The South Shore of Massachusetts is a beer lover’s paradise. I’ve written about breweries such as Second Wind, Mayflower, and Widowmaker multiple times on Backyard Road Trips. Plymouth has the most craft beverage destinations (four breweries, two wineries, a distillery, and a cidery), but Weymouth is another hotbed of craft beer. With Vitamin Sea and Barrel House Z, Weymouth breweries are a must-visit for every beer lover.
Vitamin Sea Brewing
The most buzzed-about brewery in the last few years has to be Vitamin Sea. They earned recognition from Hop Culture as the best brewery of 2019. Here in the South Shore, Vitamin Sea is as much on anyone’s lips as other Massachusetts mainstays, including Tree House and Trillium. As much as for the applause, it’s time to talk about the beer.
Vitamin Sea earned their reputation initially based on their IPAs. The prototypical Vitamin Sea IPA is hazy, juicy, and almost tropical, perfect for the “Vitamin C” reference. I have been drinking their beers for about a year and a half now and can tell you that any IPA by this brewery will be superb. Unlike some breweries where if they aren’t selling their “it” beer during your visit, disappointment sets in, Vitamin Sea’s roster is all stellar.
Right now, the brewery is pick-up only. On an average weekend day, they’ve been selling around six different beers. The best bet to stay apprised of the offerings is to follow their Instagram page. The brewery and branding has a cool West Coast surf aspect to it, even though it is located in an industrial park in Weymouth. Recently I’ve branched out with a few of their stouts and sours, all of which were excellent. Vitamin Sea is located at 30 Moore Road in Weymouth.
Barrel House Z
Barrel House Z is located just a few doors down from Vitamin Sea in the same industrial complex. These two breweries complement each other nicely. As I describe below, Barrel House Z has a well-rounded beer menu, with many different styles that are often offered, whereas at Vitamin Sea at least one IPA will be on the menu.
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 is centered 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 is attractive in design and their walls are chock 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. A few years ago, fellow friends with kids and I went to Barrel House Z to celebrate my birthday, it was a perfect venue.
Weymouth Breweries
Up until recently, Article Fifteen Brewing was also located in Weymouth, making the total of Weymouth breweries to three. They needed to search for larger digs so they soon will be reopening in Rockland, a neighboring town. If you’re looking for an excellent brewery afternoon, try Weymouth, Massachusetts, with Vitamin Sea and Barrel House Z!
