Mass Brewers Guild Appoints New Membership Ambassador

Mass. Brew Bros. founder Bob Kelley joins the association’s team

If you work in the craft beer industry in Massachusetts, or are a part of the craft beer loving community – chances are you know Bob Kelley, founder and owner of local blog the Mass. Brew Bros. 

In any given week Kelley visits five breweries or more -- attending ribbon cuttings, beer dinners, new beer release celebrations and beer collaborations. A staple at Mass Brewers Guild (MBG) events, fundraisers and meetings, he’s been the non-profit’s number one volunteer and supporter.

Dedicating his time to foster community and spread good beer, Kelley has joined the MBG team to aid its work recruiting more members to the association, as well as continue to manage and oversee the data collection of brewery openings and closings.

“Bob has been a tremendous ally, partner and friend to the Mass Brewers Guild and it was an easy decision to make him formally a part of the team,” says Katie Stinchon, executive director of the Mass Brewers Guild. “He knows everyone, travels everywhere, and I swear he can smell brewery ground breaking. I know that he’ll continue to be a tremendous asset to the Guild and support our work to bring our resources to more breweries across the Commonwealth.”

Massachusetts is home to more than 230 operational breweries with 30 in-planning stated to open before the close of this year or in 2023. The Mass Brewers Guild currently has 115 breweries as members, equating to half the state. The association, which is run by one fulltime executive director and nine volunteer board members, hopes that the added boots on the ground will help them expand their reach and bandwidth.

"The Mass. Brew Bros. have been working alongside the Mass Brewers Guild for several years now to essentially achieve the same goal, promote and educate people about Mass craft breweries, beers and events. This official partnership will only align our resources and allow both of us to continue to advocate for this industry and all the amazing, hard-working people involved," says Bob Kelley, co-founder of the Mass. Brew Bros.

Founded in 2007 by a group of committed and passionate brewers, the MBG, is organized for the purposes of promoting craft brewing and protecting the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth. The association is membership based and open to all Massachusetts breweries licensed by the federal Tax and Trade Bureau and the Commonwealth’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

The nonprofit creates a community of brewers while shining light on the broad range of breweries and styles offered throughout state. Through industry and educational events and by providing resources and marketing support to brewers, the nonprofit works to highlight Massachusetts as a top travel destination for craft beer in the U.S. The board also continues its work at the legislative level serving as the unified voice of craft brewers on Beacon Hill. The Massachusetts Brewers Guild is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit corporation. To learn more about the Mass Brewers Guild, visit MassBrewersGuild.org.

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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Celebrate National Pretzel Day and Mass Beer Week with a Special Collaboration Beer Release from Dorchester Brewing Company, Wicked Twisted Pretzels and the Mass. Brew Bros.

Beer Release Party to be held on National Pretzel Day, Thursday, April 26th at Dorchester Brewing Company in Boston, MA

Boston, MA, April, 2018 - Dorchester Brewing Company (dorchesterbrewing.com), Wicked Twisted Pretzels (wickedtwistedpretzels.com), and the Mass. Brew Bros. (massbrewbros.com) are excited to announce their collaboration beer release and event to celebrate National Pretzel Day, taking place on Thursday, April 26th. The release coincides with Mass Beer Week, a celebration of Mass. produced beer that runs from April 20-28.

The Mass. Brew Bros., in collaboration with Shawn and Josh Briggs of Grafton-based Wicked Twisted Pretzels and their longtime friend and bandmate Todd Charbonneau, head brewer and co-founder at Dorchester Brewing, put their heads together and figured out how to combine pretzels and beer to create the ultimate brew. A five-barrel pilot batch is called Brew Bros. Twisted Dunkel, it's a German style dark lager made with Munich malt, added salt, and 40 pounds of Wicked Twisted Pretzels tossed in to the mash. The beer will be available on draft and in crowlers to go only at the Dorchester Brewing Company taproom.

Having lived in both Germany and Pennsylvania, the latter where National Pretzel Day was established in 2003, the Briggs Brothers are perfect local ambassadors for such an affair. You'll find their hand-crafted, all-natural Bavarian style pretzels, made in Grafton, at dozens of breweries through Massachusetts. A perfect combination, the average American eats more than two pounds of pretzels and drinks more than 20 gallons of beer per year.

The non-ticketed free event, open to the beer-drinking, pretzel-eating public, will be held at the Dorchester Brewing Company taproom at 1250 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA on Thursday, April 26 from 5:00 to 9:00. Festivities will include the debut of the special collaborative beer, commemorative glassware (free for the first 20 people to buy a pint of the beer), and a raffle for free tickets to the Mass Brewers Guild Power Beer Fest on April 28, as well as some DBC swag. And of course there will be plenty of Wicked Twisted Pretzels (soft and hard) and gourmet mustard available for purchase.

For more information about the event, visit: https://www.dorchesterbrewing.com/events/event/ national-pretzel-day-celebration-brew-bros-twisted-dunkel-beer-release/

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If you would like more information please contact us at massbrewbros@gmail.com.

About Wicked Twisted Pretzels
As kids, Shawn and Josh were introduced to warm, hand-crafted Bavarian style pretzels from the Bavarian Pretzel Hut on family trips to upstate New York. Coincidentally, Josh later lived in Philadelphia and Shawn in Munich, Germany, cities with incredibly delicious pretzels. Unable to find them anywhere else in the U.S., they soon moved back to Massachusetts and set out solve the problem. They perfected their recipe (featuring natural ingredients like fresh malt and roasted barley) in Shawn's kitchen, and are now found in craft breweries, bars and restaurants all over New England, as well as in Whole Foods Markets. Recently they added a line of gourmet mustards.

About Dorchester Brewing Company
Founded in 2016, Dorchester Brewing Company is a partner brewing facility and public taproom located at 1250 Massachusetts Ave in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. With plenty of fresh beer flowing daily, visitors can enjoy up to 20 different drafts on tap including Dorchester Brewing Company house beers as well as partner beers. Dorchester Brewing Company also offers on-site food trucks, events and private events with tours and fresh beer to go.

About the Mass. Brew Bros.
Described as unofficial ambassadors of the Bay State beer scene in a story that appeared in Hop Culture, the Mass. Brew Bros. aspire to be the go-to resource for craft beer drinkers in Massachusetts. Longtime friends whose motto is "spreading good beer," Rob and Bob (they're not actually brothers) have traveled to every one of the Commonwealth's visitable breweries. Their informative website and influential social media presence serve as a statewide database for tracking news and developments on local breweries, as well as trends and insights within the fast growing industry.