The Ultimate Guide to Craft Beer in New England
We rate the 15 best microbrews in New England — and then celebrate all things beer.
Let Napa have its wineries, Scotland its single-malt spirits. Here in New England, our cups runneth over with porters, IPAs, and session ales. With 40 members in the Massachusetts Brewers Guild alone, not to mention scores of brewers in Vermont and Maine, we’re practically swimming in small-batch suds. In fact, there’s a whole ecosystem of local farms, brewers, and pubs that exist solely for the purpose of putting a cold, lovingly made pint in your hand. Get ready to tip one back.
The Best Craft Beer in New England
We tasted samples from 33 of our finest regional breweries to find our favorite beers in 15 styles, from refreshing light lagers to kick-you-in-the-teeth imperial ales. These picks were heads above the rest.
Craft Beer Pays My Bills: The Malt MakersHow Valley Malt is bringing grain growing back to New England. | Craft Beer Pays My Bills: The Hop FarmersLocavore brewers turn to Four Star Farms for sustainably grown hops. |
Craft Beer Pays My Bills: The Homebrew GuruModern Homebrew Emporium’s brewer-in-chief helps novices get in on the beer-making act. | What, You Can’t Taste the Clover Pollen?Think our tasting notes reek of craft beer snobbery? Check out these doozies. |
Beer Makes Everything Taste BetterThe secret ingredient in these five dishes? Liquid gold. | Upcoming Beer DinnersThree noteworthy suds-and-supper happenings around Boston. |
Three New England Craft Beer GetawaysYour guide to three ultimate New England beercations. | How to Drink Like a Beer ConnoisseurYour cheat sheet to drinking your brews from the right glass. |
A Year of BeerFive Boston beer celebrations to mark on your calendar. | Top of the PubThere are plenty of great places in town to throw back a pint. But which is right for you? |