The Quest for the Holy Grain - Best Brew Pubs
Massachusetts

 

 

Boston

Framingham

Cambridge

Great Barrington

 

 

 

 

Jack's Abby
100 Clinton Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (508) 872-0900

A large, non-descript metal industrial building in the Boston suburbs serves as the home of Jack's Abby, a large brewpub serving a wide variety of excellent beers along with a truly impressive, varied and interesting food menu.

Pizza seems to be the biggest seller, judging from what we saw on tables around us.

The atmosphere is decidedly casual if a bit noisy, and the space which can accommodate probably 200 people is open with glass walls around the perimeter giving a great view of the brewing operation.

Locals report that Jack's is almost always full of happy eaters and drinkers.

At least two dozen taps in the center of the space dispense an impressive selection of well-crafted standards and creative and occasionally offbeat limited run and seasonal brews.


 

 

 

Barrington Brewery & Restaurant
420 Stockbridge Rd #7  
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-8282

Barrington is a gem of a brewpub tucked away in a charming small town in the historic Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, the legendary stomping grounds of such American icons as Hawthorne, Longfellow and Norman Rockwell.
Barrington produces about half a dozen different brews year-round, and another four or five seasonal.
The atmosphere is very reminiscent of an English country pub, with rustic exposed wood structure, two fireplaces, and a cozy and inviting ambience that makes you want to stay for hours, and come back often.
We did both!
The food is classic English and American pub fare, done to perfection. How often does a vegetarian plate look so inviting?
All of their beers were great – the Ice Glen IPA was a classic example of that beer done to perfection.
All brews are available to go in 22 oz. bottles and growlers.
Worth driving a long way to spend some time here.

 

 

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery - Boston
115 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 742-2739

Part of a chain, the
Rock Bottom Brewpub in Boston is in the Theater district. 
The bar and dining area are very large and spacious. 
The brewing operation is not evident. 
The six beers on tap, probably standard in each outlet, were good but not great. 
The food was pricey but adequate.

 

 

 

Cambridge Brewing Company
1 Kendall Sq # 100
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 494-1994

The Cambridge Brewing Company is near the MIT campus and thus very crowded with young people.  It is very modern, almost fern bar-ish with light colored paneling and lots of windows.  Cambridge had at least 10 of their beers on tap including a cask.  The beers are true to style and very well made.  The food was good, though a little pricey.  The service was particularly good.
By the way, The Cambridge Brewing Company is very hard to find.  The address: One Kendall Square, is the name of a large office development.  All of the buildings are "One Kendall Square".  Map services don't seem to distinguish between buildings, so your map won't work.  (The bar is on the far Northwest corner of the development)