Tom Allen (left) and Matt Guernsey launched Arlington Brewing Co. in 2023.
Economic growth in the craft beer market slowed nationwide in 2023, but the bubble isn’t bursting, according to Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson. Today’s educated consumer wants variety and innovation, Watson said in his keynote address at the annual Massachusetts Brewers Guild conference in November 2023, Brewbound reported, adding, “that sounds exactly like the kind of thing that craft can excel at.”
In Massachusetts, entrepreneurs prove this true every year with new breweries, taprooms and ideas — and 2023 was no exception. Despite some closures, more than a dozen taprooms opened across the Commonwealth. The list of new breweries in Massachusetts includes second locations for MBG members Mighty Squirrel, White Lion, Bright Ideas, and Untold brewing companies. Among more than a dozen novel beer businesses that opened in 2023 — and 2024 so far — are 10 new members of the Mass Brewers Guild.
Meet the MBG freshman Class
Hot Plate brewing co.
The lore of this seven-barrel brewery in Pittsfield is that owner and founder Sarah Real dialed in her beer recipes on an electric hot plate. Since February 2023, the taproom and public house she co-owns with husband Mike Dell’Aquila welcomes all with a diverse selection of beer and gluten-free beverages, while giving back to the community by using local ingredients and supporting nonprofits.
Portico Brewing in Somerville has a pop-up kitchen from Taqueria el Barrio.
Portico Brewing
A longtime contract brewery, Portico opened its first taproom in Somerville just in time for Earth Day in April 2023. Founders Alex Rabe and Alex Zielke counter the brewery’s energy and material usage with positive actions to benefit the community and the planet, like brewing Earth Hour Pale Ale with 100% local malt. The Somerville spot also features a pop-up kitchen from Taqueria el Barrio.
Outrider Ber Company
Beer industry buds Anthony Lauring and Carl McCowen teamed up to open this community-focused brewpub in Amesbury in May 2023. Along with house beers like Joystick IPA and Medium Delight Dubbel, there’s a wide menu of comfort food like steak and cheese eggrolls, falafel-topped salads, sandwiches, burgers and more.
Antimony Brewing
On Memorial Day, beer fans in the Berkshires welcomed a new brewpub in Lenox. Chemical engineer-turned-restaurateur Rob Trask oversees a seven-barrel brewhouse and kitchen at Antimony, dishing up brewpub fare such as fried cheese curds with IPA honey mustard, sourdough pizzas, grilled steak, and fish tacos.
Long Live Roxbury has a distinctive look.
Live Long beerworks Roxbury
One of Rhode Island’s biggest names in beer added a Massachusetts outpost in the summer of 2023. Long Live Beerworks gives a colorful makeover to an 1850s piano factory-turned-15-barrel brewery in Roxbury, frequently hosting Boston-exclusive beer drops and events like Thursday night jazz and weekend food pop-ups.
Doctor’s Island Brewing company
Gregory Hoffmeister and his beer-loving family opened this scenic spot last summer on Nantasket Beach. Doctor’s Island returns at the end of April for its second season with small-batch beers and waterfront, sunset views of the Boston skyline from Hull.
Epigram Brewing Co.
Epigram Brewing Co. debuted in Tyngsboro in October. The sprawling beer hall has been a hit with Merrimack Valley locals since day one, with an ample beer selection, plenty of seats, and a full food menu, including hard-to-find in the area South Shore-style bar pizza.
Forty Second Brew Co.
Forty Second Brewing Co. opened a comfortable taproom in Kingston in November 2023, a few years after neighbors Paul Schiele and Matt Ward began brewing together as a hobby. Now, their beers like Three Sheets to the Wind IPA, Down the Hatch Pilsner, and more are self-distributed.
Liz Nicol is the founder and head brewer at Drawdown Brewing Company in Jamaica Plain, Boston.
Drawdown Brewing
Since opening in December 2023 with a stated mission to be an inclusive spot for viewing sports, Drawdown has drawn crowds to Jamaica Plain, particularly for women’s college basketball. Owner and head brewer Liz Nicol is offering malt-forward brews like a cream ale and porter.
Arlington Brewing Company
As engineers and Arlington residents Tom Allen and Matt Guernsey look for a permanent home for their hometown brewery, they’re producing cans like Spy-P-A and My New GF, a gluten-free saison. ABCo. has a pop-up taproom Friday nights through April 26 at the Roasted Granola Cafe in Arlington.
