a brewery into a gastronomic adventure.
Picturesque Brewery Settings: Beyond the urban landscape, Massachusetts boasts picturesque brewery settings that range from coastal taprooms with ocean views to countryside establishments surrounded by rolling hills. The diverse geography of the state provides a stunning backdrop for beer enthusiasts, turning a visit to a brewery into a visual feast for the eyes.
Community Engagement and Events: Massachusetts craft breweries actively engage with their communities, hosting a variety of events that go beyond the traditional beer tasting. From beer releases and festivals to community outreach programs, breweries in the Bay State foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie, making patrons feel like integral members of the brewing community.
Educational Brewery Tours: Many craft breweries in Massachusetts offer educational brewery tours, providing visitors with an inside look into the beer-making process. These tours offer insights into the art and science of brewing, showcasing the craftsmanship that goes into creating each unique brew. Educational experiences like these deepen the appreciation for the craft and the meticulous care that brewers invest in their creations.
Scenic Beer Trails: Massachusetts boasts various beer trails that guide enthusiasts through a curated selection of breweries, offering a chance to explore the diversity of the state’s craft beer scene. These trails take visitors on a journey through different regions, each with its own distinct flavor and character, providing a comprehensive overview of Massachusetts’ brewing landscape.
Seasonal Sensations: Massachusetts craft breweries embrace the changing seasons, crafting seasonal and limited-edition brews that capture the essence of New England’s climate. Whether it’s a hearty winter stout, a crisp summer ale, or a pumpkin-infused fall brew, the state’s breweries tailor their offerings to the rhythm of the seasons.
Sustainable Brewing Practices: Sustainability is a key focus for many Massachusetts craft breweries. From energy-efficient brewing processes to the use of locally sourced ingredients, these breweries are committed to minimizing their environmental impact. Supporting these environmentally conscious establishments aligns with a broader commitment to sustainability and responsible consumption.
Unique Beer Festivals: Massachusetts hosts a variety of beer festivals that attract enthusiasts from far and wide. These festivals showcase the diversity of the state’s craft beer offerings, allowing patrons to sample a wide array of brews in a festive and communal atmosphere. From the Boston Beer Festival to smaller regional events, these festivals celebrate the spirit of craft brewing.
Embarking on a journey through Massachusetts craft breweries is more than a quest for exceptional beer; it is a cultural expedition through the heart of New England’s brewing renaissance. The fusion of history, innovation, and community engagement creates an atmosphere that is as diverse as the beers themselves. Whether you’re sipping a brew with centuries of history in a colonial-era taproom or enjoying a cutting-edge creation in a modern urban setting, Massachusetts craft breweries invite you to explore the rich tapestry of flavors woven into the fabric of the Bay State. So, to those seeking a taste of revolutionary brews and a sip of history, Massachusetts is a destination where the beer flows as freely as the spirit of innovation. Cheers to the Bay State and its craft beer culture!
Here’s Your List of Breweries
Greater Boston
Aeronaut Brewing Co., Somerville –Review this brewery
Aeronaut Cannery, Everett-Review this brewery
Article Fifteen Brewing, Weymouth–Review this brewery
Bone Up, Everett–Review this brewery
Break Rock Brewing, Quincy–Review this brewery
Cambridge Brewing Company, Cambridge –Review this brewery
Castle Island Brewing Co., Norwood –Review this brewery
Cheeky Monkey Brewing, Boston –Review this brewery
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Democracy Brewing, Boston
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Distraction Brewing, Roslindale
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Dorchester Brewing Company, Dorchester
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Exhibit A, Framingham
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Faces Brewing Company, Malden
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Harpoon Brewery, Boston /
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Idle Hands Craft Ales, Malden
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Lamplighter, Cambridge
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Lookout Farm Brewing, Natick
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Lord Hobo Brewing Company, Boston
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Lord Hobo Brewing Company, Woburn
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Mighty Squirrel Beer, Waltham
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Night Shift Brewing, Everett
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Notch Brighton by the Charles River Speedway
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Remnant Brewing, Somerville
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Samuel Adams, Boston
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Saltbox Kitchen Brewery, W. Concord
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Turtle Swamp Brewing, Jamaica Plain
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True West, Acton
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Trillium Brewing Company, Boston
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Trillium Brewing Company, Canton
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Vitamin Sea, Weymouth
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Wachusett Brewing, Cambridge
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Widowmaker Brewing, Braintree
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Winter Hill Brewing, Somerville
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Wormtown Brewery, Foxborough
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Zelus Beer Company, Medfield
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North of Boston
Beer and cheese
Anonymous Brewing, Rowely
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Backbeat Brewing Company, Beverly
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Barewolf Brewing, Amesbury
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Bear Moose Brewing, Everett
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Bent Water Brewery, Lynn
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Brewery Silvaticus, Amesbury
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Coastal Mass Brewing
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East Regiment Beer Company, Salem
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Essex County Brewing Co, Peabody
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Gentile Brewing Company, Beverly
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Granite Coast Brewing, Peabody
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Great Marsh Brewing, Essex
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Ipswich Ale Brewery (Mercury Brewing), Ipswich
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Laneside Pub & Brewery, Gloucester
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Marblehead Brewing, Marblehead
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Merrimack Ales, Lowell
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Navigation Brewing Company, Lowell
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Newburyport Brewing Company, Newburyport
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Notch Brewing, Salem
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Oak & Iron Brewing, Andover
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Old Planters Brewing, Beverly
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Riverwalk Brewing Company, Newburyport
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Spicket River Brewery, Lawrence
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The Tap Brewing Company, Haverhill
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True North Ales, Ipswich
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South of Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands
7th Wave Brewing, Medfield
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10th District Brewing, Abington
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Aquatic Brewing, Falmouth
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Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, Edgartown
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Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, Falmouth
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Barnstable Brewing, Hyannis
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Barrel House Z, Weymouth
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Berkley Beer Company, Taunton
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Black Hat Brew Works, Bridgewater
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Bog Iron Brewing, Norton
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Buzzards Bay Brewing, Westport
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Buzzards Bay Brewing, Bourne
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Canned Heat Craft Beer Company, Fall River
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Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis
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Cisco Brewers, Nantucket
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Crue Brew Brewery, Raynham
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Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, South Dennis
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Hog Island Beer, Orleans
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Independent Fermentations, Plymouth
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LlamaNama Beer Labs, Plymouth
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Mayflower Brewing Company, Plymouth
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Moby Dick Brewing, New Bedford
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Naukabout Brewery, Mashpee
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Offshore Ale Company (Vineyard Brewing Co.), Oak Bluffs
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Old Colony Brewing, Whitman
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Owen O’Leary’s, Brockton
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Provincetown Brewing Co, Provincetown
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Second Wind Brewing Company, Plymouth
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Shovel Town Brewery, Easton
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Skyroc Brewery, Attleboro
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Stellwagen Beer Company, Marshfield
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Tree House Brewing Company, Sandwich
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Troy City Brewing, Fall River
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Untold Brewery, Scituate
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Central Massachusetts
Vermont beers
67 Degrees Brewing, Franklin
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Altruist Brewing, Sturbridge
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Amory’s Tomb Brewing, Maynard
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Bay State Brewing Company, Worcester
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Bull Spit Brewing Company, Lancaster
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Cold Harbor, Westborough
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Common Ground Ciderworks, North Brookfield
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Craft Roots Brewing, Milford
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Double Down Brewing Company, Worcester
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Flying Dreams Brewing, Marlborough
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Gardner Ale House (Moon Hill Brewing Co. Inc.), Gardner
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Greater Good Imperial Brewing, Worcester
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Honest Weight Artisan Beer, Orange
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Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting, Marlborough
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Lost Towns Brewing, Gilbertville
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Medusa Brewing Company, Hudson
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Milk Room Brewing, Rutland
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Nashoba Valley Winery, Distillery, Brewery and Restaurant
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Oakholm Brewing Company, Brookfield
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Owen O’Learly’s, Southborough, Westborough, Brockton
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Penny Pincher’s, Millbury
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Purgatory Beer Company, Whitinsville
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Rapscallion/Pioneer Brewing, Sturbridge, Acton, Concord
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River Styx, Fitchburg
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Redemption Rock Brewing, Worcester
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Rushford and Sons Brewhouse, Upton
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Seven Saws Brewing Company, Holden
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Start Line Brewing, Hopkinton
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Stone Cow Brewery, Barre
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Sterling Street Brewery, Clinton
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Tackle Box Brewing Company, East Marlborough
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Thirsty Robot Brewing, Fitchburg
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Timberyard Brewing Company, East Brookfield
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Tree House Brewing, Charlton
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True West, Acton
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Wachusett Brewing, Westminster
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Wachusett Brewing, Worcester
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Wormtown Brewery, Worcester
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Western Massachusetts
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Abandoned Building Brewery, Easthampton
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Amherst Brewing Company, Amherst
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Barrington Brewery, Great Barrington
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Berkshire Brewing Company, South Deerfield
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Big Elm Brewing, Sheffield
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Brew Practitioners Brewery and Taproom, Agawam
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Brick and Feather Brewery, Turner Falls
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Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
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Building 8 Brewing, Northampton
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Drunken Rabbit Brewing, South Hadley
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Element Brewing Company, Millers Falls
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Field Crest Brewing, Wilbraham
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Floodwater Brewing Company, Shelburne Falls
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Fort Hill Brewing, Easthampton
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Four Phantoms Brewing, Greenfield
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Great Awakening Brewing, Westfield
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Hitchcock Brewing, Bernardston
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Holyoke Craft Beer, Holyoke
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Iron Duke Brewing, Ludlow
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Kismet Brewing Company, Westfield
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Leadfoot Brewing, Chicopee
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New City Brewery, Easthampton
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Northhampton Brewery, Northampton
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Outlook Farm Brewery, Westhampton
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People’s Pint (Franklin County Brewing Co), Greenfield
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Pioneer Valley Brewing, Turners Falls
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Powder Hollow Brewing, South Deerfield
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Progression Brewing Company, Northampton
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Rustic Brewing Company, Springfield/Indian Orchard
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Scantic River Brewery, Hampden
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Sena Farm Brewery, Worthington
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Shire Breu-Hous, Dalton
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Skyline Beer Company, Westfield
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Stoneman Brewery, Colrain
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The Brewery at Four Star Farms, Northfield
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Tin Bridge Brewing, Westfield
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Tree House Brewing, Deerfield
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Two Week’s Notice Brewing, West Springfield
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Vanished Valley Brewing, Ludlow
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Wandering Star Brewing Company, Pittsfield
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Westfield River Brewing Company, Southwick
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White Lion Brewing Company, Springfield
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Look for these other Craft Beers in stores and at festivals!
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Charlton Beer Company
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Clown Shoes
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Entitled Brewing
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Fermentation Arts Brasserie (FAB) Beer, Somerville
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Gilded Skull Brewing
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Harper Lane Brewery
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Medford Brewing
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Opa Opa Brewing Company
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Portico Brewing Company
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Small Change Brewing Company
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Wandering Soul Beer Company
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Wash Ashore Beer
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