Beer lovers, dog lovers, beer lovers who love dogs, dog lovers who love beer...rejoice! Harpoon Octoberfest and Dogtoberfest are back.
Every New Englander has their "summer's-over-it's-fall-now" mile marker. I actually talked about this recently. For some of us, it's back-to-school for the kids. For others, it's Labor Day Weekend. Still others start their fall celebrations early, when pumpkin spice hits store shelves. Which has been happening in early August as of late. That's so messed up. Just let summer be summer, for crissakes.
Harpoon Octoberfest and Dogtoberfest Return for 2023
Then there are those of us who welcome autumn in New England at Harpoon Brewery's annual Octoberfest. This year's edition--the 33rd Annual, if you're keeping score at home--takes place on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30. As the announcement states: "Flowing taps, live oompah music, stein-hoisting competitions, pretzel eating contests, chicken dancing, and more will be waiting for you at our largest festival of the year."
What's more, on Sunday, October 1, Harpoon Dogtoberfest takes place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Harpoon's website lays it out like this: "This fundraising event welcomes dog lovers and their furry friends to the Harpoon Brewery to celebrate Octoberfest! Net proceeds from this event go to the Kenary Brain Tumor Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MSPCA – Angell."
Both events will take place at Harpoon's Boston Brewery, located at 306 Northern Ave. For the Octoberfest schedule and tickets (they highly recommend you purchase them ahead of time, because these do sell out), head over here. For more info on Dogtoberfest and to register for that event, head over here. All in all, it's looking like the last weekend in September/first weekend in October is going to be the time to head over to the Harpoon Brewery in Boston. Better practice our stein-hoisting skills in the meantime.
It’s Mass Beer Week. Here Are 7 Breweries You Need to Visit
Mass Beer Week runs from March 4 through March 11, 2023. There are 7 days in a week. You can probably see where I'm going with this.
I can't remember where I first heart about Mass Beer Week. It was at some point in time over the weekend, probably on the way to or on the way home from New Hampshire. I spent Saturday at Crotched Mountain with my 14-yr-old. We have a standing date on the first Saturday of March every year. We shred the gnar at Crotched: me on my snowboard, him on his skis. Then we grab dinner at Alberto's Italian Restaurant in Bennington. "Best Food By a Dam Site." Best food, period. So good.
But I digress. Because I was kicking around in the Granite State, I missed the first day of Mass Beer Week. The Mass Brewers Guild sets aside one week every year to celebrate local craft beer. This year, it's March 4 through March 11. That's this week! They even have special Mass Beer Week pint glasses to mark the occasion this year. You can see what those look like and get a list of breweries where you can pick one up right here.
It's Mass Beer Week. Here Are 7 Breweries You Need to Visit
Speaking of lists of breweries, I've gone ahead and made my own to share with you. I know we're a few days into this year's celebration. And I know technically this year's celebration actually spans eight days and not seven. Smart move: you get two Saturdays in that way! But seven breweries just feels right to me. I'll give you a bunch more when we bring back Boston's Brewery Battle later this year. In the meantime, take a spin through my list, and maybe pick a favorite or two to patronize this week. Cheers!
1) Idle Hands
Idle Hands Craft Ales, Malden
My favorite local brewery. I love their taproom in Malden, but you can also find them at the wonderful Common Craft space at the Burlington Mall.
2) Vitamin Sea
Vitamin Sea Brewing, Weymouth
They won our Boston Brewery Battle back in 2020, just a year after they opened. That should tell you how popular they are on the South Shore.
3) Tree House
Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton
Maybe the most popular brewery in the Commonwealth, currently. They opened a space in Tewksbury, too.
4) Widowmaker
Widowmaker Brewing Co., Braintree
The beer is fantastic, yes. But the taproom is one of the best hangs you'll find south of the city.
5) Lord Hobo
Lord Hobo Brewing Company, Woburn
Yes, Lord Hobo boasts multiple locations now in and around the city. But I encourage you to pay them a visit in Woburn. And get some pizza with your pint.
6) Notch
Notch Brewing, Salem
The main taproom is one of the jewels of the North Shore. But you can also sample all Notch has to offer in Brighton.
7) Dorchester Brewing
Dorchester Brewing Company, Dorchester
A fave of the ROCK 92.9 crew back when our studios were just a stone's throw away from their taproom.
