tchoiniere

Met up with a couple of friends for a 2 night stay. We opted to stay at the Red Roof Inn in Framingham and just drive in. Not the most optimal but we made it work.

We met up Friday morning at the hotel (right on Route 9 next to the Mass Pike on ramp so easy access). We left my car there and drove to Jack's Abby Brewing in Framingham.

Jack's Abby has drastically increased the amount of their production and are now a major brewery making craft beer. We got there and their brewery was extremely busy. Its modeled after a German Beer Hall so long family style seating. We got seats quickly and enjoyed a few flights to sample all of their beer. I had been there a few times and enjoy their beer. Wide variety of selections and styles. All of them are very good. They have a porter made with Peanut Butter and Jelly but it was not available at this time. They are also opening a side project brewery next door so we sampled those and they are really good. It is going to be called Springdale Brewery - lots of sour beers and one off IPAs. We also enjoyed some wood fired pizza here and chicken wings which were very good. My only complaint on the brewery is the amount of kids there - kid birthday parties. I almost ran over a kid while carrying my flight of beer to my seat and almost dropped it on the kid. Breweries are not Chuck E Cheese. I can understand being kid friendly but wish the kids were not just running everywhere...

The next stop was Exhibit A Brewery. They are in the old Jack's Abby location in Framingham. Once again, it was very busy but enjoyed their beers as well. Service was great. Bought a few to take home with me.

On to Castle Island Brewery in Norwood. Good stop with good amount of free samples. Typical for breweries is a random location in an old warehouse. Our GPS put us at the wrong end of the street but we found it quickly after that. Great service here and would definitely come again.

We stopped at Trillium - Canton next. Trillium has their original brewery in Boston but they use that just for sales now. The Canton location offers pours as well. Plenty of parking here for a large crowd. They handle the crowd control very well and prompt service. Their beers are on the extremely hoppy side so are not for everyone. That being said, I have enjoyed all of the beers I have had from them and they did not disappoint. Tried a few from them and then to the distribution side. There are separate areas for pours and beer to go. I would like to see a better tie in between them as you don't really know what is available to go while sampling...You should be given a list to make it easy.

We then drove into Boston (thankfully my friends wife was driving as she was not drinking much beyond a few sips). We went to Atlantic Fish Company for dinner. Excellent seafood for dinner - I had salmon that was really good. Stayed here for awhile then walked around in that area hitting couple of bars etc. First time I had been near the Marathon Finish Line since before the Marathon bombing.

Back out to Framingham. Quick easy drive. The new All Electronic Tolling is simple and easy with an EZPass. Make sure it is attached to your windshield as you don't have much warning when the gantries are coming and they are not lit at night. Feels weird to me not having toll booths as I worked in them for 2 summers.

tchoiniere

We were up early the next morning and opted to head into Boston. Parked near Fanueil Hall and had a quick breakfast at a coffee shop near there. Walked around here briefly then out to MIT to see some of the campus. Didn't spend a lot of time there but enjoyed what we saw. We then decided to go to a few more breweries. We got back to our car (most breweries are not necessarily accessible by public transportation) and drove to Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville. The brewery is on a street maybe 20 feet wide with parking on both sides and 2 way traffic. Makes it fun to get parking! Took a while but we got a spot.

Into the brewery and a very strangely decorated spot. Got seats at the bar and sampled their beers. Enjoyed their samples. Once again a wide variety of styles and good service.

Headed from here to Night Shift Brewing in Everett. Our GPS was almost tossed into the Mystic River at this point. We were on a rotary there and at the last possible fraction of a second, it told us to take a right - we were on the inside of it so that didn't happen. We got forced off the rotary into a slow moving traffic jam where our ETA moved 25 minutes back. Managed to get out of that and back to the brewery.

Waited in line to get into the brewery and it was jammed. However, they were very organized and handled it easily. We sampled most of their beers. Easily some of the best beer I have had in a long time. Lots of tasty flavors and a lot to bring home. Given the amount of people there, it was very well organized and a great stop. They have a 2nd bar next door to handle overflow crowds or even private parties. Highly recommend a stop here.

We went to the Bone Up Brewery next door and waited a while to get in. Beer was average at best but they have just opened so I hope they can improve their beer. Tiny space so I was feeling claustrophobic in there too.

Next up was Mystic Brewery. Nearby but in the back of an industrial park with very little signage there. Enjoyed their beers. Again, wide variety of beers with some Belgian styles mixed in. Really liked this spot and could have stayed longer.

Into Boston and met up with other friends at a bar (cannot not remember the name) towards Fanueil Hall with a band playing. Lots of 80s and 90s covers. We enjoyed this a lot and left around midnight.

tchoiniere

Got up Sunday morning and walked to the Dunkin Donuts next door and read for a while (Finally finished Springsteen's new bio Born to Run - great read but long and wordy).

We drove in to Fenway Park and got street parking neaby. The SPARTAN race was being held there. Obstacle course race that was around 2 miles that day. Area was hopping and fun. We went into the Park for a little while to watch. Then walked over to Fanueil Hall hitting some of the typical Freedom Trail sites etc. Perfect weather and a lot of fun just hanging out. Had lunch in Quincy Market then opted to go to Sam Adams Brewery (had never been there even though I like Sam, I don't drink it a lot anymore). Took Uber there and enjoyed their tour. Great history of the brewery and enjoyed the free samples. Ubered it back to Fenway and barhopped a little while around that area - Boston Beer Works and a few other ones).

Easy ride home around 4pm. Fun but albeit way too fast of a weekend.

tchoiniere

I was fine with the hotel. For the price we got, it worked great. Easy access to the Pike and around a 20 minute drive to Boston. Hotel is relatively new and is being upgraded. Quiet even with the highway and Route 9 right there. Plenty of restaurants around. For someone traveling on a budget, its a great option for those coming to Boston. My room had a refridge and a microwave but we never used them.

Ackislander

This is a great example of a trip that was completely successful because you knew exactly what you wanted.

Framingham? Red Roof Inn?

Why not?

You weren't going to do the classic Boston sites. You were going to drink beer.

It was a weekend so traffic wasn't an issue.

You were planning to spend a lot of time getting around anyway, so the difference between 20 minutes in the car and a 20 minute wait for the Heath Street trolley or a 20 minute walk was immaterial.

And you saved a bundle without being a cheapskate.

If everyone had your focus, Boston is not so unaffordable.

jayne1973

Sounds like a fun trip!!! What were some of your fave beers?