Beer Trail Commanders have collected all five Mass Craft Beer Trail regional badges, for a total of 75 brewery visits across the state. They are also awarded an official MBG T-shirt and glass. 

Brian Healy

Brian Healy is a South Easton resident and craft beer connoisseur that cruised to the number one slot and achieved the coveted title of "Beer Trail Commander" just five weeks after the mobile application launched. Massachusetts is lucky to have a fan like him.  Thanks for drinking local. 

Mass. Brew Bro. Bob

Michael Luszcz Jr.

Michael Luszcz Jr. loves Massachusetts Craft Beer. Why? Because it's delicious! He also enjoys the craft beer scene that the Commonwealth has overall and says that meeting and talking to people who are so passionate about craft beer is what keeps him traveling to breweries thirsty for more. The dark beer drinker typical favors Russian imperials and baltic porters, but he wouldn't pass up a good barleywine, sours or anything hoppy. His three favorite breweries to visit are, Amherst brewing (in the Hangar) because he loves the old school arcade and pinball games and  self-serve taps, Bone Up, because the flights are served in a muffin tin and you get free snacks, and lastly, River Styx due to is cool underworld theme. Most importantly all three make great beer! We are excited to see where Michael goes next! Keep drinking local. 

Benjamin Krefetz

Ryan Whitcomb

Ryan Whitcomb loves MA craft beer because of the variety. He also appreciates how approachable the brewers are about their craft. As a home brewer, he likes to learn as much about the process as possible. He’s been enjoying the MA craft beer scene’s rapid expansion and says that the MBG’s new Mass Craft Beer Trail mobile app helped to jumpstart his desire to get out and revisit each of the breweries to see what’s new. His top three favorite breweries are Moon Hill at Gardner Ale House because its everything you’d want in a brewpub for quality of beer and food, Stone Cow, for its awesome farm-to-glass atmosphere and concept, and Springdale because well, the barrels – oh so many barrels! His perfect pint of the moment is a Chunk Norris either the original, or one of the barrel aged iterations. We'd have to agree that its a mighty tasty pint. We salute you Commander Whitcomb. 

Dmitriy Arkannikov

Dmitriy Arkannikov moved to the US from Russia in 2001, and is a sergeant in the MA National Guard and works full-time for the town of Lexington. He got into craft beer when he started volunterring at NERAX back in 2012. He quickly fell in love with everything local. He feels fortunate to live in a state with more than 150 breweries that offer great variety and quality. He feels that Massachusetts beer, cider and distilled beverages are simply the best. His favorite breweries of the moment include Drunken Rabbit, Fort Hill and Jack's Abby.  He enjoys House Lager for its "anytime drinkability," he says, but also loves sours and stouts. The avid traveler also likes to drink around the world and says that he's drank beer in 28 different countries! Welcome to Commander status Dmitriy! 

Ken Whitcomb

Ken Whitcomb is a longtime #MABeer enthusiast who started getting into the craft beer scene when Sam Adams launched into the market in the early eighties. His frequent trips to Red Bones BBQ in Somerville also broadened his horizons and palate with their ever rotating selection of craft on draft as the market began to expand. Even though he’s lived in Massachusetts his entire life, visiting breweries around the state has brought Ken to so many new places, he says. His favorite breweries in Massachusetts include Moon Hill / Gardner Ale House (where he’s been a mug club member since the program’s inception!) along with Wachusett and Springdale. He loves the flavors and creativity offered through the variety of styles. His favorite beer of the moment? A Tiramisu Stout that he tried at the Wachusett Stout-A-Palooza. He hopes he’ll see that one come back to the line-up again. We do too Ken - sounds delicious! Welcome to the family Beer Trail Commander - thanks for drinking local! 

John B. 

Susan Dyer

Our very first lady commander! Susan who hails from Marlborough, Mass. started getting into craft beer while helping her husband homebrew and traveling to breweries across the U.S. and internationally. She loves the new passport program because it keeps her up to date on industry news, events and new brewery openings, she says. Her “Go To” list of breweries includes: Springdale because of the variety of sours, Down the Road Beer Co. for their Cranberry Blood Orange Feyborn Berliner Weisse and all the pinball machines, and Medusa Brewing Co., because it’s in her neighborhood. She’s a sour, kolsch and cider drinker primarily, and her favorite beer of the moment is Aeronaut Brewing Co.’s Passionfruit sour planet. Welcome to commander status Susan. Cheers! 

Robin & Keith Millea

The couple that tours breweries together, stays together. The MBG welcomes its first Beer Trail Commander Couple! In their own words: 

"We had a great time touring around MA together, visiting towns we probably never would have went to otherwise.  We enjoyed the incredible variety and freshness of the all the craft beers we able to sample.  Our favorite summertime brewery is Buzzards Bay Brewery.  Not only do they have great beers, but their outdoor space is incredible. They always a good band playing along with their delicious Cheese Truck, fresh oysters on the half-shell and farmer's market.  We can't say enough about our beer tasting at Flying Dreams Brewery.  Loved them all!  Especially Pond Jumper.  Best new brewery close to our home has to be Purgatory.  Great beer, awesome taproom and rotating food trucks.  Favorite style of beer is IPAs.  Really loving the hazy NE IPA at the moment.  Thank you MBG for helping us navigate MA craft brewing.  It was fun!"

Geoff & Lisa Hodge

Geoff and Lisa rediscovered their love of craft beer a few years ago and have been enjoying weekend trips around Massachusetts to conquer the MBG beer trail together. They're both fans of less hoppy, malt-forward beers, with Geoff having a particular love of bourbon barrel-aged and Belgian brews, and Lisa favoring Scotch ales, wee heavies, and English old ales. Their favorite breweries include Jack’s Abby, River Styx, Medusa, and Bad Martha, and of course, 3cross Fermentation Cooperative, which they joined as member-owners because of the great people there and the good work that they’re doing for the Greater Worcester community. They say that exploring the MBG beer trail as a couple has been a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, visit hidden corners of the state, sample an amazing variety of MA beers, and meet other people who are also passionate about craft beer.

Donald Cloutier 

Donald loves the quality of MA craft beers -- from the variety, to the styles, and the local freshness -- he says you can’t beat the selection offered in our state. “They aren’t mass produced and it shows,” he says. “You can tell they take pride in their products.” His favorite breweries include Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Co., Castle Island, and Jack’s Abby. He’s an IPA fan and enjoys beer with big hoppy flavors. You can often find Donald enjoying a Hair Raiser from Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing, which is his favorite beer of the moment. Cheers to you Donald. Thanks for supporting MA Beer! 

David Hanks

David Hanks was Originally introduced to craft beer while working a summer job slinging suds. From there he discovered small local breweries that offered a flavorful variety which led to his exploration of the Massachusetts craft beer scene. The flavor and quality quench his thirst but he also enjoys supporting local businesses that help our state’s economy grow and thrive. His favorite breweries? Wachusett Brewing, Flying Dreams and Slumbrew. David enjoys New England IPAs, lagers and darker beers but says he’s always open to trying something news. “My favorite beer is Wachusett’s Mass Soul because they create variations off of their original recipe,” he says. “Good beer recipes never disappear because someone will continue the tradition by acquiring the recipe and giving it new and continued life.” Thank you David, for being a Master Massachusetts Beer Taster! Keep on touring! 

Nat Alderman

Nat Alderman spent four years in Germany as a kid. Every town had its own brewery (and the beer was cheaper than Coca-Cola). Twenty-three years ago IncrediBREW opened a brew-on-premise in Nashua, NH. He became a regular and rediscovered that fresher is better. Nat loves the great variety among the Massachusetts brewers: German lagers, Belgian saisons and abbey styles, English pub ales, and New England IPAs. While some brewers are consistently producing the same good brews and others change their brews from batch to batch, he says all are worth trying. His favorite styles influence his choice of favorite breweries – from Medusa Brewing Co., for its Sir Terry and Blighty, to Jack's Abby/Springdale thanks to Smoke & Dagger, Red Tape and Kellerbraus, to River Styx for its stouts, saisons, and IPAs. What can you find in Nat’s glass? Springdale Supporter Scarf - best described as a tailgate ale, brewed in collaboration with the Midnight Riders. Keep lifting those local pints Nat! We are grateful to have you as an official Beer Trail Commander. Cheers! 

Jillian Farrell

Jillian Farrell hasn’t always been the Beer Trail Commander you see in her photo. It wasn’t until a move to Western Mass and a taste of New City Ginger Beer before she discovered just how brilliant and fun beer could be. For Jillian, becoming a Beer Trail Commander was about more than beer. Together with her love, JP Reardon, she fell in love with every nook and cranny of Massachusetts - who knew the North Shore had so much to offer? Jillian’s favorite breweries include Drunken Rabbit, Homefield Brewing, Medusa, Barnstable Brewing, Barrel House Z, Lord Hobo, and the list goes on and on. Each one provided a unique experience and a variety of funky flavors. When it comes to taste Jillian loves hefeweizens, a good berliner weisse, and any beer that rested on a fruit. The Barnstable Brewing Hefeweizen is currently her #1, but she can’t wait to keep tasting and see what tops it! 

JP Reardon

What started with a bachelor party beer tour, Massachusetts breweries evolved into long distance cycling destinations for JP... but when his girlfriend, Jillian Farrell, casually suggested becoming Beer Trail Commanders it became a combination grand tour and masterclass in all things Massachusetts and beer. JP loved planning strategic trips to hit multiple breweries along with local art museums, historic sites, and even though it was a tough loss, the Celtics-Cavaliers game 7 at the TD Garden.  Having to pick only a couple breweries as the best is like having to pick which sip of beer is most satisfying, but his top tier of breweries, in no particular order include Abandoned Building Brewing, Drunken Rabbit, Homefield, Medusa, River Styx, all of the breweries in Everett, Winter Hill, Barnstable Brewing, Castle Island, Barrel House Z, Lord Hobo, and Brewery Slivaticus, but you’ll have to go to them to find out what makes them special.  JP has a tendency for juicy NEIPAs and DIPAs during the summer and dark stouts in the winter, but is always impressed by thoughtful experimental brews. He is currently still dreaming of Barnstable Brewing’s outstanding Vanilla Milkshake IPA, but he does have one of Amherst Brewing Company’s “Jessica” left in the fridge that he is reverentially waiting for the perfect moment to enjoy.

Kern Ormond

Kern’s appreciation for craft and local beer started while in grad school in Ithaca, NY and further developed as a regular customer at Redbones after moving to Boston. He really didn’t start visiting breweries regularly until a few years ago when Aeronaut opened up down the street from his apartment. The MBG Beer Trail served as a good excuse to get around to parts of the state he may not have visited otherwise. He enjoyed sampling the wide variety of beer available. While Aeronaut is still his favorite local brewery, he also likes to visit Springdale/Jack's Abby for both the beer (especially sours) and the food at the beer hall, and Bone Up for their takes on traditional ales and regular cask releases. While his favorite styles are sours and British-style ales he’s also developed an appreciation for IPAs while trying the ones brewed at Aeronaut. What’s in his glass these days? Aeronaut's Imperial Galaxic Cirrocumulus IPA is his go-to when it's on tap at the brewery, and he usually has a few cans of Jack's Abby House Lager in my fridge at home. Cheers Kern!

Andrew Razov

Andrew Razov caught the craft beer bug four years ago after traveling to breweries with his brother as a way to explore different towns across Massachusetts. They saw it as a fun way to visit different places, learn about the brewing process, and enjoy a variety of different beers. Andrew says he particularly loves the close community aspect of the craft beer scene as well as the thriving growth. His top three favorite breweries are Springdale, Exhibit ‘A’ and River Styx. He enjoys New England IPAs as well as sours. His favorite beer of the moment? Dog and Pony show by Notch Brewing that fits with the current the fall vibes. Welcome to the Beer Trail Commander family Andrew!

Elizabeth O’Neill

Drinking local is super important to Elizabeth O’Neill, who is currently a part of the MBG family and employed at Turtle Swamp Brewing Co. She believes that the local beer culture is about a lot more than the beer itself. In her own words: “It’s about community and relationships in addition to the physical beer - all these things go together, and I’ve been lucky to work at a place that values all this.” Her New Year’s Resolution for 2018 was to visit at least 100 breweries in MA, and she’s almost there. She says the journey has been super exciting and taken her to many places she would never have otherwise have gone to. We can’t wait to count you among our Beer Trail Conquerors Liz - keep touring and tasting, Thank you for all you do to elevate #MABeer! 

Brian Franklin

It all started in 2013 when I was living in Western MA, about half an hour from this small shack of a brewery in Monson called Treehouse. My girlfriend, Alison and I were looking for something to do on a Saturday. We stumbled upon the MA Brewers Guild passport listing a bunch of breweries in in towns we’d never heard of. That day, we found an activity we both loved: finding great beer in weird spots around the state we’d never been to before.

Massachusetts is home to so much variety, which is why I love the craft beer here so much. We’ve tried many fantastic IPAs (Treehouse’s ‘Julius’ stands out), but my favorite beer remains a great session or well-balanced Pilsner. 

By far, our favorite place to sit out and enjoy a casual beer is Notch Brewing Co. in Salem, where the views of the water and never ending parade of dogs makes it a great weekend afternoon spot in the summer.

Welcome to the team Beer Trail Commander Brian!

Dana Miller

Dana Miller began his adventures into craft beer when he was introduced to a variety of Samuel Adams beers.  Early in 2018, Dana and his friend Alan Matta, who has also earned the title of Beer Trail Commander, decided to explore the Massachusetts Beer Trail.  “We thought we would visit a few here or there – maybe 10 – 12, primarily in the Southeast and Metro Boston Regions.  We had absolutely no expectations to go as far as we did, but yet, here we are!”  Dana enjoys MA Craft Beer because of the varieties available and the care and passion local brewers have for their craft.  His three favorite breweries have been Samuel Adams in Boston, Jack’s Abby Brewing in Framingham, and the Ipswich Ale Brewery in Ipswich, all for their variety of beers on tap that he enjoys.  He tends to like beers on the malty side but also enjoys many of the sour kind as well as the German-style beers.  Dana’s favorite beer at this moment is Samuel Adams Sam ’76 on tap. Welcome to the wall of heroes Dana!

Alan Matta

In his own words:

“I discovered the app at the Black Hat Brew Works in Bridgewater with my wife in January.  Reached out to a friend Dana Miller (also a recent Beer Trail Commander & Conqueror) and thought it might be fun to visit a couple of local of breweries each month with our wives (in fact, they too visited each brewery but did not use the app to track!).  The goal of two or three a month lead to a number of Saturdays visiting breweries in all five regions, a couple of weekend trips to Western MA to get the Western Pioneer badge and culminated in a total of 102 different breweries visited during 2018.

Best thing about the app was finding nearby craft breweries and having the chance to sample the subtle taste differences each brewery put into their offerings and to try different styles.  The app also allow us to see many small towns we normally would not have visited and enjoyed how many breweries were housed in old mills or restored buildings, retaining the old charm and history.

My favorite breweries are Widowmaker Brewing, Northampton Brewery and Fort Hill Brewery.  Each offers a different experience (size, games, dining and scenic views) as well as a wide selection of brews.  While I started out favoring lagers, my taste has migrated  more to stouts and brown ales, with my favorite at the present time being the Donut Shop Coffee Stout at Widowmaker.  Looking forward to more breweries to conquer in 2019!”

Thank you for loving and supporting #MABeer Alan!

M2 & JOANNE M.

Mike, a business owner in NH, and Joanne, a MA school administrator, reside in Holden.  They have turned a hobby into a craft brewery passion and have enjoyed visiting all 147 breweries (listed thru January’19) together over the past year. They discovered the MBG APP at 3-Cross last February, and have used the Mass Craft Beer Trail as their compass to plan fun weekend trips to stay at B & B’s and enjoy the unique culture and characters of the craft beer community throughout the state.  

They tend to favor Hazy, Double IPA’s, Imperial’s, NE Wheat, and smooth Stouts. The hoppier the better!

They have favorites in each of the regions, but particularly enjoy the Cape & Islands, Central, and Western MA.  Some highlights (in no particular order) include Bad Martha’s, Moby Dick, Greater Good, Barrington Brewery, Lefty’s, Wachusett, Wormtown, Fort Hill, Medusa, Westfield River, Lord Hobo, Moon Hill, and of course, Treehouse.  Beer. Food. Music. (in that order)

Along with meeting very approachable brewers throughout the state eager to share advice, and fellow Beer Commanders touring the trail, they learned many aspects of the brewing process culminating with a great experience brewing their own IPA (7.5% ABV) at Barleycorn’s in Natick.

Steven Carroll

In his own words:

“I first got into craft beer in 2011, when I was living in NJ. I read about the craft beer scene in Vermont; and decided to drive up with my friends Jeff, Nancy, and Leslie to complete the Vermont Brewery Challenge. Since moving up to MA a little over 2 years ago, I have been trying to visit as many breweries as possible in both MA and NH, with a goal of completing brewery challenges in all 3 of the northern New England states. 

My favorite types of beer are stouts, German style wheat beers and dunkels, as well as Belgian style Tripels and Dubbels; but I generally enjoy most styles. Some of my favorite breweries in MA have been Winter Hill Brewing, Cambridge Brewing Company, Down The Road Beer Co, Medusa Brewing Co, Turtle Swamp Brewing, Exhibit A Brewing Co, and Barrington Brewery and Restaurant. They all provided a great combination of amazing beers with friendly service in unique settings.  Down The Road's spacious warehouse setting with a quirky collection of furniture and pinball machines differs entirely from Turtle Swamp's smaller setting with a cozy upstairs lounge, or Great Barrington's rustic restaurant setting with a great collection of international beer cans and steins; yet each of these 3 were equally enjoyable to visit. My current favorite beer would probably be The Cat's Meow from Exhibit A, one of the final beers I had on the last segment  of this brewery challenge. I also really enjoyed the Sgt. Pepper  from Cambridge Brewing Company, which was one of the first MA beers I tried after moving up here, and just about anything that Winter Hill makes. Thank you to Laura for letting me drag you along to so many breweries!”

Welcome to Commander level Steven! We are glad you are here.

Brian Anderson

In his own words: I started drinking local beer shortly after my 21st birthday.  Going through the typical college experience, I was familiar with all of the main stream big brewery options, and felt that the pale yellow fizzy options didn't have great complexity or flavor.  They were great for a tailgate, but not for sitting with some friends and having a good time watching a game or hanging out.  Fortunately we had Samuel Adams available in most bars and restaurants, along with a few other beers that aren't around anymore (Pete's Wicked Ales, Tremont IPA, the original Ipswich IPA).  In many ways, I grew up drinking craft beer, and as more local options became available, I started drinking those on a regular basis. There are many things that excite me about MA Craft Beer, but the top one is having that local community experience at the taprooms.  Bog Iron in Norton is a great example of how a small brewery and taproom becomes a local destination, where people come to hang out and enjoy good beer. Belgians, Pale Ales and Marzens are my favorites. with favorite beers ranging from Notch's Infinite Jest, and Jack's Abby's Shipping out of Boston being a very close second. 

Thank you for supporting MA Beer Brian!

Serrie Hamilton

In Her Own Words:

I started drinking MA craft beer not long after I turned 21, but, I definitely stuck to ciders and citrusy/fruity IPAs. It was about 18 months ago that I started to venture into things besides my trusty sweet tipples (thanks to my partner Brian, also on this list ), and I haven’t looked back! Last year was the year of the stout, and this year, I’m attempting to branch out into pale ales!

I love MA craft beer both for the amazing creativity, but also the stories of how the breweries came to be, especially in the small communities across MA. So many of the serve as the local watering holes, and I love meeting people who also enjoy good beer. Top breweries for me right now are probably Bone Up (love the snacks, the variety of brews, and the space) and Barrel House Z (the first beer I ever had there, Adeline, convinced me that stouts were the bomb, and I have yet to have a beer there that doesn’t top my list!). True to my 21 year old self, I still love the juice bombs, but I’m just as likely now to throw a darker beer into the mix. MA craft beer never ceases to amaze and surprise me and keep pushing me to try new styles and places!

So glad we could covert you into a beer lover, Serrie! Welcome to the #MABeer community.

Zak Naumann

In his own words:

Me and my girlfriend Lauren (who I alsocompleted the passport challenge with), have done two brewery passport programs in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, Michigan where we became “brewsaders,” starting the never ending quest for the perfect brew. I love the sheer amount of breweries there are to try in Massachusetts. My top 3 favorite breweries include - 1) Tree House, it is like the Disney land of brewery locations — great beer and great facility 2) Widowmaker, BEST shuffle board table I have played on in my experience so far. A lot of fun activities and a fun space to knock back a few pints 3) Samuel Adam's, being from Michigan it is the tourist in me for the novelty factor. Favorite style of beer - Coffee style, Porters and Stouts. They pair well with any event. But the best part about taking on the MBG’s Mass Craft Beer trail was getting to complete the adventure with the love of my life as well as becoming a Beer Trail Commander.

Lauren Carroll

In her own words:

Touring Massachusetts with my best friend, who happens to double as my boyfriend, was an amazing experience! We are lucky enough to have careers that take us around the country and I find that good local beer is the best way to experience new places. My personal favorite beer style is anything sour, but a good wild ale or saison will do in a pinch. River Styx's Sour Patch Tart Ale is just one of the many memorable & delicious beers I tried, and their beer selection is just diverse and interesting enough to please a crowd while impressing even the snobbiest of beer-lovers.

Having been to MANY breweries across five states, I have to say that Massachusetts is something special. Though we are moving away for now, the memories of exploring new places and trying about 400 new brews is something I will not soon forget. A huge thank you to all the breweries who hosted us and the MBG affiliates who helped us turn a hobby into a lifelong passion.

A huge thank YOU right back atcha’ from the MBG family for supporting our breweries and small business. Cheers and safe travels on your next journey!

Matt Paris

In his own words:

Ok, so the name’s Matt, I live on the South Shore and I do a little beer blogging on Instagram under the name Captain Asshat, with a little help from two stuffed monkeys that pose in beer shots for me. I work part time at Barrel House Z, and also have been apart of many of my good friends the Mass. Brew Bros. blind tasting events. I have been into craft beer since back when it was called microbrews in the early to mid nineties. Back then, I was even going on brewery tours and going to events though they were very small at the time. What I like about Mass craft beer is the tight nit community that has found a way of keeping out “big-beer” while still making some, no ,,, most of the best beer in the country. Top three favorite breweries in the state... nope not answering that, that’s a loaded question, I’ll just say I find the good in everything I try. I’ll usually will go for an easy to crush low avb IPA, though I love a well done barrel aged stout. My favorite Mass beer right now, another loaded question! But while on my quest to hit 100, I found Flying Dreams cucumber gosé, its definitely going to be a go to beer for the summer, crazy amazing. I’ll see ya out there on my quest for 100 (if not more) Captain out!

We salute you Captain! Keep touring and tasting good sir!

Christopher Sullivan

In his own words:

After a Craft Beer Cellar opened in my city I quickly became a regular customer making weekly trips for tastings and store events. As I do not consider myself a big fan of IPAs or anything too hoppy or bitter it did not take me long to find that my favorite styles of beer are Sours, Goses and Berliner Weisses. I am particularly fond of Castle Island for their Froot Zoot series and Springdale for the wide variety they offer. When I travel I am often joined by my wife who loves a good wheat or Belgian beer and adores it when a brewery has a residential cat. Now that I have made it to the Leader Board as a MBG Beer Trail Commander I encourage anyone who sees me at a brewery or festival to not be afraid to come up to me and say “hello”! I enjoy talking to fellow beer drinkers learning about what they like and listening to their beer travel adventures.

Who doesn’t love a good brewery kitty? Thanks for all your support Chris!

Meghan Stone

In her own words:

I first got into craft beer after my husband Chris and I became regulars at the Craft Beer Cellar that opened in our city. We then started exploring the state and visiting breweries by collecting stamps on the original paper passport map! 

I prefer more malt forward beers such as Belgians, weizens, farmhouses and pretty much everything that comes out in the Autumn season. 

Some of my favorite breweries include Lost Shoe, Redemption Rock and True North because of their vast assortment of non-IPA styles and, of course, any brewery that has a cat. 

Three cheers to you and your husband for traveling the state together in search of your next favorite #MABeer!

Sergio Bacelis

In his own words:

My love for craftbeer started about 16 years ago on a trip to Burlington Vermont. While in Burlington we went to Magic Hat, and ever since I’ve been hooked on craftbeers. My three favorites around here are Wormtown, Greater Good, and Tree House, I love IPAs, Double IPAs, lagers, German style, among others. My wife, and I are determined to visit all the breweries in Massachusetts.

Michaela Johnston & Brycen Dowd

This duo tackled the trail together so naturally, they’d like to be added to our wall of Commanders together. In their own words: 

We are both beer lovers and being able to try lots of different beers and support local companies is a perfect combination. When we moved back to Massachusetts last fall, and checking out breweries was not only a fun activity but it was a great way to explore new neighborhoods and try new things. MA craft beer is some of the best in the country-- so we are constantly impressed with the new and innovative flavors coming from local breweries. But we also love the community, it's always cool to see our favorite breweries collaborating with other local companies and brewers to produce new food and drink offerings. We have stumbled upon some unexpected favorites: True West - It has good beer and a cool environment-kind of a hidden gem. Springdale - we were totally surprised by the atmosphere and huge space and they are doing some really cool stuff with their beer. We can't get enough Brigadeiro. Absolute #1 is always Harpoon. It's home to Brycen's go-to IPA, and has a very cool tap room, and it also has the best brewery tour around. Brycen is a big fan of IPAs, while Michaela is a sucker for a good coffee porter or stout. Brycen is loving the Tree House King Julius we recently managed to get our hands on. Michaela can't get enough of Night Shift Awake Coffee Porter. 

Cheers to #MABeers Michaela & Brycen! We hope you keep touring and tasting! 

Derek Koumpis

In his own words:

My love for "craft" beer goes back to the early 90's -- Sam Adams, Pete's Wicked Ale, and at the time, a little known brewery named Wachusett was coming into the market.  Having the ability to get fresh beer close to home that didn't taste like every beer on the shelf was what sold me on the craft movement.  I can't tell you the last time I had a beer from a big brand. I love the fact that I never have to hit a liquor store to get beer.  My fiancée (who is also a Beer Trail Commander) and I plan our weekend outings around groups of breweries in different regions of the state. Derek’s favorite breweries? 1. Wachusett Brewing: It's close to home, has a variety of beers to choose from, great space with a great atmosphere. 2. Down the Road: This was one of my favorite spots to go.  I hope they can come back online. 3. Night Shift: Again for the diversity of beer styles and atmosphere.  I love that they have expanded to Love Joy. What does he like to drink? Stout, Stout, Stout, but seriously any dark beer, stout, porter, brown ale are my favorites. I am getting to like sours but look for stouts everywhere I go. His favorite beer of the moment? Heart of MA, by Greater Good Brewing.

Steve Rattelsdorfer

In His Own Words:

“My wife and I live near a liquor store with an awesome beer selection, and every time we went we would pick up new beers to try. A couple years ago, I got a new job working a rotating shift on midnights so time with my wife became very valuable. Touring Massachusetts great craft breweries became a great way to spend time together traveling and doing something we both enjoy. I love the variety of MA craft beer, especially being a fan of German beers. My favorite breweries that we have been to so far were Jack’s Abby, Night Shift Lovejoy, and Wormtown. Their selections are amazing, the beer is excellent, and the atmosphere is great. My favorite beer styles are Weizen and Marzen (Night Shift Furth is a great Hefe). My favorite beer at the moment is Jack’s Abby Oatis, My Man. I’m excited to continue exploring the rest of MA’s craft breweries and trying more delicious beers.”

Thank you for supporting MA Beer Steve!

Paige Rattelsdorfer

Exploring our wonderful state on a delicious scavenger hunt allowed Paige and her husband Steven to find new towns they might not otherwise have visited. The interest in craft beer all started with going to the Northampton Brewery and to see what the state has exploded with for breweries and flavors is amazing! Paige has tried craft beers in a few different states and countries (hello Ireland’s emerging craft beer scene!) and she always comes back to Mass. Paige lived for a brief time in Maryland and boasted about all the wonderful things Massachusetts has to offer. She is excited by the creativity, the passion, and the branding all the breweries have to offer. For her favorite beers, the darker the better, as she is all about the porters and stouts for their roastey, chocolatey, coffee-y goodness! The favorite beer for Massachusetts right now is Bright Ideas “Coconut Chocolate Dairy Bar Porter”. The top three favorite breweries in this great state would have to be Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company in Marlborough, Stone Cow Brewery in Barre, and Notch Brewing in Salem. She is so excited to continue this journey of exploration throughout the state and is excited to have joined the ranks as a Beer Trail Commander (and Conqueror because it took her too long to sit down and write this.)

Keep touring and tasting Paige!! Thank you for supporting MA Beer.

Eyleen Izaguirre

In her own words: 

“I never thought I would be someone who enjoyed drinking beer. I would only drink mass produced light beers whenever I would have beer.  After recently moving to Massachusetts from Florida, I began to develop a greater affinity for craft beer and found the app. I decided to use the app as a way to not only expand my new found appreciation for craft beer but also as a way to explore the state I now call home. Over the past few months I’ve discovered a lot of new areas, met some interesting people, and also learned that my favorite beer style is helles lagers. My favorite top 3 three breweries include: Medusa in Hudson because of its proximity to where I live and they always have great beer, River Styx in Fitchburg turned out to have a great atmosphere and it’s definitely a hidden gem, and Hog Island in Orleans also had a great atmosphere and lots different activities to do.” 

Thanks for loving and supporting #MABeer Eyleen. We are glad we could turn you off of Big Beer!

Joel Sousa

In his own words:

“I had a great time visiting so many great breweries as well as going on many adventures around this great state that I've always called home. What started as a way to add to my craft beer count and explore the brewery scene quickly grew as a way to learn more areas of Massachusetts that I have never been to before. As someone who grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, supporting the local business and community has always been important to me. As a big fan of IPA's and local businesses, going to local breweries and drinking local beers was the best of both worlds. Of all the breweries I went to, my favorites would he Medusa brewing company in Hudson, Night Shift brewing in Everett, and River Styx brewing in Fitchburg. Medusa brewery is close to my childhood home and always has great beer. Since moving to the greater Boston area, Night Shift has become a "go-to" destination for me due to it's great atmosphere and even better beer selection. River Styx was a surprising brewery experience during one of my new area adventures. I really enjoyed their theme, beer, and the overall experience at the brewery.”

Thank you for supporting the craft beer industry and the state’s small family owned businesses!

Emily McNally

In her own words:

“A lot of craft breweries began opening around me in Western, Mass. and I loved exploring new places and testing them out. My boyfriend enjoys IPAs and I love lagers and stouts. We started to explore the local breweries together as a fun, relaxing date night. After we discovered the Mass Craft Beer app and we started making day trips to further destinations. It’s now a goal for us to visit every single Mass. brewery at least once. My number one favorite brewery is Element Brewing Co., because of their super fun game room and the fact that they also have a distillery and make their own sodas. Number two would be Abandoned Building Brewery because they do food truck Fridays, and number three would be Naukabout Beer Company because the location is beautiful.  I’ve been documenting our travels through Instagram account theboozenews that’s dedicated to local brews and keeps me motivated to continue trying new things. I’ve been into sours lately, and I always love a lager or any German style beer, but my favorite beer of the moment is UFO’s winter blonde or Jack’s Abby blood orange wheat.”

 Cheers to you Emily! We appreciate your support of #MABeer! 

Scott Cobb

In his own words:

Wachusett and Harpoon, were some of my first forays into craft beer world. It was a revelation that beer could taste so good. From there I was gone. The last 6-years I have been on a mission to visit as many breweries as possible. The one thing I love about Mass beer is the variation of styles and the boldness for the brewers to push the flavor and styles to the edge. 

One of my favorite things to do is to pick an area where there are a couple of breweries, grab a bike ride; usually 25-40 miles, and then go visit the local brewery(s). Beyond the beer, I love to visit to see the design and thought put into the tasting room itself. I feel if you put the time in to create a really cool atmosphere then the beer should be just as good.

My favorite beer styles are IPAs in all of its variants, porters/stouts and now I am starting down the Belgian styles.

Three faves include River Styx in Fitchburg. This place has one of the best tasting rooms that I have ever been to. The artwork is cool, the theme is off the charts and the beer is outstanding. A trifecta, Widowmaker in Braintree has a great location and also has great beer. My third one....I loved Down the Road's Brewery in Everett, it is too bad about their situation. They had good beer and I loved the pinball machines. I was really tough to narrow it to just three!

We know exactly how you feel Scott! Thanks for loving Mass beer!

Amanda Quinn

In her own words:

I got into craft beer as a cheap hobby with my boyfriend. Traveling to different breweries gave us something fun and different to do on the weekends. I love the variety of MA craft beer and how different parts of the state have their own unique breweries and styles. My top three favorite breweries in Massachusetts include Vitamin Sea because it offers so much variety and everything always tastes amazing - Second Wind because their beers are top notch and their rotating selections always keep things new and exciting and Night Shift because their taproom is fun and they have such a great selection of things to sip on! My favorite styles include fruited IPAs, milkshake IPAs, and sours. I will always try a chocolate or peanut butter stout, though. 

Thank you for supporting #MABeer Amanda!

Patrick Quinn

In his own words: 

I fell in love with craft beer after going on a bar crawl with friends ten years ago. 

Mass Craft beers offer such an amazing variety. Traveling to all different breweries is very fun, social, and educational. No matter where you go, you can always strike up a friendly conversation with someone and have an amazing time while sampling some of the world’s greatest beers. I think MA has the best brewery map out there!! Gotta love loving here! The MBG app has definitely helped me in exploring more and having fun while doing it. 

My top three favorite breweries are Trillium, Night Shift and Milk Room Brewing and my favorite beer style is IPA – the hoppier the better! Favorite beer of the moment: Trillium Galaxy Cutting Tiles. 

Keep exploring Massachusetts and lifting those delicious pints! We are grateful for your support. 

Kerry Daigle

In His Own Words:

I started drinking craft beer years ago. I remember the Thanksgiving race at Pilgrim Brewing in Hudson MA and Harpoon being the #1 IPA around. Craft beer just has more flavor and appeal then Bud or Miller. I have driven to Alaska from the Boston area twice — brew pub to brew pub. We also gear our geocaching trips around finding a brewery to satisfy our built up thirst.

It has amazed me how many small breweries have popped up in the last 5 to 10 years.

As for my favorites: 1) Oakholm Brewing in Brookfield MA. Cheryl and I will drive all back roads out there to have a couple beers with lunch. The beer is excellent and the people are fantastic. I am excited to visit again once the pandemic is over.

2) Riverwalk Brewery in Newburyport is another favorite. Not too far to go. We like the pizza and they have an excellent beer selection. We have yet to have a bad beer there.

3) Would have to be my local brewpub - True West Brewing in West Acton. On occasion we have walked there for a late lunch and stumbled home. We have come to know the owner and most of the wait staff. All fantastic people who serve very good beer and food.

Currently, with all the exploring, I really do not have a favorite brand of beer. I like trying them all. Typically I will obtain a 4 pack at the breweries I have visited and try to work my way through them. I am not sure if I am making any progress as the refrigerator stays quite full.

Mark Taylor

In his own words:

I had been dabbling in craft beer for years butit wasn't until about 10 years ago when a small Irish craft beer pub (Flynn's - Sagamore) opened on The Cape that I really started growing my appreciation for the artistry behind the beer. As I explored different styles and learning about hop varieties and how brewing techniques can drastically change the profile of a beer I was hooked.  

What I love most about MA craft beer is the people. My wife and I travel to MA breweries pretty much every week and we truly enjoy talking to owners, brewers, employees and patrons alike. There's always a buzz in the air when you walk into a brewery - you can feel the energy being created by the creativity of those brewing the beer and the excitement of those pouring it! They're excited for you to try their creations and we're equally excited to do just that. I just wish more of them were closer to The Cape. The MA beer trail is VERY long when everything is west

My top three favorite breweries in Mass. are Barnstable Brewing - a fairly under the radar (not for long), family owned brewery on The Cape that puts out delicious beer after delicious beer. It's refreshing to walk into their brewery and see 7+ styles of beer being poured. Drunken Rabbit (wish it was closer) - talk about variety, so many styles to choose from! and a really fun atmosphere and Vitamin Sea - Like many beer lovers I enjoy a really nice NEIPA and in my opinion, when considering consistency and variety of the style they're the best. I can't wait for them to re-open their tasting room.

What are your favorite styles of beer? Really hard question, I love a variety of beer styles but my absolute favorite would be barrel aged stouts. I have utmost appreciation for a brewer who can nail this style with a complex base beer then age it perfectly. I enjoy a nice Dunkel as well and yes, as mentioned I love a juicy, hazy NEIPA. I can keep going :-) Favorite MA beer of the moment? Barnstable Brewing's Jesuit Juice NEIPA

Matt & Bianca George

In their own words:

Matt and Bianca George just celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary, with craft beer of course. Matt was the one who got Bianca into drinking craft beer. Bianca always thought beer was gross as her experience was with the cheap stuff. Once she tried craft beer, she was hooked. The couple enjoys touring around their home state of MA trying new breweries together. Matt’s favorite type of beer is the IPA while Bianca prefers the wheat style. Choosing our top three breweries in MA is tough as we love so many and are lucky to have them in close proximity. One that they both agree upon is Indie Ferm in Plymouth. It’s a small spot frequented by locals, run by Paul and Rose. They’re great people, always making you feel welcome. Paul has a great sense of humor which is on display when Indie Ferm makes facebook posts. They have a good selection of beers for everyone. Bianca’s #2 is Mayflower, also in Plymouth. It was the first brewery to open up on the south shore and the couple has been going there for years. They have great staples like the summer ale and the golden. They also have a great collection of all types of beers. The tap room is large with an interior space for larger gatherings as well as an outside spot. They typically have food trucks on the premises. Staff is always friendly and welcoming. Bianca’s #3 is Barrel House Z in Weymouth. Love their sunny and 79. There’s always something different there as their beers are brewed in old barrels such as tequila. They also have great food options. Matt’s #2 is Stellwagen in Marshfield as it’s our local place with multiple IPA’s. Matt’s #3 is Burke’s in Hanover. Brian the owner is super friendly and welcoming. They provide great entertainment and were very adaptable during the pandemic. For brew pubs they like Moby Dick in New Bedford, Jack’s Abby in Framingham and Lord Hobo in Woburn. Wish there were more brew pubs around.

Sydney Keefe

Benjamin Maxner

In his own words:

Ben Maxner grew up in Beverly, MA and first got into craft beer after meeting his girlfriend Sydney Keefe at Boston University, where they both completed the Knight's Quest at the BU Pub by drinking 50 different craft beers over the span of their senior year. As a natural completionist, he quickly became obsessed with the MBG passport program and has made it his mission to visit every brewery in the state along with Sydney as they document their journey together on @brew.england. Reflecting his North Shore bias, his favorite breweries at the moment include Channel Marker for their incredible sours and True North for their awesome IPAs, although Treehouse will always hold a special place in his heart. He enjoys NEIPAs and fruited sours and has developed a new fascination with barrel-aged beers. Ben's favorite beer currently is True North's Northern Haze!

Cheers to #MABeers Benjamin!

Kara & Keith Backman

In their own words: 

We dubbed our journey “the summer of brew.”  We wanted a fun excuse to see the towns and meet the great people throughout MA.  What better way to do that than with a  beer in hand. We love craft beer because no two are the same.  Each brewer has a unique take on a variety of brews.  If you have a style you enjoy there are plenty of options, but there is always something new and exciting if you want to explore.  There are so many great breweries to choose from its hard to narrow down a favorite. We always like trying something new, but continue to go back to Ground Effect in Hudson and Naukabout Brewery and Taproom on Cape Cod.  We love the beer, the people, and the relaxed and welcoming atmospheres. Our favorite beer styles range from everything to sours to porters. This response always frustrates the bartenders when we ask them to choose their favorites to include in a flight. Right now our favorite beer of the moment is our regular Sunday afternoon tradition of a Common Cow from Ground Effect Brewing Co.

Brandon Clinton and Kelsey Rees

Kelsey and Brandon both independently like craft beer and decided to have their first date at a brewery (Spicket River). The first date went so well, that they’ve since gone on 75+ more– completing the MBG Beer Trail along the way. Traveling, touring and tasting also gave them something fun to do during the depths of COVID. 

Traveling across the greatest state throughout all four seasons was an adventure for the duo, and it opened up different pockets of the Commonwealth to them. They loved experiencing the different types and sizes of breweries and remarked that big or small, each was just as committed to their craft.  The taprooms varied from old mills, to gas stations, to farms – with something for everyone across the various styles made with high quality ingredients and a touch of local flavor.

What’s on Brandon’s list of favorite breweries?
Brewery Silvaticus - this hometown brewery has it all. Great beer and atmosphere 
Skyline - Cool concoctions with a great view
Medusa - great beer selection and killer tacos 

What’s on Kelsey’s list of favorite breweries?
Democracy Brewing - for their atmosphere and pumpkin beer
White lion - super friendly staff and so many cool beers
Spicket River - sentimental reasons, interesting  styles, and fried plantains 

As the saying goes, the couple that conquerors a brewery passport together, stays together. We raise a glass to you! Cheers.