Drink Mass. Made Beer and Celebrate #MassBeerWeek

Local craft beer events happening statewide March 5 through March 12

Feb. 23, 2022 | On Saturday, March 5,  Mass Beer Week kicks off its weeklong series of events featuring local beer on tap. 

Breweries, beer bars and restaurants have teamed up to feature MA beer with special beer releases, beer and food pairings, tap takeovers, contests, crafting 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 214 active breweries with 30 additional taprooms and breweries slated to open by the end of 2022. 

Limited quantities of the 16 oz. collectable Mass Beer Week glass will also be sold for $6, with proceeds benefiting the MBG, at participating member locations. 

Dust off your jeans, grab your friends, and support local breweries. A growing list of more than 60 events can be found at MassBeerWeek.org. Here’s some highlights: 

What’s on tap for Mass Beer Week?

·       Put on your dancing shoes on and head out to The Brewery at Four Star Farms in Northfield for back to back weekends of live music and a special New England IPA release March 5-13. Check out the lineup at Fourstarbeer.com/events

·       The Marlborough/Hudson Brewery Passport returns for its third consecutive year! Visit all five breweries between March 5 and March 13 and receive a stamp at each location with your purchase. The first 200 people to complete the passport will receive a FREE limited edition Mass Beer Week glass. Passports can be picked up at any of the participating breweries: Flying Dreams, Ground Effect, Lost Shoe, Medusa & Tackle Box – get one while supplies last. 

·       Tour The Underworld on Saturday, March 5: join Co-Founder/Owner/Brewer Jackie Cullen on a tour of the newly expanded & renovated River Styx Brewing Co. She’ll answer questions and provide an in-depth look at what goes into making your favorite River Styx beers. Tickets are $20 each and include a 1 hour tour/Q&A, limited edition 2022 Mass Beer Week glass, and a pour. Get yours today 

·       Get a taste of Mardi Gras on Saturday, March 5 at Idle Hands Brewing Co., as Revelry “Nawlins” Cuisine takes over the taproom for a food and beer event. 

·       Plant yourself at Fieldcrest Brewing Co., Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. for a Succulent workshop and suds for #MassBeerWeek – tickets are $44. Get yours today!

·       These Irish eyes are smilin’ – head over to Granite Coast Brewing Co., on Monday, March 7 for a Create & Escape DIY Workshop to craft your own wooden St. Patrick’s Day custom sign. Tickets are $60 and include all materials, instructions and a craft beer. 

·       Think you know beer? Prove it. Escape your couch to Bone Up Brewing Co. on Monday, March 7 for Beer Themed Trivia for your chance to win prizes and drink amazing beer. 

·       Wednesday, March 9 take a tour of Sterling Street Brewery with head brewer Mike Souza and enjoy a handpicked flight. Tickets are just $20 and attendees take home a Mass Beer Week glass. 

·       Eat your cookie and drink it too – Cape Cod Beer releases its Chocolate Raisin Bock on Thursday, March 10.  A contemporary spin of a traditional German-style bock. The addition of raisin creates an earthy fruitiness that is balanced by dark, roasty cacao nibs giving it that chocolate flavor. This small batch brew is available at the brewery only in pints & tastings. 

·       Cheese please! Join Remnant Brewing Co. head brewer Charlie, and resident cheese expert Maddie for a fun night of tasting and chatting about the most perfect combo - beer and cheese! You’ll be set up with (4) 6 oz pours to pair with (4) different cheeses and talk through the elements and flavors that make this duo friends. Tickets are $45.

·       Close out Mass Beer Week on Saturday, March 12  at Oakholm Brewing Co., to share a pint of Fireside, a smoked maple porter, brewed with Stone Path Malt out of Wareham, Mass and pure Vermont maple syrup. A collaboration created with the Mass. Brew Bros. Uncle Joey’s Cannolis, Big T’s BBQ and Pup’s Wood Fired Pizza are serving up perfect pairings for the release party. 

Visit MassBeerWeek.org for the full lineup of events.  

Mass Beer Week is hosted by the Mass Brewers Guild and is made possible thanks to industry friends 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. 

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What's on Tap for St. Paddy's Day?

Here are six ways to get your shamrock on this weekend that do not involve green beer:

ONE:
Poured on nitro and released for a special St. Patrick's Day event, "For The Love of Ireland", is a partnership between Aeronaut Brewing and the Irish International Immigrant center. These incredible friends are playing a tremendous role in assisting families from all over the world, fighting hard for Muslim immigrants affected by US policy changes. Available on Friday, March 17 at Aeronaut Brewing.

TWO:
Join Dorchester Brewing Company for a full day of St. Patrick's Day fun on Saturday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The day kicks-off with a “Savin Stout” beer release -- an Irish dry stout served on Nitro, bittered with Chinook hops, and fermented in a British yeast strain. This stout contains roasted barley, creating its deep brown color, and smoky, cocoa notes. Live Irish music will play from 2 to 5 p.m. alongside a food truck serving up bites from 4 to 9 p.m. For more details, click here.

THREE: 
Wormtown is celebrating its 7th anniversary on Friday, March 17 from noon to 10 p.m. The full day celebration will open up “Fermentation Alley,” and include live music, sweet treats, giveaways and a special birthday release, "Brew #7." Cellared beers including Tennessee Tats, an Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in Jack Daniel barrels, will be in the line-up along with many others. For more information, click here.

FOUR:
Navigation Brewing Co’s St. Paddy’s Day celebration will kick-off Friday, March 17 from 5 to 9 p.m., with Phoenix Rising Pizza paired with three Irish offerings – an Irish Stout, Irish Porter, and an Old Irish Ale. Other suds on tap include a Milk Stout, Double Porter, Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Lowell Common and Citra dry hopped Pale Ale. The party keeps ShamRocking on Saturday, March 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. with HomeKitchen serving up bites.

FIVE:
On Friday, March 17, Element Brewing Co. will host Dan and the Dirty Catechism from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Western Mass group sings and shouts songs about life, love, and sin. They weave their way through a variety of musical styles while performing the musical sermon about the virtues of sin and dirty living. Step right up and be saved...but it’s more fun if you get involved. For more information, For more details, click here.

SIX: 
Cape Cod Beer will launch their "Top Notch Stout" and raise a pint or two in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day. They've taken their velvety smooth Oatmeal Stout to the next level and aged it in Notch whiskey barrels (from Triple Eight Distillery). This dark brew with a hint of whiskey will be available only at the brewery in 750 ml. champagne bottles. 
OG: 16.7°P   ABV: 5.5%   IBUs: 42