Massachusetts has one of the most vibrant craft beer scenes in the United States—and those who live there know this very well. The state, home to Boston, Cambridge, and dozens of smaller cities, is also home to some of the country's most award-winning breweries, with styles ranging from refreshing sours to imperial stouts that would make any craft beer enthusiast envious.
For Brazilians living in the state, exploring this world is a way to truly immerse themselves in the local culture. And for those who are not yet familiar with Massachusetts' craft beer scene, this list is a great starting point. We've selected the beers and breweries that stand out for their quality, reputation, and the experience they offer.
1. Heady Topper — The Alchemist (Vermont, available in MA)
Before delving into beers brewed within the state, it's worth mentioning Heady Topper from The Alchemist. Although produced in Vermont, it frequently appears on Massachusetts shelves and is considered by many connoisseurs to be one of the best IPAs in the world. With an intense, tropical, and buttery hop profile, it perfectly represents the New England IPA style that Massachusetts has embraced with such enthusiasm.
2. Lunch — Maine Beer Company (available in MA)
Another name from the American Northeast that has made a strong impact in Massachusetts is Lunch, from the Maine Beer Company. A top-fermented IPA with floral and fruity aromas, carefully dry-hopped and light. It's difficult to always find, but it's worth the effort when it appears.
3. Wormtown Brewery — Be Hoppy
Wormtown Brewery, in Worcester, is a local pride. Be Hoppy is their house IPA and one of the best-selling in the state. Light, aromatic, and refreshing, it's ideal for those starting to explore the IPA style and wanting an accessible experience without sacrificing quality. The brewery also has seasonal labels that are worth checking out.
4. Night Shift Brewing — Whirlpool
Night Shift Brewing, from Everett (near Boston), is one of the most beloved breweries in the local craft beer community. Whirlpool is an American pale ale with citrus and floral notes, easy to drink and with a smooth texture that pleases almost every palate. The Night Shift taproom is an attraction in itself—great for bringing friends who haven't yet ventured into this world of beer.
5. Trillium Brewing Company — Fort Point Pale Ale
Trillium is perhaps the most talked-about name in Massachusetts when it comes to craft beer. Founded in Boston, the brewery built its reputation with its NEIPAs (New England IPAs) and today has lines at its taprooms. The Fort Point Pale Ale is one of the most accessible in the line, with a balanced flavor between malt and hops. For those who want to start with Trillium, this is the gateway.
6. Trillium—Congress Street IPA
Also at Trillium, the Congress Street IPA deserves a separate mention. Fuller-bodied and hoppy than the Fort Point, it has aromas of tropical fruits, a creamy texture, and moderate bitterness—the combination that defined the NEIPA style for the world. It's the kind of beer you drink once and understand why the brewery has a line outside.
7. Jack's Abby Craft Lagers — House Lager
For those who prefer lagers instead of IPAs (and there's nothing wrong with that), Jack's Abby in Framingham is a must-visit. This House Lager is a bottom-fermented beer, clear, with a clean and refreshing flavor. Jack's Abby is a pioneer of the craft lager style in the USA and proves that it's possible to make a popular and sophisticated beer at the same time. Incidentally, Framingham is a city with a strong Brazilian presence. Those who live there know that the region has a lot to offer..
8. Jack's Abby — Hoponius Union
Also at Jack's Abby, Hoponius Union deserves a mention. It's an IPL (India Pale Lager), a style that combines the bitterness and aroma of IPAs with the lightness and clean character of lagers. The result: an extremely drinkable beer, with well-defined citrus notes and without the heaviness of more full-bodied ales.
9. Harpoon Brewery — IPA
Harpoon is one of the historic names in American craft beer, with over three decades of history in Boston. Harpoon IPA is a classic American ale with a balance between malt and hops, easy to find in practically any bar or shop in Massachusetts. It's the ideal "entry-level" beer for those who want to try something local without taking too many risks.
10. Harpoon — UFO White
UFO White is another option from Harpoon, this time in the witbier style (Belgian wheat beer). With notes of orange, coriander, and a slightly hazy texture, it's refreshing and perfect for summer in Boston. For Brazilians who enjoy lighter, fruitier beers, UFO White is usually love at first sip.
11. Notch Brewing — Session Pils
Notch Brewing, from Salem, is one of the most fervent advocates of so-called session beers — low-alcohol beers (below 4,5% ABV) that don't compromise on flavor. The Session Pils is a Czech-inspired pilsner, dry, with a balanced bitterness and extremely refreshing. Ideal for those who want to enjoy several beers throughout the day without feeling the weight of the alcohol.
12. Idle Hands Craft Ales — Celeste
Idle Hands, from Malden, is a smaller but highly respected brewery in the local scene. Celeste is a Belgian saison with a golden color, notes of spices, dried fruit, and a lively carbonation. For those who appreciate European styles and want to escape the dominance of IPAs, Idle Hands offers a distinctive repertoire.
13. Tree House Brewing Company — Julius
Charlton's Tree House has become legendary. Julius is a NEIPA that frequently appears among the best beers in the world in specialized rankings such as RateBeer and Untappd. With a hazy appearance, aroma of mango and passion fruit, and a mild bitterness, it's a sensory experience that any beer lover should have at least once. The only drawback: you have to go to the brewery, as distribution is limited. It's worth the trip.
14. Mystic Brewery — Saison Renaud
Chelsea's Mystic Brewery works with wild yeasts and mixed fermentation, resulting in beers with their own unique personality. The Saison Renaud is a prime example: dry, slightly acidic, with earthy and fruity notes reminiscent of Belgian traditions. For the curious drinker looking beyond IPAs, Mystic is one of the best discoveries Massachusetts has to offer.
15. Lamplighter Brewing — Sundial
Lamplighter, in Cambridge, has a charming taproom and a well-crafted line of beers. Sundial is a Kölsch — a German Cologne-style beer, light, clear, and with a delicate flavor that blends malt and floral hops. It's a refreshing and unusual choice, perfect for summer nights in Cambridge.
How to best enjoy the Massachusetts craft beer scene
Massachusetts has an impressive concentration of taprooms — spaces within the breweries themselves where you can drink directly from the source, often with exclusive labels that don't reach stores. Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Framingham, and Worcester concentrate a good portion of these breweries, and many offer guided tours, tastings, and the sale of growlers (reusable containers to take home).
For those arriving in the state now or still adjusting to life in Massachusetts, exploring local bars and breweries is one of the most natural ways to make connections and understand American culture. And if you're still getting your life in order there—whether it's getting your paperwork done or getting used to local rules— This guide is about getting a driver's license in Massachusetts. It can help you with one of the first bureaucratic tasks of the state.
Exploring the craft beer scene is also a great excuse to get to know different parts of the state. Many breweries are located in historic neighborhoods or in small towns that few tourists know about—and that's exactly where Massachusetts reveals its best side.
Drink responsibly. Alcohol consumption is only permitted for those 21 years of age or older in the United States.
