The statewide celebration of craft beer isn’t just for breweries.
Since the Massachusetts Brewers Guild began sponsoring Mass Beer Week in 2017, the number of craft breweries operating in the Bay State has increased exponentially — and the annual celebration of them all is keeping pace.
Mass Beer Week is back March 2-9, 2024, with live events across the Commonwealth at breweries — and beyond. This year, keep an eye out for in-store tastings, discounts and special signage through Mass Beer Week at locations of Roche Brothers, Market Basket, Whole Foods and Total Wine & More.
Restaurants, package stores, movie theaters, bowling alleys and any establishment that sells Massachusetts-made beer can get involved in the fun by making a Facebook event and adding Mass Beer Week as a co-host. Is your establishment hosting a #MassBeerWeek event? Tag us on Instagram and we’ll share!
Of course, local breweries are the heart and soul of Mass Beer Week. The calendar of events is already stacked with happenings across the Commonwealth.
Here are some highlights:
Get your limited edition glassware
Mass Beer Week comes with an exclusive pint. The stylish Sidra tumbler is available to buy for $6 at dozens of craft breweries throughout the state. The pint includes this year’s Mass Beer Week dates and hashtags, and features a whimsical, 360-degree landscape designed by local artist and craft beer industry insider, Zach Manza.
“In the brewery space, anybody with a creative thing will end up wearing different hats. I love being in it,” says Manza, who won a contest sponsored by the Mass Brewers Guild to design this year’s commemorative glass.
Complete the Marlborough/Hudson Brewery Passport
Visit six breweries in this Central Mass. region for a chance to win a free limited-edition Mass Beer Week glass. Passports are available and can be redeemed at six participating breweries:
Medusa Brewing in Hudson is part of a regional passport you can complete during Mass Beer Week.
Clover Road, Hudson
Flying Dreams, Marlborough
Lost Shoe, Marlborough
Medusa, Hudson
Tackle Box, Marlborough
Wild Hare, Hudson
The first 200 people to complete the Marlborough/Hudson Brewery Passport will earn the exclusive glass. (It’s also available for purchase at any participating brewery.)
Check out a Mass.-made beer fest at Cape Cod Beer
Kick off the weeklong celebration with a Mass Beer Week Brew Fest at Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis on Saturday, March 2. Across two ticketed sessions (noon-3 p.m. or 4-7 p.m.), ticket holders can sip 12, four-ounce samples from more than a dozen breweries and keep their souvenir tasting class. Full pints are also available for purchase. Access to food trucks and more fun is in store. Tickets range from $30 to $38 with a $15 designated driver option also available.
Support Berkshires youth and community
Shire Beer Co. hosts the ninth annual Bianchi/Barbarotta Family Foundation Beer Tasting to kick off Mass Beer Week on Saturday, March 2. The event has raised thousands of dollars to fund scholarships for graduating high schoolers over the years and always promises a fun time. This year’s event at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield features live music; famous meatballs, appetizers, a dessert table, and other food for purchase; and a cash bar in addition to the beer samples. Tickets are $25.
Tasty beer pairings
The Craft Beer Concierge — aka Boston resident and certified Cicerone Allo Gilinsky — and local bakers are matching beer with cupcakes at Boston-area breweries. Check out sweet pairing events with the Craft Beer Concierge at Portico in Somerville, Remnant in Somerville, and Distraction in Roslindale. Vanished Valley Brewing Co. and Manchester Cheesecake Company also team up with indulgent desserts and drinks during Mass Beer Week.
For those craving savory, check out cheese and beer nights with Mullahy's Cheese Shop at Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company in Marlborough, and 7th Wave Brewing in Medfield.
Go all in on the final day of Mass Beer Week at Buzzards Bay Brewing in Westport with Farm & Coast, a lunch event exploring local flavor sourced from Farm & Coast Market in nearby Padanaram. Courses like deviled eggs with tasso ham and pickled chilis, Eva’s Garden greens with an apricot dressing, kielbasa served with fresh sourdough from Little Moss Restaurant and more are all matched with beer or cider pairings and a discussion led by Buzzards Bay founder Bill Russell.
And much more!
Brewery book fairs, trivia, craft nights, live music, open art studios, beer release parties, comedy shows and family-friendly events round out the calendar—and there’s more to come.
Any event highlighting Massachusetts-made beer can get on the calendar by adding Mass Beer Week as a co-host on Facebook or tagging #MassBeerWeek on Instagram. Check out the full lineup of events via the Mass Beer Week Facebook page, and keep checking back for fun things to do throughout Mass Beer Week.
However you celebrate Mass Beer Week, just remember: #DrinkMassMadeBeer.
And make sure to take a pic! The Mass Beer Week Photo Contest returns with three cool prizes. The first-place winner will receive two tickets to the Massachusetts Craft Brewers Fest on April 20; second place earns a $50 gift card to the Mass. brewery of your choice; and third place will get MBG swag including a cooler, hat and glassware. To enter, simply post pictures of anything Mass. craft beer-related to social media between March 2-9, using hashtag #massbeerweek2024 and tagging @massbeerweek and the brewery or breweries pictured. Photo contest winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 12.