Living in the South Shore since 2011, I’ve found that this region was always a bit behind in the craft beer craze. Yes, certainly, we had Mayflower. Luckily, the landscape has changed drastically. A good number of towns in the region can call at least one brewery home. Recently created is the South Shore Beer Trail which winds through the coastal region from Braintree in the north to Plymouth in the South. Here are five great stops on the South Shore Beer Trail.
I’ve spent the majority of the past two years writing my latest book (due late spring 2020) “A History Lover’s Guide to the South Shore.” It’s just that–a guide to all of the wonderful historic places on the South Shore. Being a bit of a food, craft libation, and cultural nut, I expanded the definition of “history” to include forays into these other areas. I was able to visit so many fantastic restaurants, breweries, and other establishments of the South Shore to accent and accompany the historical town profiles as places to go while visiting such historical stops as Plimoth Plantation, the Adams National Historical Park, and the area’s former military installations.
My publisher though had other ideas. Their point was that just because “Mayflower Brewery” had the boat in the name, it isn’t quite historical. The same goes for Barrel House Z, Widowmaker Brewing, Second Wind Brewing, and Old Colony Brewing Company. Although paragraphs of the book were left on the cutting room floor, they have found new life on Backyard Road Trips.
Here, without further ado, are five stops of the South Shore Beer Trail for your visit the region’s finest breweries.
Mayflower Brewing
Tourists have flocked to Plymouth for its historical sites and significance for years. Recently though, the coastal town has become known for its craft beverage industry. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2017, Mayflower Brewing, located at 12 Resnik Road in the Plymouth Industrial Park, it is the oldest brewery in town. Mayflower simply does beer well. Although in recent years they have branched into some more adventurous styles, Mayflower’s stalwarts include their IPA, their New World IPA, and Porter.
Their branding ties into local history with their sample pack called the Mayflower Compact, beers named for Pilgrims (Alden), historical references (New World IPA), as well as their annual double IPA, culminating with next year’s “400” (this year it’s the 399). Their porter is world-renowned. Mayflower’s taproom is nicely arranged, with a large bar, tables to sit at, a dartboard, and often a food truck on the weekends. It’s a comfortable spot for beer lovers of all ages, dogs, and kids. Tours are available.
Mayflower has branched out to become a strong force in the community. They host events such as the Mayflower Brewing 5K and beer gardens (in the warmer months) at the beautiful Mayflower Society House in downtown Plymouth. Three days a week in 2019 they partnered with the Pinehills community for a beer garden in the town square. I even recommend it as part of a (mostly) free family trip to Plymouth. For more information on Mayflower and it’s beer gardens, click here.
Widowmaker Brewing
Widowmaker operates out of a functional facility at 220 Wood Road. This is in an industrial park in the northern part of Braintree. Their taproom is large and their beers are delicious. The brewery is extremely family-friendly. Never have I seen quite the array of children’s books at a brewery! They even have a small table just for kids to sit at as they have here. Hats off to a brewery whose beers namecheck both a comedy team (the Martin & Lewis Milkshake IPA) and a historical reference (Whig Party Pale Ale). Both of these beers are top-notch and are two of my favorite Widowmaker concoctions. The brewery is large, inviting, kid-friendly, and, most importantly, serves excellent beer. Widowmaker can be found online at www.widowmakerbrewing.com. Widowmaker really makes great beer. I recommend them highly. The owners have a real collaborative spirit that has invigorated the whole South Shore beer scene.
Second Wind Brewing
Second Wind Brewing is one of the newer breweries that has opened on the South Shore but is already making a profound mark. Their sleek and industrial feeling brewery is located at 7 Howland Street in downtown Plymouth. This location makes it unique since most of the other South Shore brewery locations are inside industrial parks or on major roads. Second Wind is walkable to most of the major attractions in Plymouth. Their beer includes the ever-changing Winds of Change series, the Howland at the Moon (Witbier) and the Dad Bod Cream Ale. Additionally, they brew a rotating cast of others which has included a key lime IPA and goses. Visiting Second Wind is like going back to college years. It’s reminiscent of hanging out in a friend’s garage with tunes on the stereo, (albeit a really cool garage!).
Second Wind is in the process of preparing to open a second brewery (this time with food!) on Main Street in Plymouth. They hosted a series of popular beer gardens at Bramhall’s Country Store in the Chiltonville section of Plymouth this past autumn. The events included their own taps, plus either a collaboration they did with other breweries on the South Shore Beer Trail (Widowmaker, Untold and Vitamin Sea) or guest taps (Stellwagen, Mayflower). In a short time, Second Wind is becoming a dominant force on the local scene and has recently been named one of the top five brewery logos in Massachusetts! I’m excited about the new Main Street location to open and to see what Second Wind has on tap next (literally and figuratively!)
Old Colony Brewing Company
Located at 605 Bedford Street, Unit 1, Old Colony Brewing brews stellar beer whose selections include the Moneyline and Hoppy Patriot IPAs. Some beer’s names are a nod to local history with their Toll House Stout (in addition to the name Old Colony). They also have rotating seasonal selections. Their taproom is clean and functional, with TVs to watch the game and plenty of deliciousness on tap. Beer is available at the taproom, and for take-out in growlers, crowlers, and cans. Visit them online at www.oldcolonybrewing.com for more information.
My first time ever visiting Old Colony was years ago when they operated out of a tiny storefront in Whitman. It was a freezing winter day and they were only open for growler fills on Saturday mornings. The line was way out the door as the crowd clamored for Money Line and the Hoppy Patriot. While the other breweries on this list are located closer to the sea, Old Colony is further inland in the former industrial town of Whitman. Just like the town itself, which has many under the radar, but worthwhile places, such as a quaint downtown and the impressive Bostonian Shoe Lofts, Old Colony Brewing Company is a bit of a hidden gem.
Barrel House Z
The first in Weymouth’s craft brewery boom is Barrel House Z. Russ Heissner was hired by Harpoon Brewery in Boston in 1986 as their first brewmaster. After years out of the industry, he opened Barrel House Z in 2016. While much of the craft beer landscape in New England revolves around juicy IPAs, Barrel House Z does things a little differently. Sure, they have a full lineup of beers including IPAs and Pale Ales, but the difference about their libations begins with their name. Many of their beers are aged in liquor barrels of different varieties. For instance, their Summer and 79 Degrees pilsner is aged in gin barrels. The Zelato Stout is aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels, and their Rye Zulu is aged in rye whiskey barrels.
Their brewery is located in an industrial section of town and its exterior is bedecked with barrels bearing their name. The interior’s design is attractive and their walls are full of, what else, barrels! The brewery has an outdoor beer garden in warmer months. It is kid-friendly with communal picnic tables inside and has an array of board games to play. The brewery is located at 95 Woodrock Road and is open Wednesday to Sunday. Visit them online at www.barrelhousez.net. They also host public events weekly, including various activities such as meetups and yoga.
The Final Word
Whether you are a tourist visiting the South Shore or a local wanting to branch out a bit, the South Shore Beer Trail provides a fun excursion any time of the year. All of the breweries mentioned here are welcoming, with a laid back and fun atmosphere. These five stops on the South Shore Beer Trail are certainly worth your time.
For important information regarding travel insurance, here’s an informative post from Consumers Advocate, which makes us all remember when visiting the best breweries on the South Shore, or anywhere for that matter, to drink responsibly.
