Statewide celebration of craft beer held
March 7 through March 14
BOSTON, Mass. | On Saturday, March 7, Mass Beer Week kicks off its weeklong series of events featuring local beer on tap. Breweries, beer bars, package stores and restaurants have teamed up to feature MA beer with special beer releases, beer and food pairings, tap takeovers and more, to celebrate the ever-evolving beer culture across the Commonwealth.
In 2007, there were just 30 breweries in Massachusetts. To date, there are 200 active breweries across the Commonwealth, with 49 additional taprooms and breweries slated to open by the end of 2020.
New this year, Mass Beer Week glassware will be available at select tap rooms and events across the state. Limited quantities of the 16 oz. collectable can glass will be sold for $6, with proceeds benefiting the MBG.
What’s on tap for Mass Beer Week:
· Want to check out the state’s newest breweries? Get your tickets for Meet the Brewers Freshman Class of 2020. Attendees can experience a unique roundtable style tasting event as they sample suds from nine freshman brewers and hear their start-up story. Gourmet Eastern Standard Provisions Pretzels, a tasting glass, and new friends included. The event takes place at Lookout Farm in Natick on Saturday, March 7. Tickets are $48.
· Be Bold – Get Cold! Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Co., in Framingham will host its first ever Polar Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts on Saturday, March 7. After the plunge, towel off and warm up with food, beer and costume awards! Grab your beer-loving, inclusion-celebrating friends and family, create a team, and start fundraising!
· Farmhouse beers and French toast, lagers and links, brown ales and bacon … need we say more? On Sunday, March 8 The Dirty Truth in Northampton will serve up a special brunch menu paired with an all local lineup of beers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
· Gentile Brewing Co., joins forces with three local businesses to bring “Books, Brunch and Brews,” to the taproom during Mass Beer Week on Sunday, March 8 from noon to 5 p.m. Copper Dog Books will bring a traveling bookstore to the brewery while guests can snack on scalzones from FARE WELL, and sip coffee from Kid Dream coffee, and of course - delicious Gentile brews. Families and dogs welcome.
· Standing Out from the (Six) Pack: A Panel Discussion of Craft Beer Design: listen and chat with some of New England’s best beer can, logo, and digital designers. Starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8 enjoy beers alongside a one hour long panel with visuals of their creative and some of their personal favorite work. The discussion will close out with a Q&A, beer, pretzels and time to chat with the designers.
· Say cheese … and Beer! Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co., brings the Vin Bin into the taproom for a beer and cheese pairing event on Wednesday, March 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
· Pucker up sour lovers. The Idles of March ushers in Friday the 13th of Mass Beer Week at Idle Hands from noon to 11 p.m. Every version of the brewery’s popular “Kill Your Idles series” will be on draft at the same time. Hot Chix will also serve up their Nashville style fried chicken sandwiches starting at 5 p.m.
· Final judging for Barrel House Z’s Homebrewers competition will take place Saturday, March 14. Learn more HERE. The winner will have their beer put into production and released as one of Barrel House Z’s Mythical Creatures.
· Wormtown is turning 10-years-old and throwing its biggest party ever! Food from MamaRoux, Say Cheese,and The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles along with music from Flock of A**holes and the Blue Light Bandits. Wormtown will also release its ten year anniversary beer “Decade Dance,” an over the top imperial pastry stout that will be the brewery’s most decadent beer ever! You won’t want to miss this celebration kicking off on Saturday, March 14 from noon to 10 p.m.
· On Saturday, March 14 brewers will team up and face-off on the ice to help raise money for the that Mass Brewers Guild in the MBG’s Winter Classic charity hockey game. Friends, family, and craft beer fans can spectate and enjoy a pint in the stands with beer sales benefitting the MBG. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Visit MassBeerWeek.org for the full lineup of events.
Mass Beer Week is hosted by the Mass Brewers Guild and made possible thanks to volunteers and industry friends at BeerAdvocate, Craft’d Co., Fat Basset Design and the Mass. Brew Bros. The Mass Brewers Guild is the state’s trade association that works to protect and promote the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth. For more information about the Mass Brewers Guild, visit MassBrewersGuild.org.