Raise a Glass to Mass During #MassBeerWeek

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. 

Brewers team up & face-off on the ice to raise money for the Mass Brewers Guild

WORCESTER, Mass. | Local brewers and brewery staff will faceoff as rivalry teams in the second annual Winter Classic charity hockey game to raise money for the Mass Brewers Guild (MBG).

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public and will be held on Saturday, March 14 at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The MBG is the state’s trade association that works to protect and promote the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth. 

Friends, family and craft beer fans can cheer on their favorite player and brewery, and those ages 21+ can enjoy a pint in the stands. Concession stand proceeds will benefit the MBG. The fundraiser hopes to raise $1,000 for the association. 

Beers available at the event and the players on the ice will be from the following breweries: Bay State Brewing, Castle Island Brewing Co., Greater Good Imperial Brew Co., Harpoon Brewing Co., Iron Duke Brewing, Jack's Abby Craft Lagers, Lamplighter Brewing Company, Navigation Brewing Co., Redemption Rock Brewing Co., Rustic Brewing Company, Tree House Brewing Company, Vanished Valley Brewing Company, Wachusett Brewing Co., and Wormtown Brewery. Limited edition Mass Beer Week glassware will also be available for sale at this event. 

The MBG Winter Classic closes out Mass Beer Week, the statewide celebration of locally made craft beer. This event is produced by Craft’d Co. For more information about Mass Beer Week, or to see the full calendar of events visit, MassBeerWeek.org. To learn more about the Mass Brewers Guild visit MassBrewersGuild.org. 

Statewide Celebration of Mass. Produced Beer #MassBeerWeek held March 2 through March 9, 2019

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. | On Saturday, March 2,  spanning from North Adams to Mashpee, Mass Beer Week kicks off its weeklong series of events featuring local beer on tap. 

The tribute provides an opportunity for craft brewers to share their creativity and passion for the beverage they love with locals, fans and tourists. Breweries, beer bars, package stores and restaurants will host events including special beer releases, beer and food pairings, tap takeovers, a homebrew competition, a charity hockey game, 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 178 active breweries across the Commonwealth, with 24 breweries in planning slated to open by the end of 2019. 

 “This is the one week a year when we hope everyone in the craft beer industry will come together to shine a bright spotlight on the amazing craft beer scene that’s growing here in Massachusetts,” says Katie Stinchon, executive director of the Mass Brewers Guild. “Our breweries pride themselves in using local ingredients and local suppliers, employing local residents and supporting our communities. In turn, we hope that Bay Staters will take pride in drinking local with us all week long.” 

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 2019. Attendees can experience a unique roundtable style tasting event as they sample suds from nine freshman brewers and hear their start-up story. Snacks and new friends included. The event takes place at Lookout Farm in Natick on Saturday, March 2. Tickets are $48.

• Farmhouse beers and French toast, lagers and links, brown ales and bacon … need we say more? On Sunday, March 3 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. 

•  Available only once a year during #MassBeerWeek, the anticipated release of Amherst Brewing Co.’s Giulietta, an imperial iteration of the IPA Juliette, will launch on Wednesday, March 6.

• Expand your knowledge of the brewing process while learning about the inner workings of Wormtown Brewery during Craft’d Company’s Beers with the Brewers event. Taste four distinct beers while learning the history and style of each brew. The event takes place on Thursday, March 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. 

• On Thursday, March 7, join Zelus Beer Company and Salt & Lemons for a six course tasting experience at Powisset Farm. Guests will be guided through understanding complimentary flavor profiles from appetizers through dessert.. Registration required. Trustees member: $72, Nonmember: $90

• Homebrewers can enter to win a chance to brew their beer professionally at Barrel House Z and have it served on tap. Entries can be dropped off at Barrel House Z on February 13 or 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. and the winner will be chosen and announced on Saturday, March 9. Learn more HERE.

•  On Saturday, March 9 brewers will trade in rubber boots for hockey skates and lace up to help raise money for their trade association in the MBG’s inaugural Winter Classic charity hockey game. Friends, family, and craft beer fans can spectate and enjoy a beer tasting in the stands. Tickets are free for those ages 13 and under, $15 for the game only and $45 for the game and beer tasting. 

• To celebrate Mass Beer Week, Bright Ideas Brewing and Naukabout Brewing went the distance — 200 miles — to team up to create a New England IPA made with cranberries from Cape Cod bogs and brewed with love right in North Adams. They’ll tap the keg on Saturday, March 9, just before George Clinton and P-Funk take the stage at MASS MoCA, Learn more HERE.

New events are being added daily. Visit MassBeerWeek.org for the full calendar. 

Mass Beer Week is hosted by the Mass Brewers Guild and made possible thanks to volunteers and industry friends at BeerAdvocate, Craft’d Events, 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. 

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