Take The Massachusetts Brewery Trail For A Weekend You’ll Never Forget

It seems like there’s never been a better time to be a craft beer fan. With new breweries popping up left and right, you have your pick of awesome taprooms to check out in the Bay State. In fact, you can even embark on a weekend Massachusetts brewery road trip adventure.

The total drive time of this brewery trail is about 5 hours. You can check out the route and get driving directions here.

Although there are plenty more Massachusetts breweries than the ones listed here, we’ve hand-picked these for an easy road trip.

1. Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis

You trip starts off on Cape Cod, where Cape Cod Beer is busy brewing beverages that appeal to locals and visitors. For a time, this was the Cape’s only microbrewery, and they offer beer on draught and growlers. Mini-tours/presentations are held once a day during the week, Monday through Friday, at 11 a.m. and once on Saturdays at 11 a.m. For more information about Cape Cod Beer, visit the website here. Address: 1336 Phinneys Ln, Hyannis, MA 02601.

2. Mayflower Brewing, Plymouth

Try some of the best craft beer in Massachusetts at Mayflower Brewing, a craft beer microbrewery that sits just over the bridge in Plymouth. It was actually founded in 2007 by the tenth great-grandson of John Alden, the beer barrel Cooper who sailed on the actual Mayflower. They specialize in high-quality ales that will delight your tastebuds. Don’t miss their 400 double IPA. For more information, visit the Mayflower Brewing website here. Address: 12 Resnik Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360. You can rent Mayflower Brewing Company for a private event through RestauRent!

3. Idle Hands Craft Ales, Malden

Idle Hands is one of the Greater Boston area’s few "nanobrewery." They make hand-crafted beer that blends Belgian styles with American ideas. Private tours are available by scheduling an appointment. Try Another Land brewed with New Zealand hops or a Farmhouse Pale ale with its fruity notes. For more information on Idle Hands Craft Ales, visit the website here. Address: 89 Commercial Street, Malden, MA 02148.

4. Nashoba Valley Winery and Bolton Beer Works, Bolton

If you can never decide between having beer or wine, this is the place for you. Nashoba Valley Winery and Brewery makes all its own wine and craft beer right on premises, so you can chat with the knowledgeable staff about everything from the hops to the best serving temperature. Try one of the flagship beers like the Mother Apple IPA or Bolt 117 lager and take home a growler. For more information, visit the Bolton Beer Works website here. Address: 100 Wattaquadock Hill Rd, Bolton, MA 01740.

5. Wachusett Brewing, Westminster

This brewery was started by three college buddies in 1993. Since then, they’ve taken to brewing delicious beer like Wally Juice New England IPA with all-natural blood orange and their Green Monsta Wicked Awesome American IPA. Although there are three locations, the Westminster brew yard and retail store is the original. For more information on Wachusett Brewing, visit their website here. Address: 175 State Rd. E. Westminster, MA 01473.

6. Element Brewing, Millers Falls

Element Brewing fuses styles and flavors together to produce beer that truly has to be tasted. Be sure to try their Lunar Eclipse Black IPA brew or Nitro-Dark Oak over a plate of yummy food. Draft beer may be ordered as a 10-ounce or 16-ounce pour. For more information visit the Element Brewing website here. Address: 16 Bridge St, Millers Falls, MA 01349.

7. Wandering Star Brewing, Pittsfield

We end our Massachusetts brewery road trip here at Wandering Star Brewing, a quirky microbrewery in Pittsfield. They offer tastings, flights, and tours. Don’t forget to try their Wobbly Pop New England IPA. You can experience a tour of the brewery on Saturdays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., which is also when the brewery tasting room is open. For more information, visit the Wandering Star Brewery Facebook page here. Address: 11 Gifford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.

What's your favorite brewery in Massachusetts? Share and let us know in the comments. For more tasty beer in the Bay State, check out this hidden farm brewery.