12 Local Beers to Sip Outdoors This Spring
Robot Crush, by Aeronaut Brewing Company. / Photo provided
It’s time to gear up for patio dining and a few well-deserved beers outside. But as the sun beats down, and temperatures tick up, not just any beer will do. The ideal warm-weather beer goes down light and easy, but at the same time doesn’t skimp on flavor. Need some ideas? Here are 12 New England beers (OK, ciders, too) perfect for the spring season.
Robot Crush, by Aeronaut Brewing Company
This award-winning pilsner (pictured above) has it all when it comes to outdoor enjoyment: a crisp malt kick, humble hop flavor, and a biscuity finish that beckons for another taste. Per usual with the Somerville brewery, the can is decked out with some intricate artwork to boot.
14 Tyler St., Somerville, 617-987-4236, aeronautbrewing.com.
New World, by Artifact Cider Project. / Photo provided
New World, by Artifact Cider Project
Spring marks the seasonal return of this dry and vibrant cider, which features flavors of pear, apple blossom, and grapefruit. Cans should arrive in Western Mass. within the week, and make their way to Boston shortly thereafter.
Springfield, Massachusetts, 508-446-2935, artifactcider.com.
The Jamaican Shandy at Barrel House Z. / Photo provided
Jamaican Shandy, by Barrel House Z
By now, most local beer enthusiasts have tried RR #23, the Weymouth brewery’s barrel-aged rye ale. To mix things up, the team has started blending the rum-aged iteration with ginger beer at their taproom for a stiff and thirst-quenching shandy. It’s been such a hit that the brewery has even started allocating barrels for bars along the South Shore and Cape.
95 Woodrock Rd., Weymouth, 339-201-7888, barrelhousez.net.
Handline Kölsch, by Devil’s Purse Brewing Company. / Photo provided
Handline Kölsch, by Devil’s Purse Brewing Company
This traditional German-style Kölsch is equal parts dry, crushable, and effervescent. Now that the South Dennis brewery is canning the beer in Pawtucket, expect to find it on Boston shelves later this season.
120 Great Western Rd., South Dennis, 508-694-7171, devilspurse.com.
A Is For Apricot, by Evil Twin Brewing
Since Evil Twin moved into Dorchester, the contract brewery has cranked out plenty of eclectic suds. New to that rotation is A is for Apricot, a light and tart gose with a pinch of salt. The beer likely won’t stick around all season, though, so keep an eye out for other springtime sippers, like a Pink Lemonade IPA, and a Berliner weisse with passionfruit called Tropical ’Itch.
1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.
Lei, by Far from the Tree Cider. / Photo provided
Lei, by Far from the Tree Cider
A fresh batch of this pineapple jalapeño cider hits the Salem taproom this week, and should be available around Boston by May. The cider carries enough fruit character and sweetness to balance out the heat, creating a refreshing and bright bite.
108 Jackson St., Salem, 978-224-2904, farfromthetreecider.com.
The Grotto, by Foolproof Brewing Company. / Photo by Grace Lentini Photography
The Grotto, by Foolproof Brewing Company
Grassy hop flavor. Citrus undertones. A lush waterfall to gaze at while you drink. If you’re looking for the hop punch of an IPA while lounging outdoors, this Rhode Island-born beer is for you.
241 Grotto Ave #1, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 401-721-5970, foolproofbrewing.com.
Mary of the Gael, by Mystic Brewing
Light orange and citrus notes lead to a dry finish in this farmhouse ale. A representative from the brewery says the team is gearing up to keg a new batch soon, and plans to send the majority of it to Kenmore Square’s Island Creek Oyster Bar for some proper seafood pairings. A few bottles are still out and about, though.
174 Williams St., Chelsea, 617-466-2079, mystic-brewery.com.
Cape Codder Weisse, by Night Shift Brewing. / Photo by Tim Oxton
Cape Codder Weisse, by Night Shift Brewing
Night Shift has rotated through a number of mouth-puckering sours with its weisse offerings, highlighting fruits like raspberries, limes, and mangos. The latest beer available in the series embraces those additions with a mix of cranberries and orange zest, making it the ultimate beach beer.
87 Santilli Highway, Everett, 617-294-4233, nightshiftbrewing.com.
Loral by Notch Brewing. / Photo provided
Loral, by Notch Brewing
Springtime is built for the session beer, so you’d be set with really anything from Notch. But few beers on tap at the Salem brewery are more in line with brewer Chris Lohring’s style than Loral, a Czech-style pale lager named after the floral and peppery American hops it uses. Best enjoyed riverside, naturally.
283 Derby St., Salem, 978-238-9060, notchbrewing.com.
Pearly, by Springdale Barrel Room. / Photo by MediaBoss
Pearly, by Springdale Barrel Room
The Framingham brewery bills this beer as a “country-style” witbier, showcasing a touch of coriander and orange peel alongside a noticeable tartness. General manager Joe Connolly says the beer should hit the taproom in the next few weeks.
102 Clinton St., Framingham, 508-872-0900, springdalebeer.com.
Sprang, by Trillium Brewing Company. / Photo provided
Sprang, by Trillium Brewing Company
This isn’t your everyday Kölsch. Light-bodied yet hop-forward, this beer has a grape-y, white wine finish from the addition of Nelson Sauvin hops. It may not last long enough to drink on the Greenway, but we can only hope.
110 Shawmut Rd., Canton, 781-562-0073, 369 Congress St., Fort Point, 617-453-8745, trilliumbrewing.com.
