List of Greater Boston Breweries That Provide Tours (WIP)

Thought I would just post a list of breweries in the Greater Boston area who provide tours.  I couldn't find a comprehensive list online so here it is. Of course, this is a work in progress (WIP). And feel free to let me know who I am missing.

Thanks!

Abe

P.S. They are in no particular order.

Samuel Adams

30 Germania Street

Boston, MA 02130

888-661-2337

Tour Times:

Monday -  Thursday: 10am - 3pm (last tour starts at 3:00)

Fridays: 10am - 5:30pm (last tour at 5:30)

Saturdays: 10am - 3pm (last tour at 3:00)

Duration: 45 minutes to an hour

Cost: Suggested donation: $2.00, all donations to benefit local charities.

Notes: To avoid parking issues we recommend using public transportation.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.samueladams.com/share-passion/tours.aspx

Harpoon Brewery

306 Northern Avenue

Boston, MA 02210

617-574-9551

Weekend Tour Times:

Saturdays 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (starting every half hour)

Sundays 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (starting every half hour)

Duration: About 1 hour

Cost: $5, includes a souvenir tasting glass, beer tasting, and donation to Harpoon Helps.

Weekday Tastings:

Monday - Friday: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Duration: About 1 hour

Cost: Complimentary

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/breweries/boston/weekend-tours

Night Shift Brewing

3 Charlton St

Everett, MA 02149

617-294-4233

Tour and Tasting Times:

Thursdays, 5-9pm

Saturdays, 12-5pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.nightshiftbrewing.com/site/brewery-tours/

Blue Hills Brewery

1020 Turnpike Street #3B

Canton, MA 02021

(781) 821-2337

Tasting Times:

Wednesday 5:00 - 8:00

Friday 3:30 - 6:30

Saturday 2:00 - 6:00

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.bluehillsbrewery.com/contact.php

Mayflower Brewery

12 Resnik Rd

Plymouth, MA

508-746-2674 

Weekend Tour Times:

Saturday: 11AM to 3PM

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Doesn't say.

Weekday Tastings:

Thursday-Friday: 4PM to 6PM

Saturday: 11AM to 3PM

Duration: About 20 minutes

Cost: Doesn't say.

Notes:

The facility includes a 9,000 square foot production area as well as a retail store and tasting room for visitors. The brewery is open to the public for retail sales, tastings and tours. Parking is available, no reservations are necessary and families are welcome.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.mayflowerbrewing.com/visit-us.php

Wachusett Brewing

175 State Road East

Westminster, MA

978-874-9965

Weekend Tour Times:

Wednesday and Thursday: Noon - 4:00 (last tour at 3)

Friday and Saturday: Noon - 5:00 (last tour at 4)

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Doesn't say.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.wachusettbrew.com/index2.html

Cape Cod Beer

1336 Phinney's Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601 

508-790-4200

Guided Tours:

Tuesday at 11am

Saturday at 1pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

Self Guided Tours & Tastings:

Weekdays (M- F): 10am - 6pm

Saturdays:  11am - 3pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.capecodbeer.com/brewery/visit-tours/

Berkshire Brewing Company

12 Rail Rd. St.

South Deerfield, MA 01373

413-665-6600

Tour Times:

Saturday 1:00pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: No charge.

Notes:

They cannot sell beer directly to the public.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com/virtual_tour.html

Paper City Brewing Company

108 Cabot St.

Holyoke, MA 01040

413-535-1588

Open House:

Thursday and Friday, 6-8pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: Free!

Notes:

They cannot sell beer directly to the public.

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.papercity.com/index.php

Ipswich Ale Brewery

23 Hayward St.

Ipswich, MA 01938

978-356-3329

For list of their events:

http://www.ipswichalebrewery.com/ipswich-weekend-starter-open-house

Buzzard's Bay Brewing is now Just Beer

98 Horseneck Rd

Westport, MA

Store Hours:

Saturdays from 11am to 5pm. Tastings, growler fills, bottle sales.

Website:

http://justbeer.us/#2

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

(rented brewery)

For list of their appearances and tastings:

http://www.prettythingsbeertoday.com/wp/events/

Boston Beer Works

(several locations)

BREWERY TOURS & TASTINGS – Available. Contact location.

Website:

http://www.beerworks.net/home/index.html

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Smuttynose Brewing Co

225 Heritage Ave

Portsmouth, NH 03801

603•436•4026 

Tour Times:

Fridays: 5:30 pm

Saturdays: 11:00 am &1:00 pm

Duration: Doesn't say.

Cost: $2 minimum donation to one of two non-profit organizations selected by our staff

Notes:

If you will be bringing your children with you as you tour Smuttynose, please keep them with you at all times.  Also, we urge you to wear appropriate footwear, avoiding sandals, open-toed shoes or flip-flops. We’ve got fittings, hoses, puddles, cleaning chemicals, hot things, cold things and heavy machinery. 

For the most updated information, please check here:

http://www.smuttynose.com/how_to_find_smuttynose.html

What would you do if you couldn't enjoy playing at the level you wanted?

Ugh. It only took a split second. I went to check a tire to see if it was flat, extended my left thumb and pressed it against it. Wow, was I wrong. As Newton said, for each force there is an equal and opposite force and my thumb collapsed and I felt a burning sensation at the base of my hand.  Yeah, that hurt and I knew.

Damn it, my left hand.

I reach for everything with my right hand. Check the garbage disposal with my right hand. Change lightbulbs, grab piping hot toast and pick up broken glass with my right hand. If anything happens to my right hand, I can modify my bow grip but if anything happens to my left hand, I can't play violin.

I've been asked if I would be okay if I could never play violin again. And I said yes. It's not because I don't enjoy it, it's because I'm grateful to still be playing at this age so I cherish every minute of it.  The time spent practicing, producing music (whether it's a concert or a  friend's wedding), and interacting with fellow musicians make whole experience still pretty cool.

My left thumb is still throbbing like a knife sliced something inside it. By now I've stopped what I've been doing and headed back inside. This moment, Saturday, September 21, 2012 at 5:05pm EDT, the thought of never playing another thing I love again crossed my mind after the stinger.

Softball

Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 6:33pm EDT. Location: Fillippello Park, Watertown, MA. I hit a grounder and run to first base and I know I can leg it out. My last step catches half the base as my left heel lands on the baseline. My leg locks straight and all my weight comes down on my ankle. I hear popping noises as if you tried to ring out water from a sheet of bubble wrap. I landed on the ground and attempted to get on my feet but my left leg will not have it.

I knew that I would never be the same after that and I haven't been. 2011 was the first year that we didn't win a championship since 2003.  Since then, I've injured my right shoulder (still hurts), my other ankle, hyperextended my knee and had imprint of softball stitching right above my right eye after a bad hop. A half inch down, I would have and I have to turn my head to see to the right. I'm still trying to work with my limitations but I still enjoy the game and need to play it at a different level.  But it will never be the same but I am okay with it.

I look at my left hand after two hours and it's not swollen. My left ankle didn't swell either but I definitely exacerbated it by walking a mile away to the Garden to attend Game 4 of the NBA Finals. At halftime, I determined that this injury was much more severe and sought medical attention.

In a couple of days, I will try to practice scales and see how it goes. I hate to be wrong as I have finally optimized my playing intelligence to compensate for my skill level over the last couple of years.

It may not be the end but I consider not playing at the level you want the same as if you never played again. It's different and it happens to everyone eventually. I've been lucky enough to play with hundreds of musicians from recording artists to iconic legends to compadres who enjoy great Buffalo wings & drinks after rehearsal.  If I can't back on track after this, I'm okay with it. But I am truly grateful for the time spent.

Boston Concert Hall Cycle: Part Deux

As the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra Benefit Concert at Sanders Theatre approaches on Saturday, May 19, 2012, I reflect on my last concert performed at this elusive venue.

I cannot believe it has been almost 25 years. The Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (GBYSO) allowed me to perform in three outstanding music halls in the area as a youth: Symphony Hall, Jordan and Sanders Theatre. And in my adult life, I've had the privilege of performing in Symphony Hall twice and Jordan Hall three times but Sanders Theatre has always escaped me.

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, in my 19th season as a member of the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, the venues will come full circle. There is one catch: I will not be joining the orchestra on stage. My responsibilities as Marketing & Publicity will take precedence and won't allow me to finish my "Boston Music Hall Cycle." This role within the organization has grown immensely over the last couple of years. I must focus my efforts elsewhere and I have come to terms with not performing there again.

So I still have Sunday, June 14, 1987. That afternoon, as the Los Angeles Lakers were completing a 6-game series victory over the Boston Celtics to win the front end of back-to-back titles (the NBA's first in my then lifetime), I performed my last ever performance indoors* as a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. It was an amazing afternoon filled with energy and emotion as a four year journey ended with so many life experiences that I still continue to cherish. To this day, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 will always bring a smile when I play or hear it performed.

If I had a chance before the Benefit Concert on May 19th, I would like to look out from the stage and take a moment to remember what someone once said to me: Play every concert like it will be your last. For me, it will be 25 years for Sanders Theatre and counting.

(* We performed on the Hatch Shell Esplanade later that month and our Music Director, Eiji Oue allowed me to play for our last ever performance of that season. Oh, by the way, I'm also looking to get back on the Hatch Shell too...)

Mobile Social Media Updates without a Data Plan

Yes, I am probably the last person in the whole world who updates as much as he does on facebook and whole bunch of other social media websites without a data plan. How do I do it? Text and SMS, baby. It is somewhat inconvenient (updates cannot be revised until I get to a computer) and impersonal (I can't always reply to a comment) but this is easier on my wallet (Verizon Wireless charges $29.99 for a personal data plan and can be as high as a $49.99 business data plan).

Below is a rundown on how to pretend you have a data plan like your friends do without actually having to pay for it.

Facebook

Support - http://www.facebook.com/mobile/

Status updates: Text to 32665 (FBOOK)

Mobile Uploads: SMS to 32665 (FBOOK) - Put caption in body of SMS NOT in Subject

Commands

m to message (ie "m john smith hey")

info for information (ie "info john smith")

srch for search (ie "srch john smith")

poke for poke (ie "poke john smith")

r to reply

n for next when you are reading a message that is truncated because of the 160 character limit

Pros: You can also read full messages over a couple text messages and somewhat interact to friend comments of your update.

Cons: Be extremely careful with typos and grammar otherwise you have to wait to get to a computer to revise. Cannot read News Feed. :(

Rating: ★★★★☆

My Space

Support - http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mobile

Updates: Text to 69772 (MYSPC)

Commands: <your 155 character message> to send a short Blog to your profile.

shout <your 154 character message> to send a bulletin to your profile

mood to update your Mood.

status to update your Status

Notes: Incomplete

Pros:

Cons: 

Rating: Incomplete

Twitter Updates: Text to 40404
Support - http://twitter.com/devices
Pros: Tweet on the spot
Cons: Be careful about Twitter's 140 character limit since most (if not all) text messages allow 160 characters. Difficult to shorten links without using bit.ly or tinyurl.com
Rating: ★★★★☆

Foursquare Updates: Text to 50500 new
Support - https://foursquare.com/overview, http://dotgo.com/res/foursquare/
Pros: RT, @, # are all available.
Cons:
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Don't have a data plan but want to reach someone via text since they are not by their computer? No worries. You can text others via your email!

Verizon Wireless
Text: @vtext.com
Picture: @vzwpix.com

This is great if you want to text someone from home and the recipient is out and about.