Boston is virtually synonymous with good beer. Luckily, many Boston breweries open their doors to the public to show you where the magic happens, taste the freshest brew, and learn about Boston’s unique culture. Here are some of the best brewery tours “Beantown” has to offer!
Sam Adams Brewery Tours
Address: 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130
Duration: 1 hour
Occurs: Tours occur roughly every 40 minutes between 11am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday (closed Sundays). Private tours are available Monday - Friday at 11:30 am or 5:30 pm.
Nothing says Boston more than Sam Adams. The Sam Adams Brewery Tour offers a free, guided tour of its famed brewery. Learn all about how they make their iconic brews, sample three fresh brews directly from the source, and learn some fascinating Bostonian history. Be sure to show up early: This is a popular tour, so get there early and be prepared to wait.
Harpoon Brewery
Address: 306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Duration: 1 hour
Occurs: Monday - Wednesday 12pm - 4pm, Thursday - Friday 12pm - 6pm, Saturday 11:30am - 6pm, Sunday 11:30am - 5:30pm
Second only to Sam Adams in iconic Boston status, you can visit the Harpoon Brewery in the Seaport District. For over three decades, Harpoon has opened its doors to the public to sample a revolving line-up of Harpoon and UFO beers in their famous beer hall or outdoors in the keg yard. Tour guides show you their elaborate brewing process and the evolution of the company’s line of craft beers. While the tour isn’t free like the others, paying five dollars for admission to see the facilities goes to charity - making this a feel-good tour.
Somerville Brewing Company
Address: 15 Ward St, Somerville, MA 02143
Duration: 15 minutes
Occurs: Two tours each Saturday, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
If you’re looking for a quick and free tour to round your visit to Boston, the Somerville Brewing Company’s tour in Boynton Yards. Learn about the breweries unique process, brew philosophy, learn about the company’s history and take a growler home of their delicious beer.
City Brew Tours
Duration: 5 hours
Occurs: Multiple times days and evenings (see online schedule for dates and reservations)
Want to go visit a bunch of Boston breweries in one shot? Then City Brew Tours is your ticket to a memorable day out. Their motto is “You drink, we drive”, letting you enjoy fresh brews and learn about the process of brewing with an entertaining guide that will fill you on little-known facts and history of each company. Some of the many breweries you’ll visit include Sam Adams, Nightshift Brewing, Slumbrew, Dorchester Brewing Company, as well as tours geared towards cider lovers.
