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. 

Wormtown Brewery Launches Beer Garden at Patriot Place

Wormtown Brewery announced it will host a pop up beer garden at Patriot Place each weekend until their permanent taproom is open to the public. Highlights of the beer garden include a tailgate atmosphere with picnic tables and astro turf, live music from Desi Garcia, yard and board games, and of course plenty of Wormtown Beer.

“Building a brewery isn’t easy and while we are getting close to opening at Patriot Place…we just couldn’t wait any longer!” said Managing Partner, David Fields. The scheduled events are the weekends of September 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th , and October 5th and 6th . All events will take place from noon to 6 p.m. in front of the Renaissance Hotel, next to the Hilton Garden Inn.

Founded in 2010, Wormtown Brewery is committed to brewing world-class beers using locally sourced ingredients regardless of cost. Our motto “A Piece of Mass in Every Glass” means our beers are crafted with the freshest ingredients for the freshest beer. This dedication to quality over quantity has earned us over 160 awards worldwide for a vast collection of recipes; but if it’s a premier IPA you are looking for, we know how to make you Be Hoppy®! Find out more by visiting: www.wormtownbrewery.com

Brew Like a Lady

Boston Pink Boots Society & Collaboration Brew Day Takes Place March 8.

Each year across the U.S., chapters and members of the Pink Boots Society -- a national nonprofit organization that supports women in the craft beer industry -- partner with breweries and individuals, adorn pink boots, and brew a unique selected beer style during, “Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day.” This country-wide event takes place annually on March 8, in celebration of International Women's Day. 

Pink Boots Collaboration Day works like this: A hop blend is chosen during harvest season by Pink Boots members, and made available nationwide to commercial brewers to feature in its recipe. Generously provided by YCH Hops, this year’s blend includes Palisade®, Simcoe®, Mosaic®, Citra® and Loral® hops. This exclusive hop blend is the only suggestion to this year’s recipe. Each team must be led by a woman and/or a majority of the participants on the team must be women.

The beer is then sold at participating breweries with proceeds benefiting the Pink Boots Society’s local chapter. Funds provide educational scholarships, and help to sponsor events and meetings for members to meet mentors and have the opportunity to network with other women in the profession.

More than 25 local breweries are set to participate in the brew day and including Aeronaut Brewing, Big Elm, Bone Up Brewing, Craft Roots Brewing, Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing, Greater Good, Harpoon Brewery, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Lamplighter, Mayflower Brewing, Notch Brewing, River Styx Brewing, Riverwalk Brewing, Trillium Brewing and Wormtown Brewery. BSG CraftBrewing will donate yeast and specialty malts to any New England brewery that registers to join the effort.

Those interested in learning more about the Boston Pink Boots Society, or to learn how they can be involved are welcome to attend a chapter meeting on Feb. 19 at Notch Brewing in Salem, Mass. Open to all women in the brewing industry, members or allies.

Please register via this Facebook Event Page.

For questions or more information about the Boston Pink Boots Society, contact pbsboston@pinkbootssociety.org

MA Breweries Raise Awareness and a Pint to Support Veterans

Joining the Black Ale Project to start an important conversation over a beer

Former Marine and non-combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Dave Pappas, 47, is partnering with breweries across Massachusetts and the country to support the Black Ale Project, a craft beer initiative to raise money and awareness on behalf of U.S. war veterans.

Pappas, a craft beer lover and former blogger, is tapping into the power of the Massachusetts craft beer industry to support this cause close to his heart. The Black Ale Project, founded in 2015, isn’t a charity organization itself but serves as a conduit to support existing veteran charities. The idea is simple: breweries brew a special dark beer and donate all or part of the proceeds to a veteran charity of their choice.

Bay State breweries Medusa Brewing Company, Wormtown Brewery, and Stone Cow Brewery have already collectively raised more than $11,000 for the New England Center and Home for Veterans, Veterans Inc., and the Boston chapter of Pets for Vets. Castle Island Brewing Company, Idle Hands Craft Ales, and True West Brewing Company currently have their Black Ale Project beer for sale in Massachusetts and will donate to their selected veteran charities once the beer sells out.

“This project was not designed to place a heavy financial burden on the participating breweries, so they choose how much they will donate,” says Pappas. “Whether it’s 100 percent of the proceeds or a dollar a glass, we just ask that breweries be completely transparent with the consumer in regard to their contribution.”

Pappas does not handle the money at any time during the process; each brewery writes a check and delivers it directly to their chosen charity. He will provide a list of local veteran nonprofits that have been vetted by Charity Navigator upon request, and hopes that breweries keep in touch and build long-lasting relationships with these local organizations.

“Every glass of beer poured starts a conversation about the struggles our veterans face,” says Pappas. “Suicide, mental and physical health issues, homelessness – these are topics we want people to talk about and ultimately do something about.”

Massachusetts breweries joining the cause this year include Brewmaster Jack, Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company, Brazo Fuerte Artisanal Beer, Barrel House Z, Henry & Fran Brewing Company, and Bone Up Brewing Company. Wormtown Brewery is also planning a second release later this year.

“We are proud that so many of our Massachusetts breweries are signing onto this project and working to provide support to our service men and women,” says Katie Stinchon, executive director of the Mass Brewers Guild, a nonprofit organization that protects and promotes Mass craft breweries. “Massachusetts craft breweries care about their communities and the ways in which they can make them stronger. We are grateful to the Black Ale Project for bringing this mission and message into tap rooms, backyard barbecues and homes across the Commonwealth and country.”

Supporting the Black Ale Project is easy: buy a beer, help a veteran. For more information, visit blackaleproject.org.

Mass Brewers Guild Hosts two events to Celebrate #MassBeerWeek

BOSTON & HUDSON, MA | This year, the Mass Brewers Guild is working in conjunction with the folks at BeerAdvocate to host and promote Mass Beer Week. 

Power Beer Fest, Saturday, April 29, will kick-off the weeklong celebration of Massachusetts craft beer with more than 60 Mass brewers under one roof – the largest gathering of MA Craft breweries in festival history.

Mass Beer Week will focus exclusively on Massachusetts brewers, their beers, and supporting the beer community.

On Monday, May 1, hosted in partnership with the Rail Trail Flatbread Co. - MA Brewers will take over the taps for a meet the brewer style event and a line-up that’s not to be missed.

Head brewers and owners from Brick & Feather Brewing Co., Castle Island Brewing Co., Idle Hands, Jack’s Abby, Lamplighter Brewing Co., Medusa Brewing Co., Night Shift Brewing and Wormtown will be onsite to raise a pint and mingle, and a special offering from each brewery will be opened every half hour.

The Rail Trail Flatbread Company, one of Massachusetts most renowned beer destinations, is an associate member of the MBG and supports its mission to protect and promote craft brewers and breweries across the Commonwealth. 

The event will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Pay as you consume. The Rail Trail Flatbread Company is located at 33 Main St., Hudson, MA 01749.

For more information about the Mass Beer Week, visit MassBeerWeek.com.

What's on Tap for St. Paddy's Day?

Here are six ways to get your shamrock on this weekend that do not involve green beer:

ONE:
Poured on nitro and released for a special St. Patrick's Day event, "For The Love of Ireland", is a partnership between Aeronaut Brewing and the Irish International Immigrant center. These incredible friends are playing a tremendous role in assisting families from all over the world, fighting hard for Muslim immigrants affected by US policy changes. Available on Friday, March 17 at Aeronaut Brewing.

TWO:
Join Dorchester Brewing Company for a full day of St. Patrick's Day fun on Saturday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The day kicks-off with a “Savin Stout” beer release -- an Irish dry stout served on Nitro, bittered with Chinook hops, and fermented in a British yeast strain. This stout contains roasted barley, creating its deep brown color, and smoky, cocoa notes. Live Irish music will play from 2 to 5 p.m. alongside a food truck serving up bites from 4 to 9 p.m. For more details, click here.

THREE: 
Wormtown is celebrating its 7th anniversary on Friday, March 17 from noon to 10 p.m. The full day celebration will open up “Fermentation Alley,” and include live music, sweet treats, giveaways and a special birthday release, "Brew #7." Cellared beers including Tennessee Tats, an Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in Jack Daniel barrels, will be in the line-up along with many others. For more information, click here.

FOUR:
Navigation Brewing Co’s St. Paddy’s Day celebration will kick-off Friday, March 17 from 5 to 9 p.m., with Phoenix Rising Pizza paired with three Irish offerings – an Irish Stout, Irish Porter, and an Old Irish Ale. Other suds on tap include a Milk Stout, Double Porter, Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Lowell Common and Citra dry hopped Pale Ale. The party keeps ShamRocking on Saturday, March 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. with HomeKitchen serving up bites.

FIVE:
On Friday, March 17, Element Brewing Co. will host Dan and the Dirty Catechism from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Western Mass group sings and shouts songs about life, love, and sin. They weave their way through a variety of musical styles while performing the musical sermon about the virtues of sin and dirty living. Step right up and be saved...but it’s more fun if you get involved. For more information, For more details, click here.

SIX: 
Cape Cod Beer will launch their "Top Notch Stout" and raise a pint or two in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day. They've taken their velvety smooth Oatmeal Stout to the next level and aged it in Notch whiskey barrels (from Triple Eight Distillery). This dark brew with a hint of whiskey will be available only at the brewery in 750 ml. champagne bottles. 
OG: 16.7°P   ABV: 5.5%   IBUs: 42