Eight Best Places to Grab a Beer in Central Mass.
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Image courtesy of Cambridge Brewing Co.
The Dive Bar
34 Green Street, Worcester
Image courtesy of Cambridge Brewing Co.
Open Daily 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Don’t let the name of this bar fool you. The Dive Bar may look like your average grungy Canal District hangout from the outside, but behind the door is great atmosphere, a friendly staff, and the best beer you’ll find in Worcester. Summers are even better at this bar thanks to their outdoor patio.
Even if you’re not a beer aficionado, the bartenders at The Dive can assist to help you find the perfect beer for your night. The line-up changes as the taps go dry, so if you find one you like, enjoy it while it lasts.
The Dive specializes in American Craft Brews and have numerous selections from Dogfish Head, Stone, Brooklyn Brewery, Ommegang, Allagash, Berkshire Brewing Co., Anchor, Avery, Pizza Port, Jolly Pumpkin, Southern Tier, Boulder, Lefthand, Smuttynose, Rogue, Founders, North Coast, Cisco, Bear Republic, Sprecher and more.
Come on a Thursday and you’ll be delighted with live local music to accompany their low light, and groovy ambiance. Visit their website for an up-to-date schedule of entertainment.
If you’re hungry after getting a drink, stop by Chris Gould’s hot dog cart that frequents the area just outside the bar on Friday nights. Vegetarians need not miss out. He’s also got veggie dogs and locally made hot sauce.
Image courtesy of ASurroca.
Armsby Abbey
144 Main Street, Worcester
Image courtesy of ASurroca.
Sunday – Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – midnight
Friday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
If you’re looking for the same awesome selection that The Dive offers but want something a little classier, give Worcester's Armsby Abbey a try. Their slates, cheese plates, and appetizers can’t be beat if you’re in the mood for some food to go with your beer. Servers are highly knowledgeable about pairings and will make you feel right at home.
They update their online list of beers frequently so you can decide in advance when you want to go. HIghlights from the current list include Victory Summer Love, Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA, 21st Amendment Monk’s Blood, Mayflower Summer Rye, Ballast Point Sculpin, BBC Coffeehouse.
Waterfront Mary’s
103 Birch Island Road, Webster
Monday–Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday: 12:00 a.m. – midnight
For the perfect summer spot to grab a swig, try Waterfront Mary’s in Webster. Their scenic location off of Webster Lake gives a great view to enjoy a beer with some of their delicious appetizers, sandwiches, and salads.
Wormtown Brewery at Peppercorn’s Bar and Grille
455 Park Avenue Worcester
Open Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday - Saturday noon - 11:00 p.m.
Sunday noon - 9:00 p.m.
While you might know Peppercorn’s Bar and Grille for its delicious food and dining, the restaurant offers the best selection of local brews anywhere in the city. Wormtown Brewery, located on site at Peppercorn’s uses all local ingredients to produce a rotating selection of beer that’s sure to delight any palate. They have twelve beers always on tap and the selection is always rotating.
Usually, their brews are lighter and perfect for summer, but don’t miss their fall pumpkin and winter spiced selections when it gets cold. Right now, they’re featuring MassWhole HefeWeizen, Seven Hills Pale Ale, Worcester's Bravest Ale, Irish Red Ale,Turtle Boy Blueberry Ale, Elm Park Amber Ale, Blonde Cougar Summer Ale, Be Hoppy I.P.A., MaiZok, Hopulence - American Double I.P.A. and a few others.
Also make sure you take advantage of their deal on a growler of beer. All refills are $8 for 64 ounces of locally brewed beer after you purchase the container.
JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough
Bar hours:
Open Monday - Saturday 11:30 a.m.
Closes 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, earlier all other nights
Sunday 12:00 - 11:00
For something a little sportier, check out JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill in Northboro. Their atmosphere is great for spending an evening enjoying great company, food, and drinks while watching the game.
They have a great lineup of events, so make sure to visit their website to stay current with the latest band that will be stopping by.
Brew City
104 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester
Restaurant hours:
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Monday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
If you’re in the mood for a high quality beer, but are looking for the comfortable atmosphere of a casual sports bar, try Worcester’s Brew City. The only bad thing about their selection is the time it’ll take you to make your decision. Brew City has 155 beers and 40 drafts available. Come get your fill of their drafts, ales, lagers, big beers, and cask ales.
Brew City’s food selection will give you something great to have with your drink. Their burgers, “Red, White & Brew” menu, and their grilled pizzas will go great with their overwhelming selection of brews.
Boynton Restaurant and Spirits
117 Highland Street, Worcester
All week: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Boynton Restaurant and Spirits a great place to visit on any night. With their list of thirty-six beers on draft, they have a wide selection to choose from when you're searching for something to go with their great pizza. While the restaurant is always a good option, this coming Tuesday, they will offer more than their usual selection at their Sixpoint Brewery Beer Dinner. The dinner starts Tuesday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m. and is $50 per person.
For starters, the meal will start off with a cheese plate and the “Sweet Action” Original Ale. The first course includes the “Crisp” Pilsner with butter poached lobster and a salad made of artisan baby romaine, chopstick croutons, and creamy citrus vinaigrette dressing. Next comes the “Bengali Tiger” IPA with a Cuban Hand roll. The third course – a “Righteous Ale” Rye with some Teriyaki Mahi. Keep chugging with the “Resin” Double IPA and smoked Buffalo Tri Tip and roasted corn succotash. The last course tops it off with “Apollo” Wheat Ale and Baked Alaska.
Tickets are available on their website and at their front desk.
Blacksheep Tavern
261 Leominster Road, Sterling
Open daily at 11:00 a.m.
Kitchen closes at 10:00 p.m.
Bar closes at 1:00 a.m.
For some fun atmosphere, head to the Blacksheep Tavern in Sterling, but make sure you bring a couple friends. Their menu features all your favorite bar food and some great American classics -- all of which will go great with the beers on their menu. Tuesday nights, wings are only a quarter each. The Blacksheep Tavern also has a load of live music each week, so make sure you check in with their Facebook page to keep up to speed.
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