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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