The Craft Beer Drinker’s Guide to INBOUND 2014

I love beer, plain and simple. I have my favorite local breweries, frequent the Great American Beer Festival and even take time to write about their marketing efforts. 

So with a few weeks to go before I head out to HubSpot’s INBOUND 2014 Conference, I figured that I would do what I always do when traveling to a new city, and that is to research and list out the best local breweries for me to visit.

Boston is an enormous town, with a number of neighborhoods (that I will fail to group together properly below) boasting great breweries just waiting for inbound marketing experts from around the world to come in and try their creations.

So without any more ado, here is my list of the 18 best craft breweries and brew pubs in and around Boston, broken down by location along with an overall top 5 locations for INBOUND attendees to visit while in town. Find the breweries closest to the INBOUND Conference, closest to where you’ll be staying, or just the best ones for you to say that you’ve been to with this all-encompassing list.

South Boston (Including Boston Convention Center)

Trillium Brewing Company @TrilliumBrewing (near INBOUND)

Trillium is a small brewery just half a mile from the Boston Convention Center where INBOUND 2014 will be held.  Specializing in “farmhouse style beers,” you can visit their location to fill up a growler or purchase a bottle of their unique brews.  Sorry, no pints served here.

Brewery Hours: Tue-Thu: 4pm-7:30pm, Fri: 12pm-7:30pm, Sat: 12pm-6pm

Location: 369 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210

Phone: 617-453-8745

Beers to Try: Wake Robin Red Rye Ale, Pot & Kettle Oatmeal Porter, Trillium Farmhouse Ale

Harpoon Brewery @Harpoon_Brewery (near INBOUND)

Harpoon Brewery, the 12^th largest craft brewer in the country, is less than a mile away from INBOUND 2014 and offers a spacious beer hall with $5 tours that provide you with fresh tasters throughout.  One of the more iconic breweries in the city, Harpoon is sure to be a popular hangout spot for INBOUND attendants.

Beer Hall Hours: Sun-Wed: 11am-7pm, Thu-Sat: 11am-11pm

Tour Times: Mon-Wed: 12pm-5pm, Thu-Fri: 12pm-6pm, Sat: 11:20am-6pm, Sun: 11:30am-5:30pm (Free)

Location: 306 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210

Phone: 617-456-2322

Beers to Try: Harpoon IPA, UFO White, UFO Hefeweizen, Boston Irish Stout

Samuel Adams @SamuelAdamsBeer

By far the most recognizable breweries in the Boston area, the Samuel Adams location can be found a little over 5 miles South West of the convention center in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Stop in for a tour of the facilities (a $2 donation is suggested) and sample a number of the historic brewery’s staples along with some of their more experimental brews.

Tour Times: Mon-Thur: 10am-3pm, Fri: 10am-5:30pm (gift shop closes @ 6:30), Sat: 10am-3pm (gift shop closes @ 4pm) ($2 donation suggested for tour)

Location: 30 Germania St., Boston, MA 02130

Phone: 617-368-5080

Beers to Try: Boston Lager (straight off the line), Cream Stout, Double Agent IPL

Deadwood Café and Brewer

Located about 5 miles south of downtown, Deadwood Café and Brewery offers its visitors “wicked cold” beer brewed on site, a varied food menu and growler fills for those who find a brew they just need to take home with them.

Brewery Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11am-2am

Location: 820 William T Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02122

Phone: 617-825-3800

Beers to Try: OFD IPA, Regatta Brown Ale, Boston Belgian

Central Boston

Boston Beer Works - Canal Street

Well known in the region, the brewery/restaurant chain’s Canal Street location can be found in the center of the downtown area and just a couple miles away from the Boston Convention Center. Sit down and enjoy a beer from either a local brewery or from the location’s set-up, have a meal or tour the facilities. You may purchase bottled beers or fill a growler if you find something you like.

Brewery Hours: Open Daily 11am-1am

Tour Times: Tours and tastings are available, call and ask to speak with the manager on duty to book your tour/tasting.

Location: 112 Canal St., Boston, MA 02114

Phone: 617-896-BEER

Beers to Try: Back Bay IPA, Bunker Hill Blueberry

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery @RockBotton 

The nation-wide chain has put down roots in the middle of Boston’s downtown area and is only 1.5 miles away from INBOUND 2014. Grab a pint brewed in-house, have a bite or purchase a bottle or growler fill of your favorite ale. Just because it’s a large chain doesn’t mean the beer isn’t unique and tasty; many of these stores have their own or share a regional brewmaster who are looking to make their mark on the industry!

Brewery Hours: Sun: 11am-12am, Mon-Thu: 11:30am-12am, Fri: 11:30am-1am, Sat: 11am-1am

Location: 115 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116

Phone: 617-742-2739

Beers to Try: Kolsch, Belgian White, Red Ale

Chelsea

Idle Hands Craft Ales @IdleHandsBeer

A few miles north of downtown and about 5 mile from the convention center, Idle Hands Craft Ales is a nanobrewery that loves to create and share unique Beglian-inspired ales every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Brewery Hours & Tours: Thu: 3pm-7pm, Fri: 5pm-8pm, Sat: 12pm-5pm

Location: 3 Charlton St. # 4, Everett, MA 02149

Phone: 617-819-4353

Beers to Try: Cognition Abbey Style Session Brown, Pandora Belgian Pale Ale/IPA

Mystic Brewery @MysticBrewery 

Found in Chelsea, just north of downtown and 6 miles away from INBOUND, Mystic Brewery’s tasting room offers up full pours, tasters and growler fills of their New England artisanal beer along with free tours on the weekends.

Brewery Hours: Wed-Sat: 11am-9pm

Tour Times: Sat: 1 & 2pm (Free)

Location: 174 Williams St., Chelsea, MA 02150

Phone: 617-466-2079

Beers to Try: India Wharf Pale Ale, Hazy Jane Summer Saison

Night Shift Brewing @NightShiftBeer

Also north of downtown and also 6 miles away from the Boston Convention Center, Night Shift Brewery boasts a brand new, very large taproom where you can sample all of their unique brews, fill growlers or purchase some bottles and custom merch. It has a very laid back atmosphere which may be just the thing for a marketer looking to unwind after a day of speeches, seminars and break-out sessions.

Brewery Hours: Mon-Fri: 3pm-9pm, Sat: 12pm-8pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm

Location: 87 Santilli HWY, Everett, MA 02149

Phone: 617-294-4233

Beers to Try: Viva Habanera Rye Ale, Rose Saison, Taza Stout, Trifecta Belgian Style Pale Ale

Downeast Cider House @DowneastCider

Yeah yeah yeah, it’s not a brewery, but so what?! Cider creation is right up there with brewing when it comes to awesomeness and Downeast Cider House doesn’t disappoint.  Located north of downtown and 4 miles from INBOUND, you can check out the Cider House’s operations and taste their batches every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can also find distributors and sellers on their site if you can’t wait the whole week.

Cider House Hours: Thu-Fri: 1pm-5pm, Sat: 1pm-7pm

Tour Times: Sat: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Location: 200 Terminal St., Boston, MA 02129

Phone: 207-200-7332

Ciders to Try: Original Blend, Hard Honey, Hard Lemonade

Cambridge

Cambridge Brewing Company @CambridgeBrewer

Over in (you guessed it) the Cambridge area, Cambridge Brewing company is just 3 miles away from the convention center and can provide you with a large list of award winning brews and a classy menu for those looking to get a nice bite to eat as well.

Brewery Hours: Mon: 11:30am-11pm, Tue-Thu: 11:30am-12am, Fri: 11:30am-11pm, Sat: 11am-12:45am, Sun: 11am-11pm

Location: 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02139

Phone: 617-494-1994

Beers to Try: Cambridge Amber, Charles River Porter, Any seasonal specials

Aeronaut Brewing Company 

Also in the Cambridge area, Aeronaut is roughly 6 miles away from INBOUND, opening its doors every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to allow people to sample their beer in tasters, full pours and growlers.

Brewery Hours: Thu-Fri: 5pm-10pm, Sat: 2pm-10pm

Location: 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143

Phone: 617-718-0602

Beers to Try: A Session with Dr. Nandu American Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, British Brown Ale

John Harvard’s Brew House - Harvard Square

Just down the street from Harvard University and a 6 mile drive from the Boston Convention Center, this restaurant/brewery chain location boasts a strong selection of classic and seasonal beers, a full menu and fun events including trivia and live music (not at the same time, thankfully).

Brewery Hours: Mon-Thu: 11:30am-12:30am, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-2am, Sun: 11:30am-12am

Location: 33 Dunster St., Cambridge, MA 02138

Phone: 617-868-3585

Beers to Try: John Harvard’s Pale Ale, Strawberry Wheat, Atomic Espresso Stout

Metro West

Boston Beer Works - Fenway 

Well known in the region, the brewery/restaurant chain’s Fenway location can be found in the same neighborhood harboring the historic baseball park and is just a couple miles down the Massachusetts Turnpike from convention center. Sit down and enjoy a beer from either a local brewery or from the location’s set-up, have a meal or tour the facilities. You may purchase bottled beers or fill a growler if you find something you like.

Brewery Hours: Open Daily: 11am-1am

Location: 61 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215

Phone: 617-536-BEER

Beers to Try: Fenway American Pale Ale, Bunker Hill Blueberry, Watermelon Ale

Hopster’s Brew & Boards @HopstersBrew

Ok, so this may not be an actual brewery, but it might as well be. Just 8 miles west of the Boston Convention Center, this local home brewing store/brew pub provides beer lovers with a unique and fun experience where you can learn everything you want about your favorite beers in an open and inviting space.

Hours: Tue-Fri: 11:30am-3pm & 5pm-12am, Sat-Sun: 10am-12am

Location: 292 Centre St., Newton, MA 02458

Phone: 617-916-0752

Beers to Try: Bartender’s choice. With a rotating tap list of local brews, you’re sure to find something unique and exciting.

Honorable Mentions Outside of the Metropolitan Boston Area

Sea Dog Brew Pub @SeaDogHull

A solid 20 mile drive or hour long ferry ride away from metropolitan Boston, Sea Dog Brew Pub in Hull, MA is the first out of state location for the famous Maine micro-brewery and sports an amazing view of the Boston skyline.  Stop in for a most assuredly ludicrously named beer (see below) or for some authentic sea-fare.

Brewery Hours: Mon-Thu: 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-1am, Sun: 11am-11pm

Location: 2 A St., Hull, MA 02045

Phone: 781-773-1840

Beers to Try: Windjammer Blonde Ale, Old Gollywobbler Brown Ale, Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter

Blue Hills Brewery @BHBCanton

Just 18 miles south of metropolitan Boston lies Blue Hills Brewery who strives to make great tasting beer inspired by the elements and nature around them.  Stop in on Friday or Saturday for fresh beer tastings or drop by the gift store for bottled beer and merchandise.

Brewery Hours: Tastings- Fri: 3pm-7pm, Sat: 1pm-7pm; Store- Mon-Fri: 10am-5:30pm

Location: 1020 Turnpike St. #3B, Canton, MA 02021

Phone: 781-821-2337

Beers to Try: Black Hops, Quarter Mile Double IPA, Antimatter Single Malt Series

Top 5 Breweries to Go to In Boston During INBOUND 2014

Now that you have a (relatively) full list of breweries in Boston, it’s time to list off the best locations for you to go to during Hubspot’s INBOUND 2014!  As you may well have noticed, not all of the aforementioned breweries are open and able to serve during the conference (Monday, Sept. 15^th through Thursday the 18^th) so the below rankings are based off of 1. Availability for patronage, 2. Quality of beer, and 3. Ability to serve large numbers of thirsty marketers. Here’s the final tally:

1. Harpoon Brewery
2. Samuel Adams
3. Cambridge Brewing Company
4. Night Shift Brewing
5. Boston Beer Works- Either location

There you have it Hubspotters! All of the best breweries in and around Boston, along with my personal choices for the top 5 for INBOUND attendees to check out.  If you would like to check join the great folks at Revenue River and me for a beer or two at one of these fine establishments, leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know which one strikes your fancy!  Cheers, and I’ll see you all at INBOUND!

This post originally appeared on the Revenue River Blog. Revenue River is a HubSpot Partner Agency located in Castle Rock, CO.